Round 17 dished up one of the most competitive Player Rankings this season, with the likes of Zach Merrett (35 disposals, 80% efficiency, 10 coaches votes) being snubbed.
While some familiar names ranked highly, and there’s movement at the top-end of the Player of the Season Leaderboard.
See the full lists below.
Round 17 Player Rankings
10. Sam Walsh (CARL)
The fact the coaches unanimously voted Walsh best-on-ground in a losing side speaks volumes about his performance. His work-rate was outstanding as always, outrunning Patrick Dangerfield late in the game, and he picked up 36 disposals at 86% efficiency, 11 contested possessions, nine score involvements, 452 metres gained, as well as two late goals.
9. David Mundy (FRE)
Another exceptional game from the evergreen Mundy saw him finish with 30 disposals at 83% efficiency, two goals, 10 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, six inside 50s, six clearances and 452 metres gained.
8. Sean Darcy (FRE)
Darcy has cemented himself as top-five ruckman in the competition, and on current form you could argue he’s the best in the game. Played a significant role in Freo’s 62-point win over Hawthorn with 25 disposals at 88% efficiency, 26 hit outs, 16 contested possessions, six score involvements, five clearances, 486 metres gained and an astounding nine intercept possessions.
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7. Taylor Adams (COLL)
Adams played a strong game for the Pies in their win over Richmond, finishing with 31 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 10 tackles, eight score involvements, six inside 50s, 557 metres gained and a goal.
6. Jordan Dawson (SYD)
A shift to the wing in recent weeks has seen Dawson flourish, culminating in a best-on-ground display against the high-flying Dogs. Dawson won his fair share of the footy with 26 disposals, had a strong impact on the scoreboard kicking three goals, but also picked up seven intercept possessions, highlighting his all-round influence. Not to mention 11 contested possessions, seven score involvements and 511 metres gained.
5. Jacob Hopper (GWS)
Hopper is the most underrated player in the AFL by a country mile. It’s criminal. You’ve barely heard his name this week, yet he had 41 disposals and a whopping 940 metres gained. Plus 17 contested possessions, 12 inside 50s, 11 clearances, seven score involvements and a goal assist. Only thing that let him down was a disposal efficiency of 59%.
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4. Touk Miller (GCS)
You could throw a blanket over this week’s top-four, and any one of them wouldn’t have been out of place in the number one spot. Coming in at number four, Miller continued his rich vein of form in Gold Coast’s thrilling win over the Giants. He recorded 35 disposals, 16 contested possessions, two goals, 11 clearances, five score involvements, 403 metres gained and a mammoth 14 tackles if you don’t mind.
3. Jaidyn Stephenson (NM)
Stephenson had 25 disposals, nine contested possessions, eight marks, eight score involvements, four clearances, 326 metres gained and a goal. No, that wasn’t his whole game, that was his second-half. Was monumental when it mattered as North rose to stun West Coast and the footy world. After a game like that, considering the way his Pies exit was handled, its hard not to believe in karma.
2. Jack Steele (STK)
Fortunately for Steele the wheel has turned at the Saints, and he’s finding himself on the winner’s list more often than not. Was superb in St Kilda’s upset over the Lions, using the ball at a 91% efficiency from his 32 disposals, as well as two goals, 12 contested possessions, nine score involvements, seven tackles, six clearances and five intercept possessions.
1. Christian Petracca (MELB)
The Dees responded from last week’s loss with a convincing win over Port Adelaide, and Petracca was at the fore. He racked up 33 disposals, 13 contested possessions, three goals, 10 score involvements, seven clearances, six tackles, six inside 50s and 788 metres gained.
Player of the Season
An accumulative award based on each round’s Player Rankings, with players being awarded points correlating with their ranking. 10 points for 1st, 9 for 2nd, 8 for 3rd and so on.
