Whether your side is topping the table or propping up the bottom, there will be one player who has been the most influential in your team’s fortunes.
This is the best and fairest from each club.
Adelaide: Rory Sloane
Rory Sloane is one of the toughest players in the AFL, threatening opponents with his brute strength and ability to heavily impact contests all over the ground.
The loss of Paddy Dangerfield left the Adelaide midfield looking vulnerable as they approached the 2016 season, however, Rory Sloane has stood up and has been ruthless in his attack on the contest.
The 26-year-old averages an impressive 7.3 tackles and has proven his vitality in the Crows attack with his highly commended consistency.
Brisbane: Dayne Zorko
Dayne Zorko has been the shining light for the Lions in what has been another dull season of heavy losses.
Although Zorko had to share his best and fairest medal with three other Lions in 2015, he looks a solidified contender to bathe in the best and fairest glory on his own this year. His thirst for the footy and matriculate ability to kick goals up forward is second to none.
Zorko’s season highlights have included a 33-disposal performance against the Lions’ narrow loss against the Swans at the Gabba and a 31-disposal effort against the Eagles in Round 13, which he complemented with eight tackles.
Carlton: Kade Simpson
As the Blues claimed their fourth wooden spoon last year, Kade Simpson looked like he was going to hang up the boots and end his fine career across Carlton’s back line.
However, the veteran quickly turned his back on this prospect, deciding to commit another year of his heart and soul into the Blues’ development.
Now in his 14th year at the club, Simpson is one of Carton’s most important players, as his consistency across the back line has seen him average an admirable 7.6 marks and 16.6 kicks per game.
Collingwood: Adam Treloar
Adam Treloar has been one of the recruits of the year, as he’s donned the black and white stripes in emphatic fashion. The former Giant has slotted into the Pies’ midfield beautifully, complementing the expertise of Scott Pendlebury and filling the credentials left behind by the injured Dane Swan.
Treloar averages 30.3 disposals and is ranked third in the competition for making his possessions effective, proving that he is a vital asset to Collingwood’s midfield this season and for future seasons ahead.
Essendon: Brendan Goddard
The Bombers were expected to be on the end of some big losses at the beginning of the season, however, they’ve shown red and black spirit in some of their defeats. This has been thanks to their strong camaraderie of leaders – particularly captain Brendan Goddard.
The 31-year-old has shown immense poise and dedication to making the Bombers’ outlook on the future a little brighter. He found the footy 34 times against Richmond in Round 10 and continues to pop up all over the ground to assist his young teammate s throughout the tough year that faces the Bombers.
Fremantle: Lachie Neale
Lachie Neale is having a career best season this year, despite his side’s astonishing collapse from being minor premiers in 2015.
Neale has stood up tremendously in the absence of Nat Fyfe, as his ferocious approach to win the ball in the heart of the contest and admirable ability to burst through the corridor has earned him the respect of the competition’s most elite midfielders.
Not only does Neale look set to claim the best and fairest in emphatic fashion, he also is a shoe-in for making his first appearance in the AFL’s All-Australian side, as he has taken his game to another level in 2016.
Geelong: Patrick Dangerfield
Somehow, Dangerfield has managed to eclipse his golden form at the Crows, as his return to his home town of Geelong has seen his game rocket to new heights.
His debut was a mere 43-disposal game against the 2015 premiers, Hawthorn and he backed this up with a career-high 48-disposal game against the Bulldogs, proving his worth in a side that seemed far past its best at the commencement of the 2015 season.
At this stage, Dangerfield is light years ahead of any other player in the Brownlow votes and looks unstoppable throughout the middle of the ground.
Gold Coast: Tom Lynch
Tom Lynch’s year has been inspirational, as his tireless work in the forward line has provided his side with hope in what’s been another disappointing year for the Suns.
Lynch currently sits third in the Coleman medal with an impressive 43 goals next to his name.
Not only is his skills in the forward line second to none, but the 23-year-old has also provided the competition with insightful glimpses into his incredible capabilities as a young leader of an up and coming AFL side.
GWS: Heath Shaw
With the Giants pushing to consolidate a spot in the top four, Shaw is motivated to dominate throughout the back line to ensure his side’s dominance prevails throughout the finals series.
