Zero 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.
Ex-Giant Tim Taranto, acquired by the Tigers last year, quickly established a prominent reputation at Tigerland for consistently winning the in-and-under ball.
The contested-possession beast sought physicality in 2023, leading by example for his Tigers midfield teammates, who were often the beneficiaries of Taranto's first use at the contest.
Taranto registered top-ten finishes in the disposals, clearances, and tackles categories in his maiden Punt Road campaign.
However, while it's hard to dispute that his recruitment has been fruitful thus far, Taranto's key point of improvement going forward is his kicking.
The 25-year-old was a clanger merchant at times this year, spraying the ball by foot – sometimes under minimal opposition pressure.
Taranto topped the AFL charts in total clangers this season and ranked fourth in the competition in clangers per game. He also ranked eighth in turnovers per game in 2023, signifying the necessity of tidying up aspects of his game this pre-season.
Provided improving his foot skills is made a point of emphasis by newly-arrived senior coach Adem Yze, 'Tiger Tim' is a near-certainty to lift his game even further in 2024.
Like Taranto, Josh Dunkley represents a success story from last year's exchange period, having helped lead the Lions in their charge to this year's Grand Final.
Formerly a Western Bulldog, the tackling machine did Brisbane's dirty work at the coalface in 2023, taking significant pressure off superstar midfielder Lachie Neale, who subsequently claimed his second Brownlow Medal.
Dunkley was tenth-best in the AFL this year in winning contested possession, decreasing the overall workloads of the likes of Neale, Jarrod Berry, and Hugh McCluggage.
While Dunkley has established himself as a terrific accumulator of the ball, he has also continually showcased his defensive talents; lining up on the opposition's most damaging midfielder and stemming his impact on the game.
The Gippsland Power product finished seventh in the league in total tackles this season, showcasing his capabilities as a formidable disruptor.
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 campaigns – with the exception of the aforementioned Serong, who was awarded his maiden All-Australian blazer this year.
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.