It should come as no surprise that the Coleman Medal leader is also leading The Sporting Landscape’s Player of the Season two rounds in to the 2021 AFL season.
Eight teams are featured in this week’s instalment, Collingwood comfortably being the most represented with a record three players.
10. Jordan Ridley (ESS)
The intercept defender picked up eight intercept possessions, 616 metres gained, and a game-high three contested marks to accompany his 32 disposals at 90% efficiency in a strong showing in Essendon’s loss to Port Adelaide.
9. Taylor Adams (COLL)
The Collingwood hard-nut had was strong against the Blues as he racked up ten score involvements, nine inside 50s, a game-high 13 clearances, and 29 disposals, 18 of which were contested possessions.
8. Jack Crisp (COLL)
The half-back was swung into the midfield with exceptional effect, tallied 36 disposals and 15 contested possessions, but his most impressive stat being a whopping 788 metres gained.
7. Darcy Moore (COLL)
The third Pie to make the list this week, and may be a slightly controversial inclusion considering his direct opponent Harry Mckay kicked four goals. But with 22 disposals, 18 of which were intercept possessions, a 90% disposal efficiency and three contested marks; he was hard to ignore.
6. Dustin Martin (RICH)
It wouldn’t be a top 10 players of the round without Dustin Martin. Although 28 disposals and one goal doesn’t scream outstanding, the Tigers champion was at his impactful best rising at key moments and tallying a game-high 11 score involvements.
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5. Zak Butters (PA)
The forgotten man of the 2018 ‘super draft’ continues to impress. With one goal, six clearances, and 36 disposals at 86% efficiency, last year’s All Australian nominee only cemented his place as one of the game’s premier young talents.
4. Clayton Oliver (MELB)
Another big disposal getter with 37, a substantial 21 of those contested, and 11 clearances in the Dees big win over the Saints. Oliver will be an essential part of a dangerous-looking team ready to shake up this year’s finals series.
3. Joel Selwood (GEEL)
27 disposals, 17 contested possessions, two goals, 522 metres gained, and six score involvements, but the most impressive component of Selwood’s game was his sheer willpower. May be aging, but stood up and lead the way impressively in Dangerfield’s absence.
2. Taylor Walker (ADEL)
Walker started his season on the best possible note with five goals, and went one step further this week with a bag of six. That’s 11 goals in two games, making Tex the clubhouse leader of the AFL Player Rankings for good reason. Was highly impactful with ball-in-hand, recording 13 score involvements from 15 disposals and kicking 6.3.
1. Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
The Bont’s prowess as a goal-kicking midfielder was on full display. Had a brilliant game with 30 disposals at 93% efficiency, 582 metres gained, and 3.1. Didn’t shy away from the big moments with crucial goals including the matchwinner.
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, all the way through to 1 for 10th.
