Latest AFL News

The AFL’s top five most underrated players

Are we forgetting anyone?

Published by
Alex Caiafa

The big-name superstars of the AFL are constantly in the limelight and deemed to be the key individual factors in the game.

However, there are always players that fly under the radar and go unnoticed for all that they do that contributes to a team.

Here is a list of my top five most underrated players currently in the AFL:

Kane Lambert

After being let go by the Northern Blues, Kane Lambert was snapped up by the Richmond Tigers and hasn't looked back since.

Averaging 22.7 disposals per game in 2019 and ranked 9th in the AFL for score involvements per game, Lambert goes about his business in a silent fashion, willing and earning his way in the team away from the spotlight of the star guys such as Dustin Martin and Tom Lynch.

Lambert has been a major contributor into the success Richmond have had over the last three seasons through sheer heart and tenacity, and his work seems to never get recognised.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 14: Kane Lambert of the Tigers celebrates kicking a goal during the round four AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 14, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Robbie Tarrant

Todd Goldstein, Jack Ziebell and Shaun Higgins get much of the praise for the Kangaroos, but it's the work down back of Tarrant that goes unnoticed and under appreciated for a lot who are unfamiliar with what the Kangaroos are all about.

Tasked with taking the oppositions best forward each week, Tarrant takes up the challenge with open arms and excels at the task more times than not, holding some of the best forwards in the league to their lowest totals of the season and sometimes, their careers.

Ranked 4th in the AFL in effective disposal percentage per game and ranked 8th in the AFL in total one percenters, Tarrant is as effective as any backman in the league.

Hard at the ball and strong in the one on one contests, Tarrant rarely gets beat and proves his worth week in and week out without much recognition.

He has never been an All-Australian yet has been one of the premier defenders of the game over the post decade. Well, he gets the recognition here.

Brad Sheppard

Jeremy McGovern and Shannon Hurn may receive much of the spotlight in the West Coast backline, but it's Sheppard who is the silent achiever.

Consistently shutting down the best opposition small forward, Sheppard takes it all in his stride and exceeds the task he is given.

Averaging 20 disposals per game, ranked 13th in the AFL in rebound 50s and ranked number 1 in the AFL in total marks, Sheppard goes about what he does in the most professional manner with very little attention to go with it.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Brad Sheppard of the Eagles looks to handball during the round nine AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium on May 20, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

 

Jarryd Lyons

Lyons is at his third club after being let go by the Adelaide Crows and Gold Coast Suns. No one personifies 'underrated' more than Lyons when the worst club in the league discards you.

But Lyons is fast becoming one of the game's elite midfielders, if he isn't already.

Playing second fiddle behind stars Lachie Neale and Dayne Zorko, Lyons is quietly averaging a handy 23.7 disposals per game, 5.5 clearances per game and is ranked 9th in the AFL in total tackles. He has played a key role in leading the rejuvenated Lions to second place on the ladder.

The inside bull is a hard worker that is severely under appreciated in a Brisbane team that is exceeding expectations in 2019, with Neale and Zorko taking the spotlight.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Jarryd Lyons of the Lions controls the ball during the round 21 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba on August 10, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jarrod Witts

Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn are labelled as the two premier ruckman in the AFL, but no one ever talks about Witts.

Gold Coast's lack of success as a team means Witts gets nowhere near the attention or recognition he deserves, but he is quietly having himself a huge season and could sneakily be in All-Australian contention.

Ranked number 1 for total hitouts (842 HO) and hitouts per game (44.3 HOPG) while averaging 14.5 disposals per game, the 209cm giant is probably best tap ruckman in the league and as dominant as any.

It's unfortunate for Witts that the lack of team success the Suns are having as a team undermines exactly just how good of a season he is having, and just how good of a player he actually is.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Jarrod Witts of the Suns and Ivan Soldo of Richmond challenge for the ball during the round 21 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

 

 

 

Published by
Alex Caiafa