Unheralded: The Round 1 performances that deserve more attention

We always know who the stars are in a particular game.

But what about those who played a pivotal defensive role or were influential without stuffing the stat sheet. They may have played an important defensive role or simply just flown under the radar.

These players might be spoken about amongst the supporters of their clubs, but not discussed as widely around the competition.

Below are the players we believe deserve more credit for their Round 1 performances.

Lesser-known Richmond defence stands up

While everybody gushed over No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor’s excellent debut, there were some under-the-radar Tigers who probably didn’t get the credit they deserved.

The defensive triumvirate of Ben Miller, James Trezise and Jacob Blight all performed exceptionally well, holding up on the big stage as the Blues created repeat entries.

Miller was strong all night, keeping Harry McKay in check after Blight had put the Coleman Medallist in his back pocket prior to succumbing to groin tightness just after half-time.

Trezise did some nice things off half-back and debutant Luke Trainor looked assured in his defensive role and will only get better.

Jack Ross (28 disposals, seven clearances and two goals) also played his best game in yellow and black.

Cats defenders have a day out, Freo mid stars

Cats fans are being accustomed to increasingly strong performances from Zach Guthrie.

He was sublime deep in defence with 21 disposals at 90 per cent efficiency, barely making a mistake.

Jack Henry also played superbly with 24 touches, 14 marks, 11 intercept possessions

The Cats defenders did as they pleased and with help from Tom Stewart, Mark Blicavs and second-gamer Connor O'Sullivan to quell Freo pair Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy.

Matthew Johnson played his best game for Fremantle in his 38th appearance.

The midfielder, who was the 21st pick in the 2021 draft, had a career-high 27 touches plus four inside 50s and three clearances on what was an otherwise dirty day for the Dockers.

The arrival of Freijah

It looks like Joel Freijah has arrived at AFL level after just 14 games.

In the Bulldogs’ win over North Melbourne, the 19-year-old was terrific mixing his time between defence and midfield, and was even involved in a few ruck contests.

He had 28 disposals (just the second time he’s been over 20 at the elite level), driving the ball out of defence while attending 12 centre bounces and kicking a crucial goal at the start of the fourth quarter.

Freijah was Pick 45 in 2023. That’s some shrewd recruiting from the Dogs.

Laitham Vandermeer produced one of his best games in red, white and blue, kicking three goals, providing two goal assists and producing eight score involvements from 16 disposals.

Unsung Collingwood mids play crucial role

Collingwood were embarrassed by GWS’ midfield in Opening Round with the likes of Finn Callaghan and Josh Kelly often emerging at the front of stoppages to launch scores.

With that area of the game such an obvious issue, the Magpies brought Ned Long into the starting side after he was the sub against GWS and brought Lachie Sullivan in at the expense of Ed Allan.

While Allan was probably unlucky to be dropped given he was more than serviceable against the Giants, the Magpies knew they needed some defensive steel around the ball and both inclusions delivered that in spades against the Power.

In his 14th AFL game, Long absolutely smashed his previous top disposal record of 13 with 24 on Saturday night. He also had seven tackles, 14 contested possessions and five clearances.

Sullivan didn’t have as much of it but still had the four tackles to go with 12 touches and a goal.

While the duo don’t have some of the weapons that Collingwood’s other midfielders possess, their selflessness around the ball will allow the likes of Nick Daicos to flourish if they can keep putting in performances like that.

Crows key defender makes an impact both ways

Adelaide’s Josh Worrell probably had the best performance of his 32-game career on Sunday against St Kilda.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a career-high in disposals with 25 and even had an impressive seven score involvements from defensive 50.

Worell also helped make sure that all of Rowan Marshall, Anthony Caminiti, Harry Boyd and Zaine Cordy combined for just one goal as Adelaide’s defence was far too good for St Kilda’s forwards.

If he continues to mesh this attacking capacity with solid defensive efforts, there’s no doubt he’ll go to a new level in 2025.