The bye are rounds still here, so we are looking back at the form of some of the clubs and their players to date.
Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle, Hawthorn, Melbourne and North Melbourne all have the bye this weekend and with that we’ve dived into those six clubs and assessed a number of different categories.
In our consideration is: who is leading the best and fairest and the other top contenders, the biggest surprise, the players who need a big second half of the year and the players we aren’t talking about enough.
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Best and Fairest leader
Lachie Neale
Brisbane’s Lachie Neale has been arguably the competition’s best player in 2022.
The 2020 Brownlow medallist has well and truly recaptured his form of two years ago, with the 29-year-old averaging 32.4 disposals along with career-highs in marks, tackles and inside 50s.
Such is Neale’s consistency, he genuinely has claims as the club’s best player in at least eight of the 13 games, giving him what you’d expect to be a huge lead in the best and fairest race at the bye.
Barring injury, Neale should win his third Merrett-Murray Medal in a canter.
Top contenders
While Neale is streets ahead of the competition, Hugh McCluggage has claims to earn his first All-Australian blazer in 2022.
Following a stellar 2021 campaign, McCluggage has gone on to average career-highs in goals, marks, tackles, inside 50s and clearances as his game has shifted more inside this season.
Alongside McCluggage, Dayne Zorko has been a consistent performer in a variety of roles and the 33-year-old would be a genuine shot for a sixth Merrett-Murray Medal if not for Neale’s stellar year.
Youngster Zac Bailey has also continued his great form after a breakout 2021 season, averaging more than two goals a game from half-forward.
Biggest surprise
Has Neale become even better?
Considering everything has just about gone to script at the Gabba this season, Neale’s rebound after a down 2021 has surprised many.
While he dealt with a couple of injuries last year, Neale picked up just eight Brownlow votes compared to his 31 in his medal-winning 2020.
Having thrashed the field in that count two years ago, Neale may even be better in 2022 and is every chance to shatter that figure this time around.
Considering 2020 was one of the most dominant individual seasons in recent memory, it’s pleasantly surprising that Neale has been able to again reach those incredibly lofty heights.
Players that need a big second half of the year
Key forward Eric Hipwood has had a slow start to his 2022 season, kicking just two goals from five games so far.
While he’s coming back from an ACL tear, he’d hope that the cobwebs are now out of his system at the bye.
As the Lions are right in the hunt for a premiership, Brisbane will be desperate for the key to find his best form as having all of their best forwards in Joe Daniher, Charlie Cameron, Daniel McStay and Hipwood firing might be their best chance of lifting the cup.
There’s no doubt Hipwood has the talent and ability to be a dangerous option, here’s hoping he can time a run into September with some good form under his belt.
Players we're not talking about enough
Former No.1 draft pick Cameron Rayner has returned well from an ACL injury this season, averaging career-highs in disposals, inside 50s and clearances having last played in the 2020 season.
While he may be a victim of his own expectations, the impact player has averaged 20 disposals and more than four clearances and inside 50s per game over the last month as his form builds.
He might not be a star just yet, but the 22-year-old is beginning to develop nicely and if he continues this upward trajectory, he could prove the missing piece late in the year for Chris Fagan’s side.
Best and Fairest leader
Jack Crisp
Last year’s Copeland Trophy winner may have gone to another level in 2022, with his consistency coming to the fore.
On top of averaging an impressive 27 disposals a game, Crisp has rocketed into second place in the official AFL Player Ratings while leading the competition in pressure acts.
The midfielder is renowned for his ability to play consecutive games and having played all 13 so far this year, he’s probably been in Collingwood’s top handful in at least 11 of them.
At 28-year-old Crisp is in the prime of his career and shows no signs of slowing down.
Barring injury, he should have a second Copeland to his name come season’s end.
Top contenders
Defenders Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe have been criticised at times for their willingness to play off their opponents, but for the majority of the year, they’ve been huge for Craig McRae’s Pies.
Through the midfield, off-season recruit Patrick Lipinski and Jordan De Goey have been consistent throughout, but have invariably played second fiddle to the frontrunner in Crisp.
