Come Monday, all focus is usually placed on the stars that dominated for their clubs, while some lesser known or underappreciated performances fly under the radar.
These performances can still be crucial for their clubs and we want to highlight them!
Here are 10 underrated performances from Round 5...
Daniel McStay
McStay was one of the standouts in the Lions 37-point win over Port Adelaide, providing a dominant target for the Lions in a performance that had SEN’s Garry Lyon comparing him to Wayne Carey.
McStay took a match-high eight marks, five of which were contested, to go with three score involvements and a goal as the Lions forward line feasted on Port Adelaide.
Noah Balta
Flashes of classic Richmond were frequently seen on Sunday during the Tigers 27-point win over Melbourne. But it was a relatively fresh face in Noah Balta who proved crucial down back.
Balta led the way for the Tigers with 20 disposals and 10 intercepts as the Tigers defence held Melbourne to just 12 scoring shots from 43 inside 50’s. With Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards missing the next month at least, Richmond will be looking for more performances like this from Balta.
Jarryn Geary
Geary excelled in his return from injury in the Saints’ 18-point win over Carlton, playing a defensive forward role on opposing skipper Sam Docherty. Geary held Docherty to just 20 possessions and a fraction of impact compared to his dominant 32 possession game against Essendon the previous week.
Geary also chipped in with two of the Saints’ first four goals, which marked the first time he has kicked multiple goals since 2016.
Andrew Phillips
Phillips proved crucial in the Dons’ 15-point win against Collingwood on Friday night, helping to neutralize star Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy.
While soundly being beaten in the hitouts 37 to 13, Phillips provided enough of a contest around the ground with his marking presence and 11 possessions to likely cement his place as the Bombers No.1 ruckman for the near future.
Jeremy Finlayson
Previously a forgotten man in the Giants star-studded forward line, Finlayson continues to produce strong performances each week. He kicked four goals in the Giants' 34-point win over Hawthorn on Sunday.
Finlayson had seven score involvements and was strong in the air with three contested marks as he partnered with Harry Himmelberg for 8 of the Giants' 13 goals.
<Embed from Getty ImagesOscar Allen
West Coast rejoined the winners list with a strong 34-point win over Sydney on Saturday, with young forward Oscar Allen being a stand-out with a game-high three goals for the Eagles.
With Josh Kennedy being held goaless, Allen picked up the slack with eight score involvements and provided another strong target up forward with three contested marks.
James Aish
Aish had his best game so far in his short career for Fremantle in their 20-point win over Adelaide on Sunday, gathering 19 possessions off the wing and providing much-needed rebounding power for the struggling Dockers.
Aish's eight intercepts and five score involvements were both among game highs as he looks to be a great low-risk pickup for the Dockers.
Josh Schache
While Josh Bruce dominated with six goals in the Western Bulldogs' strong 49-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday night, reprieved forward Josh Schache deserves plaudits here here.
Filling in for injured young gun Aaron Naughton, Schache provided five score involvements and two goals as he looks set fill in long-term for the injured Naughton.
Opposition defences may have to contend with a three-tall forward line of Bruce, Naughton and Schache later in the season.
Hugh Greenwood
Greenwood stood up for Gold Coast in the middle after young gun Matt Rowell was injured early during their 37-point loss to Geelong on Saturday, leading the way with 21 disposals.
His trademark pressure also led to a game-high 11 tackles and six clearances as Greenwood continued his strong form early in his Gold Coast career.
Cam Rayner
The mercurial young forward had a night for the highlight reels in the Lions' big win over Port Adelaide. Raynor kicked two goals, including a Daniel Wells-esque mid-air soccer goal in the second quarter as the Lions piled on the pain.
Rayner finished the match with 15 disposals, two goals and an equal game-high eight score involvements, sending a message to the rest of the competition that the 20-year-old may be hitting his stride.
