Clubs spend the summer talking about players training the house down and fans hope to see it translate when the season starts.
But with a month of sample size under our belts now, who have been the most improved players in the competition?
We’ve gone through all 18 clubs and picked out your side’s most improved player, and had a look at the most surprising storyline as well.
See our thoughts below:
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Jake Soligo
After starting the season as the substitute against Gold Coast in Round 1, Jake Soligo has become a shining light amongst a dim start for the Crows. Moved into a new role as an inside midfielder in 2024, Soligo has proved to be a highly effective contested bull.
With centre bounce attendance numbers increasing weekly, Adelaide fans are beginning to witness the potential gem they have on their hands. In his first game as a primary midfielder against Melbourne in Gather Round, Soligo collected 27 touches with 14 contested at 82% efficiency, while leading the Crows with six clearances and eight tackles from 13 centre bounce attendances.
Soligo’s bullish, ‘take the game on’ style of play through the Crows often stagnant midfield looked a game-changer on the weekend. Compared to the likes of Matt Crouch, collecting plenty of footy yet failing to move the ball forward (only 107 metres gained from 30 disposals and five clearances), Soligo’s willingness to fight through contests may prove a game-changer for a struggling Adelaide side.
At just 21 years old, taken with pick 36 in 2021, this kid is already looking like a draft success despite recent draft woes.
In the mix: Max Michalanney, Mark Keane, Brayden Cook
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Taylor Walker
Taylor Walker has had a rough start to 2024, with just three goals from his opening three games.
While the numbers don’t seem overly concerning, the eye test tells a daunting story for the elite key forward. Walker has looked every bit his age, appearing a step behind the pace at AFL level.
After being dominated by Alex Pearce and failing to log a goal in Round 3, Tex had a better showing against the Dees with 10 marks and a goal, however he looks miles off his All-Australian form of 2023.
It’s all but confirmed that Tex won’t come close to his phenomenal 76-goal All-Australian year from last season, but the veteran must begin to lift if the Crows want to flip their poor start to the year.
Jaiden Sciberras
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Darcy Wilmot
The former grand finalists have had a far from impressive 2024.
With just the one win against a struggling North Melbourne side, and average performances across their three losses, it’s hard to pick any particular player and claim any sort of improvement on their strong season last year. Despite this, numbers suggest a few players have lifted.
Darcy Wilmot has had a significant lift in his third season. As per Wheelo, Wilmot has jumped +4 in his individual player rating, now ranked above the likes of Charlie Curnow, Tim Taranto and Nic Martin in 2024 (rank #90 amongst players featured in 3+ games this season).
Up to an average of 19 touches (15.6 in 2023), to go with a lift in tackles, pressure acts and spoils and a significant jump in metres gained (from 307 to 446.7 thus far), Wilmot looks stronger across the board in a struggling Brisbane backline.
Of course, as a pick 16 in 2021 and with plenty of game time, you’d expect a lift of this sort from Wilmot, particularly with an increasingly important role in the absence of Keidean Coleman.
In the mix: Kai Lohmann, Jaspa Fletcher
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Charlie Cameron
It goes without saying that the Lions have not had the start they hoped for in 2024. Looking deeper, there are a number of players struggling to reach the heights of last season, but one individual stands out significantly for all the wrong reasons.
Charlie Cameron is having his worst statistical year in his career. Averaging the lowest disposals per game since his rookie year (9.3), with the lowest disposal efficiency in his career by almost 10%, (48.6%) and the least goals per game since joining the Lions in 2018 (1.3) at the lowest goal kicking accuracy since joining the AFL (31.3%), down 27% from last season.
The Lions will need their star to lift in a major way if they want to get their season back on track.
Jaiden Sciberras
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Jack Carroll
Carlton came into 2024 minus the midfield depth of previous years, with Paddy Dow, Ed Curnow and Will Setterfield all gone. While they have the top-end talent, they needed someone to step up and fill that void and Jack Carroll has done that.
The 21-year-old is a tall left-footed midfielder who has spent the summer training with Patrick Cripps in the hope of breaking into the club’s best 22.
Carlton has trusted Carroll to help fill the void left by injuries to Sam Walsh and Sam Docherty, attending 50 per cent of centre bounces each week and holding his own.
