The home and away season is done and dusted, but never fear, The Sporting Landscape’s Player Rankings will continue into the finals.
Round 23 saw Max Gawn, Ollie Wines, and Clayton Oliver make late charges up the Player of the Season leaderboard, find out how that finished up by clicking here.
And see the Round 23 Player Rankings below.
Round 23 Player Rankings
10. Jordan Dawson (SYD)
Dawson edged out the likes of Wingard, Shuey and Laird for a place on this list with a serious all-round display against Gold Coast. The defender-turned-midfielder amassed 33 disposals, one goal, 16 marks, eight inside 50s, seven score involvements, five intercept possessions, two goal assists and 689 metres gained.
9. Lance Franklin (SYD)
Eight goals to go. That’s the story for Buddy after he slotted six against the Suns, albeit with a little help from his teammates. His career tally has etched up to 992 heading into the finals, can he crack 1000 in 2021? Also laid five tackles and had 13 disposals.
8. Ed Curnow (CARL)
With some young Blues finally coming through in the midfield, 31-year-old Curnow’s been pushed to a high half-forward role as of late, and he played it superbly on Saturday night. Although Carlton couldn’t get the win, Curnow was dominant as he slotted four majors from 25 disposals, also finishing with nine score involvements. A great ball-wining and scoring return that show’s he still got plenty in the tank.
7. Nic Natanui (WCE)
West Coast was trumped by Brisbane as their season plateaued to an underwhelming finish, but that didn’t stop Naitanui from putting in a monster showing. The ruckman won 53 hit outs including 20 to advantage against the accomplished Oscar McInerney, as well as 24 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 10 score involvements and six inside 50s.
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6. Travis Boak (PA)
Boak was one of two Port midfielders that starred as the Power secured a home Qualifying Final berth with a two-point victory over the Dogs. In a season that could prove his best chance of winning a premiership, Boak is hitting his straps; tallying 31 disposals, 11 contested possessions, two goals (as well as three behinds), seven score involvements, six inside 50s, one goal assist and 440 metres gained on Friday night.
5. Callan Ward (GWS)
The former Giants co-captain, Callan Ward bleeds orange, grey and white, and he proved it on Saturday night. GWS had to win to secure a place in the eight, and Ward stood tall, putting on a clinic against the Blues with 28 disposals at an 82% efficiency, two goals, 14 contested possessions, 12 score involvements, eight clearances, seven inside 50s, one goal assist and 517 metres gained.
4. Ben Keays (ADEL)
It’s been some season for Keays, and he capped it off in an emphatic fashion as Adelaide downed North convincingly. Laird may have deserved plaudits for the Crows’ win in some eyes, but Keays’ dominance was far more widespread with 38 disposals at an efficiency of 84%, two goals, 13 contested possessions, 10 inside 50s, 10 score involvements, six clearances, six tackles, two goal assists and 621 metres gained.
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3. Max Gawn (MELB)
You don’t win premierships in August, but Melbourne won the next best thing, and it was largely thanks to their skipper Gawn. Not only did he seal it with the match-winning goal, but Gawn had 25 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 39 hit outs, seven clearances, five inside 50s, five score involvements, two contested marks and 477 metres gained.
2. Ollie Wines (PA)
The other half of Port’s dominant duo, Wines was everywhere against the Dogs with 34 disposals at an 82% efficiency, 17 contested possessions, nine tackles, seven intercept possessions, five score involvements, five inside 50s, one goal and 418 metres gained.
1. Clayton Oliver (MELB)
The red-hot Demon will be hoping to continue to his red-hot streak into the finals, as he was scorching in Melbourne’s crucial win over Geelong with 37 disposals, 26 contested possessions, two goals, nine clearances, eight score involvements, seven inside 50s, seven tackles and 466 metres gained.