The 5 unsung heroes of the 2024 AFL season

AFL has reached into the homes of millions and provided first class entertainment as well as a number of talking points.

With all of the glory of the high-flying markers, the pretty-boy goalkickers and the favourite sons of our game there are a number of heroes in the AFL that don't get the recognition they deserve.

Here is a list, in no particular order, of the top 5 Unsung Heroes of the 2024 AFL Season.

Hawthorn Hawks Playing Above Their Age

The Hawks managed just 7 wins in 2023 in a season that had more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Dreamworld, beating both grand finalists but losing to teams in contention for the wooden spoon. 

The 2024 season was expected to be much of the same with Hawthorn going through a development period. That has not been the case and the Hawks are in with an outside chance of pushing for a finals spot if they keep improving and batting above their weight like they have since their round 5 loss to the Gold Coast. 

Heading into the Round 15 bye, Hawthorn had already tallied the same amount of wins as they did in the 2024 season, winning seven of their past nine games. A lot has had to do with their aggressiveness inside their forward 50, leading the AFL in shots per inside 50 and ranking in the top seven teams in marks inside 50, disposals inside 50 and goals per inside 50. 

Ben King in the Coleman Hunt

Ben King has played all 86 AFL games for the Gold Coast Suns and ridden all the highs and the lows as the club is still trying to find its way into the finals for the first time in their 14-year existence. 

With Damien Hardwick in charge in 2024 the Suns appear to have one of their best chances to date and King has been leading the way with the boot, locking horns with two-time Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow for who will kick the most goals in the 2024 season, with the pair tied with 38 each heading into Round 15 and favourites with betting app Dabble for the award.

Injuries have hindered the key forward in the past, but in 2024 the 23-year-old looks stronger and fitter than ever and has become a very vital piece in the success and the finals chances of the Gold Coast Suns.

Adam Treloar and the Dogs culture

The 31-year-old Adam Treloar is having a career-best season at the Dogs as they climb their way up the premiership ladder.

Heading into the midpoint of the season Treloar was in the top 10 for the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award as he averages 32.2 Disposals per game (most in AFL), 4.8 Tackles and 6.2 Clearances. The gun Dogs midfielder attributes his success to finding a balance between home life and work life compared to a time earlier in his 13-year career when he was consumed by footy.

It is rare to see a player come back from the struggles that Treloar has endured, especially the messy exit from Collingwood. But the veteran credits his success to his coach Luke Beveridge and his teammates that week to week instil confidence in him to deliver out on the park. 

Treloar is having an All-Australian season and could be the feather in the cap for a player who has yet to reach the heights of individual presentation.

Brodie Grundy Back to His Best

Maybe not so much ‘unsung' but more under the radar in this case with new Sydney Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy returning to his best level of football after moving away from Melbourne after a disappointing 2023 season. 

The 30-year-old is in his 11th full season in the AFL and is putting up similar numbers to what he did when he was at All-Australian level in his 2018 and 2019 seasons at Collingwood. 

Grundy has been a big influence on a young and vibrant Sydney midfield and his experience has obviously made a huge impact at the club that soars above the rest of the AFL so far this season. The 202cm giant averages 20.4 disposals per game, ranks third in the AFL with 455 hitouts with 140 to advantage which is second in the league.

It was a goal for Grundy to be back in the All-Australian team before his career is over and the move to the Harbour City may have just been what the ruckman needed. 

Carlton list management and depth

There is no hiding that the Blues have had their fair share of injuries not only this season but even last. But no matter the number or the quality of the players that have been missing the team itself has remained competitive. 

For this there are two factions of the club that need to be praised. First the team that is part of the drafting and list management. To be able to firstly get players in their ranks that are able to step up to the plate when the call comes and then secondly prepare them properly to ensure that the team is still performing out on the park.

That's where the second group comes in, the players themselves. Even without the likes of Saad, Weitering, Cerra, McGovern, Docherty and Silvagni the younger crop of AFL hopefuls have not missed a step in filling the gaps and executing on coach Michael Voss' game plan. 

A fantastic effort and the main reason they currently sit 2nd on the AFL ladder.