Most overrated player in the AFL currently?

[Bulldog1954]

3 grand finals, 3 goals

Two of those were in the last quarter of their 2022 premiership when the game was done.

Also completely vanished in the 2016 and 2021 prelims.

 

[sleep]

Still witches hat Watson and Cyril

 

[raskolnikov]

Well it's definitely not Lachie Neale!

Remember when Dermott Brereton called him "soft"?

The bloke is a football god.

What a performance.

How unusual for Dermo the Flog to be wrong about anything.

 

[RCAB]

Still witches hat Watson and Cyril

Grand Finals...

 

[RCAB]

A lot of Geelong players?

Really struggled with Danger and Stewart not there, Cameron injured..

 

[Partridge]

Well it's definitely not Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

!

Remember when Dermott Brereton called him "soft"?

The bloke is a football god.

What a performance.

I took great delight in pointing out how lucky Neale was in winning his 2nd Brownlow, ahead of Bont and Petracca who I thought were easily better.

Then to underscore my profound opinions, he's come out in two straight Grand finals and blitzed. Gone in hard, clean possessions, ultimately - and unlike some obvious others - stood up and performed when it mattered most. And of course made me look like an idiot (not for the first time obviously).

Absolute gun.

 

[craffles]

Agree.

It's weird that somehow Draper and Oscar Allen have become star players after they stopped actually playing...

It’s crazy how everyone is saying the lions will get better with these two when they are pretty shit footballers haha

 

[craffles]

Before shooting me down, think about the definition of the word overrated.

Will Ashcroft. Neither of his two norms were generational game changing performances and could have gone to other players. Media and fans talking about him as one of the all time greats. Long way to go to be in that conversation.

 

[My Tilly]

It’s crazy how everyone is saying the lions will get better with these two when they are pretty shit footballers haha

I'm not getting the hype either.
Allen I can understand but he really looks a shadow of the player he was a few years ago.

 

[craffles]

I'm not getting the hype either.
Allen I can understand but he really looks a shadow of the player he was a few years ago.

Allen has had one elite season in amongst some really average years. Draper has never even been near the top performers in his position and I’m not even sure he’s had a top 10 bnf position?

 

[My Tilly]

Allen has had one elite season in amongst some really average years. Draper has never even been near the top performers in his position and I’m not even sure he’s had a top 10 bnf position?

I guess with that midfield of theirs, Draper only needs to be serviceable.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

I'm not getting the hype either.
Allen I can understand but he really looks a shadow of the player he was a few years ago.

Im not getting how people cant see they are better then the players they are replacing

Its a very basic formula that shouldnt be this tough to grasp

 

[RCAB]

Before shooting me down, think about the definition of the word overrated.

Will Ashcroft. Neither of his two norms were generational game changing performances and could have gone to other players. Media and fans talking about him as one of the all time greats. Long way to go to be in that conversation.

If Ashcroft doesn't produce anything else or much more in his career, than it might be consider slightly overrated... But that's a big if IMO.

He's also the youngest ever Norm Smith medalist and just went back to back on it. Regardless of what happens is on the history books.

If it was me that just did what Ashcroft did... I'd think I was the best player in the comp.

 

[My Tilly]

Im not getting how people cant see they are better then the players they are replacing

Its a very basic formula that shouldnt be this tough to grasp

Will Allen remain healthy throughout the course of the remaining 5-7 years of his career?

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Will Allen remain healthy throughout the course of the remaining 5-7 years of his career?

Not 100% sure but they kept Joe Daniher healthy so Oscars gotta be a chance surely? Writing him off doesnt make sense with Brisbanes track record.

 

[Blightys Barrel]

It’s crazy how everyone is saying the lions will get better with these two when they are pretty shit footballers haha

Brisbane has a blend of superstars and super role players (eg, Lester, Fort, Gardiner, Reville). You know Fagan will make it work as they recruit and target players that make the team better overall. If both these lads stay fit and play in the structure, then the competition might be competing for 2nd for a few years. Great blend of ages as well with Gallop/May/Ashcroft all rookies this year. Scary if they all stay healthy.

