For Patrick Marks and his Mansfield outfit, 2022 will be remembered as the year they took a big step forward.
Averaging 23.6 disposals across the year, Marks was a driving force behind the Eagles’ surge up the ladder and well and truly announced himself as one of the premier midfielders of Goulburn Valley League.
His performance in Mansfield’s preliminary final defeat added to his tally of superb outings this year.
Marks chalked up a game-high 28 disposals and a mammoth 17 contested possessions for his side.
At a glance
Patrick Marks v Euroa, GVL preliminary final
Disposals 28
Contested possessions 17
Uncontested possessions 10
Ground ball gets 16
Clearances 10
Handball receives 8
Inside 50s 9
As the game played out in the wet, Marks was clean and clinical with ball in hand and managed 16 ground ball gets, 10 clearances as well as 10 uncontested possessions.
The midfield weapon also led his side’s charge forward with nine inside 50s.
Missing just two home-and-away games across the season, Marks was a model of consistency all year and was rewarded for his blistering early season form with a GVL interleague call-up in May.
A round 13 clash with Rochester is a definite standout, where the Eagles midfielder gathered a season-high 35 possessions, using it to good effect with a kick efficiency of 76 per cent.
Marks’ midfield game was as complete a performance you are likely to find, as he rounded it out with 19 contested and 17 uncontested possessions, 15 ground ball gets and 11 clearances.
Marks finished his season in ninth for average data points this season (1802), and gives coach Chad Owens another reason to smile as he looks back on a hugely impressive 2022.
By the numbers
Patrick Marks in 2022
Disposals 23.6
Contested possessions 11.6
Uncontested possessions 12.6
Handball receives 6.6
Ground ball gets 8.7
Tackles 5.2