Huddo was coerced out of retirement at the end of last year to provide some experienced back-up for Matthew Leuenberger, and help teach draftee Billy Longer some tricks of the trade.
As it turned out, Leuey went down in Round 3 which meant that the former Bulldog has been forced shouldered most of our ruck load in 2012. And he’s just been terrific.
Last Saturday night, Huddo collected 23 disposals, took six marks, had 31 hitouts, and accumulated a season-high 111 AFL Dream Team points against the Saints.
It was the second highest total of any Lions player for the night - finishing just two points shy of Zorko’s 113 points.
He’s been massive for us all year, Huddo. He has probably ended up playing more senior footy than he first thought when he came to the Club, but hasn’t shied away from putting his body on the line and often copping a fair battering for the good of his team.
With the exception of Zorko and Simon Black, it was a relatively new-look top five Dream Team scorers at the Lions in Round 16 - with the likes of Hudson (111 points), Matt Maguire (97) and Andrew Raines (92) replacing regular point accumulators Jack Redden (89), Tom Rockliff (81) and Daniel Rich (63).
As for the Polka Specials, they’re on fire at the moment.
Buoyed by a big game by Brett Deledio (141 points as Captain), my boys racked up a season-best 2,166 points which moved me up to 251st in the Lions’ Dream Team League.
Andrew Carrazzo, Scott Pendlebury, Matt Priddis, Jack Riewoldt and Jason Porplyzia all had big games, and for the first time in a long time there were no late withdrawals!
Not really much else to report from the weekend Dream Team-wise, except that SINGLE MIST (coached by Solo) scored the most points of any person in the Lions’ League with 2,382.
POLKS’ TIP FOR THE WEEK
Be wary of potential substitutes.
Last week I advised everyone to pick up Patrick Karnezis because of his ability to find the ball, take marks and kick goals. Those who took my advice would have been disappointed to see him in the green vest on Saturday night.
Patty ended up scoring 25 points after being activated late in the third quarter as the sub.
But remain patient Dream Teamers, because I think he could be just about ready to explode when he plays his next full game.
LIONS PLAYER RANKINGS (ROUND 16)
1. Dayne Zorko - 113
2. Ben Hudson - 111
3. Matt Maguire - 97
4. Simon Black - 95
5. Andrew Raines - 92
LIONS PLAYER RANKINGS (OVERALL)
1. Tom Rockliff - 1,533
2. Jack Redden - 1,500
3. Pearce Hanley - 1,300
4. Daniel Rich - 1,257
5. Jed Adcock - 1,182
LIONS GROUP RANKINGS (ROUND 16)
1. SINGLE MIST (Solo) - 2,382
2. Fastbreakers BBFL (Peter) - 2,374
3. Patrol (Liam) - 2,351
4. Scully Scrimshanks (Scully) - 2,339
5. Boondooma Bulldogs (Stephen) - 2,335
LIONS GROUP RANKINGS (OVERALL)
1. LeueyLongerCombo (Luke) - 33,774
2. Ruck N Roll (Moana) - 33,616
3. PAUL ‘R’ BEARS (Paul) - 33,582
4. Vendetta (Israel) - 33,173
5. ZipZip (Andrew) - 33,078
