Tom Stewart has once again been one of Geelong’s best players to the midway point of season 2021. Photo: AFL MEDIA

Having just reached the halfway point of season 2021, we at Footyology think it’s an opportune time to assess which players, both experienced and emerging, are in contention for their club’s best-and-fairest.

Consistency, games played, importance to the side, and to a lesser extent, past performance in club champion awards, were the strongest factors considered when putting our stake in the ground.

Today we feature our assessment of the first nine teams alphabetically, with the second instalment coming tomorrow.

Adelaide – Ben Keays
Picked up off the scrapheap in the 2019 rookie draft after being delisted by the Brisbane Lions, Keays has been one of the bargain pick-ups of recent years. Whilst last season was probably his real breakout year, he has elevated his game significantly in 2021 and is now the Crows’ main man in the centre of the ground. His rankings in the key elements of an inside player’s role – 13th in disposals, seventh in tackles, and ninth in centre clearances – show you how effective he is in that position, but he also sits fifth in the league for inside 50s, demonstrating his ability to spread from clearance and get involved in scoring chains.

In the mix – Taylor Walker started the season in ripping form, and had a big impact in games against Melbourne and the Tigers more recently, so will certainly be up there. Rory Sloane and Rory Laird have played consistent footy in the guts, while Paul Seedsman has bounced back really well and leads the league in metres gained. Tom Doedee has been excellent in defence as always.

Brisbane – Hugh McCluggage
Coming off All-Australian squad selections in 2019 and 2020, the trend has continued upward for McCluggage, who would have to drop away significantly to not claim a spot in the final 22 this year. With Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale sidelined and/or hampered for almost the entire season so far, the 23-year-old McCluggage has stepped up to become the Lions’ prime mover. His inside game continues to develop strongly, but it’s still on the outside where he does most of his damage, and his impact on the Lions’ prolific scoring is underlined by his league-wide rankings in goal assists (second) and total score involvements (seventh). Undoubtedly a red-hot Brownlow chance.

In the mix – Many Lions could have claims on the Merrett-Murray Medal at this stage, including much-improved defender Brandon Starcevich, who has barely been beaten all year, and Zac Bailey, who has been at the epicentre of several major storylines. Jarryd Lyons has been in outstanding form, as has four-time winner Dayne Zorko, while Daniel Rich would also be a worthy winner in his 13th season.

Carlton – Sam Walsh
In just his third season at AFL level, and having only just clocked over 50 games, Walsh has become one of the genuine star midfielders of the competition and possibly his side’s best player. Where many of his teammates have stalled or dropped away, Walsh has continued to get better and better, and his consistency of performance in being among Carlton’s best every week will surely be rewarded on best-and-fairest night. As was foretold when he was drafted, he’s shown an ability to just get everything right – from the basics of footy, to the utterly miraculous at times. He currently sits seventh in uncontested possessions across the league, but is also top 20 in clearances, something that demonstrates his versatility and importance to the side.

In the mix – If it’s not Walsh in the middle, it will be one of the young key pillars at either end in Harry McKay and Jacob Weitering. McKay has been very consistent, kicking at least two goals in each game and leading the Coleman Medal, while Weitering sits comfortably among the AFL’s premier key defenders. Liam Jones has also played some really good footy down back, and Ed Curnow continues to be a solid contributor.

Collingwood – Jack Crisp
Crisp has stepped into a more prominent midfield role this season and has really made an impact, helping to fill the void left by those who were shipped off, have been out injured, or who may now be closer to the end than the beginning. In a side that has struggled to get the ball moving forward, Crisp sits 13th in the league for metres gained, with his long kicking and penchant for running in hard, straight lines a real asset for the Magpies this season. And with many of his more talented teammates unable to find consistent form, Crisp has contributed every single week, having only dropped below 20 disposals once all year. The fact that he never misses a game (he’s played 152 in a row) will also boost his Copeland Trophy chances.

In the mix – Darcy Moore has played brilliant games in defence, and even went alright playing as a forward for a couple of weeks, so should poll well. Brodie Grundy hasn’t been the consistent superstar of 2018-19, but he’s still played some really impactful footy and remains one of Collingwood’s best players, while Brodie Mihocek up forward and Jordan Roughead down back have also been important.

PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.

