So who is the most underrated player in the AFL?

[mike123]

Besides Ablett, I think Mitchell is the best player in the game. If he'd been born four inches taller or 1m/s faster (or both), he'd be one of the best of all time. He makes absolutely every possession count, and his vision in traffic is just ridiculous.

Height is irrelevant.

 

[master bate]

Height is irrelevant.

I don't know. I think Mitchell's build makes him look like a little nuggety player which distracts from his skill. It also means he rarely takes any exciting marks where even guys who aren't known for their marking like Pendlebury or Cotchin take some good ones here and there. I think Mitchell suffers because of how many players he is surrounded by who do the sublime like Hodge, Roughy, Rioli that he isn't really classed as a superstar.

 

[citizen-erased]

Young Brandon is promising, but I wouldn't call him that good yet

oops :S

 

[elMM]

Brad Ebert

theres a few WCE mids

 

[citizen-erased]

Brad Ebert

theres a few WCE mids

I always forget Ebert.
Schuey is also one that gets forgotten these days. Reminds me of Danger a lot actually.

 

[master bate]

The all underrated 22

FB: Toovey, Lonergan, N. Smith
HB: Stratton, McPharlin, Jonas
C: Rosa, Mitchell, Ebert
HF: Rockliff Westhoff Prestia
FF: Puopolo Schulz L.Thomas
Foll: Hale, Ward, Cunnington
Int: N. Jones, Treloar, Broadbent
S: Gia

 

[eth-dog]

I fail to see how Thomas is underrated. He's pretty highly rated, I think people are confusing "not rating him" with "not liking him"

 

[master bate]

I always forget Ebert.
Schuey is also one that gets forgotten these days. Reminds me of Danger a lot actually.

I think everyone is watching Sheuy closely to see if he'll make the leap from talented but not quite top class to that top class level. Masten last year and this year has really made it to that quality but not super star level. Same with Scott Selwood. Even Priddis when he's in top form they are all around that discussion for top 50 and AA squad level but the watch is on Shuey.

 

[mike123]

I don't know. I think Mitchell's build makes him look like a little nuggety player which distracts from his skill. It also means he rarely takes any exciting marks where even guys who aren't known for their marking like Pendlebury or Cotchin take some good ones here and there. I think Mitchell suffers because of how many players he is surrounded by who do the sublime like Hodge, Roughy, Rioli that he isn't really classed as a superstar.

Hawthorn's good skills and ball use mean you don't have to take an exciting mark.

 

[wce4premiership]

Mitchell is their best player.

Easily a superstar.

 

[mike123]

I fail to see how Thomas is underrated. He's pretty highly rated, I think people are confusing "not rating him" with "not liking him"

Kicked over 50 goals, clearly the best small forward last year and didn't make the AA.

 

[eth-dog]

Kicked over 50 goals, clearly the best small forward last year and didn't make the AA.

Using AA as a yard stick is stupid.

 

[Dylan8]

Kicked over 50 goals, clearly the best small forward last year and didn't make the AA.

The problem with the AA selections is that midfielders are slotted into forward pocket and forward flank spots (Jack, Dangerfield (although he was played forward a lot more last year)). Anyway, Wingard was selected as a small forward in the AA team and averaged 10 more touches a game but only kicked 10 less for the season. Would you displace him for Thomas?

Pure small forwards don't do enough in the modern game, need to be able to rotate in the midfield. Thomas is good for what he does but what he does doesn't warrant more praise than he gets.

 

[mike123]

The problem with the AA selections is that midfielders are slotted into forward pocket and forward flank spots (Jack, Dangerfield (although he was played forward a lot more last year)). Anyway, Wingard was selected as a small forward in the AA team and averaged 10 more touches a game but only kicked 10 less for the season. Would you displace him for Thomas?

Pure small forwards don't do enough in the modern game, need to be able to rotate in the midfield. Thomas is good for what he does but what he does doesn't warrant more praise than he gets.

Pure small forwards don't get enough credit for what they do.

 

[Dylan8]

Pure small forwards don't get enough credit for what they do.

