Names Like Merrett, Oliver and Petracca took a back seat in round 20 as some up and coming midfielders stole the show.
Petracca and Oliver still did enough to improve their positions in the Player of the Season race though.
See the full lists below.
Round 20 Player Rankings
10. Bailey Dale (WB)
The Dogs dealt with Adelaide comfortably, and Bailey Dale was impressive. Having been shifted to defence in 2021, the rebounder still has a habit of impacting the scoreboard, and he did just that with one goal, five inside 50s and 682 metres gained accompanying his 31 disposals and 89% efficiency, not to mention nine intercept possessions.
9. Harry McKay (CARL)
McKay inched his way closer to the Coleman Medal with a five-goal display in Carlton’s win over St Kilda. The breakout star finished the game with 11 disposals, eight score involvements and two contested marks also.
8. Sam Walsh (CARL)
Sam Walsh was at his impactful best as Carlton found form against St Kilda, winning 26 disposals at an efficiency of 85% and kicking three goals, along with 11 contested possessions and six score involvements.
7. Chad Wingard (HAW)
Coach Alastair Clarkson seems to have saved the best for last in 2021, with Hawthorn upsetting top-four hopefuls Brisbane. Chad Wingard was influential in the victory with 32 disposals, two goals, one goal assist, nine score involvements, six inside 50s, six tackles and 503 metres gained.
6. Clayton Oliver (MELB)
Melbourne handed Gold Coast a 98-point belting, and Oliver was unforgiving with 35 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 10 clearances, nine score involvements, six inside 50s, five tackles, two goal assists, one goal and 411 metres gained.
5. Christian Petracca (MELB)
Also dominant against the Suns, Oliver’s right-hand man Petracca amassed 32 disposals, 15 score involvements, 13 contested possessions, 10 marks, 10 inside 50s, six clearances, two goal assists, one goal and 528 metres gained.
4. Zach Merrett (ESS)
Essendon fell agonisingly short of Sydney in high-scoring shootout, but that didn’t curb Merrett’s influence as he racked up 35 disposals at an 83% efficiency, 13 score involvements, 10 contested possessions, six inside 50s, five tackles, four goal assists, two goals and 624 metres gained.
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3. Jaeger O’Meara (HAW)
O’Meara put together one of his games of the season against Brisbane; accumulating 35 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 11 tackles, nine inside 50s, eight clearances, five score involvements, one goal and 461 metres gained.
2. Karl Amon (PA)
Karl Amon is finding the form of his career, and he put the Giants to the sword in Port Adelaide’s 27-point triumph. The 26-year-old finished with 31 disposals at an efficiency of 90%, 11 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, nine inside 50s, five tackles, two goal assists, one goal and 683 metres gained.
1. Andrew Brayshaw (FRE)
There’s no doubting a host of clubs envy the young midfield core Fremantle possess. And with names like Cerra, Brayshaw and Serong, it’s easy to see why. On Sunday, it was Brayshaw’s turn to command a pivotal role as his Dockers downed the faltering reigning premiers, and the young-gun did just that; finishing with 39 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 12 tackles, 10 score involvements, eight clearances, five intercept possessions and 567 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.
