With six rounds of football officially in the books for the 2023 AFL season, plenty of players have made their mark on the competition already.
Young Pie Nick Daicos has emerged as a Brownlow favourite in just his second season and looks to be topping Collingwood's best and fairest count, while plenty of others have had standout seasons for their clubs.
After a month and a bit of footy, we've taken a look at where each club's best and fairest count stands, naming the favourites for the award so far, with part one of the series covering Adelaide-Fremantle.
1. Fremantle Dockers
Caleb Serong has seemingly been the exclusive workhorse for Fremantle so far this season, averaging a top tier 32.5 disposals and 5.5 tackles per game in a dismally struggling side. He ranks 4th in the comp for clearances per game, demonstrating his ability to win the ball at the contest and launch offensive plays for his team.
His impact also expands beyond his impressive stats, he's a tough player who never shies away from a physical contest and is hurting opposition at a young age. His work-rate is second to none, and he is hopefully pushing his teammates to start leading by example in their next few weeks. With limited standout contributors, he's been a shining light for the Dockers and has played a significant role in keeping his team competitive in matches.
In terms of standout performances, Serong has had a number of impressive games this season. In round 5; 37 disposals and 6 tackles in a gutsy win over Gold Coast, while his 35 disposals and 6 tackles were gallant in a 49-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.
Sean Darcy is probably the only notable contender to Serong for the Dockers' Best & Fairest award after a challenging start to the year. He is the league's top-ranked player in hitouts per game and his strength and ruck dominance have been on full display, especially in some standout wins against West Coast and Gold Coast. With an average of 42.8 hitouts per game, Darcy's contribution to the Dockers' midfield has been invaluable, and his 3.3 tackles and 4.7 clearances per game have been a key asset.