He might not keep his place in the side across the season, but he has shown enough to suggest he will develop into a solid player.
In the mix: Jordan Boyd, Lachie Fogarty, Tom De Koning
BIGGEST SURPRISE: The Blues have learned new ways to win
After four games, Carlton are ranked 17th for clearances. This is reasonably surprising given how dominant they have been in previous years, particularly at scoring from stoppages.
Instead, the Blues have become a significantly better forward half pressure side and they have become incredibly effective scoring from turnover and defensive half transition.
These new strings to their bow have held them in good stead and with Sam Walsh set to come back, their clearance game could pick back up as well.
The Blues are in great shape at 4-0, whilst also having plenty of upside.
Nic Negrepontis
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Billy Frampton
After being used as a defensive forward in the Grand Final victory, Billy Frampton was initially overlooked in Collingwood’s opening two games for Charlie Dean.
Since his inclusion down back, the Magpies have improved immediately and are 2-1 with Frampton in the side.
Through his three games so far, Frampton may have played his three best games across his career as both an intercepting and lockdown defender.
The 27-year-old has increased his stats in literally every key metric and is ranked in the top 10 for one percenters and intercepts per game in 2024.
In the mix: Darcy Cameron
BIGGEST SURPRISE: The shocking start
On the back of their premiership victory, Collingwood started at 0-3 with losses to GWS, Sydney and St Kilda.
The Magpies were incredibly poor in all of those games with their big guns failing to fire across the ground.
Most concerningly, Collingwood showed none of their trademark pressure and desire in those games.
It has since returned in the past fortnight and just like that the Pies picked up wins against the Lions and Hawks.
It’s still yet to be seen whether they can recapture their 2023 magic, though.
Lachlan Geleit
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Archie Perkins
22-year-old Perkins is starting to emerge as the player that was touted when Essendon risked a top 10 pick on the former Sandringham Dragons prospect.
He was thrown into the centre bounce mix later in 2023 and it’s a trend that has continued to grow this year. Perkins is attention more than 60 per cent of centre bounces in 2023 and his numbers are reaping the rewards.
Average disposals has shot up from 15 to 20, clearances from one to five and tackles from three to five.
Perkins’ performance against Hawthorn in Round 1, laying a massive 12 tackles and booting two goals from 24 touches, dragged the Bombers over the line and he’s shaping as a match-winning midfielder of the future.
Now 66 games into his AFL career, the hamstring injury that struck against Port Adelaide comes at a dreadful time for Perkins.
In the mix: Nic Martin, Sam Durham, Nik Cox
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Nic Martin
Hats off to you if you saw some of these numbers coming from Nic Martin.
The 23-year-old, who just a few years ago was right under the nose of West Coast before coming east in search of an opportunity, is averaging 33.8 disposals across the opening month and against St Kilda broke Essendon’s all-time disposal record with 44.
How much he’s improved is still up for debate given Martin’s role shift to half-back and was last year in contention to be the All-Australian winger for much of the season.
But he’s clearly relishing the move behind the ball and is a key pillar in the Bombers’ game style this year.
Seb Mottram
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Luke Jackson
Freo have had plenty of improvers in 2024 but none more so than Luke Jackson.
Without Sean Darcy in the ruck, Jackson has dominated in the No. 1 role as the league’s best mobile big man.
Jackson is averaging a whopping 21.5 disposals, one goal, 3.2 clearances and 2.8 tackles a game and is even in the top 10 for handballs per game league-wide.
Simply put, the 22-year-old is playing like another midfielder and at the moment is without doubt one of the competition’s most impactful players.
He’s been the key to Freo’s early 3-1 success and the Dockers will need to figure out what to do with their ruck position once Sean Darcy returns from injury
In the mix: Jordan Clark, James Aish, Bailey Banfield
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Fyfe’s resurgence
Nat Fyfe hasn’t had the best run at it since 2021 with injuries cruelling the two-time Brownlow winner.
Over those two years, Fyfe played as a midfielder/forward and averaged 13.9 disposals in 2023 and 15.1 disposals in 2022.
With a full pre-season under his belt ahead of 2024 though, Fyfe has wound back the clock and is a key contributor on ball averaging 5.2 clearances and 21.8 disposals a game.
