When acknowledging the leading performers in the AFL, we tend to focus on the competition’s most prestigious accolades.
The Rising Star award, the Brownlow medal, Coleman medal and Norm Smith medal are all a touching honour to receive, however, none of these praises are rewarded without improvement.
Kangaroo Robbie Tarrant has fallen victim to seeing his name float in and out of the North Melbourne line-up over the years, due to his quiet presence on the field and his failure to make an impact when it counts in the heat of the contest.
Instead of giving up hope with regards to his potential, Tarrant has been working hard behind the scenes to take his game to the next level and ensure that his spot in the back line is his to keep.
This year, the defender has been averaging 15.4 disposals per game, proving his versatility with the ball in hand and his new-found ability to read the play immensely well.
In addition, Tarrant is now using his strength to out-mark the opposition, rather than just trying to impact the contest and hand the reigns of defence over to the headmaster of the back line, Scott Thompson.
This improvement has been backed up by the stat sheet, as it has shown that Tarrant is averaging 6.2 marks per game. However, the most improved asset of Tarrant’s game is his rejuvenated effort.
The defender is averaging 7.2 one percenters, proving that his second efforts and his determination to thrive in the heart of the contest has been second to none, and has no doubt, been a key factor to North’s success this year.
Fremantle’s Lachie Neale is the shining light of the Dockers’ dull season, providing a hopeful outlook on the club’s future.
The 176-centimetre midfielder is averaging 32.8 disposals per game, articulating his dynamic ability to influence the outcome of the contest, despite his lack of support in doing so.
Neale’s average has significantly improved from last year’s average of 27.4 disposals, as he has been able to solidify his role as one of the leaders in the midfield in the absence of 2015 Brownlow medalist Nat Fyfe.
The 23-year-old is also one of the most prolific clearance players in the competition, averaging 6.8 per game, and would be a leading contender for the Brownlow medal in 2016 – if his team were performing as they were expected to.
Fyfe’s season-ending injury may have been perceived as a doomsday scenario for Fremantle, but Neale has taken this in his stride and has proudly stood up as the brave soldier in the depths of a drowning Dockers outfit.
Instead of being the curtain raiser to the ‘Buddy’ show, Kurt Tippett has rejuvenated his own game as he has provided a strong presence in the ruck for the Swans.
The 29-year-old is averaging 29.3 hit-outs in 2016, which increases his 2015 average by a whopping 12 hit-outs (his 2015 average was 17.3).
Tippett has consolidated his improvement by also adding 15 goals for the year to his tally of improved statistics.
Furthermore, Tippett is now averaging 8.3 contested possessions a game this year, compared to last year, where the average was a mere 7.4. His loss will be detrimental to the Swans’ chances of solidifying their position as the favourites to claim the 2016 premiership.
Dale Morris has been outstanding in defence this year, as he has stepped up in the absence of injured power duo, Easton Wood and Robert Murphy.
The 33-year-old may not be the tallest or strongest player in the back line, but is definitely one of the smartest and most elite ball users.
His ability to read the play and exemplify the expectations that coach Luke Beveridge demands of him is admirable to say the least. He has been a key asset to the Western Bulldogs’ erratic pressure on the opposition.
Instead of playing a role as a runner off half-back, Morris has been thrown into the deep end, playing on some of the competition’s biggest and strongest forwards.
But this hasn’t been a problem for the defender, as he has often managed to keep his opposition player quiet and enabled the defenders around him to provide the run and pace that he is so well known for.
Morris’ versatility and incredible leadership is what makes him such a vital asset to the Bulldogs’ back line.
Josh Jenkins has been the under the scrutinising spotlight in recent years, as many struggled to see his relevance in the Crows’ forward line. Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts were seen as the stars of the show whereas Jenkins would chip in if needed.
However, in 2016, the 199-centimetres forward has taken his game to the next level, as he has solidified his spot as the Crows’ leading target up front.
The 27-year-old has kicked 37 goals, and averages three goals per game, proving his importance to Adelaide’s chances of going one better come finals time.
He is a strong fourth in the Coleman medal at the halfway point of the season, and only looks set to keep getting better, as he has proven that he can certainly get on the end of a string of goals.
Jenkins notched up eight majors against the Western Bulldogs this year in a performance that has seen conversations arise surrounding his future, with many clubs admitting they would pay big money to recruit the highly skilled forward to bolster their own attack.
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