Which player at your club never seems to get the recognition they deserve?
The unheralded guy who flies under the radar and gets the job done without much fanfare.
Inspired by Nathan Buckley’s topic earlier this week, we have taken a look at each of the 18 clubs and who we believe to be the player not getting enough love.
We tip our hats to those who do their thing without much fuss.
Wayne Milera
Very little has been made of Wayne Milera this year, but the 25-year-old is enjoying his most consistent season for quite some time.
Primarily featuring off half-back and onto the wing this year, Milera is averaging over 17 disposals per game along with just shy of five marks and three rebound 50s.
He’s a confidence player and after an interrupted few years, Milera is growing into 2023, as evidenced by his 26-disposal game last week against St Kilda when kicking the ball at over 83 per cent.
One of the best kicks in the competition at his best, expect Milera to gain more attention as more eyes turn to the Crows throughout the season.
Seb Mottram
Jack Payne
The concerns with the Lions heading into 2023 were around their backline and whether or not they had enough tall depth down there.
With Marcus Adams ruled out for the entire year in January, young tall Jack Payne has stepped up and locked himself into the Lions' back six.
Payne has claimed serval scalps this year, most recently we saw the 25-year-old dominate Charlie Curnow.
He kept Curnow to ten disposals, six marks and one goal whilst having 13 touches and nine marks himself.
Not saying he's going to be the next Matthew Scarlett, but he's definitely a player that doesn't get enough love.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Nic Newman
Carlton has given Nic Newman the task of locking down the opposition’s best small forward most weeks this season, including the likes of Izak Rankine, Toby Greene and Cody Weightman, all of whom he has beaten.
He has done this while finding plenty of the footy and providing rebound out of defence all season.
Newman is averaging a career-high 22.7 disposals and 8.2 marks and doing it all while maintaining his lockdown defensive role.
Nic Negrepontis
Nathan Murphy
Since returning to Collingwood’s side in Round 10 last season, Nathan Murphy has been one of the club’s most important players.
With either Jeremy Howe or Billy Frampton out ever since that date, Murphy – a 192cm defender – has performed admirably against some of the most dangerous tall forwards in the competition.
A player that’s rarely beaten, Murphy’s lockdown role has allowed captain Darcy Moore to flourish in 2023 as he has the confidence to peel off his man and effect contests that involve Murphy and his direct opponent.
A heart and soul player with bucket loads of courage, there’s no way Murphy comes out of the side once both Howe and Frampton return to fitness.
While he has his limits, there’s no doubt he’d be one of Craig McRae’s favourites given how he goes about his work.
Lachlan Geleit
Nic Martin
Nic Martin burst onto the scene at Essendon early last year, kicking five goals in his AFL debut.
Since then, the smooth-moving 22-year-old has settled into life at the Bombers and continues to quietly go about his work in his second season at senior level.
Martin is averaging 20 disposals and 325 metres gained so far in 2023, but what stands out is his average of six score involvements per match – which is above the AFL average.
Using his laser-like footy skills and smart decision making, he’s cemented himself in Essendon’s team as one of the more reliable ball users.
The man they call 'Marto' would love nothing more than continue to fly under the radar.
Laurence Rosen
Lachie Schultz
Lachie Schultz has put together a strong year for Fremantle, highlighted by his season-best effort against Sydney on the weekend.
Schultz booted four in the win to go with a goal assist and 14 disposals.
The small forward has kicked 15 goals (1.7 per game), to go with nine goal assists and a career-high 14.1 disposals per game.
Given all the pressure that has been on Freo’s forward line this year, Schultz has certainly held up his end of the bargain.
Nic Negrepontis
Gryan Miers
Where to start with the reigning premiers? With the man who’s given off 14 goals but only kicked one himself.
Until recently Gryan Miers was leading the league in goal assists. Now in his sixth year at Geelong, Miers is starting to hit his straps as the connection between Geelong’s midfield and forward line, averaging career-highs in disposals, marks, inside 50s, tackles and of course, goal assists.
He’s not kicking any better than in recent years, but Miers has been trusted to play higher up the ground and be one of the Cats’ primary deliverers inside 50.
His stats tell a different tale to the player who many perceive him to be.
Seb Mottram
Charlie Ballard
Charlie Ballard only played three times in front of a Victorian crowd this year, so perhaps it’s understandable he’s not receiving the praise he should this year.
But put the 23-year-old in a Victorian team and he’s in the mix for a maiden All-Australian blazer. He’s among the best defenders in the competition in terms of percentage of one-on-one contests won while simultaneously leading the competition for intercept marks.
He also averages the most contested marks of any defender in the competition and has formed a partnership with Sam Collins that sees Gold Coast’s backline punching above its weight.
A spot in the back pocket of an All-Australia team looms in the next few years if Ballard can keep making minor improvements.
Seb Mottram
Jack Buckley
Category B rookie Jack Buckley is one Giant who doesn’t receive due recognition.
Having missed the entirety of 2022 after a knee reconstruction and subsequent complications and surgeries, the 25-year-old has returned impressively in 2023.
He plays a pivotal role as a key defender where he formed a strong partnership with Sam Taylor before the reigning GWS best and fairest went down with a severe hamstring issue.
Buckley, who is an elite one-on-one defender, has stood up courageously in defence during Taylor’s absence for Adam Kingsley’s side.
Brent Daniels
Small forward Brent Daniels is another who flies under the radar at the Giants.
Diminutive in stature but enormous in heart, Daniels constantly provides a spark inside attacking 50.
In 2023 he leads the club for tackles inside 50, is in the top four for goal assists and has kicked 11 goals which ranks third.