Dunno, I'd rather have a forward that can rotate in the mid, impact the game from there and still kick nearly as many goals as a pure small forward, while giving my starting midfielders a bit of a rest.

 

[mike123]

Dunno, I'd rather have a forward that can rotate in the mid, impact the game from there and still kick nearly as many goals as a pure small forward, while giving my starting midfielders a bit of a rest.

i'd rather have both on my team and get rid of one genuine mid because there are allot.

 

[eth-dog]

Pure small forwards don't get enough credit for what they do.

Most of the time, pure small forwards fail on the big stage. Who was the last "pure" small forward to do damage in a GF?

 

[mike123]

Most of the time, pure small forwards fail on the big stage. Who was the last "pure" small forward to do damage in a GF?

Michael Walters 2013

 

[Concussion]

This thread needs more Jackson Trengove.
Very under-rated defender / pinch hit ruck.

 

[Concussion]

Michael Walters 2013

Probably Sidebottom in 2010 GF2

 

[CasuallyDressed]

in order (noting this is only midfielders, so rucks, forwards and defenders not withstanding)

1-Ablett
2-Pendlebury
3-Mitchell
4-Selwood
5-Watson
6-StevieJ
7-Barlow
8-Griffen
9-Dangerfield
10-Mundy
11-Boak
12-Beams
13-Fyfe
14-Goddard
15-Ward
16-Kennedy
17-Jones
18-Jack
19-Burgoyne

Also - Swan, Sloane, Jack, Martin, Rockliff, Ball, Heppell, Schuey

Surely Swanny earns his place higher on that list.

The past 4 games don't discount the last 5 seasons where he's been consistently dominant.

 

[mike123]

Probably Sidebottom in 2010 GF2

You think he was the last small forward to impact a grandfinal.

Krakouer and Varcoe 2011.

 

[Scotland]

Kicked over 50 goals, clearly the best small forward last year and didn't make the AA.

I think people recognise Thomas' goalkicking prowess. The problem is he doesn't do a lot else.

The only small forward picked in the 2013 AA side was Chad Wingard, who kicked 10 less goals than Thomas. Wingard had 300 more disposals than Thomas. 300. Walters had over 100, Breust 150. These guys kick goals, win more of the ball and feature high up in goal assists. Thomas kicks goals and plays for frees. That's pretty much it. The only small forward that comes to mind who was as one-dimensional as Thomas to gain AA selection was Phil Matera and he was kicking over 3 goals a game.

 

[Barry_Badrinath]

in order (noting this is only midfielders, so rucks, forwards and defenders not withstanding)

1-Ablett
2-Pendlebury
3-Mitchell
4-Selwood
5-Watson
6-StevieJ
7-Barlow
8-Griffen
9-Dangerfield
10-Mundy
11-Boak
12-Beams
13-Fyfe
14-Goddard
15-Ward
16-Kennedy
17-Jones
18-Jack
19-Burgoyne

Also - Swan, Sloane, Jack, Martin, Rockliff, Ball, Heppell, Schuey

That's just remarkable. Luke Ball? Funniest post I've read on this site in a long time. And which Martin are you talking about? Because neither Dustin not Jack are even close to Cotchin.

 

[seysearles]

Please produce a list of 19 better midfielders, please. I would love to see it

in order (noting this is only midfielders, so rucks, forwards and defenders not withstanding)

1-Ablett
2-Pendlebury
3-Mitchell
4-Selwood
5-Watson
6-StevieJ
7-Barlow
8-Griffen
9-Dangerfield
10-Mundy
11-Boak
12-Beams
13-Fyfe
14-Goddard
15-Ward
16-Kennedy
17-Jones
18-Jack
19-Burgoyne

Also - Swan, Sloane, Jack, Martin, Rockliff, Ball, Heppell, Schuey

Dangerfield, Sloane, Beams, Swan, Pendlebury, Watson, Goddard, Fyfe, Barlow, Mundy, Selwood, S Johnson, Ablett, Ward, Mitchell, Burgoyne, Boak, Jack, Kennedy, Griffen.

Burn!