In the first week of the “Best of the Rest” series we took a look at two recent Mann Cup winners in Scott DeFrancesco and Tom Montour. This week will take a look at one of the most potent point producers Ontario has to offer in lefty offensive threat Chris Attwood. Then will take a look at two guys who have a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball in the Oakville Rock’s Aaron Brown and the Peterborough Lakers Mark Farthing. Defensive players often get over looked when people mention top guys without NLL contracts, mainly because defenders aren’t flashy, they won’t score fifty goals or put up a hundred points. But when looking at a defender with elite ability, you look for someone who is tenacious, someone who can transition the ball well, and someone with a high level lacrosse IQ. Farthing and Brown both have that, and that’s why they are featured in the part two of the “Best of the Rest”.
Chris Attwood (O) – St. Catharines Saints Sr. B/ Brampton Excelsiors (MSL)/ Oshweken Demons (CLAX)
The fact that Chris Attwood is without an NLL contract seems some what far fetched, the kid has absolutely tore up every league he’s played in offensively. Attwood is coming off a 2014 year where he led not one, but two leagues in scoring. Attwood put up 27 goals & 27 assists for 56 points in just 6 games with the Oshweken Demons of the Canadian Lacrosse League, on route to his second Canadian Lacrosse League scoring championship in three seasons. Attwood also led the Ontario Sr. B league in scoring with 33 goals & 36 assists for 69 points in 15 games with the St. Catharines Saints. These wouldn’t be Attwood’s first scoring championships as he also led the Ontario Junior B loop in scoring in 2011 with 64 goals & 70 assists for 134 points for the Founders Cup Winning Six Nations Rebels. Not only is Attwood a proven point producer, he’s a winner, and carries a winning mentality wherever he goes. Attwood has Won a Founders Cup (2011 Six Nations Rebels), two CLAX Creators Cup Championships (2012 Oshweken Demons, 2013 Iroquois Ironmen), and a Presidents Cup (2013 St. Catharines Saints), he also appeared in the 2012 Minto Cup as a member of the host Whitby Warriors. NLL general managers may be slightly turned off by Attwood’s size or more accurately lack of size, as Attwood stands just 5’9 and weighs 160 pounds, but in my opinion, he is so highly skilled he constantly proves that his size is not a detriment. Attwood has great vision, he always knows where his teammates are and can find them in a split second leaving defenders wondering how he made a play out of absolutely nothing. His hands are elite, you never know what he’s going to do, he’s very shifty and elusive and uses his speed to elude defenders. Attwood possess a great outside shot, both hard and accurate, he’s not scared to let it fly from even the most unique of angles or from way outside prime scoring areas. Attwood has a tendency to run his mouth at times, which tends to irritate defenders and get them off their game, as if his overwhelming skill wasn’t enough, he can beat you mentally as well.
Mark Farthing (D) – Peterborough Lakers (MSL)/ Durham Turfdogs (CLAX)
Mark Farthing is the only member of the star studded Peterborough Lakers squad who has never played a game in the NLL, with the exceptions of Matt Crough and Robert Hope who where both recently selected in the 2014 NLL Draft. If Farthing can be a regular with the Peterborough Lakers, a team that boasts elite NLL defenders, Stephen Hoar, Scott Self, Nick Weiss, Andrew Suitor, Andrew Watt, Brock & Kyle Sorensen and recent NLL 7th Overall pick Robert Hope, then surely he can contribute to any NLL teams back end. Farthing is a tenacious defender, with great speed, fantastic transition ability, an is an absolute loose ball machine. Farthing who is not exactly known for his offensive ability can finish offensively as well if given the chance in transition. During the 2013 CLAX regular season Farthing put up 9 goals & 26 assists for 35 points in 14 games. Farthing is the definition of a team guy, willing to do whatever it takes for his team to win, he can play on your teams man down, draw team or take a back seat to the teams superstars and provide quality defense from a depth defender. In 2014 with the Durham Turfdogs of the Canadian Lacrosse league Farthing recorded 3 goals & 5 assists for 8 points in 5 games. He was also named a First Team All-Star in the Canadian Lacrosse League in 2014. The 25 year old Farthing is coming off a concussion injury this past summer and may not be on some NLL GM’s radar because of that, however his will to win and overall compete level mixed with his skill, leadership qualities and his Mann Cup Winning experience should be enough to warrant an NLL Contract. Mark Farthing is clearly one of the “Best of the Rest” and would be a steal for any NLL club.
Aaron Brown (D) – Oakville Rock (MSL)/ Durham Turfdogs (CLAX)
The Fact that Aaron Brown has yet to get a sniff at the NLL Is just mind boggling, sure he won’t blow you away with crazy offensive statistics, but he is as steady as they come defensively. Brown’s consistency at the pro level is something that really stands out for me, through his 4 seasons with the Ajax/Oakville Rock he has been one of the teams best defenders, counted on to play in all defensive situations, he’s rarely found out of position and rarely gets beat by offensive threats. Like I mentioned he won’t blow you away offensively and doesn’t exactly stand out defensively, but with that being said, the best defenders are usually the ones that don’t stand out. For a defender Brown has great transition ability, good speed, and above average hands, during the 2013 CLAX season Brown tallied 3 goals & 20 assists for 23 points in 11 games, evidence of his above average offensive instincts. Brown has NLL size standing 6’2 and weighing in over 200 pounds, he possess a great compete level and willingness to do whatever it takes to win. A product of the Toronto Beaches minor and Junior A system, Brown has had to earn everything he’s got in the lacrosse world with hard work and determination, that type of mindset is something that should appeal to many NLL GM’s. The 24 year old Brown is just entering the prime of his Lacrosse career and NLL GM’s would be wise to give him an opportunity as I can only seeing him getting better as he gets older and rounds out an already impressive repertoire.