 

[jannissary]

Brisbane has a blend of superstars and super role players (eg, Lester, Fort, Gardiner, Reville). You know Fagan will make it work as they recruit and target players that make the team better overall. If both these lads stay fit and play in the structure, then the competition might be competing for 2nd for a few years. Great blend of ages as well with Gallop/May/Ashcroft all rookies this year. Scary if they all stay healthy.

can’t forget that especially gardiner & lester have both been at the club well through the era of shit they had before their current run of success, when brisbane were haemorrhaging players

 

[Soggy2112]

3 grand finals, 3 goals

Played really well in 2022 to get his 2 that day. Had a broken arm in 2025. Not sure that’s a fair stat.

 

[Spook]

Im not getting how people cant see they are better then the players they are replacing

Its a very basic formula that shouldnt be this tough to grasp

So you are saying Allen is better than Morris? And Draper is better than Big O? On current form I wouldn’t say that, and I’m not sure many people would. Great to have depth and 4 prayers vying for 2 spots. But it is not an obvious improvement until Allen can prove he’s more than a 1 great season player. There is no guarantee of that.

 

[Andyy]

So you are saying Allen is better than Morris? And Draper is better than Big O? On current form I wouldn’t say that, and I’m not sure many people would. Great to have depth and 4 prayers vying for 2 spots. But it is not an obvious improvement until Allen can prove he’s more than a 1 great season player. There is no guarantee of that.

And by great season, we're referencing his 2023 season of 53 goals in 23 games?

If he was in that good form in 2026 he might have cracked the top5 in the Coleman at best.

A good year. Hardly a great one, let alone a great player.

Brisbane shouldn't bother IMO. They have Morris, Hipwood, Gallop having a crack etc.

Draper I understand they're taking because O and Fort are older etc.

 

[hr_23]

Nick Daicos

Now before you come for me,
he is a great player
BUT
the way the football media carry on like he is some kind of football savant is borderline sickening
Richard Goyder congratulating him for coming second in the brownlow before giving Rowell the medal now come on when has the ever happened

 

[HairyO]

Someone from Hawthorn probably.

The "AFL Experts" listed the best 25 players in the comp. Hawks were the only team in the top 10 who had 0 players.

We just fluke our way to finals I guess. No 1st round F/S, no academy, just plodders plodding.

Doesnt say much for the competition though. Swans had 3 or 4 players listed. Yet couldnt even make the finals.

Still witches hat Watson and Cyril

Not Shannon Neale? Watson has kicked as many goals in half the number of years. Though maybe no-one rates Neale.

He is very tall though.

 

[Spook]

And by great season, we're referencing his 2023 season of 53 goals in 23 games?

If he was in that good form in 2026 he might have cracked the top5 in the Coleman at best.

A good year. Hardly a great one, let alone a great player.

Brisbane shouldn't bother IMO. They have Morris, Hipwood, Gallop having a crack etc.

Draper I understand they're taking because O and Fort are older etc.

Yep 1 and only decent season, we agree.

He’s a FA free hit for Brissie so the6 may as well. Having additional key forwards is a luxury all clubs want. But like you I’d like to see Gallop and Morris in round 1.

 

[Andyy]

Yep 1 and only decent season, we agree.

He’s a FA free hit for Brissie so the6 may as well. Having additional key forwards is a luxury all clubs want. But like you I’d like to see Gallop and Morris in round 1.

Yep just to be clear, was in agreement with you from you with that post haha.

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should, Brissy...

 

[GhostofJimJess]

Nick Daicos

Now before you come for me,
he is a great player
BUT
the way the football media carry on like he is some kind of football savant is borderline sickening
Richard Goyder congratulating him for coming second in the brownlow before giving Rowell the medal now come on when has the ever happened

He’s a very special player - he doesn’t do everything on the field, but what he does do is pretty much better than every other player.

Disposal, decision-making, hard running to present … all absolutely top class.

I think he’s currently being downgraded due to a poor 4th quarter in the prelim vs Lions.

But if that’s the basis that we’re judging overratedness on, then Toby Greene has had literally dozens of poor quarters in finals, yet is constantly touted as being a top 10 player in the comp. He repeatedly goes missing in September.

Greene just plays for more palatable football club that doesn’t sell media time and newspaper inches.