Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo has nominated a star Greater Western Sydney midfielder as his individual bolter for season 2018.
After making his first All-Australian team last year, Dylan Shiel has all the attributes to surpass his counterparts, according to Dal Santo.
“As good as Patrick Dangerfield, Dustin Martin and Nat Fyfe are, I could see, in a perfect season for Dylan Shiel, him jumping them all,” he told SEN Afternoons.
“Dylan Shiel could be (the best player in the game). He is close.
“The reason I like him is he does something with the ball that not many other players do. He runs and carries the football.
“He stands out and his possessions aren’t a 40-50 metre kick. He runs 10-15, breaks the line, and then kicks it.
“He also gets in front of goals, but he needs to kick it just a little bit straighter.
“I love the way Dylan Shiel plays his football already.
“We know that the Giants will be around the mark, they’re going to get enough of the football for him to get enough of the footy himself.”
Shiel averaged 26.2 possessions, 6.4 clearances and 4.3 inside 50’s per game last season, cementing himself as one of the league’s most dominant on-ballers.
The 25-year-old finished fourth in GWS’ best and fairest in 2017, ranking second at the club for contested possessions, clearances and inside 50’s.
The Giants’ 2018 campaign begins on Sunday against the Western Bulldogs.
Listen to Nick Dal Santo’s chat with Andy Maher on SEN Afternoons in the player below!