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Unheralded: The players who deserve more credit for Round 11
Andrew Slevison, Lachlan Geleit & Jaiden Sciberras • May 26th, 2025 6:50 pm
We always know who the stars are in a particular game.
But what about those who played a pivotal defensive role or were influential without stuffing the stat sheet? They may have had an important assignment or have simply just flown under the radar.
These players might be spoken about amongst the supporters of their clubs, but not discussed as widely around the competition.
Below are the players we believe deserve more credit for their Round 11 performances.
Brock wall
Sandy Brock experienced a baptism of fire in his AFL debut for West Coast against GWS in Round 4.
Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan helped himself to nine goals on the former Gold Coast listed defender in what was a rude awakening.
But instead of being demoralised by the outcome, 22-year-old Brock has fought back strongly, conceding just one goal to a direct opponent in four matches since.
That goal came on Darcy Fogarty in the last quarter of his side’s eventual 66-point loss to the Crows in Adelaide on Sunday.
Brock had an equal team-high seven spoils and a team-high three intercept marks in just his fifth AFL appearance.
It’s a tough job playing key defence for the bottom team that leaks inside 50s, but Brock has held up fairly well since his first-game mauling.
Berry nice
That was Sam Berry’s best game for quite some time.
Used as the sub on four occasions prior in 2025, the midfielder took his opportunity in Adelaide's big win over the Eagles.
He put up a career-high 26 touches at near 81 per cent efficiency, using the ball cleverly in the windy conditions.
To go along with those numbers he had an equal game-high nine tackles plus seven score involvements, four clearances, a goal assistant and a goal.
Berry has struggled for opportunities in 2025 but he took this one with both hands, putting himself right under the nose of Matthew Nicks.
Zoomer Harvey
Harvey Thomas’ performance against the Blues was arguably the best of his 29-game career.
The 19-year-old was dynamic for the Giants, consistently finding ways to stay involved in his unique high half-forward role.
20 disposals at good efficiency, seven score involvements, four intercepts and a goal assist, Thomas has all the potential to mould his game on teammate Toby Greene. Or even the great Brent 'Boomer' Harvey.
Beyond Thomas, GWS’ win was a showing of depth, with a number of under-the-radar Giants performing very well.
Xavier O’Halloran played a major role through the midfield, claiming nine score involvements, four clearances and seven tackles, while three goals each for Callum Brown and Jake Riccardi made all the difference going forward.
50 shades of Gray
Promoted into the senior side in the absence of Noah Balta, Richmond’s Campbell Gray showed plenty of promise in the Tigers clash with Essendon.
Playing deep in the back half, Gray was prominent in battle with the talented Nate Caddy, holding the key forward to just one mark and one goal, collecting six marks and six intercepts of his own.
The 22-year-old has been resolute in his first two appearances at the top level, proving a shrewd mid-season selection out of Essendon's VFL side.
No Pies veterans, no worries
With all of Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell out of Collingwood’s side against North Melbourne, the Magpies were missing plenty of experience on-ball.
Obviously, Nick Daicos is the man for the Pies in the centre, but he was supported by his younger midfield teammates on Saturday instead of his senior colleagues.
Fellow 22-year-old Ned Long was everywhere, and he’s quickly becoming highly rated with his huge 29-disposal, 15-score involvement, 14-tackle outing.
But it wasn’t only Long who shone, with 20-year-old Ed Allan picking up 24 touches on the outside. Beau McCreery also attended 22 per cent of centre bounces and was impressive throughout the match.
While the Pies no doubt rely on their older stars, the younger crop – particularly the 22 and under midfield trio of Daicos, Long and Allan – could be a real force on-ball in years to come.
Jeffrey the weapon
Joel Jeffrey is an underrated footballer.
There are plenty of stars in the Suns lineup so the 38-gamer often flies under the radar.
Now, we’re not saying he’s at the same level as the likes of Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell and Touk Miller, but he is a more than handy player.
In Sunday’s win over St Kilda, Jeffrey played off half-back and amassed 27 touches at 81 per cent efficiency with 703 metres gained (only Anderson took more territory for the Suns).
Jeffrey, 23, also had eight intercepts (second to Sam Collins’ nine), a team-high seven rebound 50s, plus five score involvements and four tackles.
Damien Hardwick has some quality ball movers in defence highlighted by off-season recruits Daniel Rioli and John Noble.
Throw in Jeffrey and there are some serious weapons out of the back half as they launch their first premiership assault.
