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 from Round 11 below:
Sam Reid (Sydney)
Sam Reid returned to the Sydney team in a time of need when Tom Hickey went out with a toe injury.
The veteran forward, who pinch-hits in the ruck, had not been seen at AFL level since Round 7, dropped before the Round 8 loss to the Suns and spending a week in the reserves.
Reid’s presence proved vital for the Swans in their comeback win over Richmond. He finished with 3.2 from nine touches, had seven score involvements and chipped in with eight hit-outs.
While Hickey could be right to return against Melbourne this weekend, it will be hard to overlook Reid’s performance.
The Demons will be without key defender Steven May after he was concussed on the weekend, so John Longmire might just feel the need to keep a marking forward in the side.
If Lance Franklin misses through suspension, Reid will be considered undroppable for Saturday night’s MCG clash.
Andrew Slevison
Deven Robertson
Brisbane youngster Deven Robertson made his first proper appearance in 2022 on Saturday after he was an unused sub against Geelong in Round 4.
Replacing the injured Hugh McCluggage, Robertson played the best game of his short career in the Lions’ 14-point win over GWS at the Gabba.
The 20-year-old midfielder finished with 17 disposals, seven score involvements, four inside 50s, two goals and two goal assists in a lively display against the Giants.
With McCluggage expected to return for Sunday’s clash against Fremantle, Robertson’s impressive performance has given the Lions a selection headache.
Robertson, who comes out of contract at year’s end, has played 25 games since he was selected with pick No.22 in the 2019 National Draft.
Alex Zaia
Mason Cox (Collingwood)
Maligned Collingwood big man Mason Cox had comfortably his best game for the season in Sunday’s win against Carlton.
While he had just 11 disposals, Cox made an impact around the ground with four contested marks and six grabs overall.
On top of his aerial statement, Cox had five score involvements and kicked a critical goal late.
Add in his ability to offer quality second-ruck minutes with Brodie Grundy out, and Cox looms as a genuinely important piece for Collingwood in the next month until their premier ruckman returns from injury.
If the Magpies can get more performances out of Cox as they did on Sunday, their structure up forward will stack up and they’ll have an advantage against most backup ruckmen around the competition.
Lock him in for the next few weeks at least.
Lachlan Geleit
Nathan Murphy (Collingwood)
Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy has seamlessly slotted into the Magpies’ backline since returning in Round 10 against Fremantle.
While his performance against the Dockers was solid, his outing on Sunday against the Blues was genuinely impressive.
Through the first half, Murphy may have been best on ground, and he ended the game with a strong seven marks and nine intercepts, helping repel the Blues off the half back line.
While Murphy featured 15 times in 2021, he’s looked more comfortable under Craig McRae, with his position seemingly locked in as opposed to drifting between defence and attack.
Speaking post-match, McRae says that he feels the 22-year-old “compliments” Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe “really well”, adding that he’s quickly become an important member of Collingwood’s defence.
With that performance and the coach’s thoughts to go off, expect Murphy to easily hold his place in Collingwood’s best 22.
Lachlan Geleit
Brady Hough (West Coast)
Hough, 19, has played five games for West Coast this year, and his performance in Round 11 was clearly his best.
After being the medical substitute the week before, Hough played a role on the wing and in defence for the Eagles and was one of their better players in the humiliating defeat to the Western Bulldogs.
Hough amassed 19 disposals and took 11 marks in showing plenty, however his disposal could have been cleaner.
Despite that, the Eagles have committed to playing youth in 2022, and Hough will hold his place if the club sticks to its word of getting games into youngsters.
Seb Mottram
Reilly O’Brien (Adelaide)
Adelaide omitted Reilly O’Brien a few weeks ago. It’s fair to say that won’t be happening again any time soon.
O’Brien answered his critics in the SANFL with a dominant display and then delivered at AFL level upon his return.
The ruckman won 47 hit-outs, 28 disposals, seven tackles, five marks and nine clearances in the loss to Geelong.
He stuffed the stat sheet and has locked in his spot in the side indefinitely.
Nic Negrepontis