UNSUNG HEROES OF THE AFL FINALISTS
* RICHMOND: Dylan Grimes. Defender who can play on anyone – tall or small – and equally adept in the air and on the ground. Rarely gets beaten and has added more of an attacking side to his game this year.
* WEST COAST: Brad Sheppard. Defender who always seems to get the job done against the opposition’s best small forward. Also versatile enough to play on taller players and offers valuable rebound from the backline.
* COLLINGWOOD: Jack Crisp. Unheralded utility who has played every game this season – for the fourth consecutive year since crossing from Brisbane. Averages a career-high 23 disposals a game this year.
* HAWTHORN: Paul Puopolo. A triple premiership Hawk who flies under the radar because of his blue-collar role in attack. Renowned for applying defensive pressure rather than goals, has laid 73 tackles in 18 games this year.
* MELBOURNE: Oscar McDonald. His older brother Tom takes the limelight but has turned himself into a dependable key backman. Strong in the air and rarely allows his opponent to kick a bag of goals.
* SYDNEY: Heath Grundy. The 32-year-old veteran has held his team’s defence together for the past decade without many plaudits from outside his club. An old-fashioned backman who has uncanny spoiling ability.
* GWS: Adam Tomlinson. A truly versatile tall utility, reliable in either defence or attack but has been deployed with success on a wing. Has played every game and averaging career-highs for disposals and inside 50s.
* GEELONG: Scott Selwood. Destined to forever play in the shadows of his revered brother Joel, he is tasked with quelling the opposition’s best midfielder. Has laid six or more tackles in eight of his dozen games this season.
