With a month of the AFL season already in the record books, we wanted to take a closer look at some of the in-form players from the first five rounds of matches and take a look at some of the early contenders for the Brownlow Medal in 2021.

Gold Coast Suns players leading the way

Whilst collectively, it might not be happening on the pitch right now for the Gold Coast Suns, individually, some of their big-name players are already stepping up this season.

With just one win from the opening five games of the season, it’s perhaps no surprise to see Suns players leading the way when it comes to tackles made. Hugh Greenwood leads the way with 47 tackles across the five games he has played, averaging 9.4 tackles per game. 

Touk Miller, another Suns player is next on the list with 37 tackles, averaging 7.4 tackles per game. They are joined in the top five by:

  • Andrew McGrath - Essendon - 35
  • Jack Steele - St Kilda - 33
  • Will Snelling - Essendon - 32

When it comes to kicks, another Suns player leads the way with Jack Bowes averaging 23.4 kicks per games in the opening five rounds of the 2021 season. Bowes has made a fine start to the season with an average of 28.2 disposals and 8 marks per game, putting him in the ‘Elite’ category for all three areas.

Western Bulldogs players lead the way in offensive stats

As you would imagine, with a 5-0 record to start the season, it’s no surprise to find Western Bulldogs players leading the way when it comes to offensive stats. Jack Macrae is leading the way in terms of disposals, with 176 disposals in five games, averaging 35.2 disposals per game. He also averages 19 handballs per game and is joined in the top five by teammate Josh Dunkley with 153 disposals at 30.6 disposals per game. The top five is completed by:

  • Tom Mitchell - Hawthorn - 170
  • Clayton Oliver - Melbourne - 159
  • Zach Merrett - Essendon - 155

When it comes to goals, Adelaide Crows’ key forward Taylor Walker is leading the way after five rounds with 22 goals at an average of 4.4 goals per game. Taylor has had a standout start to the season with an average of 17.4 disposals and 12.2 kicks per game.

Western Bulldogs’ Josh Bruce is second in the list of leading goal scorers in 2021 with 17 along with Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt. Essendon’s Cale Hooker (16) and Carlton’s Harry McKay (16) make up the top five.

Early Brownlow Medal Contenders

Following his stellar start to the season, Adelaide’s talismanic 30-year-old forward Taylor Walker leads AFL.com.au’s Brownlow Predictor after opening up the season with 22 goals in five games. He was tipped to poll best-on-ground votes in three of his first four matches and with his nine votes to start the campaign, he leads Melbourne’s bullying midfielder Clayton Oliver on seven votes in the Brownlow Predictor.

It’s been a strong start to the season for a number of AFL veterans, led by Walker but also joined by Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak and 35-year-old Fremantle onballer David Mundy who both sit on six votes after the opening four rounds of the season.

They are joined on six votes by 2017 Brownlow Medal Winner Dustin Martin who has made a solid start in Richmond’s 3-2 opening to the campaign. With an average of 14 handballs and 27.2 disposals, Martin has been showing signs of returning to the kind of form that won him the Brownlow Medal in 2017 and has been tipped to poll best-on-ground honours in both of Richmond’s opening games of the season.With Betway placing Richmond as favourites for the 2021 Grand Final at 4.50, Martin will need to continue his early-season form to see an improvement on the 3-2 record defend the title they deservedly won last year, with Martin taking out the Norn Smith Medal in that game.