Geelong Brownlow medallist and premiership star Patrick Dangerfield had me stand up and take notice when he spoke so glowingly about one of his low-profile teammates.
In an excerpt from the book The Greatest Team of All, the story of Geelong's premiership season, here's what Dangerfield had to say about Max Holmes.
"There are (Chris) Judd-like traits," Dangerfield said.
"He has phenomenal endurance but also electric speed – it's a rare combination.
"He hadn't played all that much footy during his junior days and I think he's just starting to find out how good he can be.
"We haven't played him that much as an inside mid yet, but he can also be a good stoppage player.
"I believe he could be the best player in the competition at some stage; he truly could be."
That's some prediction for a 20-year-old wingman with 30 games and 14 goals to his name, but I don't mind it. It's a big, brave prediction, and clearly, Dangerfield has the perspective of watching Holmes' development up close as a teammate for the last two years.
Holmes may or may not reach those lofty expectations; unfortunately, it will be at least half a decade before we can judge Dangerfield's prediction.
So, who can be the best player in the competition in 2023? There's only a handful in the conversation. Of course, the judgment itself is never universally agreed upon amongst fans and football supporters alike. Still, you must have specific playing characteristics and athletic abilities to be included in the conversation.
Number one is scoreboard impact. Either you kick the goals yourself, set them up, or, ideally, both.
In pasts years, it's been Carey, Judd, Franklin, Ablett, Martin, and this year Jeremey Cameron. All have that common trait.
A defender will never be the best player in the competition. They'll make the top 10, think Tom Stewart and Steven May, but they'll never be the best.
The same can be said for the accumulating midfielder, especially if they handball more than they kick and don't score goals.
As good as Clayton Oliver is, and he might be the best midfielder in the game, he will never be the best player in the league until he pushes forward more. In 2022 Oliver had 65 more handballs than kicks, and he kicked just five goals. The same applies for Brisbane Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.
Contrast that with the giant leap made by Carlton Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps. Cripps rocketed into the conversation because he impacted the scoreboard. His 20 goals this season were career-high by seven, and the umps rewarded him with 29 Brownlow votes.
A ruckman will never be the best player in the competition, either.
Young players such as Chad Warner, Cam Rayner, Max King, Connor Rozee, Noah Anderson, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Josh Rachele and Jason Horne-Francis all have the attributes to one day be thought of as the best in the league. Dangerfield would argue Holmes should be in that company.
Forecasting to next year, here is my list of the elite players capable of being crowned the best in the league by season's end.
Jeremey Cameron
Shai Bolton
Toby Greene
Marcus Bontempelli
Dustin Martin
Charlie Curnow
Patrick Cripps
Hugh McCluggage
Aaron Naughton
And my tip for 2023, Christian Petracca.
There are only 10 in the running; all are forward half midfielders or key forwards.