With eight rounds of football officially in the books for the 2023 AFLย season, plenty of players have made their mark on the competition already.
Young Pieย Nick Daicosย has emerged as a Brownlow favourite in just his second season and looks to be toppingย Collingwood's best and fairest count, while plenty of others have had standout seasons for their clubs.
After nearly two months 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 three of the series covering Port Adelaide through to the Western Bulldogs.
READ PART 1ย HERE
READ PART 2ย HERE
2. Richmondย
In a forgettable year thus far for the Tigers, one player has stood out and established himself as one of the toughest stars in the competition.
Liam Baker may be an All-Australian contender by season's end, and he looks like one of a few ar Richmond at the moment. Playing as a small defender, Baker has made the most of his relatively light frame with his hardness and skill, rating elite for contested possessions and ground ball gets. Much of his value also comes from his ability to shift forward and slot important goals in big moments. Out of defence he still finds a way to impact scoring with over five score involvements per game, which is quickly becoming a premium for the Tigers in 2023.
While the talk of the town regarding Tim Taranto has involved his poor execution by foot this season, he has still been the contested and clearance beast that the Tigers were hoping for this season. Averaging 30 disposals and nearly seven clearances and tackles this season, he is probably Richmond's only other contender for their best & fairest award.
One player who has shockingly gone under the radar this season, however, is Dustin Martin. As a pure forward in 2023, his 21 disposals and seven ground ball gets per game have not been recognised in the way they would have in past seasons, but may earn him plenty of votes at the end of Richmond's campaign.
