The 2021 AFL home-and-away season is in the books.
While there have been ups and downs for all 18 clubs, every side has had players who have improved and made the most of the season.
We’ve gone through each side and made our picks for your club’s most improved player.
See our thoughts below:
Ben Keays
There have been many great improvers for the Crows after a disappointing 2020 saw them earn the wooden spoon.
Ben Keays has quickly jumped from a Brisbane delisting, to getting another chance at AFL level, to receiving a game for the Crows week in week out, and is now in the mix to win their best and fairest.
After averaging 14.2 disposals over his first five seasons in the league, the 24-year-old has exploded in 2021 to average 28.1 per game, ranking 13th in the whole competition.
The former Lion has also played in every game for the Crows, doubling his tackle, clearance and inside-50 numbers.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Zac Bailey
While he was already trending upwards, young Lion Zac Bailey truly burst onto the scene in 2021.
With a fourth pre-season under his belt, the mid/half-forward has developed into a genuine game winner for Chris Fagan’s side.
He averaged 18.6 disposals, 1.3 goals, 2.8 tackles and 2.9 clearances a game in 2021, all career highs.
The young gun also had greater opportunity to show off his versatility, dominating games as both a ball-winner and genuine forward.
He kicked more than three goals on four occasions as a deeper option, and also found more than 25 disposals in four games when he was deployed as an on-baller.
Young defender Brandon Starcevich improved significantly in 2021 having developed into one of the competition’s elite lockdown options, but Bailey’s campaign is too strong to look past.
Lachlan Geleit
Harry McKay
It’s hard to overlook the 23-year-old who elevated his game from developing key forward to Coleman Medallist in 2021. He may just be the most improved player in the entire competition.
Harry McKay showed glimpses of his dominant contested marking across 2019 and 2020, but put it all together in 2021 and was irreplaceable in the Carlton forward 50.
The key forward kicked 58 goals in just 18 full games to go with 33 behinds, highlighting his accuracy – though he had a few yips in the middle of the season.
Sam Walsh also rates a mention, going from elite wingman to genuine on-ball star in 2021. Jack Silvagni and Liam Jones also had career-best seasons.
Nic Negrepontis
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Darcy Cameron
Magpie big-man Darcy Cameron made significant strides in his second season in black and white.
Having played 10 games in 2020, Cameron was more of a permanent feature in the side this year, playing 18 consecutive games after breaking into the side in Round 5.
While his ruck-work has always been strong, Cameron’s improvement came both around the ground and up forward this year.
He kicked 22 goals this season compared to four last year, and also found nearly five more disposals and two more marks per game in 2021 compared to 2020.
Collingwood will be hoping his upward trajectory continues as they’d like to rely on him as a genuine goal kicking option in years to come.
Lachlan Geleit
Darcy Parish
Heading into the season, Parish’s role in Essendon’s side was unclear after several years in a high half forward role, with only small stints in the midfield.
After Dylan Shiel’s injury in Round 2 against Port Adelaide, Ben Rutten opted to move Parish into the middle, where he has gone on to become one of the most dominant midfielders in the competition this year.
Averaging just over 30 touches across the regular season, Parish’s work as a pure inside midfielder and extractor has completely transformed Essendon, so much so that at points this year opposition sides have opted to tag him.
Jayden Laverde would have to be the Bombers’ other most improved player in 2021. Completely transformed under Rutten, Laverde has cemented himself as a reliable and dependable defender, taking some of the most imposing forwards in the competition.
Laurence Rosen
Sean Darcy
Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy was one of the stories of the second half of the 2021 season with his dominance in the middle.
The 23-year-old emerged as one of the best ruckmen in the competition and has been rewarded with a spot in the All-Australian squad.
In 2021, Darcy averaged career bests for disposals, marks, goals, inside 50s, clearances and hit-outs and all by wide margins. His strength made him almost impossible to move for most opposition ruckmen.
Star midfielder Andrew Brayshaw is very unlucky to miss out as well after a breakout season.
Nic Negrepontis
Brad Close
Performing a variety of roles, Brad Close has cemented himself in Geelong’s forward line and kicked 13 majors from 19 games this year.
