Is this the competition's most underrated player?

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THERE'S a top-five player in the competition not receiving anywhere near the level of recognition he deserves for his performances this season.

Coming into round 16, Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae has recorded the fifth-highest average Official AFL Player Ratings points for players who have appeared in at least 10 games this year.

The only four ahead of Macrae are Nat Fyfe, Patrick Cripps, Max Gawn and Marcus Bontempelli.

They are all names regularly discussed as being among the AFL's elite, but Macrae is never mentioned in that conversation.

There are several reasons to think that's a mistake. Take a look at where the Bulldog ranks in several crucial categories (all rankings are based on averages):

2 for crumbing possessions (ball won at ground level after a marking contest, when Macrae wasn't involved in the original aerial contest)

3 for effective disposals (kicks under 40m that hit the target, kicks over 40m that go to a 50/50 contest or better for the Dogs, and handballs that hit the target)

3 for assisted metres gained (metres gained by the player Macrae passed to)

4 for score assists (create a score by directly passing the football to a fellow Bulldog, whether via a disposal, knock-on, kick off the ground, hitout or when Macrae has won a free kick but someone else takes the advantage and scores)

5 for ground ball gets (contested possessions won at ground level, excluding free kicks)

The numbers are exceptional, which is ironic because Macrae's impact often flies under the radar.

Player Ratings is a measure that uses a variety of stats to come up with a score determining how well someone has performed.

Top 10 players this season (determined by average Player Ratings score, minimum 10 games)

• Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
• Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
• Max Gawn (Melbourne)
• Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
• Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
• Luke Parker (Sydney)
• Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
• Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
• Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
• Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)

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Happy to take bets that the AA geniuses still don't pick him. He's also had the most 30+ disposal games in the last two years.

You'd barely survive a drinking game if you had to go every time the word 'underrated' was appended to Jacko's name.

GUN. And our consistently best player since the flag. Underrate him at your peril.

Underrated and unobtrusive are almost always in sentences about Jackson. He is a gem, and he may be under appreciated by those outside the club but watching him every week is a real pleasure.

Watch the game and you won’t see him. Watch him and you’ll see the whole game.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rocket Science

You'd barely survive a drinking game if you had to go every time the word 'underrated' was appended to Jacko's name.

GUN. And our consistently best player since the flag. Underrate him at your peril.

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Like "3 time Brownlow medalist" Bobby Simpson.

Another 30 possession game v Geelong

I've never seen a player that can change the direction of a segment of play like Jacko can. He can slice the field up by left or right foot kicking, and that's just the start of it. His ability to win he footy in close and bring others into the game is out of control.

Put a couple through the sticks and he'll get his deserved recognition.

They didn't even mention the best part of his game that was completely absent when he was drafted. He had to learn it.

When he has the ball under pressure he waits and extra half-second to release it to take the hit from the opponent making sure they are out of the play. It shows a level of care to his teammates and allows other guys more space. Selfless in a lot of respects.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ledge

Another 30 possession game v Geelong

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Last 4 weeks - 37 disposals vs Carlton, 42 vs Collingwood, 36 vs Port Adelaide, 34 v Geelong

Quote:

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Originally Posted by comrade

Watch the game and you won’t see him. Watch him and you’ll see the whole game.

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I like this statement :)