The 30-year-old is ranked first in the competition for total kicks, rebound 50s and bounces- statistics which show that Shaw isn’t your standard big-bodied defender, as he’s impressed the rest of the competition with his ability to launch the ball as well as run and carry it beyond the depths of the opposing 50 metre arc.
Hawthorn: Sam Mitchell
Sam Mitchell’s form has been electric this year, leaving many pondering as to how he finds so much time and space with the ball in hand.
Mitchell’s innate ability to read the play and hunt the ball around the contests has been immaculate, and shows his true credentials as one of the most elite midfielders in the competition.
His disposal average sits at a highly respected 29.7 per game, which has earned him a spot among the top ten for disposals per game.
Melbourne: Bernie Vince and Max Gawn
While Bernie Vince has been racking up the disposals throughout all areas of the ground, Max Gawn has impressed with his versatility and incredible thirst for hunting down the footy.
Vince has been ruthless in the middle of the ground, unleashing his ferocity on his opponents to get rid of the skeletons that lurked in the cupboards of the Demons.
Max Gawn has won the hearts of the Melbourne supporters and supporters all over the country, as he has worked tirelessly all over the ground to enable his midfielders to flow off his exquisite ruck work.
North Melbourne: Jack Ziebell
The Kangaroos’ season started off with a nine-game winning streak, which was largely assisted by Jack Ziebell’s fierce attack on the footy. Ziebell slides into the top ten for total inside 50s and kicks per game, proving his worth in the heart of the contest as well as up forward.
The 25-year-old also averages 5.4 tackles per game, further solidifying his status as a bona fide hard nut of the competition.
Port Adelaide: Robbie Gray
Robbie Gray has picked up from where he left off last year, as his contributions to Port Adelaide’s rollercoaster season have motivated the Power to re-claim the respect of the competition.
He was vital in the Power’s win against the Dogs, as he touched the ball 32 times, claimed four tackles and booted home a goals- showing that he is a player who can make an impact in big games.
The reigning All-Australian midfielder continued to prove his status as one of the most skilful players of the competition, by claiming 37 disposals against the Crows in Round 2 and booting home four goals against the Saints in Round 1.
Richmond: Dustin Martin
Dustin Martin has been prolific throughout all domains of the field in the Tigers’ attack, averaging 28.7 disposals this season. However, the statistics undermine his impact on the contest, as his ferocity to win the ball and innate kicking ability in particular has played a huge part in keeping Richmond’s slim finals hopes alive.
Not only is he a clear contender for the club’s best and fairest, but the 25-year-old is also a chance to poll high in the Brownlow votes at the end of the year.
St Kilda: Jack Steven
Jack Steven has been menacing throughout the middle of the ground, as his blistering bursts of speed have ensured swift ball movement and opportunities for scoring. Steven claimed the club’s best and fairest last year and looks set to back up his performance.
With an impressive average of 27.9 disposals and 5.9 tackles, it’s very hard to look past his fierce attack on the ball-despite the rising talent of midfielders around him like Seb Ross.
Sydney: Daniel Hannebery
Dan Hannebery has been having another fine year in Swans colours, contributing to his side’s 2016 success with his spectacular consistency. The midfielder’s efforts haven’t gone unrecognised, despite his ability to bring his teammates into the game and ensure the praise goes their way.
The 25-year-old averages a whopping 31.2 disposals per game and ranks sixth in contested possessions per game, adding to his tremendous capability to open up the contest and allow the ball to float into the trusty hands of Buddy Franklin and co in Sydney’s forward line.
West Coast: Andrew Gaff
Andrew Gaff is arguably one of the most underrated players in the AFL, as many overlook his impressive credentials and distinctive ability to find the ball throughout all areas on the ground.
The midfielder has been brilliant not only in developing his own skills, but also complementing the good work of his teammates in the middle of the ground, proving his worth as a spirited team player in the Eagles’ line up.
His average sits nicely on 29.1 disposals per game and is complemented by 17.1 kicks and 12 handballs.
Western Bulldogs: Lachie Hunter
With the immense talent rising in the Bulldogs attack, it’s very difficult to choose just one player who stands out from the rest. However, young gun Lachie Hunter has made this task an easier one, as he has been prolific in his approach to the contest.
Hunter has been immensely exciting, as he moves the ball so swiftly and uses it remarkably well in frantic situations. The 21-year-old is leading the competition in total uncontested possessions, showing his outstanding ability to find time and space with the ball in hand.
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