aflplayers.com.au has discovered the players that played an underrated hand for their side in Round 9. Whether it be a big moment in a close game, or an important role, these are the Unsung Heroes.
Western Bulldogs – Buku Khamis
A goal in his second AFL game last week turned into another three against the Magpies for persistent rookie Buku Khamis. Khamis got the Dogs off to an electric start with two of his majors in the first term, while his aerial ability provided plenty of moments of excitement for Dogs’ fans. He finished with three goals from ten disposals, adding another prong to the Western Bulldogs’ attack.
Richmond – Bigoa Nyuon
With Josh Gibcus forced to miss the Tigers’ clash with the Hawks though the league’s health and safety protocols, Damien Hardwick turned to debutant Bigoa Nyuon. Born in Kenya into a South Sudanese family displaced by war, the 20-year-old wasn’t overawed by the occasion and may retain his spot after slotting into the Richmond back six seamlessly.
Port Adelaide – Todd Marshall
It was Port Adelaide’s tall forwards who caused headaches for the Kangaroos in Round 9 and Todd Marshall was no exception, continuing his season’s upward trajectory to cover the absence of Charlie Dixon. Marshall added another three majors to his season tally which now stands at 17 goals.
St Kilda – Callum Wilkie
Callum Wilkie has quietly been holding some of the competition’s biggest names quiet, this week restricting Geelong spearhead Jeremy Cameron to just a single goal. Along the way he recorded 19 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency, nine intercept possessions and seven marks.
Sydney – Chad Warner
There was no shortage of contributors for the Swans in their 58-point demolition of the Dons, but it was the man known for kicking it to ‘Buddy’ (to set up Lance Franklin’s 1000th goal in round 2) who continued to establish himself as a competitor in his own right. Chad Warner added to his career-best season with a career-best 32 disposals.
Brisbane – Charlie Cameron
The Crows challenged but the Lions were up to the task. It was the small forwards who got the job done, led by none other than Charlie Cameron. Cameron took his season tally to 23 goals with four against his former side. Adelaide led by three points at half-time, but were overwhelmed by a Brisbane blitz in the third quarter – the Lions booted six goals to none, with two of Cameron’s goals coming during this crucial period.
Gold Coast – Mabior Chol
Mabior Chol continues to stake his claim as one of the best pick-ups of the off-season, taking his season goal tally to 19 with a four-goal haul in the Suns’ upset win over the Dockers. In the absence of Ben King, Chol has stepped up in the forward line while proving to be a more than capable back-up ruckman to co-captain, Jarrod Witts.
Carlton – Corey Durdin
In an injury-ravaged Carlton forward line missing Harry McKay and Jack Martin, Corey Durdin provided the spark required in one of his best games for the season. Durdin booted two goals from his 19 disposals, utilising his blistering pace to wreak havoc for the GWS defence and spoil Leon Cameron’s farewell game in charge as coach of the Giants.
Melbourne – Kysaiah Pickett
Kysaiah Pickett put together his best match for the season, helping the Demons to their ninth straight win for the season. Pickett was at his dynamic best as he booted three goals from 20 disposals, along with recording 10 score involvements and 13 pressure acts.