Every AFL club’s most underrated player: Part II

Every side has its stars, and with 22 players fielded out every game, not everyone gets the recognition they deserve. We look at every team and determine who is underrated. Here are is the second batch of players in part two as we look at the players that have an impact that isn't necessarily marked down statistically. Every AFL club’s most underrated player: Part I Hawthorn Liam Shiels One of the Hawks' most reliable and durable players, Liam Shiels continues to fly under the radar. The 242 gamer is the longest-serving Hawthorn player currently on the club's list and continues to bring his best. Last season, the three-time premiership player averaged 21.1 disposals, 4.4 marks and 4.8 tackles, continuing to be a reliable and durable player in midfield. [player_widget player_id='liam-shiels' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Marks,Tackles' position="Midfielder"] Of his 21 matches last year, he recorded 20-plus disposals on 13 occasions, and was the sixth-highest-ball-getter for the Hawks. On top of that, he laid the third-most tackles as well. Melbourne Alex Neal-Bullen The reigning premiers have a team full of stars, and with that, the focus will always be on them. However, the side does have some very good names who just don't get the recognition. One of them being Alex Neal-Bullen. Generally a forward, the 26-year-old had some elite numbers last season, with 16.3 disposals and 4.4 tackles. His goalkicking is arguably his weakness, with a 0.6 average last year, continuing a career average of 0.8, but his numbers and influence go far behind goal tallies. The rest of his game is underrated, and with a new role in the midfield, as seen in Melbourne's pre-season game against Carlton, the Demons' may have a new feature in the centre. North Melbourne Curtis Taylor In an underperforming team, especially one full of youth, there is bound to be unsung players. One North Melbourne youngster who fits the bill is Curtis Taylor. The 21-year-old's name is rarely mentioned when talking about the Roos, but it may be time it does. Taylor enjoyed a real consistent season last year, in particular, his last 11 games. [player_widget player_id='curtis-taylor' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Marks,Inside50s' position="Midfielder"] In those games, the former Calder Cannon had 14-plus disposals and averaged 4.8 marks, 4.5 score involvements and 2.3 inside 50s per game. Coming into AFL as a half-forward, he has slowly moved to the wing, and has thrived in the position, offering teammates a silver service with his disposal use. Port Adelaide Willem Drew The midfield work of Willem Drew at Alberton went well under the radar last season. Playing every game, the 23-year-old emerged as an inside midfielder, being able to fulfil run-with roles if needed. Drew plays an important defensive role for the Power, and his numbers back that. An incredible 6.8 tackles per game and 25.5 pressure acts while half of his possessions were contested. His role allowed the likes of Ollie Wines and Travis Boak to play with more freedom. Richmond Jack Graham Enjoying his breakout season last year, despite flying under the radar, was Jack Graham. The two-time premiership player set an example with his two-way running, averaging 5.5 tackles and 26 pressure acts per match. He also hurt the opposition in attack with 19 disposals and four inside 50s. [player_widget player_id='jack-graham' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Clearances' position="Midfielder"] The future of the Richmond midfield could very well lay in the hands of the 23-year-old, as he primes to become one of the competition's next great midfielders. St Kilda Callum Wilkie One of the Saints' most important defenders is a name not ushered by many far from Moorabbin. Callum Wilkie deserves recognition, especially after another solid season that saw him average over four spoils and six marks (two intercept) per game. His playmaking ability was also showcased with over 15 possessions per game at an elite-level disposal efficiency of 87.4 per cent. https://twitter.com/zerohanger/status/1499262330634661892?s=20&t=xysKTW17X9oILck8ZGXYvw Entering only his fourth season in AFL, the former accountant is arguably one of the most underrated defenders league-wide. Wilkie is rarely beaten and his numbers and efficiency are elite. Speaking to ZeroHanger in May last year, Wilkie said he believes "there's a fair amount of people out there in the footy world who have no idea who I am still… I’d like to keep it that way." READ MORE: Meet St Kilda’s unsung milestone man: Callum Wilkie Sydney Tom Hickey One of the more underrated players in the competition, and in ruck, is Tom Hickey. As a player who has been traded three times, Hickey brings much to the table, especially evident in his first season at Sydney last year. The first player to play for four different teams in four different states, Hickey surprised everyone with his career-best season. [player_widget player_id='tom-hickey' season='2021' stats='Hitouts,Clearances,Disposals' position="Ruck"] The 30-year-old - in his 11th season - averaged 16.5 disposals and 24 hit-outs, with 7.9 going to the advantage of his teammates. At times, the Queenslander also played as an onballer, as evident with his five clearances a game. Finishing sixth in the Swans' best and fairest, he proved to be a bargain recruit. West Coast Jamie Cripps For a long period, Jamie Cripps has been the unsung star in the Eagles forward line. As expected, given that very same side calls itself home to monsters Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling. The small-forward plays his role to perfection. Last year, the 29-year-old averaged 1.2 goals a game, as well as an elite two inside-50 tackles and 21 pressure acts. Just what a coach wants from a small forward. [player_widget player_id='jamie-cripps' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Tackles,Goals' position="Forward"] His tackling game was elite too, with seven tackles or more on four occasions, averaging 3.9. Cripps is one of the top runners in the competition, his work rate and his ability to cover the ground as a link-up player is a key component of West Coast’s forward line. Western Bulldogs Alex Keath This unsung defender has evolved from an interceptor to a key pillar down back at Footscray. In his second season at the Dogs, Alex Keath was crucial in their push to the flag, especially in the back-end. From Round 14 onwards, the 198cm key defender matched up with the likes of Lance Franklin, Tom Hawkins, Ben King, Joe Daniher, Josh Kennedy, Peter Wright and Charlie Dixon. All of those names combined for a total of five goals against Keath. Remarkable.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	2	2	0	8	182.9
2	WB	2	2	0	8	154.1
3	GC	1	1	0	4	181.2
4	ADEL	1	1	0	4	117.7
5	HAW	2	1	1	4	117.1
6	COLL	2	1	1	4	98.7
7	GEEL	2	1	1	4	79.6
8	GWS	2	1	1	4	76.4
9	CARL	2	1	1	4	70.9
10	RICH	1	0	1	0	94.7

Every AFL club’s most underrated player: Part II

Here are the next nine players that continue to fly under the radar in the AFL.

9. Western Bulldogs

Alex Keath

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