But behind pure goalkicking, the mature-aged recruit has blossomed this year and is now reportedly on the cusp of re-signing with the club.
Outside of Close, both Mark O’Connor and Jack Henry have also had impressive years and deserve praise.
Laurence Rosen
Touk Miller
Miller was a shining light for the Suns and is without doubt one of the most improved players in the competition.
Gold Coast’s vice-captain has transformed from a blue-collar negating-type player to a damaging A-grade midfielder.
The 25-year-old’s average numbers in disposals (31.8), tackles (7.1), inside 50s (4.3) and clearances (5.7) skyrocketed this season, becoming the first player in AFL history to record over 30 disposals in 16 consecutive games, underlining his incredible consistency.
Miller was named in the All-Australian squad of 40 and is deserving of a place in the final 22.
Alex Zaia
Isaac Cumming
Isaac Cumming was a first-round draft pick in 2016, so was expected to eventually succeed at AFL level.
But the way he has developed for the Giants in 2021 has been something to behold.
He got a taste of it with games in 2018 (2), 2019 (5) and 2020 (3), essentially averaging 11 disposals across those 10 outings.
This year, however, he has taken his game to new heights as a talented defender with attacking qualities. He has averaged more than 22 touches, six rebounds 50s and is second at the club for intercept possessions
Now 23, Cumming is a first-choice selection for GWS and truly beginning to fulfil his enormous potential.
Andrew Slevison
Changkouth Jiath
Like so many at the Hawks, the jury was out on Jiath at the end of 2020 after an uninspiring and underwhelming season in 2020. He kept his place on the list, but he was nobody’s idea of a best 22 player. But then came the opening time trial of the summer – the field was open with Isaac Smith now at Geelong and Jiath blitzed the field.
And then the games started, and the combination of his athleticism and new-found footy smarts made him a huge weapon for the Hawks running off half-back. His average disposals when to 20.25 from 9.6, rebound 50s from 1.5 to 3.2 and inside 50s from 0,.5 to 2.25. Dylan Moore, Jack Scrimshaw and Ned Reeves are others whose games improved significantly and gives incoming coach Sam Mitchell genuine cause for optimism going forward.
Ash Browne
Alex Neal-Bullen
12 months ago, Alex Neal-Bullen was on the trade table after the club asked him to explore alternative options.
But after becoming a mainstay in the Melbourne side this year, Neal-Bullen earned a contract extension and has become one of the Dees’ most dependable pressure forwards.
Neal-Bullen's rise to form is emblematic of the Dees’ improvement this year, with him alongside several other names improving markedly.
The likes of James Jordon and Bayley Fritsch have been sensational as well, highlighting Melbourne’s rise up the ladder in 2021.
Laurence Rosen
Tarryn Thomas
North Melbourne has had a number of sharp improvers in key positions this year, including the likes of Luke Davies-Uniacke, Ben McKay, Aaron Hall, Cam Zurhaar, Bailey Scott and more.
But none left Roos fans as excited as what Tarryn Thomas put together, particular as the season dragged on.
Thomas averaged 18 disposals, four inside 50s and three clearances per game, but his damage with ball in hand made him one of the more lethal players in the competition.
It’s hard to know what his ceiling is, but he has laid an outstanding platform for himself.
Nic Negrepontis
Willem Drew
Drew has repaid the faith shown by Port Adelaide after receiving a two-year contract extension, despite playing just 10 games in his first four years due to foot injuries.
The fit-again midfielder played all 22 games in the home and away season, giving coach Ken Hinkley another on-ball rotation to support the likes of Ollie Wines and Travis Boak.
Drew is averaging 18.4 disposals and 6.6 tackles per game and is ranked in the top five at the Power for contested possessions and clearances.
His return from injury and subsequent form has been a big bonus for Port.
Alex Zaia
Liam Baker
He might’ve already played in two premierships as an important small defender, but Liam Baker has gone to another level in 2021.
Having started his senior career as a small forward, Baker was sent to defence in 2019 and contributed greatly to the club’s second premiership in three years.
In 2020, he finished sixth in the best and fairest as the Tigers won two in a row, playing his role superbly once again.
