The Undroppables. A category of footballer we made up.
The Definition: A fringe or developing AFL player who performed well enough to maintain their spot in the side for the following week.
Across the season, we will be keeping an eye on players who received their opportunity in a side and did enough to lock themselves in for the next round.
See our nominations for Round 1 below:
Corey Durdin (Carlton)
Carlton’s small forward positions were wide open coming into the season with the retirement of Eddie Betts.
Matthew Owies was the frontrunner to grab a spot, but the second was up for grabs and Corey Durdin snatched it with both hands over the pre-season.
The 19-year-old picked up 14 disposals, kicked two goals (let a third bounce through in the goal square) and had a goal assist in the win over Richmond.
Durdin has firmed as a clear part of Carlton’s best 22 and will quickly graduate from the fringe category this season.
Nic Negrepontis
Jack Hayes (St Kilda)
Despite being on the Saints’ senior list for less than three weeks, Jack Hayes has well and truly locked down his spot in the club’s best 22 for the time being.
The mature aged recruit was probably St Kilda’s best player in their loss to Collingwood, with his three-goal, 18-disposal, 10-mark performance probably earning him Brownlow votes.
While he may have been given his chance as the side’s second ruck with Paddy Ryder out, more performances like Friday night will have the Saints figuring out who else to drop when their big ruckman is ready to return from his Achilles issues.
With versatility up his sleeve, expect Hayes to remain in the Saints’ best side as either a permanent forward or second ruck option.
Lachlan Geleit
Hayden McLean (Sydney)
Sydney are well and truly stacked at the forward/ruck position, and John Longmire opted to give Hayden McLean first crack at the role in 2022.
The 23-year-old repaid the faith, kicking two goals and picking up 12 disposals in a strong outing against GWS.
He outperformed the highly-rated Logan McDonald on Saturday, and at this stage is ahead of Joel Amartey, who had an interrupted pre-season, and Peter Ladhams who the Swans traded for last off-season.
Expect McLean to provide more than capable back-up to forward Lance Franklin and ruck Tom Hickey this season.
Lachlan Geleit
Darcy Fort (Brisbane)
After eight games over three years for Geelong, you could forgive Darcy Fort for worrying about his future. But he certainly did what he was recruited to do in his Brisbane debut.
Although his numbers weren’t big, he formed a solid ruck combination with Oscar McInerney, winning 21 hit outs and kicking two goals in their win over Port Adelaide.
The Lions identified a need for Fort and while he’s no Eric Hipwood, his job security looks pretty good, taking on the secondary ruck role and being effective in attack.
His presence also frees up Joe Daniher to do his thing and not have to worry about any ruck duties.
Andrew Slevison
Nic Martin (Essendon)
Western Australian product Nic Martin wasn’t even on Essendon’s list last month, having sealed one of the final spots after a strong showing in a pre-season game against the Western Bulldogs.
Fast forward to Round 1 and after kicking an astonishing five goals and having 27 touches on debut, 21-year-old Martin is likely to be in Ben Rutten’s plans for the immediate future.
Martin stands to benefit from Essendon’s lack of forward options in recent weeks and has a platform now to lock in a spot in the club’s best 22.
Laurence Rosen
Hayden Crozier (Western Bulldogs)
Displaced by eventual All-Australian Bailey Dale, the former Fremantle forward made just 10 appearances at senior level last season, and none after Round 18 as the Dogs charged to a second Grand Final in six seasons.
Throughout the pre-season Crozier was rotated through his former position, where he was best known for his spring-heeled leap and rubbery snaps for goal.
The 28-year-old settled back in behind the ball in the Dogs’ AAMI Community Series clash with Brisbane however, he excelled, and was subsequently a late inclusion for the opening round fixture with Melbourne.
Crozier won 19 disposals and six intercepts, his bombastic running to receive helped the Dogs go deep into the Demons’ defensive grid, and his early goal was the catalyst for an avalanche of eight straight.
As the Dogs sync up over the season and attempt to regather the momentum of last season’s finals run, Luke Beveridge may prefer a more thoughtful kick in his place, but for now Crozier deserves his spot.
Nathan John
Alex Davies (Gold Coast)
Stuart Dew suggested in the pre-season that Davies could fill the role vacated by Hugh Greenwood, and he was certainly proved right on Sunday.
Playing just his second game of AFL footy, it wasn’t the weight of touches, but more so the way Davies used the footy that should see him locked in for the near future.
He only had 12 touches, but 10 of those were contested in his 70 per cent time on ground.
The 20-year-old also had numerous important and clean touches in the final term as Gold Coast stepped up, highlighting his composure with ball in hand.
Charlie Constable and James Tsitas both didn’t play, but Davies can’t be dropped on Sunday’s performance.
Seb Mottram
Tyson Stengle (Geelong)
Stengle was the most dynamic player on the field on Saturday, his amazing goal sense on full display against an admittedly poor Bombers’ team.
His four goals was a stunning return to form from a player many predicted would never show his best at AFL level, while he wasn’t afraid to be unselfish going forward either.
Recording 20 disposals as small forward, even with Gryan Miers on the sidelines, there’s no possible way Stengle could be dropped in the next month after his annihilation of Essendon.
Seb Mottram