Just now, 58er said:

No Gawny is playing a much more rounded game in as team orientsted plus handball shirt padding and defending and attacking.

At the moment he is down a little on marks but more up on the 1% ers and his field kicking has improved.

He is a more rounded player and as such useful ( valuable) to  the team.

Brayshaw  is having his most consistent year since 2018 in a reprised defensive wing role so valuable to the team.

And our selfless ethos and team unity are the glue sticking all of it together. 

Shirt padding  = short passing 

3 hours ago, Webber said:

That Spargo and Nibbler are making the ‘whipping boy’ brigade look like the mugs they’ve always been brings joy to my heart. They are serious, professional footballers dedicated to playing to their potential in a team that understands the value of such an attitude. Never deserved the garbage so many dish up to them, and last night was the perfect vindication of that. Considering his size, the number of times Spargo not only halves contests he shouldn’t, but does the deft tap, the block, the tackle, and creates opportunity for others, not to mention his vision and ball use, is just special. And yet, just watch the knockers come back when he has a quiet one. ANB just goes and goes, always has, and for someone who has no flash and no tricks, to have found an extra skill level 6 years into his career should impress everyone. And yet......

I'm starting to eat my third  "Humble Pie" ?

For two years I've whinged about Brayshaw not playing in the middle. He's finally figured out how to play wing, and despite not finding huge amounts of the ball, is now a crucial part of our team.

25 minutes ago, 58er said:

No Gawny is playing a much more rounded game in as team orientsted plus handball shirt padding and defending and attacking.

At the moment he is down a little on marks but more up on the 1% ers and his field kicking has improved.

He is a more rounded player and as such useful ( valuable) to  the team.

Brayshaw  is having his most consistent year since 2018 in a reprised defensive wing role so valuable to the team.

And our selfless ethos and team unity are the glue sticking all of it together. 

I agree with his rounded game. Like I said it was a comment purely based on a numbers perspective. I do think he can play better than he has but this is far from a potshot. 

3 hours ago, Undeeterred said:

I’d almost argue Oliver. Sure he got lot of touches over the last few years but he is utterly dominating games and providing huge drive and damage.

Yes he's starting to hurt the opposition more

16 minutes ago, picket fence said:

I'm starting to eat my third  "Humble Pie" ?

You know, if you didn’t excessively bag Melbourne players so much to begin with, you wouldn’t have to eat so much humble pie later. Just a thought.

No question it is Oliver.

Taken his game to another level. Outstanding improvement form an already high level. His fitness is highly underrated and his kickinghas imprived out of sight.

TMac is an awesome story too.

20 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

No question it is Oliver.

Taken his game to another level. Outstanding improvement form an already high level. His fitness is highly underrated and his kickinghas imprived out of sight.

TMac is an awesome story too.

Not sure if going from A to A+ through natural maturity and career progression / experience is such a remarkable improvement. Oliver is just a total freak. Never in doubt he would improve. 

Perhaps with the odd exception all our players have improved. That’s the difference over past years. 

However, TMac and ANB stand out because they have shown real character. The club put them up for sale, a very demeaning feeling for the boys. However, they ate humble pie and came back stronger and better than before. 

Remarkable determination and attitude. And great strength of character. 

I think each of Spargo, ANB, Hunt, TMac, Oliver, Harmes and Jordon have arguments in their favour.

Lever by a fair margin.  Followed by May & Salem.  May was super solid last year i still think he's gone to another level again this season.  Salem had a pretty ordinary year by his standards.  Top three or four this season IMHO.

Out of the Mids....Tracc.  Forwards...T-Mac.  Rookies ...Pickett, LJ & Rivers.

Oliver is by far the most improved player.

We talk about selflessness and I am not saying he was selfish but he is selfless now. 

When a game is in doubt he just goes into beast mode. You know he is going to start dragging us up.

Lots of others have improved but from a much lower base. Oliver has improved from already being our best player. That is what champions do.