Former AFL recruiter Matt Rendell has looked into his crystal ball ahead of the 2023 season.
When looking at the Coleman Medal race, Rendell named the main four players he expects to feature near the top.
Rendell named three of the past four Coleman winners in that group he calls the big four.
“Harry McKay has got to be right up there, surely,” Rendell said on SEN SA The Run Home.
“I think the big four are (Jeremy) Cameron, (Charlie) Curnow, (McKay and (Tom) Lynch.”
When asked to name his top choice from that big four, Rendell tipped the only player yet to win the award with Richmond’s Tom Lynch his standout.
After kicking 63 goals from 19 games in 2022, Rendell expects Lynch to dominate again as the clear number one target for the Tigers.
“I’m probably going to take Lynch,” Rendell said.
“He’s not going to play every week, Jack (Riewoldt).
“I think Richmond are going to be really good, so I think the ball is going to get to Lynch a lot.
“Curnow and McKay are going to cut each other out a bit and maybe (Tom) Hawkins and Cameron will cut themselves out a bit.”
As for a smokey, Rendell said he wouldn’t be surprised if Brisbane recruit Jack Gunston features near the top of the leaderboard.
While Gunston hasn’t kicked more than 50 goals since 2018, Rendell expects the veteran to have some big days at the Gabba playing as a third forward alongside Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood.
“Another one I thought that it wouldn’t surprise me if he won it was Jack Gunston,” Rendell said.
“My reasoning was he’s going to get the third best forward every week after Hipwood and Daniher.
“He’s going to destroy most third tall defenders Jack Gunston, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he has some bumper games and he’s right up there as well.”
Gunston is set to play his first official game in his new colours when the Lions face the Power at Adelaide Oval on March 18.
