Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Unheralded: The players who deserve more credit for Round 13
Andrew Slevison & Jaiden Sciberras • June 10th, 2025 6:21 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 13 performances.
Big Sav & Dante's inferno
He’s been much maligned over the course of his career, so we felt like Esava Ratugolea should be recognised for his performance in Port’s stirring away win over the Giants.
The key defender was one of the Power’s very best in the grinding win, finishing with 18 disposals, seven marks (two contested) and four rebound 50s.
He was influential as an intercept player, drawing in 12 intercept possessions - the fourth most across the round - and frequently keeping Giants’ attacking forays at bay.
Another unheralded Power player in their upset victory was ruckman Dante Visentini.
At times a little untidy with his disposal, Visentini’s presence around the contest was paramount for his side.
Up against Nicholas Madden, the 22-year-old Vistentini finished the game with 30 hit-outs, 12 disposals, six clearances (only Zak Butters had more), and a game-high six score involvements.
It was by no means a classic ruck performance, but it was certainly solid enough for a 10th gamer.
The industry of Geelong
Geelong’s stars like Bailey Smith, Patrick Dangerfield, Max Holmes and Jeremy Cameron generally hog the headlines, but there should be some love reserved for midfield pair Mark O’Connor and Tom Atkins.
Irishman O’Connor produced arguably his best performance of the season against the Suns with 21 disposals, seven clearances, an equal team and game-high seven inside 50s, and a team-high 10 tackles, including 14 contested possessions.
He and Atkins did the lion’s share of the hard work in and around the stoppage, with Atkins contributing 23 touches, 16 contested possessions, eight clearances and seven tackles (three inside 50s).
Holmes was best afield with 40 disposals but that might not have been possible if not for the industry, tenacity and selflessness of O’Connor and Atkins.
Stingy Harry
In the middle of a tough season for West Coast, there have been a few shining lights.
One of those is emerging defender Harry Edwards who did everything he could to get the Eagles over the line in their eventual narrow loss to North in Bunbury.
Edwards made it a tough afternoon for Nick Larkey, holding the star Roo goalless for the first time in 2025.
The 24-year-old Edwards ended the day with a game-high 13 intercept possessions - the third highest for the round - plus 12 touches, a game-best five intercept marks (including four contested), five tackles, three spoils and even got forward to provide three inside 50s.
The Eagles have had their fair share of downs in 2025 but the development of Edwards has certainly been one major up.
Doing the Duurty work
Despite the Bombers falling short, the efforts of Xavier Duursma cannot be understated.
Attacking every possible contest, the 24-year-old played with no care for his physical health, launching himself at every loose ball and covering the ground like no other.
The stand-out factor of Duursma’s game was the fact that very rarely was he rewarded for his efforts. On several occasions, Duursma flew for an air ball, laid a tackle and followed up with multiple efforts without immense success.
Thatbeing said, it was those hearty efforts that operated as a barometer for the Bombers in their quest to charge down the Blues’ lead.
Finishing with 20 touches, five intercepts, a goal, a dislocated shoulder and a relocated shoulder, Essendon fans should be very proud of Duursma’s efforts across the night.