Andrew Slevison
Conor Nash
Conor Nash has emerged as one of Hawthorn’s best midfielders behind Will Day and Jai Newcombe in 2023.
Sam Mitchell has at times used the Irishman in a run-with role while affording him more opportunities through the midfield.
Nash has responded by averaging 22.6 disposals, 5.1 tackles and 4.3 clearances, which are all career highs.
He has finished with at least 26 touches, four clearances and three tackles in each of his last five outings.
Nash’s form, especially since Round 5, hasn’t been spoken about enough, largely due to the fact that his team is not travelling all that well.
But we will give him a nod.
Hard-nosed defender Blake Hardwick is another Hawk who regularly plays solid footy but flies under the radar.
Andrew Slevison
Trent Rivers
While the in-form Melbourne side contains the likes of superstars Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Max Gawn, defender Trent Rivers is having an under-appreciated season that is flying under the radar.
So far, 2023 has been a career-best season for the 21-year-old, posting average highs of 20.4 disposals, 4.9 marks, 3.7 rebound 50s and 2.7 tackles a game as a formidable flanker for the Demons.
Rivers’ consistent contributions have not gone unnoticed, having signed a four-year contract extension earlier in the year.
His skill and composure must receive higher praise, as he continues to be a major factor in the elite level defence of a premiership-contending Melbourne side.
Ollie Williamson
Jaidyn Stephenson
Jaidyn Stephenson is quietly having a good season – and we mean quietly in that he hasn’t found himself in unnecessary headlines away from the field.
Despite the Roos struggling to score generally across the season, Stephenson has kicked 14 goals – including five games with multiple goals.
He has kicked more goals this season than Harry McKay, Zac Bailey, Josh Rachele, Luke Breust and Shai Bolton.
After being thrown into defence last season, Alastair Clarkson has allowed him to settle back into a deep forward role where he is best suited and he will only get better as the team’s supply inside 50 improves.
Nic Negrepontis
Willem Drew
Willem Drew frequently gets lost amongst the big names that make up Port Adelaide’s midfield, yet the 24-year-old is quietly having an incredibly impactful season.
Hard-working and relentless, Drew may not be as much of an accumulator as Zak Butters or Connor Rozee, yet he still finds ways to make his mark.
Serving as a stellar shutdown midfielder, Drew has laid the seventh-most tackles of any player this season, averaging 6.7 per contest.
While Drew doesn’t stuff the stat sheet with possessions (17.3 per game), his composure under pressure means he reliably makes the right decision.
With how competitive Port’s midfield is, Drew is making the most of the role he carved out for himself.
Jack Makeham
Nathan Broad
Despite being a three-time premiership defender, Nathan Broad continues to be underrated.
Inside the four walls at Punt Road he is highly regarded, but to the general footy public he goes largely unnoticed.
Broad plays a selfless role in defence and is versatile in that he can be effective on smalls, mediums and talls.
Last year he improved his rebounding and intercept ability and he has continued that trend in 2023, particularly since returning from his four-game suspension.
His ball use has also been refined over the course of the last few seasons.
Marlion Pickett and Kamdyn McIntosh are two other Tigers who don’t receive many plaudits yet play crucial roles for the team, primarily as wingers.
Liam Baker would have previously fit this category perfectly but is now being noticed more and more by those not of a Richmond persuasion.
Andrew Slevison
Josh Battle
Josh Battle is one of the main reasons St Kilda's backline is rated so highly this year.
Used as a swingman throughout his career, Battle has locked down a key defensive position in Ross Lyon's side and has taken a fair few scalps in 2023.
But it's not just his ability to defend, Battle is extremely damaging by foot and you can tell he's been given a licence to pull the trigger and set up a lot of their attack.
Battle has completely turned his career around in the last 18 months and deserves to be pumped up more!
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Robbie Fox
Sydney’s Mr. Fix It, Robbie Fox has become one of John Longmire’s most important players since mid last season.
The former mature-aged draftee is as reliable as they come and the 185cm defender is often tasked to play on far taller opponents with the likes of Paddy McCartin and Dane Rampe missing extended periods.
Through five games so far this season, Fox is above average for tackles while being rated elite for handballs and disposals per game.
A competitor that doesn’t get many plaudits from the external media, Fox is no doubt one Swan that John Longmire would love as he exemplifies the way the coach wants his players to play.
At 30, Fox is in the later prime of his career and he’s a certain starter in Sydney’s back six going forward.
Lachlan Geleit
Jamaine Jones
Jamaine Jones’ switch to defence in 2022 looked a comfortable one for the Eagle, and so far he is building off that success in 2023.
Jones has had his hands full this season holding down the backline of an incredibly undermanned West Coast squad, yet has performed admirably.
The classy left-footer is averaging 19.2 disposals coming off half-back, using that talented boot to give the Eagles some penetration out of the defensive half.
In the back-to-back horror years for West Coast, Jones has stood out as a beacon of consistency, giving Adam Simpson a player he can count on as the Eagles battle their injury woes.
Jack Makeham
Ed Richards
Ed Richards is having a career year right now.
While he has always been known for his speed, Richards spent 2022 displaying that he is not just a one trick pony, and has taken things to another level in 2023.
Playing off half-back, Richards serves as the prime mover from the Bulldogs’ defensive line, averaging the eighth-most rebound 50s and the tenth-most kicks per game in the whole competition.
This confidence in his kicking serves as the biggest development in his game, as Richards is relying less on his run-and-carry game and has become more impactful as a result.
The defender has also taken a big leap in his intercept marking, allowing him to truly change a game on both sides of the ball.
Jack Makeham