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Andrew Slevison, Lachlan Geleit & Jaiden Sciberras • May 13th, 2025 6:49 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 9 performances.
Put your Binns out
There have been some Carlton fans asking about Jaxon Binns for some time.
During the 2024 season there was a groundswell of support for Binns who was tearing it up in the VFL.
His state league form to start 2025 has been solid and he received the long-awaited call-up for his fourth AFL appearance for the Round 9 Friday night clash with St Kilda.
Binns kicked a lovely goal on his way to a career-high 22 disposals and nine contested possessions. He also had five intercepts and five score involvements in a well-rounded showing.
The Binns were put out, and although his ball use was at times untidy, it was a good foundation to springboard from.
Corey ‘Tag’ner
Corey Wagner did everything in his power to get Fremantle over the line last Thursday night.
Wagner paid close attention to Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos and come out on top in the individual battle.
While Daicos did spend plenty of time forward and did influence the game in the third quarter, Wagner achieved what he set out to by minimising the impact.
His efforts did not lead to a Freo win, but he did what only three other teams (not including his injury) have done in Daicos’ 79-game career - kept him to less than 20 disposals.
Banks pays out
Sam Banks produced the best performance of his 29-game career in Richmond’s third win of the season over West Coast.
The Tasmanian played a pivotal role with a career-high 28 disposals in an outing that included six marks, five inside 50s and five rebound 50s.
Banks had 25 effective disposals, 19 kicks at 89 per cent efficiency and 660 metres gained which is also a career high.
He was rewarded with nine coaches votes, so it’s clear that Adem Yze and Andrew McQualter didn’t miss his display.
The 22-year-old can still work on his physicality but his outside run and distribution was at its very best on Sunday at the MCG.
The Great Wall of JOD
James O'Donnell has been a revelation for the Dogs in the back half.
Trialled on either side of the ground, O'Donnell seems to have found his hone in the back 50, filling the absence of Liam Jones in flawless fashion.
Within the Dogs' contest against the Suns, J.O.D managed 18 disposals at near 90 per cent, with 11 marks and a ridiculous 12 intercept possessions.
Playing in 100 per cent of game time, the 22-year-old is beginning to establish himself as a lock for first team football.
An area traditionally lacking for the Bulldogs, O'Donnell may be the answer for their defensive key stock woes.
Riccardi downs Cats
With the game hanging in the balance, Jake Riccardi stepped up to grasp his opportunity with both hands, booting the go-ahead goal to see the Giants take down the Cats.
The namesake of Geelong champion, Peter, haunted the blue and white hoops at GMHBA Stadium.
But it wasn’t just his last-gasp winner that deserves credit.
The forward spent a lot of his afternoon playing as the Giants’ rotational ruckman and held his own firmly, winning nine hit-outs and three clearances out of position.
In the new-look role, Riccardi amassed 17 touches at good efficiency, managed three intercepts, two direct score assists and nine score involvements.
He allowed Jesse Hogan to roam free and do most of the damage, and his selfless efforts helped his team win the game.
If the 25-year-old can continue this sort of form, there’s no limit to what GWS can achieve this year.
Dyl! Dyl! Dyl!
Although delayed, the forgotten top-five talent from 2019 has started to spread his wings in new colours.
Dylan Stephens has reached a new level for North Melbourne this season, and Round 9 was no different. The 24-year-old is becoming a vital cog for the Roos, with 22 disposals and a goal in almost 90 per cent game time.
Finding his feet on the wing, Stephens has discovered some strong form, entering their clash with Brisbane off the back of a solid 25-disposal outing against the Bombers.
The perfect example that not all growth is linear, the former fifth overall pick deserves immense credit for continuing to chip away at his craft.
Come on down Peter… oh wait… Billy Frampton!
Collingwood defender Billy Frampton has been sneaky good in 2025, and his best game of the season probably came against the Dockers in Round 9.
The Magpies relied on their defence to get the job done as they gave up 62 inside 50s while creating just 34 of their own.
While the forwards have been credited for their efficiency, the backline also deserves a huge shoutout for how they stood up and no one was more important than Frampton.
An equal-game-high eight intercepts, nine marks, three intercept marks and 15 disposals while doing a big defensive shift. The premiership Pie deserves some acknowledgement for that performance.
