aflplayers.com.au has discovered the players that played an underrated hand for their side in Round 6. Whether it be a big moment in a close game, or an important role, these are the Unsung Heroes.
St Kilda – Jack Higgins
While all eyes may have started on GWS Giants forward Toby Greene at the beginning of the night, St Kilda livewire Jack Higgins made sure they were elsewhere by the end of it. Higgins continued to mount his case for All Australian selection with four goals against the Giants, taking his season tally to 14, as the Saints climbed to 5-1 for the first time since 2010.
Adelaide – Billy Frampton
After four seasons of AFL as a forward, a revitalised Billy Frampton is now finding his feet in defence. With no shortage of aerial ability in the Dogs’ forward line, courtesy of the likes of Aaron Naughton, Marcus Bontempelli and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Frampton’s intercept marking was a key to the Crows’ victory. He helped himself to career-best numbers including 26 disposals, nine marks and 502 metres gained.
Port Adelaide – Ollie Wines
The Power will breathe a sigh of relief having finally banked their first four points for the season in a welcome return for vice-captain, Ollie Wines. Wines didn’t appear to miss a beat, working his way to 33 disposals (13 of those contested) and 640 metres gained – the second-best of any Port Adelaide player.
Fremantle – David Mundy
There’s been plenty of talk of up-and-coming Dockers but there’s one very familiar face that continues to put in the grunt work in his 19th season of AFL. David Mundy accumulated a team-high 13 contested possessions on his way to 22 touches overall in the Dockers’ 35-point win over the Blues.
Geelong – Tom Atkins
There were heroes all over the ground for Geelong as they stormed to a 10-goal win over the Kangaroos at Blundstone Arena. However, it was Tom Atkins who quietly got the job done in defence, with a game-high 13 intercept possessions as well as his own season-high 23 possessions overall. He was rarely beaten in defence and got involved in attack, with seven score involvements.
Brisbane – Jarryd Lyons
30 disposals, 10 tackles, 13 clearances and 873 metres gained is a stat line that would be the envy of many. Jarryd Lyons was monumental in the Q-Clash against his former side, as the Lions cruised to a 52-point win over the Suns.
Melbourne – Sam Weideman
After managing just five games last year, Sam Weideman has worked his way into the Melbourne line-up and is mounting his case as to why he should stay there. Weideman booted three goals straight on an otherwise wayward evening for the Demons, helping his side to a comfortable 22-point win. Depth at the Dees is a menacing prospect for opposition clubs, given talk has already begun as to whether the reigning premiers can manage the 2022 season without a blemish to their record.
Sydney – Chad Warner
It was a slow start across the board for the Swans on Anzac Day but once they got going, they really did get going. Chad Warner’s final term got the fire started, with the youngster booting a brilliant goal to kickstart a nine-goal flurry that powered the Swans to a 41-point win. He finished with two majors overall, alongside 24 disposals and five tackles.
Collingwood – Scott Pendlebury
When the game is on the line, you want your leaders to step up to the plate. Who does that better than the Pies’ skipper on Anzac Day? With the result in the balance, Scott Pendlebury was thrust back into the middle of the ground, providing the calm head and composed disposal that Collingwood needed to take control of the game. The three-time Anzac Day medallist finished with 25 disposals, 11 contested possessions and five clearances to guide his side to victory.