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Every team has that one player. That one player that nobody rates or is thought to be overrated.
I’m not talking about the kids with ‘potential’ or that player who is always injured.
I am talking about that one player that ‘had one good year in (enter year)’ or that one player that consistently flies under the radar.
Too often critics overlook the strengths in a performance, instead choosing to look at the negatives.
That’s the exciting thing about our game.
Different players and styles bring different aspects to a team. The MVP isn’t always the out and out stars.
The funny thing about these players is that almost no other team’s supporters seems to realise the impact that they have on a game. In fact, quite often not many people in general see their importance.
“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.”
Overrated is a term that is thrown around regularly whenever Nic Naitanui is mentioned.
In recent years his inability to take contested marks or rack up uncontested possessions has had ‘experts’ questioning his ability.
Last year the with Naitanui at the centre clearances the Eagles had a +53 differential for centre clearances off of his rucking – the best in the AFL.
By comparison the Eagles had a -9 clearance differential when Callum Sinclair took centre stage.
This is just looking at one major statistic of many that Naitanui ranks highly for within the AFL.
Although it would be the cherry on top, contested marks or uncontested possessions aren’t what make Naitanui valuable to the Eagles.
Lewis Jetta is another. People say ‘he only had one good year in 2012′.
This is true, if you are only using goals as an indicator to a good year. Since 2012 Jetta hasn’t been able to replicate his 45 goals, not even close. Most supporters, especially those from opposition teams see him as a flash in the pan.
Yet in both 2014 and 2015 – seasons in which Jetta only scored 14 goals each year – saw Jetta rank in the top ten in the AFL for metres gained. In 2015 he topped the Swans for this statistic.
Making this statistic all the more impressive is the lack of overall possessions Jetta gets, averaging 17 and 18 disposals for 2014-15 respectively. This paired with an extremely accurate kick, Jetta is a very dangerous outside player.
I am not here to try and convince you that these players should be held on pedestals with Gary Ablett, Nat Fyfe or Patrick Dangerfield. However, players thought to have little value are exponentially more valuable to their respective teams than first glance would have you believe.
So Roarers, who are the hidden gems at your club?
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