Up forward, Brody Mihocek would be highly regarded for his work rate and ability to hit the scoreboard with 26 goals from 12 games, while two others at completely different stages of their careers in Scott Pendlebury and Nick Daicos will attract plenty of votes throughout.
Biggest surprise
The rise from 17th
Collingwood’s rise up the ladder has shocked many, with just about no one expecting the Magpies to be sitting on the brink of the eight at the bye after finishing 17th in 2021.
At 8-5 through 13 weeks and with big scalps in Melbourne, Fremantle, Carlton and St Kilda under their belt, Collingwood’s fixture really opens up in the next month and a half where they’ll have a hot chance to book themselves a finals berth.
It would probably shock everyone bar maybe a few inside the AIA Centre if these Magpies are playing September footy in 2022.
Players that need a big second half of the year
Brodie Grundy is one player that needs to have a big second half of the year both for himself and the club.
While the ruckman was solid in the first part of the season before succumbing to a PCL injury, Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox have filled his ruck role with aplomb since he went down.
As a result, Grundy will be desperate to retake the mantle as the club’s number one ruck.
If Collingwood can keep Cameron and Cox playing to their current level and add Grundy in on top of that, Magpies fans will be thrilled.
Players we're not talking about enough
With his brother fairly attracting a bevy of headlines, Josh Daicos has quietly gone about his work on a wing for Collingwood.
After a down 2021, Daicos has returned to his preferred position and has performed consistently for McRae, offering neat skills, drive and elite footy IQ out wide for this reinvigorated Magpies team.
Averaging 20 touches a game, Daicos has probably outshone his veteran counterpart Steele Sidebottom who has featured on the other wing, proving how strong he’s been in 2022.
Best and Fairest leader
Andrew Brayshaw
Andrew Brayshaw’s continued emergence as one of the game’s premier midfielders is hardly surprising, but it certainly has given the Dockers another superstar to build around.
Brayshaw would be leading Fremantle’s best and fairest at the bye and he may just be leading the Brownlow Medal as well.
The 22-year-old has averaged 31 disposals per game so far this season and is growing as a natural leader and clear future captain of the club.
His numbers aren’t always enormous, but his commitment to playing the role required of him highlights his development.
Top contenders
Fremantle’s best and fairest would be tight at the top with a number of key players performing consistently and also playing 11-13 games.
Luke Ryan won the Doig Medal in 2020 and will be right up there again this year given his season to date in defence. As will Brennan Cox and Alex Pearce given their reliability down back.
Blake Acres has had an outstanding season on the wing and would be in All-Australian calculations. His recent hamstring setback is a serious shame.
And Will Brodie has almost been the story of the year for the Dockers (more on him next).
Biggest surprise
Will Brodie’s emergence
When Fremantle gave up what will likely be a pick in the late 30s to get pick 19 and Will Brodie from Gold Coast, many assumed they fleeced the Suns on the pick swap alone.
At the halfway mark of the season, Brodie ranks seventh in the AFL for clearances, in the same breath as the likes of Patrick Cripps, Travis Boak, Touk Miller and Tom Liberatore.
After being completely overlooked at Gold Coast, the 23-year-old has emerged as an elite inside midfielder at the Dockers and taken every opportunity with both hands.
Brodie has averaged 27 disposals, six clearances and five tackles per game and been a perfect complimentary piece to the likes of Brayshaw and Caleb Serong.
Players that need a big second half of the year
Nathan Fyfe and Matt Taberner
Nathan Fyfe speaks for himself. The two-time Brownlow Medallist played his first game for the Dockers this season against the Hawks last weekend and will be slowly integrated back into their side.
It goes without saying that getting Fyfe up and running will only give this already outstanding Freo side another weapon.
Matt Taberner, however, is the spearhead inside 50 that could be even more important structurally.
The key forward has only played six games this season dealing with injuries, but has averaged 2.33 goals per game and will be needed to hit the scoreboard come finals.
Fingers crossed that Taberner can get his body right and find some consistency before then.
Players we're not talking about enough
Hayden Young has had an excellent season for the Dockers at half-back and is putting all the pieces together after showing glimpses in his first two seasons.
