The Undroppables. A category of footballer we made up.
The Definition: A fringe or developing AFL player who performed well enough to maintain their spot in the side for the following week.
Across the season, we will be keeping an eye on players who received their opportunity in a side and did enough to lock themselves in for the next round.
See our nominations from Round 7 below:
Tom Cutler (Essendon)
Essendon utility Tom Cutler earned his spot in the Bombers’ senior side through strong VFL form, and he continued that through against the Bulldogs at AFL level on Sunday.
Cutler was one of Essendon’s best in defeat, racking up 21 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency on a wing.
On top of his quality ball use, Cutler drifted forward and hit the scoreboard, kicking two goals to further prove his worth.
With a winnable game up next against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, expect Cutler to remain in the 22 and offer drive with footy in hand for Ben Rutten.
Lachlan Geleit
Maurice Rioli Jnr (Richmond)
It may have been a fill up for Richmond, but the way Maurice Rioli Jnr played must be commended.
In just his third AFL appearance, the talented small forward helped spark the Tigers with three goals as they piled on a massive 25 majors in their 109-point win over West Coast at Optus Stadium.
It was a momentous occasion for the Rioli family with three members on the same field for the first time at the elite level as Maurice played alongside nephew Daniel and against cousin Willie.
Rioli made the most of his opportunity, trebling his previous best goal return, registering 14 disposals (after tallying nine in his previous two games), laying four tackles and having nine score involvements (only Tom Lynch and Shai Bolton had more).
His performance against the Eagles should almost certainly see him given another chance against Collingwood at the MCG this Saturday.
Andrew Slevison
Greg Clark (West Coast)
Clark, a mature-age recruit out of WAFL club Subiaco, was a rare positive to come out of West Coast’s 109-point loss to Richmond.
The 24-year-old was drafted by the Eagles with pick No.62 in last year’s National Draft and made his long-awaited AFL debut on the Friday night stage.
Clark, the 12th player to debut for West Coast this season, impressed all comers against the Tigers finishing with 24 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances.
The 195cm midfielder, who was overlooked in six consecutive National Drafts despite starring for years in the WAFL, immediately proved he is more than good enough to play at the elite level.
Alex Zaia
Lachie Plowman (Carlton)
This one is a little dependant on what happens with the Lewis Young suspension, but coupled with Liam Stocker going out, Lachie Plowman will likely keep his spot in the side.
Plowman played well against the Roos, often finding himself in the right spots when it came to breaking up marking contests after coming in late for the injured Zac Williams.
If Young is unavailable, to go with Mitch McGovern (hamstring), Luke Parks (foot), Oscar McDonald (back) and Caleb Marchbank (knee), the Blues will be in desperate need of lockdown defenders.
Plowman may be a much-maligned Blue, but he is one they will likely need against Adelaide given the players unavailable.
Nic Negrepontis
Robbie McComb (Western Bulldogs)
The new Bulldog has quickly found his way at AFL level, taking a big step in his second game to be amongst the Dogs’ best against Essendon.
He racked up 21 disposals and two goals as a high half forward, and after spending four years on the Dogs’ VFL list, the club seems to have made the right move in adding him to the senior list.
The only thing that held the 26-year-old back from a seriously big game was his efficiency, going at just 52 per cent.
However, McComb appears to have the role at his mercy for the coming weeks given the Dogs’ relatively clean bill of health for similar players, meaning he should be given the chance to work on that part of his game.
Seb Mottram