Coaches have their say on how to construct the ideal Hampden league footballer

Even those at the top of their game have areas they want to improve.

But what if the ideal player did exist? 

The Standard asked the 2017 Hampden league coaches a series of questions in a bid to develop the prototype Bottle Greens footballer.

A range of names – from veterans to teenagers now embarking on AFL careers – were thrown up for the various categories.

Portland coach Luke Crane was noted for his versatility, receiving the most nominations across different categories.

The former SANFL star’s football IQ, hands in traffic, pace and right boot were all recognised, making him a sought-after commodity.

Port Fairy jet Daniel Nicholson’s seven nominations were the highest overall, while Koroit premiership midfielder Ben Goodall earned the most mentions in a specific category for his precise left-foot kicking.

Best football IQ?

Ben Goodall (Koroit) – by far the smartest man in football. He may not say much but when he does it’s certainly worth listening to.

Best vision?

Damien McCorkell (Warrnambool) – excellent in traffic.

Best hands in traffic?

Paul Foster (Cobden) – has been consistent in this area for a decade.

Best mark?

Jackson Hollmer (Port Fairy) – can take a big mark and has done it many times in our competition.

Best left-foot kick?

Ben Goodall – I think the way he has performed in big matches on his left foot would put him above the rest.

Best right-foot kick?

Nick Thompson (South Warrnambool) – doesn’t miss.

Best fitness base?

Zacc Struth (South Warrnambool) – 2016 fittest footballer winner, very hard to go past.

Most pace?

Brett Harrington (Koroit) – he might have stubby legs but they can move.

Best football IQ?

Brody Mahoney (Cobden) – just seems to be in the right places all the time. Very smart around stoppages and seems to have lots of time.

Best vision?

Gus Bourke (Terang Mortlake) – can really watch a game unfold in front of him and make the right decisions.

Best hands in traffic?

Rory Taggert (North Warrnambool Eagles).

Best mark?

Lachlan Wareham (Terang Mortlake) – for a 17-year-old kid playing key position last season, his hands were exceptional.

Best left-foot kick?

Ben Goodall (Koroit) – a classy left footer who uses the ball really well, whether it be short of long, and loves kicking the clutch goal.

Best right-foot kick?

Cameron Spence (Camperdown).

Best fitness base?

Daniel Nicholson (Port Fairy) – he is a running machine and you can see he has an elite training base.

Most pace?

Cameron Spence (Camperdown) – had a few injuries last year but previously had a real turn of speed.

Best football IQ? 

Joe McLaren (Koroit) – he uses his experience to get himself and teammates into the game.

Best vision? 

Cedric Cox (Camperdown) – he was great to watch how he uses the footy.

Best hands in traffic? 

Rory Taggert – strong in the contest.

Best mark? 

Sam Cowling (Warrnambool) – best contested mark in the comp.

Best left-foot kick? 

Kane Uebergang (Hamilton Kangaroos) – long, accurate and effective.

Best right-foot kick?

Josh Meulendyks (Hamilton Kangaroos) – clears lines with his long kick out of the back line.

Best fitness base? 

Daniel Nicholson  – feedback from my players is he has a huge tank.

Most pace? 

Paddy Anderson (South Warrnambool) – lightning quick through the middle of the ground. 

Best football IQ? 

Rory Taggert – sums up situations well and rallies his teammates around him.

Best vision? 

Luke Clarke (Camperdown) – fantastic lateral movement and ability to find teammates in space.

Best hands in traffic? 

Luke Crane (Portland) – lightning in close with quick decision-making ability under pressure.

Best mark? 

Sam Rudolph (Port Fairy) – reads the flight of the ball beautifully and then takes it at its highest point.

Best left-foot kick? 

Paddy Anderson – lovely accurate kick particularly over a distance for such a young player.

Best right-foot kick? 

Jordan Bain (Camperdown) – ability to spot up teammates and kick long goals from tight angles.

Best fitness base? 

Isaac Templeton (Koroit) – elite ability to cover territory at both ends of the ground.

Most pace? 

Daniel Nicholson – great ability to hit top speed and then maintain over a long distance in his stride pace.

Best football IQ?

Paul Foster – he knows where to stand, he never over commits to a contest and he finishes well.

Best vision?

Willem Drew (Koroit) – he is only a young bloke but his coolness in the contest and the way he’s able to choose the right option stands out.

Best hands in traffic?

Damien McCorkell – he is one of those pack hunters, first in for the ball, and he gives the handball every time and usually gives to the best option too.

Best mark?

Sam Cowling.

Best left-foot kick?

Ben Goodall – he is an absolute freak.

Best right-foot kick?

Joe McLaren – he’ll stay off the contest, get the ball and just kick it wherever the ball needs to be.

Best fitness base?

Isaac Templeton – he was carrying a bit of injury the past season and hopefully he comes good because he is the fittest guy.

Most pace?

Daniel Nicholson – just electric, from standing still to the first 10 metres that he covers are just lightening.

Best football IQ?

Daniel Nicholson.

Best vision?

Matthew Wines (North Warrnambool Eagles).

Best hands in traffic?

Darcy Graham (Warrnambool).

Best mark?

Lincoln Dare (Cobden).

Best left-foot kick?

Kane Uebergang.

Best right-foot kick? 

Luke Crane.

Best fitness base?

Isaac Templeton.

Most pace?

Gus Bourke (Terang Mortlake).

Best football IQ?

Phil Carse.

Best vision?

James Gow.

Best hands in traffic?

Damien McCorkell.

Best mark?

Sam Rudolph.

Best left-foot kick?

Ben Goodall.

Best right-foot kick?

Rory Taggert.

Best fitness base?

Tim McIntyre and Isaac Templeton.

Most pace?

Luke Crane.

Best football IQ?

Rory Taggert.

Best vision?

Daniel Jackson (Portland).

Best hands in traffic?

Matthew Wines.

Best mark?

Sam Cowling.

Best left-foot kick?

Matthew Wines.

Best right-foot kick?

Josh Andrews (Portland).

Best fitness base?

Tim McIntyre (Koroit).

Most pace?

Brett Uebergang (Portland).

Best football IQ?

Luke Crane.

Best vision?

Levi Nagorcka (Koroit).

Best hands in traffic?

Phil Carse.

Best mark?

Josh Corbett (North Warrnambool Eagles).

Best left-foot kick?

Ben Goodall.

Best right-foot kick?

Jarryd Lewis (North Warrnambool Eagles).

Best fitness base?

Daniel Nicholson.

Most pace?

Kaine Mercovich (Port Fairy).

- The Seagulls players chose the best on their list.

Best football IQ?

Liam Howarth.

Best vision?

Michael Sheahan.

Best hands in traffic?

Isaac Martin.

Best mark?

Sam Rudolph.

Best left-foot kick?

Xavier McCartney and Dylan Herbertson.

Best right-foot kick?

Kaine Mercovich.

Best fitness base?

Matt Sully.

Most pace?

Daniel Nicholson.