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...
GWS
Harry Himmelberg
Himmelberg's mammoth six-year deal signed last year is paying off so far, the swingman having his best season in defence as a dynamic rebounder and intercepting threat.
He is averaging the most disposals in his career at the highest clip of his career but isn't stopping there. He's having the highest volume of marks, intercept marks, intercept possessions, rebound 50s and one-percenters in his career, impacting all phases of the defensive game in a backline already stacked with talent like Sam Taylor, Jack Buckley and Leek Aleer.
With his ability to swing forward if required, win a game off his boot and leap for a mark-of-the-year winner, no wonder the Giants were so willing to resign Himmelberg for life.
