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.
4. Verdict
Start: Josh Dunkley
Bench: Andrew Brayshaw
Cut: Tim Taranto
It feels despicable to associate Taranto in any conversation that includes the word 'cut', but this one might be the exception by pure necessity.
It also feels impassable to overlook Dunkley as the 'start' here, with Brisbane's Grand Final berth probably proving the catalyst in getting him over Brayshaw, who is unlucky to be snubbed for the 'start' mantle.
Brayshaw's All-Australian selection last season gets him the nod over Taranto, who was arguably robbed of even earning inclusion in this year's squad of 44.
Irrespective of this particular ranking, all three of these fearless go-getters shape as critical cogs in their respective sides' 2024 causes.
