Zeroย Hanger's next instalment of 'start, bench, cut' sees us examine three hard-nosed midfielders who've tended to fly under the radar through their careers to this point.
Tiger Tim Taranto, Lion Josh Dunkley, and Fremantle's Andrew Brayshaw represent a few of the most physically imposing engine-roomers in the competition.
While Taranto and Dunkley are symbolic of respective 2022 trade period successes for Richmond and Brisbane, Brayshaw's status as a Docker has been cemented since 2017, when he was chosen second overall by the Cockburn-based club.
Unrelenting hardness at the contest is what links this trio; Taranto, Dunkley, and Brayshaw each ranked among the AFL's top ten for pressure acts this season, while they also finished within 22 total tackles of each other at the cessation of this year's tally.
As we dissect the careers and recent form of the trio of hard-hitting ball-winners, we ponder who to hypothetically 'start' (our number one choice of the three), 'bench' (our runner-up) and 'cut' (our odd man out).
We reviewed the cases of Taranto, Dunkley, and Brayshaw before revealing our final start, bench, and cut verdicts.
3. Andrew Brayshaw
Despite winning his first All-Australian blazer in 2022, Andy Brayshaw has flown under the radar throughout his six-year tenure playing for the smaller-market Dockers.
However, that doesn't mean his ball-getting proficiency has gone unnoticed around the competition.
Working in tandem with All-Australian engine room teammate Caleb Serong, Brayshaw has displayed his accumulative talents at the foot of the contest.
He ranked fifth in the league in effective disposals per game this season, boasting his ability to set Fremantle's offensive chains in motion.
Brayshaw has also proven to be a menace defensively, tackling with ferocity and leading by example with his two-way running and overarching work ethic.
Is there a knock on the Sandringham Dragons product? It could be argued he doesn't have enough influence on games for someone with such ball-winning expertise, though most in Fremantle colours this season didn't put forth prolific campaignsย โ with the exception of the aforementioned Serong, who was awarded his maiden All-Australian blazer this year.