Young immediately looked an AFL level player in 2020, but has dealt with ongoing injury issues. He has played 11 games for Freo this season, averaging 22 disposals, seven marks and four rebound 50s per game.
His ball-use is elite and he has been improving consistently across the season, leading to a career-best performance against Hawthorn in Round 13.
The Dockers have nailed numerous top draft picks in recent years and Young is no exception.
Nic Negrepontis
Best and Fairest leader
James Sicily
It would have to be James Sicily, whose intercept marking and defensive rebound has been exceptional for the Hawks so far in 2022.
He has been pencilled into every All-Australian team at the midpoint of the season.
Amid all the pre-season doom and gloom surrounding the Hawks (guilty as charged here) we might have forgotten about what a good and important player he is, given he didn’t play at all last year.
Top contenders
Jai Newcombe has been exceptional as a contested bull in the midfield. In 12 months he has gone from speculative mid-year draft pick to one of the most important members of the side and is tracking to give presumptive favourite Nick Daicos a close run for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.
Blake Hardwick, Tom Mitchell, Mitch Lewis, Jack Scrimshaw, Jaeger O’Meara and Dylan Moore have also enjoyed really strong seasons to date.
Biggest surprise
How competitive the Hawks have been
This was supposed to be a development year and in many respects, it still is, but the Hawks have only been non-competitive in two of their 13 games. Apart from the mandatory win over North, they have knocked over Geelong, Port Adelaide and Brisbane, lost to Carlton and Collingwood by less than a goal and Melbourne and Freo around two goals.
Apart from the Essendon defeat – in which they embarrassed the jumper – the Hawks have delighted their supporters and optimism is high that good times are just around the corner once again.
And while the execution was messy, the change to Sam Mitchell as coach was a masterstroke. Pretty much every lever he pulls is the right one.
Players that need a big second half of the year
Chad Wingard has played in flashes this season, but if he can recapture his slashing form from the last few games of last season, the Hawks would be more confident of a strong finish to this season.
Mitchell needs to establish where he best fits the side, but burst midfielder looks pretty good.
Players we're not talking about enough
It’s all coming together for key forward Mitch Lewis, who has kicked 27 goals in nine games this year.
He had shown glimpses of talent the last few years but it is only in 2022 that he has emerged as the no.1 key forward and as he continues to grow in size and confidence, he will become even more imposing.
The Hawks probably would have beaten Fremantle on the weekend had he played.
Honourable mention to Ned Reeves here as well. By 2026, he will be one of the best five ruckmen in the AFL.
Ash Browne
Best and Fairest leader
Clayton Oliver
He has already won the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Trophy three times and there is no reason to think Clayton Oliver wouldn’t be a firm favourite to claim a fourth.
The 24-year-old is the competition’s most prolific ball winner, averaging more than 34 disposals, which is incredible going.
Oliver has been in Melbourne’s best handful of players in 12 of 13 matches, including at least four best on ground performances.
The Demons premiership star would be right in the mix for the Brownlow Medal at this stage of the season, let alone his club’s best and fairest.
Top contenders
Captain Max Gawn is having another superb season. He is a two-time winner so is a proven vote getter for the Dees.
Angus Brayshaw has produced an extremely impressive campaign to date which he has spent mainly across half-back.
Ed Langdon has again impressed on the wing, while All-Australian defender Steven May has been super, off-field indiscretions aside.
Christian Petracca, who won the best and fairest in 2020, is another obvious choice who should poll well, even if he has had one or two quiet outings.
Biggest surprise
The last month
The Demons were on top of the world after Round 10.
They had a faultless record of 10-0 and were sitting two games and almost 20 per cent clear of the next best team.
But the last month has been a near disaster for the reigning premiers.
They were worked out by Fremantle, coughed up a 26-point lead to Sydney and then overpowered by Collingwood, dropping three in a row.
Add to that the Steven May-Jake Melksham incident and the Gawn injury and there are some chinks appearing in Melbourne’s armour.
It has come out of the blue and has been quite unexpected.