While the talent and ability has always been there, it’s been surprising to see him turn the trajectory of his career around with a clean run at things.
Lachlan Geleit
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Gryan Miers
He wasn’t far off an All-Australian selection in 2023 and Miers had added a match-winning ability to his repertoire so far in 2024.
A consistent start to the season has seen him have at least 20 possessions in every game and it’s Miers’ deadly efficiency kicking inside 50 that makes him so good.
He’s still racking up the goal assists, but Miers also looks to have more confidence in front of goal this year after kicking just seven majors in 2023.
Miers has been in Geelong’s best two players in wins over Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs and has been floated by Champion Data as the player clubs must stop to beat the Cats.
At 25 years of age, Miers is still on the upward spiral.
In the mix: Ollie Dempsey, Zach Guthrie, Brandan Parfitt, Tanner Bruhn
BIGGEST SURPRISE: The resurgence of Brandan Parfitt
A player who for so long has found himself only just on the outer of Geelong’s best team, Brandan Parfitt is carving out a role for himself early in 2024.
While it is in a team missing Patrick Dangerfield and Cameron Guthrie as it stands, Parfitt is more than deserving of a spot on his form in three games this year.
He’s averaging the second most tackles of any player in 2024, the second most pressure acts and is showing why the Cats have persisted with him for so long.
Out of contract this year, he’ll have some suitors come calling if Geelong doesn’t get on the front foot soon.
Seb Mottram
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Matt Rowell
Under the guidance of premiership coach Damien Hardwick, Matt Rowell has had a resurgence in his game to start 2024.
Alongside an elite midfield unit comprising of Noah Anderson, Touk Miller and Sam Flanders, the 22-year-old has exploded to start the season, increasing his disposal output from 21 in 2023 to 29 this year, with his clearance numbers similarly rising from eight to eleven.
The most notable improvement in his game nevertheless has come from his contest work, where he leads the league with a staggering 80 contested possessions across the opening five games.
The No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft seems poised to reach the sky-high expectations placed on him from a young age, as he looks to be the focal point of a young and electric Suns team for years to come.
In the mix: Mac Andrew, Sam Flanders, Tom Berry
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Sam Flanders
The Suns seem to be building something exciting here, and no one exemplifies their rise more than Moe local Sam Flanders.
The outside midfielder has equalled the output of teammate Noah Anderson to start the season, who finished top 10 in the Brownlow count last year, and shows no signs of slowing down.
His equal-team high disposal count of 29 per game places him 13th across the competition, a noticeable improvement from his 24 in 2023.
With a truckload of talent in the middle of the ground at the Suns, Flanders looks set to rotate across the half back line going forward, a role recently reserved for the elite ball users of the competition.
His swift rise to stardom towards the end of last year has followed on into the 2024 season and as Suns coach Damien Hardwick announced their September ambitions, Flanders will undoubtedly play a key role in taking them there.
Harry Attiwill
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Callum Brown
Callum Brown’s ability has been bubbling away since the Giants took him as a Category B rookie back in 2018.
The Irishman has steadily improved since debuting in 2021, but this season he is truly beginning to break out.
Brown has already kicked 10 goals in four matches this season, including a bag of five in Opening Round against Collingwood and three last weekend against Gold Coast. (He kicked 19 goals in 19 games last year).
The 23-year-old is helping form a dangerous GWS forward line next to Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene with the likes of Aaron Cadman, Jake Riccardi, Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford providing depth.
Brown is putting up similar numbers to last season but is having much more of an impact inside 50.
In the mix: Jacob Wehr, Aaron Cadman
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Jesse Hogan’s resurgence
While he was pretty good in 2023, not many (apart from Dwayne Russell) were forecasting Jesse Hogan’s resurgence.
After four games, Hogan is leading the Coleman Medal race with 16 goals, two clear of back-to-back winner Charlie Curnow who has played one more game.
The former Melbourne and Fremantle forward has taken 23 marks inside 50, eight clear of the next best (Port Adelaide’s Todd Marshall), is top five in the league for score involvements and has provided five goal assists.
We know that Hogan has plenty of ability as seen early in his career when he kicked 40 or more goals three times in his first four seasons.