Essendon – Zach Merrett
Already a dual Crichton Medallist, Zach Merrett could join the likes of Jobe Watson and Graham Moss as a three-time winner if he continues his sensational form for the remainder of 2021. Out of contract at the end of the year, Merrett has responded to the increased scrutiny in the best way possible by returning to the elite form that saw him named an All-Australian at the age of just 21. With the emergence of a stronger midfield cohort than he’s had around him in many years, Merrett has been relieved of outright responsibility, and allowed to focus on what he does better than most. Currently he sits third in the league for uncontested possessions, fourth for inside 50s, and fifth in total disposals.

In the mix – The aforementioned midfield cohort, namely Darcy Parish and Andrew McGrath, have stepped up big time this year. Parish in particular, with his highly successful move to a permanent on-ball role, will be a strong contender in the best-and-fairest. Jordan Ridley started the season in wonderful nick and should take an early lead, while Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Jayden Laverde and Nick Hind have all been massive improvers.

Fremantle – Andrew Brayshaw
Brayshaw has picked up where he left off in the second half of last year, continuing his rise and becoming one of Fremantle’s most important players with his ball-winning ability and defensive pressure in and around the contest. His development in 2021 has been such that he’s copped a tag on several occasions, with opposition sides deciding to go after him ahead of more highly-credentialed teammates, and Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson even labelled him as the “best player in the competition” in the opening rounds. He missed the round 10 match with a calf injury, but his consistency over the first half of the year should mean that the absence won’t hurt his chances too much.

In the mix – The ageless David Mundy has enjoyed a beautiful renaissance season, and is deservedly sitting top 10 in the AFLCA Coaches Award. Sean Darcy is having a breakout campaign and has been Fremantle’s most influential player in several games, while Nat Fyfe and Adam Cerra have also performed well. Matt Taberner, with 27 goals, is another who could be in contention.

Geelong – Tom Stewart
Scooped out of the Cats’ VFL side just five years ago, Stewart is now one of, if not the premier versatile medium defender in the AFL. A neat kick and a prodigious reader of the play, the dependable backman has strengthened his already prominent aerial game this year and is regularly winning the ball back in the air and taking contested marks. As has been the case since 2018, Stewart just does not play a bad game, and hasn’t had less than 20 disposals in any game so far this season. He currently sits third in kicks, seventh in marks, and 12th in total intercepts, and is well on track to earn his third All-Australian nod in the last four years.

In the mix – Last year’s winner Cam Guthrie will be right up the top again and could easily be leading at this stage, having had more disposals and inside 50s than any other Cat, while Joel Selwood and Mitch Duncan have also been outstanding contributors in the midfield. Tom Hawkins and Mark Blicavs always find a way to have an impact, and the defence, in particular Lachie Henderson and Jack Henry, have held up well.

Gold Coast – Touk Miller
The Suns’ best-and-fairest award has only ever been won by six people, but the form of a number of Suns should mean that number is certainly extended at the end of the year. Miller, in his seventh season, has taken a big step forward and leads the way for the Suns in many major statistical categories, as well as being fifth in tackles and 11th in disposals per game across the competition. In a side that’s lacked leadership, Miller has become a reliable, committed and heart-and-soul talisman for the Suns, and his increased standing in the competition is reflected in the fact that he now sits fourth in the coaches’ votes, playing for a team that has only won four games for the year.

In the mix – Brandon Ellis has played some terrific footy on the wing, playing his role in ranking third in the league for marks and sixth for uncontested possessions. The talls at either end, namely Ben King and last year’s winner Sam Collins, have continued to impress, and Miller has been ably assisted on the inside by skipper David Swallow and tackling machine Hugh Greenwood.

GWS – Sam Taylor
With experienced defenders such as Phil Davis, Lachie Keeffe and last year’s Kevin Sheedy Medallist Nick Haynes falling down around him, Taylor has held the GWS backline together as the only recognised key defender in the side. A major reason for the Giants’ unexpected competitiveness this year, Taylor has taken on all the big jobs and not only claimed victory on almost every occasion, but has also developed his attacking edge and now seems to have a greater understanding around when to leave his man and intercept. In a miserable blow, Taylor is now expected to miss two months with an ankle injury. But, at only 22 years of age, the future is beaming.

In the mix – Toby Greene has further enhanced his credentials as the Giants’ best player, and would surely be leading the count up until his injury in round nine after a commanding start to the year. Josh Kelly is up and firing after an indifferent opening month, and the on-ball brigade of Callan Ward, Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto have played consistent, effective footy and should all be in with a big chance.

TOMORROW: Part II: Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast, Western Bulldogs