Who has the best skills at your AFL club?
That was the question asked by Sportsday SA’s Paul Bonsor and former Geelong and Sydney forward Daniel Menzel.
While each club has players that use the footy well, the duo tried to pick out one from each team that stands above the rest.
Check out Bonsor and Menzel’s picks for your club below.
Jordan Dawson
Menzel: “I’m going to go with Jordan Dawson, he uses the ball as well as anyone in that team, they need more of him, more silky users.”
Bonsor: “Maybe Tex? He’s a very skilful player.”
Menzel: “He easily could have taken it as well, he’s a very good shot for goal.
“Izak Rankine also, he hasn’t played a game yet, but he’s skilful certainly and next year he might take the mantle.”
Hugh McCluggage
Menzel: “This is a pretty easy one for mine, Hugh McCluggage, he never wastes a disposal.
“He plays on the wing, averages 25 or 26 a game but he’s extremely damaging.
“The only blot on him is his goalkicking, but in terms of setting the team up and goal assists he’s one of the more elite players in the competition.”
Bonsor: “I agree, I also love Lincoln McCarthy too.”
Sam Walsh
Menzel: “Another pretty easy one for mine, Sam Walsh.
“He knows his abilities, knows what kicks to go for and doesn’t chew off more than he should.”
Bonsor: “Can’t disagree with that, I don’t think there’s anyone better at Carlton than him.”
Scott Pendlebury
Menzel: “A guy that’s done it for more than 10 years now, it’s Scott Pendlebury.
“He’s as silky as they come, as skilful and as efficient as they come and the thing I love about Scott Pendlebury when the commentators say, ‘How does he make such good decisions when everything he does looks like it’s in slow-motion?’.
“He’s so quick with his decision-making that it slows the game down. Scott Pendlebury is an easy one for mine.”
Bonsor: “My favourite player at Collingwood is Steele Sidebottom.”
Menzel: “He’s an easy second for mine, they’re both elite ball users.”
Zach Merrett
Menzel: “They’ve got a lot of young talented kids, but a guy who has done it consistently now is Zach Merrett.
“I think Zach Merrett is a standout in that team, they need a few more that can use the ball well, he for mine is the Bombers’ best ball user.”
Andrew Brayshaw
Menzel: “Andrew Brayshaw, he does use the ball really well.
“Similar to (Sam) Walsh, he doesn’t chew off more than he should, he chooses the right kick.
“I really like Andrew Brayshaw’s game and I’m excited to see how he goes in 2023.”
Cam Guthrie
Menzel: “There’s a number of guys here, but I’m going to go with Cam Guthrie.
“He’s another one of those mids that just picks off the short kicks, Cam Guthrie may hit the short kick better than anyone in the competition in my opinion.
“He doesn’t turn the ball over, his kicking efficiency is elite.”
Bonsor: “Mitch Duncan is one of my favourites as well.”
Menzel: “Tom Hawkins is another one, he may miss some goals but he always uses the ball well.”
Jack Lukosius
Menzel: “I’m going with a South Aussie here, Jack Lukosius.”
“I’m not sure whether he’s better in the backline or forward line, but he uses the ball so well.
“He’s one of the best kicks in the competition in that 40 to 50-metre range, he can launch a footy and put it wherever he wants, like a quarterback almost.”
Josh Kelly
Menzel: “An easy one for mine, a really silky ball user is Josh Kelly.
“He doesn’t turn the ball over much and he has such a nice left foot.”
Luke Bruest
Menzel: “Get the ball inside 50 and this guy will finish, Luke Bruest.”
Ed Langdon
Menzel: “This was a bit tougher, I like the way Ed Langdon uses the ball on the outside for them, there are a few others though.
“Brayshaw does use it really well and Kosi Pickett, especially in field play, doesn’t turn it over too often.”
Luke Davies-Uniacke
Menzel: “Luke Davies-Uniacke, he could be their next captain.
“He’s their best midfielder at the moment, he uses it well and also doesn’t turn it over much.”
Connor Rozee
Menzel: “They have a few players for this one, but I’m going with the All-Australian from last year, Connor Rozee.
“I love the way he plays and love the way he uses the footy.”
Bonsor: “(Dan) Houston I also like at well, I never think he wastes the footy.”
Menzel: “Damaging is Dan Houston as well so he’s a great one.”
Shai Bolton
Menzel: “Other than missing some goals occasionally, it’s Shai Bolton.
“When he gets the ball in the middle of the ground or up forward, he is so damaging for the Tigers.”
Jack Sinclair
Menzel: “I’m going to go with their best and fairest winner off the half-back flank.
“Jack Sinclair uses the ball so well.”
Errol Gulden
Menzel: “This is one of my favourite players in the competition, Errol Gulden.
“I love the way he uses the ball, he breaks lines, he’s only 20 and he’s so smart.
“I can’t wait to see him over the next decade.”
Liam Ryan
Menzel: “I found this one a little bit tougher, there are a lot of older players there but I love what Liam Ryan does when he gets the ball.
“He’s efficient with the footy, he kicks goals, and he doesn’t turn it over much.
“(Tom) Barrass doesn’t waste it, he knows his limitations and hits the first option which is what coaches love.
“They hate it when players try to do more than they should and Barrass does that really well.
Marcus Bontempelli
Menzel: “This guy I’m going to say will win the Brownlow Medal this year, Marcus Bontempelli.
“He should be in that midfield full-time and I think that will happen.
“He’s as silky as they come, I don’t think there are any questions there.”