After a mid-career slump, he is now at the peak of his powers at the age of 29 and well on track to beat his previous best of 49 goals in a season (kicked last year).
Andrew Slevison
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Lloyd Meek
A left-field selection, Meek has taken the no.1 ruck role from Ned Reeves and delivered in spades in two games this season.
Playing as the primary ruckman for the first time in his career and in his second pre-season at the Hawks, Meek – a former Docker – has proven he deserves his spot in Sam Mitchell’s side.
He’s come up against Geelong’s Toby Conway and Collingwood premiership ruckman Darcy Cameron and is averaging the third most hitouts of any ruckman, more clearances than Tim English and Luke Jackson and finds himself behind just one player in terms of hitouts to advantage.
Meek is becoming the player the Hawks hoped he would when they traded for him and surprising many in the process. Albeit, he’s only two games into 2024.
In the mix: James Worpel, Blake Hardwick, Jack Ginnivan, Cam Mackenzie
BIGGEST SURPRISE: The decline of Luke Breust
The wall has come quickly and it has come hard for Luke Breust. After 47 goals in 2023, Breust turned 33 in the off-season and hasn’t come back the same player.
Unfortunately, the dual All-Australian looks slow, doesn’t make the same decisions he once would have and is overall being shown up by younger opponents.
Breust is playing higher up the ground in 2024. But his kicking efficiency has fallen off a cliff, is averaging an equal career-low 6.7 effective disposals per game and has never had less score involvements at this point in the season.
There are essentially no positives for Breust after Round 4.
Seb Mottram
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Tom McDonald
For the last two seasons, McDonald has struggled to build consistency up forward for the Demons who have unfortunately, been screaming out for a key forward to really dominate for them during this time.
And after a move down back, which is where he begun his career in 2011, McDonald has solidified his spot in this Demons side which is looking to rectify the missed opportunities of 2022 and 2023 where they couldn’t sustain a win in the finals series.
After four games this season, he's already had the same amount of marks as last year and he's only lost four of 11 one on one contests.
The improvement of McDonald has helped ease the reliability on Lever and May to perform week in and week out, which could go a long way in helping Melbourne achieve the ultimate success in 2024.
In the mix: Judd McVee, Kade Chandler, Ben Brown
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Blake Howes
Since his impressive form during the past pre-season, Howes has been locked into Melbourne’s already strong backline and has not looked out of place since his debut in Opening Round.
A surprise to most Melbourne fans as it didn’t seem likely that the 21-year-old would be eyeing off a debut until at least the middle of the season at the earliest.
Howes has rarely been beat one on one in his first five games, with the medium defender only losing on one occasion from his eight contests to begin the 2024 season.
It’s a stat that signifies the impressive nature of his 2024 campaign and further supports the surprise factor that he has brought to this side’s defence that was already regarded as one of the best in the league.
Zac Sharpe
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Tom Powell
North Melbourne’s number one rated player across four games so far this season? It’s Tom Powell!
He has been a regular in the Kangaroos’ on-ball unit alongside Luke Davies-Uniacke and George Wardlaw.
Powell has averaged 24 disposals, six tackles and six clearances per game so far this season and hasn’t looked out of place whatsoever.
Alastair Clarkson seemingly trusts him, given he has pushed ahead of the likes of Charlie Lazzaro and Will Phillips, as well as veteran Hugh Greenwood and even their skipper Jy Simpkin.
In the mix: Tristan Xerri, George Wardlaw, Charlie Comben
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Jy Simpkin’s usage
North Melbourne is using their captain between the arcs in a flanker role, which is odd considering he is a 26-year-old, not a 31-year-old veteran simply hanging on to his spot.
Simpkin has almost felt like an afterthought as the Roos look to get on-ball time into Powell and Wardlaw.
He’s not a natural half forward or half back and North must work out what’s best for their captain, as well as what’s best for them.
Nic Negrepontis
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Jason Horne-Francis
The Power haven’t regressed whatsoever in 2024 and one of their early improvers has been Jason Horne-Francis.
While Horne-Francis was quality in 2023, the 20-year-old looks to have taken his game to a new level in his third AFL season.
