COLLINGWOOD has surprised observers with its impressive form, having posted road wins against Adelaide and Brisbane en route to a 4-3 record despite having missed key personnel.
A big reason for the Magpies' great start to the season has been the form of Adam Treloar and Brodie Grundy, who are ranked No.1 and 2 respectively in the Schick AFL Player Ratings over the past month.
WHO LEADS YOUR CLUB?: Check out the Schick AFL Player Ratings
In that time, Treloar has handballed more than anyone in the competition, possibly in response to his kicking woes.
He's also second for inside-50s, fourth for score involvements and is the only player in the AFL in the top-10 for both contested and uncontested possessions over that span.
Meanwhile, Grundy is fifth for score launches and eighth for groundball gets across the competition in the past month. Furthermore, he's had more disposals and tackles than any other ruckman in that time.
The unexpected No.1 Hawk
Many would assume the best-rated Hawthorn player is Tom Mitchell, the leading disposal-winner in the AFL. He comes in at No.19.
Perhaps surprisingly, there's a Hawk ahead of him: Ben McEvoy.
The former Saint was outstanding in 2017, when he started the year at No.125 before rising 85 spots by season's end.
In 2018, he retains the football better than any other ruck in the competition, averaging 8.2 disposals per turnover.
Is this the Tiger to tag?
Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin garner plenty of attention at Richmond, and rightfully so, but Kane Lambert might be the player North Melbourne needs Ben Jacobs to shut down on Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.
The unheralded Tiger has cracked the top 100 of the Player Ratings for the first time in his career, having moved into No.93 at the end of round seven.
After finishing third in the Tigers' best and fairest last year as they romped to the premiership, Lambert seems to have taken his game to another level. He put in a career-best performance on Anzac Day Eve, then topped that mark against Fremantle last week.
The former rookie is ranked No.12 in the competition over the past month.
The Player Ratings take into account an individual's past 40 games over a rolling two-year period.
