Underrated Magpies ruckman now in top echelon

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 had an important assignment or have 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 4 performances.

Peatling putting in

James Peatling has produced a strong yet understated start to life as a Crow.

There was very little fanfare when he arrived at West Lakes last trade period given his status as an unheralded Giant who was often surrounded by genuine stars of the game.

It is a similar role that he is undertaking at Adelaide alongside the likes of Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine and emerging star Jake Soligo.

Peatling was busy with 24 disposals, 10 inside 50s, seven score involvements, six tackles and four clearances in the one-point loss to the Suns in what has been his best performance in Crows colours.

He spent time keeping Matt Rowell under wraps, allowing Dawson, Rankine and Soligo to flourish in the heartbreaking and controversial defeat.

Surprise Tiger leading the way

Seth Campbell is an unconditional hard worker.

No matter the situation he has been chasing, harassing, tackling and pressuring for the Tigers like a man possessed in 2025.

The last two weeks he has been getting the rewards on the scoreboard, adding two goals to his career tally against Brisbane on the weekend after helping himself to 3.2 against the Saints last week.

Campbell also produced eight score involvements and a goal assist from his season-high 15 touches against the Lions.

The 25-gamer has kicked nine goals so far this season to lead the way at Tigerland, breathing down the neck of last season’s 10 total. He is improving every time he steps out at the elite level.

His small forward sidekick Steely Green was also impressive against the Lions, finishing with 14 touches, seven score involvements and two goals.

Fletcher a half-back find for the Lions

Jaspa Fletcher was moved to defence for Brisbane’s Round 3 win over Geelong and did an ohm job.

His second shot at the role in the absence of Brandon Starcevich was superb.

Fletcher, normally a winger, produced one of the very best outings of his 45-game career, finishing with 23 disposals at 82.6 per cent efficiency and 10 marks in the win over the Tigers.

Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage, Josh Dunkley and the Ashcroft brothers will receive all the plaudits, but Fletcher must be acknowledged.

Magpies ruck gets the job done against one of the best

Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron remains one of the most underrated players in the competition despite him getting some external recognition in recent weeks.

After finishing second in last year’s Copeland Trophy, the ruckman has gone to a new level in 2025, seeing big increases in his disposals, tackles, inside 50s and clearances per game.

Up against in-form star Tom De Koning on Thursday night, Cameron took the points with 22 disposals, eight clearances, five tackles and five intercept marks.

He’s been immense in three of Collingwood’s four games so far this year and is well and truly elevating himself into the top echelon of ruckman in the competition on the back of that.

Double cobra Walter

Ignoring the controversy, the Suns v Crows contest was a battle of the key forwards.

Adelaide’s big three dominated as they have all season, combining for 12 of the club’s 14 goals. For Gold Coast to compete, they needed talls of their own to step up in a big way.

Jed Walter did just that. In what could easily be considered the best game of his AFL career thus far, the kid managed three goals from five scores, taking five marks, three of which were inside 50.

The former No. 3 pick was a threat all day, outscoring his Coleman contending teammate in Ben King and throwing up the double cobras to top off a massive win for the Suns. If this contest was any sign of Walter’s potential, this Suns team will be scary for some time.