Through two games this season, the on-ball beast is averaging 25.5 disposals (17.6 in 2023), 5.0 marks (3.2 in 2023), 1.0 goals (0.7 in 2023), 6.0 inside 50s (3.8 in 2023) and 7.0 clearances (4.8 in 2023).
With such big statistical jumps, Horne-Francis is genuinely a star of the competition as he leads the competition for centre clearances per game as well.
Alongside Connor Rozee and Zak Butters, there’s no doubt that the Power has the best young midfield trio in the competition.
It’s scary to think what this young superstar could become once he reaches his prime.
In the mix: Willem Drew, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Ivan Soldo
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Immediate success of off-season additions
While the Power would have hoped for their off-season additions to be immediate successes, that’s certainly easier said than done.
The three in particular that have made a big difference are Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Esava Ratugolea and Ivan Soldo.
None of these players were key contributors at their old club, but given their new situations, each player has begun to flourish.
Soldo has immediately solved the club’s ruck problem with his competency a standout, while the key defensive duo has shored up the backline.
If they’re already performing this well while just getting their feet wet, imagine once they truly settle into life at their new clubs…
Lachlan Geleit
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Ben Miller
Ben Miller has been thrown around a bit in his career to date, spending time in defence, in the forward line and as a relief ruckman.
Last year he did all three at different stages across his 13 appearances, often used as a bit-part player to fill a void.
That has somewhat been the case again in 2024 with Miller stepping in to replace the injured Josh Gibcus as a key defender.
Adem Yze broke glass in case of emergency and has not yet been let down by the 24-year-old who has shown he can be a dependable backman in a rebuilding team.
Miller is averaging career highs in disposals (12.7), marks (5.3) and rebound 50s (4), has chimed in with two intercept marks per game and leads the Tigers for spoils with 24 which ranks 12th in the league.
In the mix: Rhyan Mansell, Tom Brown, Seth Campbell
BIGGEST SURPRISE: The breakthrough of Campbell and Lefau
Seth Campbell has forced his way into Richmond’s senior side in 2024.
The Tasmanian small forward battled injuries last year which restricted him to just five VFL games and as a rookie draft selection, not many expected him to come on so quickly.
After five games, the 19-year-old is third at the club for inside 50s with 19, has provided four goal assists (equal third with Dustin Martin), and is equal seventh for score involvements with 19.
It’s also been a surprise to see Mykelti Lefau already break through at AFL level.
The New Zealand native was a Melbourne Storm development squad player, who only started playing VFL footy in 2017, but has smashed the door down to play three AFL games, kicking three goals and providing three goal assists.
Not many would have seen the SSP addition even playing at the elite level in 2024, let alone contributing like he has.
Andrew Slevison
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Zaine Cordy
Zaine Cordy has played his best footy in the red, white and black this year.
The premiership winner from the Western Bulldogs was called in late in the pre-season once Dougal Howard was ruled out for some time with a hamstring injury and Cordy hasn’t looked back since.
He did a huge job on Tom Hawkins in Round 1 and backed it up against Mason Cox keeping the big man goalless in a big Thursday night clash at the MCG against the reigning premiers.
He seems a player that Ross Lyon can trust, similar to that of Zac Dawson back in 2009 when the Saints went so close to tasting premiership success.
He might not like that comparison, but it's a compliment, Zaine.
Cordy plays within his means and knows his limitations, losing Howard on the eve of Round 1 had the potential to be a serious issue for the Saints but Cordy, alongside Callum Wilkie and Josh Battle has been superb.
Howard will have to earn his spot back in the senior side.
Battle is another player that has improved off last year.
Already a consistent performer, Battle has elevated himself in becoming a gun defender of this competition.
His intercept marking is a big asset and he’s not afraid to take the game on by foot out of the defensive 50.
In the mix: Jack Steele, Jack Higgins
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Lapses in games
In 2023, the Saints were a well-drilled side that played at a consistent level for all four quarters and it’s why they didn’t leave the top eight for the entirety of the year.
But that’s certainly not been the case in 2024.
In all four games this year Ross Lyon’s side has had lapses in concentration and it has cost them dearly.
We saw it in the first half down in Geelong, we saw it in the second quarter against Collingwood, we saw it in the second half against Essendon and we definitely saw it in the first half of their Gather Round clash against Richmond.
