Who is the underrated player at your club who doesn’t get enough credit?
We asked the majority of AFL captains which teammate they believe flies under the radar and might not get recognised externally.
Read their answers below:
ADELAIDE: “Wayne Milera. He’s one that will get recognition this year. He’s a very, very good player and a cracking bloke,” said Jordan Dawson.
BRISBANE: “Ryan Lester. It’s his 14th this year, played an unbelievable season last year and I reckon a lot of Melbourne people wouldn’t know about him,” said Harris Andrews.
CARLTON: “I would have said Matt Cottrell, but I reckon he’s getting a fair pump-up now. So I reckon ‘The Sheriff’ Blake Acres. He plays a good role for us,” said Patrick Cripps.
COLLINGWOOD: “Will Hoskin-Elliott. He’s the ultimate role player, but he’s super fast, super fit, he’s a beautiful kick, a beautiful overhead mark. He’s good at all bases,” said Darcy Moore.
ESSENDON: “Jordan Ridley, he’s a very underrated player. There’s so much admiration for him internally,” said Zach Merrett.
“He’s a superstar, I think he’ll show that and he should get more plaudits from the wider industry.”
FREMANTLE: “Luke Ryan. I think he gets a bit of credit in the competition, but he’s really one of the best defenders going around,” said Alex Pearce.
GOLD COAST: “Wil Powell. I think he’s got untapped ability. If you talk to anyone who has played on him they’d say that he’s really difficult to play on,” said Touk Miller.
HAWTHORN: “Jarman Impey,” said James Sicily.
MELBOURNE: “They all get credit internally, but externally it would be Alex Neal-Bullen or Jake Lever,” said Max Gawn.
“Actually, let’s go with Jake Lever.”
PORT ADELAIDE: “Todd Marshall,” said Connor Rozee.
RICHMOND: “Nick Vlastuin. He’s an absolute star who probably goes under the radar,” said Toby Nankervis.
ST KILDA: “There’s a few, but probably Rowan Marshall. He got a bit of attention last year for a career-best year, but I thought he was deserving of All-Australian honours,” said Jack Steele.
“I feel like this year he’ll take another step forward and hopefully get that title (as an All-Australian).”
SYDNEY: “James Rowbottom,” said Callum Mills.
WEST COAST: “Jamie Cripps. For the career he’s had, playing close to 250 games and he’s been a sensational high forward for a long period of time,” said Oscar Allen.
“His work rate is excellent. Internally he’s really well recognised and appreciated, but probably goes under the radar a little bit outside of the footy club.”
Note: GWS’ Josh Kelly (in place of the absent Toby Greene), Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin and Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli weren't able to be reached for answer.
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