Players that need a big second half of the year
As arguably the team’s most important player, Steven May needs to stand up for the Demons in the back half of the year.
He disgraced both himself and his club when he was involved in an altercation with Jake Melksham after drunkenly offending his teammates.
May’s on-field performances have been exemplary in recent years, but he needs to repay the faith of the club and play above himself as the Dees strive for back-to-back premierships.
They have lost two matches without him and went down to Fremantle when he left the field with concussion, so it’s fair to say he’s quite important for Simon Goodwin’s setup.
Aside from May, the Demons would be looking for more from Ben Brown.
He has kicked just 10 goals in 10 matches and has been well below his best over the last month.
The Dees have lost some sharpness in attack and need Brown to step up in the second part of the season.
Players we’re not talking about enough
In just his second season at the elite level, James Jordon has taken significant steps in 2022.
He is getting much more of the footy, as evidenced by his average of 22 touches, as opposed to 14.5 last year, having spent more time on the wing.
Only three Demons have amassed more disposals and effective disposals so far this season (Oliver, Petracca and Brayshaw). He also sits fifth at the club for metres gained.
If in a lesser side, there would be more noise made about his performances.
Andrew Slevison
Best and Fairest leaders
Luke McDonald
North Melbourne has not had a standout player this season and lacks a true logical best and fairest leader.
Coming off a heavily interrupted 2021, Luke McDonald has had an excellent year and probably has his nose in front as they enter the bye.
McDonald has averaged 21 disposals per game this season to go with six rebound 50s and five marks.
The 27-year-old won the club’s best and fairest in 2020 with comparable statistics, albeit in shorter games.
Top contenders
If not McDonald, there are quite a few Roos who would be in contention close behind him.
Luke Davies-Uniacke is continuing on from the second half of last season and has had a breakout year in the midfield.
Jy Simpkin is the reigning Syd Barker Medallist and has been steady, but not spectacular this season, averaging 24.8 disposals and 5.4 clearances per game.
His 2021 season was certainly better, but there aren’t many contenders for the best and fairest pushing ahead of him.
Nick Larkey has had a good year inside 50 and will likely also be in the mix.
The key forward has kicked 22 goals from 12 games so far this season and has performed admirably in an undermanned forward line receiving poor ball use from the midfield.
Biggest surprise
The lack of improvement across the board
North Melbourne won the wooden spoon last year, but there was an optimistic air around the club heading into the off-season following a competitive finish, some seemingly savvy list management and the arrival of Jason Horne-Francis.
It’s fair to say none of the above has been as advertised in 2022.
Players who looked like the next big thing in late 2021 like Tarryn Thomas and Jaidyn Stephenson have gone backwards and both been dropped, Horne-Francis has faced scrutiny like no number one draft pick ever has and has been linked with a move home to South Australia.
The Roos were likely always going backwards to go forwards as part of this rebuild, especially without Ben Cunnington, but the negativity engulfing the club has been the surprise.
Players that need a big second half of the year
Tarryn Thomas might be the most talented player on North Melbourne’s list.
His best is electric and he showed signs in 2021 that he could truly become anything given his speed and ball-use.
It has not translated to 2022 however and the 22-year-old was recently omitted in order to “win back the trust of his teammates”.
Thomas is averaging 14 disposals (down from 18 last year), three marks (down from 4.6), three inside 50s (down from 4.2).
He has only kicked two goals and had one goal assist this season, down from 24.17 and 15 goal assists in 2021.
Thomas is too talented to remain in this funk and will hopefully have a big second half of the year.
Players we’re not talking about enough
One player at North Melbourne certainly living up to his draft position is Luke Davies-Uniacke.
After showing signs in 2021 as a clearance and burst from stoppage midfielder, the 23-year-old has put the pieces together in 2022.
He may be averaging the same numbers as last season, but he has clearly improved in a number of facets and looks more confident game by game.
Since Round 9, Davies-Uniacke has only dropped below 25 disposals once and has won 28 clearances.
It will be interesting to see how he develops across the back-half of the year and where he sits when the Roos are a more competitive side.
Nic Negrepontis