Diehard AFL fans will never let one of their own go unrecognised, even if external praise eludes them.
Players like Josh Battle, Matt Cottrell, Tom Sparrow and Brent Daniels have played a crucial role at their respective club for years, but never seem to reach the limelight of external discussion or award recognition. Some of that has changed, but a plethora of players need some more love.
This year, several players have stood up in a pivotal spot or in a new role and thrived. Others have toiled away at their job without public acknowledgement of the year they're having.
This piece aims to congratulate those who haven't received the widespread appreciation they deserve, offering a brief moment of stardom before they likely escape discussion once again this weekend...
Adelaide
It's been a dour year for Adelaide, but a few young Crows have stood up where others have fallen, and many have been praised.
Jake Soligo is the clear improver who has significantly exceeded expectations to become their primary in & under hunter for the future.
Backs Mitch Hinge, Josh Worrell and Mark Keane have all taken major steps forward in their development as a defensive trio to hold the fort down back for the next five years at least.
One guy who has come from the clouds and improved out of sight however, is Lachlan Sholl, who has upped his averages dramatically and may be staring at some Brownlow votes by the end of the year.
Finding heaps more of the footy this year through the midfield, he's lifted his pressure and added more to the scoreboard, already with eight goals to his name following a previous season's best of four.