This is something we’re not used to seeing from a Ross Lyon coached side and they'd want to get on top of these slumps as their position around the top echelon in the competition is hanging by a thread.
They face premiership favourites Greater Western Sydney in Canberra on Saturday…
Hugh Fitzpatrick
MOST IMPROVED: Matt Roberts
Whilst Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden continue to take their games to the next level, Matthew Roberts has been the unsung hero of this much improved Swans side.
After playing just seven games in the first two seasons of his career, Roberts has started in all five games for the Swans in 2024 and has been a solid contributor on the wing and halfback. Roberts is averaging just under 20 disposals and is one of the more elite ball users in the competition with 87.6% disposal efficiency.
Roberts also had a breakout game in the Swans’ Round 3 defeat against Richmond. The 20-year-old had 27 touches, eight marks, five inside 50’s, six score involvements, six intercept possessions and 519 metres gained to be one of Sydney’s best.
In the mix: Isaac Heeney, Logan McDonald, Robbie Fox
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Lewis Melican is once again a staple in the backline
The cult hero at the Swans had fallen out of favour in the past few seasons after playing just 23 games from 2020-2023. Despite the Swans acquiring premiership winning defender Joel Hamling during the most recent trade period, John Longmire has decided to stick with Melican who has been outstanding in the opening month of the season.
Melican has only lost one contested defensive one-on-ones, is equal seventh in the AFL for spoils (29) and is third for the most one-percenters in the competition with 35. A player who fought hard to get back into the senior side and has seized his opportunity.
Charles Goodsir
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER: Callum Jamieson
West Coast tall Callum Jamieson has begun to find his feet in key defence.
The 23-year-old started his career as a backup ruckman but looks far more competent playing behind the ball.
Jamieson is averaging career highs in disposals, marks and rebound 50s in 2024 as he impacts plenty of aerial contests.
The 200cm tall has even been likened to Darcy Moore, and that’s not just in terms of looks, as he flies high to limit opposition stars.
His lockdown presence has also allowed Jeremy McGovern to flourish as a loose back.
In the mix: Jeremy McGovern, Elliot Yeo
BIGGEST SURPRISE: McGovern’s under-the-radar dominance
Jeremy McGovern is back to his best in 2024.
While the 31-year-old has four All-Australians to his name, he’s never averaged anywhere close to the disposals and rebound 50s that he has this campaign.
That’s thanks to his role as a genuine extra defender as McGovern looms as the main obstacle to putting the ball inside 50 against the Eagles.
While the veteran has had more impactful campaigns, there’s no doubt he’s absolutely starring with some genuine fitness in his legs.
Lachlan Geleit
MOST IMPROVED: Lachlan Bramble
Lachie Bramble’s tenure at the Bulldogs couldn’t have started in a better fashion.
Less than a year removed from being delisted by a Hawks side that finished 16th, the utility has turned himself into a mainstay in a bona fide finals contender.
Bramble has boosted his numbers across the board since arriving at the Kennel, averaging 20.2 disposals through his first four games in 2024, a career-high by a significant margin.
Whether it’s the new environment, the new coaching, or new role coming off half-back, Bramble has taken his game to another level and completely revitalised his AFL career in 2024.
In the mix: Sam Darcy, Buku Khamis, Cody Weightman
BIGGEST SURPRISE: Jack Macrae’s demotion
From All-Australian to sub, it’s been a fall from grace for Jack Macrae.
The midfielder has played just two games at senior level in 2024, playing a full game against West Coast in Round 3 before being named as the sub and coming on for Caleb Daniel in last week’s clash against the Cats.
Macrae played all bar one game in 2023 and averaged 23.4 touches for the season, yet with the new talent coming through, in particular Ryley Sanders, there just isn’t room for the former stalwart in this loaded Bulldogs midfield.
Moving away from established talent is seemingly a trend for Luke Beveridge this season, with the winds of change also coming for Aaron Naughton and the Dogs’ forward line.
Formerly the primary option in attack, Naughton has been targeted just 10 times inside 50 this season, just as many times as Rhylee West.
With Cody Weightman, Sam Darcy and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan all ahead of Naughton in the Bulldogs’ goalkicking race, it’s clear that Bevo is giving his young guns the keys.
Jack Makeham
