Each week, aflplayers.com.au looks at the players who flew under the radar in their team’s victory. Whether it was a moment of impact or a four-quarter performance, these are the Round 11 Unsung Heroes. 

Port Adelaide: Karl Amon

As with Port Adelaide’s meteoric rise this season, Karl Amon’s performances have followed suit. The 24-year-old is becoming one of the Power’s most important midfielders and against the reigning premiers on Saturday notched up 19 disposals, an equal-team high five marks, five score involvements, and five inside 50s. Not only has Amon been important around the ground, but he’s also been able to impact the scoreboard, kicking a goal on the weekend.

Brisbane: Callum Ah Chee

With Cam Rayner missing for the first time since his debut in 2018, Ah Chee moved to the front half of the ground against the Bulldogs and it paid instant dividends. After a shaky start from the Lions, Ah Chee helped settle the home side kicking their first goal of the game at the 14-minute mark and another shortly after. Although he only had 10 touches for the match they were critical in opening up Brisbane’s game and working their way towards an important 24-point win. To top off the win, Ah Chee took a Mark of the Year contender with a brilliant grab over the Bulldogs’ Ryan Gardiner.

West Coast: Liam Duggan

With Jeremy McGovern missing, the under-sized Liam Duggan might just be West Coast’s most important defender. Holding down the fort as Carlton threatened to upset the Eagles, Duggan took a game-high 11 marks in slippery conditions – three more than the next best – all of which were uncontested. Duggan also collected 16 disposals at a staggering 94 per cent efficiency, further solidifying himself as a reliable member of the Eagles’ back-six.

Melbourne: Ed Langdon

Langdon is really starting to get himself settled in Melbourne’s midfield after crossing over from Fremantle at the end of last year. The hard-running wingman is very adept at keeping his width and often gets used in transition. He has a great ability to run and carry the footy and deliver inside 50, which he did on six occasions against the Roos. Langdon had 23 disposals in total and 321m gained.

Geelong: Gary Rohan

After being managed for the Cats’ last game against North Melbourne, Rohan was as fresh as any player on the ground and it showed. The Geelong speedster booted three goals in the second quarter (four for the match) to light a fuse under his side’s most complete performance of the season. Rohan had an equal match-high nine score involvements and his pressure and intent to hunt the opposition was outstanding.

Fremantle: Caleb Serong 

Before Gold Coast’s Matt Rowell suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, the Rising Star appeared a one-horse race. With the top prospect no longer taking to the field this season, it’s wide-open and Fremantle’s Caleb Serong is making a serious case for himself. Against the Hawks, the first-year Docker collected 20 disposals and laid four tackles but it was his work in the guts that was most impressive. Serong had a team-high six clearances and was only two behind the match leader in Tom Mitchell – not bad for someone playing their seventh game.

Collingwood: Darcy Cameron

His first two shots on goal weren’t the most impressive but after settling his nerves early, Darcy Cameron delivered an strong and much-needed performance as the Pies crawled over the line against Adelaide. Joining the club in last year’s Trade Period, the ex-Swan has been playing an important role in the Magpies forward-line, supporting the likes of Brody Mihocek, Josh Thomas and Jaidyn Stephenson while also relieving Brodie Grundy of his ruck duties. With the game on the line, Cameron stood up finishing with two goals, gathered 15 disposals, and took a team-high nine marks (five contested and four inside 50).

Gold Coast: Charlie Ballard

It’s difficult to pick just one player from an all-round team performance but Charlie Ballard’s efforts in defense stood out. The 21-year-old key defender is continuing to develop nicely and has come on even more so this season with the support of Sam Collins in the backline. Against the Bombers, Ballard gathered 10 touches and took a team-high seven marks but it was his impressive one-on-one and intercept work that stood out the most, finishing the night with a game-high 10 intercept possessions.

Essendon: James Stewart 

Playing his third-game for the season after two years on the sidelines, Stewart looked a constant threat in Essendon’s forward-line. Facing in-form Sam Collins, Stewart got the better of him on Thursday night kicking three goals to go with his 10 disposals, six score involvements and five marks.