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 18 below:
Noah Cumberland (Richmond)
It might have been a game to forget for Richmond, but the performance of Noah Cumberland should not be overlooked.
The 21-year-old forward was playing just his second AFL game (not including the one spent as a medi-sub) and produced a handy return on the scoreboard of 3.4.
Yes, he was a little inefficient in front of goal, however, he managed seven scoring shots in a game at AFL level which isn’t easy to do.
Cumberland also gathered 14 disposals, had 11 score involvements (second only to Jack Riewoldt’s 12), an equal team-high seven inside 50s and four tackles, attracting three coaches votes for his troubles.
He’s a lock for Fremantle on Friday night.
Andrew Slevison
Rhys Mathieson (Brisbane)
Mathieson played his first senior game of 2022 after averaging 38.5 disposals and 11 clearances in the NEAFL over the last month.
The 25-year-old, an unused sub against Essendon the previous week, grabbed his chance with both hands.
Mathieson activated beast mode in Brisbane’s 40-point win over GWS on Saturday, collecting 23 disposals and a game-high 10 clearances, earning four coaches’ votes for his efforts.
The 64-game Lion will look to further cement his spot in the side against Gold Coast ths week with finals just around the corner.
Alex Zaia
Robbie Fox (Sydney)
Since returning to the Sydney side in Round 15, Robbie Fox has basically made himself undroppable.
He was an unused medi-sub in Round 11, was quiet in Round 12 and was then omitted prior to the Round 14 win over Port Adelaide.
Fox has averaged 20.75 disposals and seven marks in his last four outings as a defender, culminating in 24 touches and 13 marks in the weekend’s win over Fremantle.
He has also averaged 5.5 intercept possessions and 11.5 pressure acts in that time.
Fox, 29, has made himself a regular in John Longmire’s backline with arguably the best form of his career to date.
Andrew Slevison
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Josh Ward (Hawthorn)
Lifelong Hawthorn fan Josh Ward landed at the Hawks with plenty of hype, having been taken at pick seven in last year’s draft.
The teenager started brightly, playing the first eight weeks of the season before going back to the VFL to continue to work on his game.
He has since come back into the side and is coming off his best game for the club, finding the ball on 34 occasions against West Coast while also laying five tackles.
Coming off a Rising Star nomination, look for Ward to finish the 2022 season strongly playing largely on the wing.
Laurence Rosen
Jaidyn Stephenson (North Melbourne)
Jaidyn Stephenson played one of his best games for North Melbourne on the weekend.
After copping heat for a poor performance against former club Collingwood, Stephenson was crucial in his side’s upset win over Richmond.
With many calling for Stephenson to be dropped, the 23-year-old looked like a different player, collecting 23 disposals at 87 per cent efficiency, 835 metres gained and a goal.
For someone who receives a lot of criticism, Stephenson reminded Kangaroos fans why they picked him up in a high-profile trade from the Magpies.
North Melbourne is a far better side when Stephenson is fit and playing well, he’s a lock to play against Hawthorn in Round 19.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Ash Johnson (Collingwood)
Collingwood forward Ash Johnson was solid on debut against the Crows, kicking 2.1 and making an impact with 11 disposals.
While he didn’t set the world alight, Johnson’s efforts in the wet can’t be understated as his skillset at 193cm tall is far more suited to a dry deck.
Although the man he replaced in Ollie Henry kicked four goals at the VFL level, Johnson should retain his place in the side for his ability to play as a bail-out option and for his follow-up work (something that probably led to Henry’s omission).
With an excellent leap and clean hands, Collingwood will be keen to see what they can get out of the former mid-season draftee against Essendon.
He deserves at least another game at senior level to prove his wares.
Lachlan Geleit
Lachlan Murphy (Adelaide)
Adelaide small forward Lachlan Murphy had his most prolific game in front of goal this year against Collingwood, booting 3.1 in a solid outing.
Before last Saturday, Murphy had yet to kick multiple majors in a single outing in 2022 and the Crows will be hoping for more of the same from the 23-year-old.
On top of his four scoring shots, Murphy picked up a goal assist in a performance that helped keep the Crows in it until the very end.
Having been dropped on two occasions across the last month, expect Murphy to retain his place for Adelaide’s Round 19 match against Sydney at the SCG.
Lachlan Geleit