But from an individual viewpoint, 2021 has been Baker’s most impressive as a ‘Mr Fix-It’ of sorts. He has operated in defence and up forward while adding the flourishing as a midfielder string to his bow.
The 23-year-old has averaged a career best of 20 disposals and is right in the mix for this year’s Jack Dyer Medal.
Andrew Slevison
Jack Sinclair
Sinclair’s move to half-back has allowed him to nail down a permanent spot in St Kilda’s best 22.
The 26-year-old has been tried as a forward and on the wing, but it’s in defence where he looks right at home, with his speed and kicking skills making him an ideal fit for the role.
It was without doubt a career-best year for Sinclair, upping his numbers in disposals from 14.2 in 2020 to 21.1 this season, while averaging 3.8 defensive rebounds per game. He also recorded the most intercepts at the Saints.
His improvement was rewarded with a three-year contract extension.
Alex Zaia
Tom Hickey
After effectively being traded for two late picks from West Coast, Tom Hickey had comfortably his best AFL season for Sydney in 2021.
While it took until finding his fourth AFL club, Hickey has developed into one of the competition’s premier ruckman and became crucial in Sydney’s strong on-ball unit.
Playing in 20 games, Hickey averaged career highs in disposals, clearances and inside 50s in 2021, with his follow up work evident at stoppages.
For a club well stocked in the tall department, Hickey, 30, looks to have made the ruck role his own for the foreseeable future and is set to make an impact come finals.
With the side shooting up the ladder, the Swans also had other significant improvers with the likes of Callum Mills, Jordan Dawson, Justin McInerney and Tom McCartin making big strides.
Lachlan Geleit
Josh Rotham
Having deputised for Jeremy McGovern on occasion in 2020, Josh Rotham has settled into a third tall position.
The emergence of Harry Edwards and Adam Simpson’s willingness to swing Oscar Allen back has spared Rotham the one-on-one assignments to which he was accustomed, and as a looser interceptor, he has helped Tom Barrass cordon off the centre of the ground.
In 19 games the 23-year old has won 16.1 disposals, up from 10.7 in 2020, 8.5 marks (second in the league, behind only Tom Stewart), and 5.2 intercepts. Rotham is penetrating with his disposal too, his 276.9 metres gained per game up from 193.2 in 2020.
It was hoped Allen would be the Eagle to go to the next level, but he still wanted for continuity in his preferred forward role. Josh Kennedy booted 41 goals in 18 games and Jack Darling added 39, and accordingly Simpson felt free to deploy his blue chip prospect elsewhere, if reluctantly.
Jarrod Brander and Jack Petruccelle teased supporters but will go into the next campaign on unsure footing, just as they entered this season.
In nine games, 200cm key defender Harry Edwards recorded 10.3 disposals and 5.1 intercepts per game, and distributed at 90.3 per cent. The third-year player’s assuredness was reflected in his kick to handball ratio; three quarters of his disposals came off the boot.
A Swan Districts product, Edwards is a local prospect the Eagles can bank on. The #42 on his back is a snug fit; mentor Jeremy McGovern wore it in his first season way back in 2014.
Nathan John
Bailey Dale
Before they crashed into the final month of the season like a cartoon coyote running into a painted tunnel, the saltwater lads went at an electrifying pace, and slender distributor Bailey Dale was at the heart of it.
Drafted with Pick 45 back in 2014, Dale began life in the league as a finisher across half-forward, impressed on a wing in his third season, and booted 20 goals in a hit-up role over the final seven games of his fifth year.
Luke Beveridge asked if he would go behind the ball in a scratch match in March, and he has since been the Bulldogs’ barometer. He goes back with the flight to mark or receives the outlet handball, tilts the axis of the game and unpicks the opposition press by foot.
The 25-year-old won 20 or more disposals in 19 of his 22 home-and-away games in 2021; he had previously done so in just six of his 59 games over his first six years.
Livewire forward Cody Weightman returned to the team in Round 9 after a three-game taster in his first season, and rather than a project, has looked every bit a competent player at the level.
In 13 games, the 20-year-old has booted 21 goals, been nominated for Goal of the Year and for Mark of the Year twice, including the Round 19 winner.
Nathan John