The Undroppables: Who's the key to playing in Round 19?

The Undroppable. The category of footballers we created.

Definition: A fringe or developing AFL player who performs well enough to maintain their place in the side for the following week.

Throughout the season, we’ll be keeping an eye on players who take their chances on the team and do enough to lock themselves in in the next round.

Check out our nominations from Round 18 below:

Noah Cumberland (Richmond)

It may have been a game to forget for Richmond, but Noah Cumberland’s performance should not be overlooked.

The 21-year-old forward has only played his second AFL game (excluding those spent as medi-sub) and made a useful return on the 3.4 scoreboard.

Yes, he is a little inefficient in front of goal, however, he managed to score seven shots in a game at AFL level which is not easy to do.

Cumberland also racked up 14 releases, had 11 scoring engagements (second only to Jack Riewoldt’s 12), the same team high seven in the 50s and four tackles, drawing three coach votes for his troubles.

He was the key to Fremantle on Friday night.

Andrew Slevison

Rhys Mathieson (Brisbane)

Mathieson is playing his first senior game in 2022 after averaging 38.5 releases and 11 clearances in the NEAFL over the past month.

The 25-year-old, an unused substitute against Essendon the previous week, grabbed his chances with both hands.

Mathieson activated beast mode in Brisbane’s 40-point win over GWS on Saturday, racking up 23 highs and 10 hauls in the game, earning four coach votes for his efforts.

The 64-match lion will look to further cement his place in the team against the Gold Coast this week with the final just around the corner.

Alex Zaia

Robbie Fox (Sydney)

Since returning to the Sydney side in Round 15, Robbie Fox has basically made himself invincible.

He was an unused medi-sub in Round 11, cooled in Round 12 and then eliminated before a Round 14 win over Port Adelaide.

Fox has averaged 20.75 releases and seven points in his last four games as a defender, culminating in 24 touches and 13 points in the weekend win over Fremantle.

He also has an average of 5.5 intercepting possessions and 11.5 pressure actions in that time.

Fox, 29, has been a regular in John Longmire’s back line in the best form of his career to date.

Andrew Slevison

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Josh Ward (Hawthorn)

Lifelong Hawthorn fan Josh Ward landed on the Hawks with much hype, having been picked up at pick seven in last year’s draft.

The teenager started brilliantly, playing the first eight weeks of the season before returning to the VFL to continue coaching his game.

He has since returned to the team and has been out of his best for the club, finding the ball on 34 occasions against the West Coast while also making five tackles.

Coming from a Rising Star nominee, look for Ward to finish the 2022 season playing strong mostly on the flanks.

Laurence Rosen

Jaidyn Stephenson (North Melbourne)

Jaidyn Stephenson played one of his best games for North Melbourne at the weekend.

After overcoming the heat for a poor performance against former club Collingwood, Stephenson was crucial in his side’s win over Richmond.

With many requests for Stephenson to be dropped, the 23-year-old looked like a different player, racking up 23 releases with 87 per cent efficiency, 835 yards and one goal.

For someone who receives a lot of criticism, Stephenson reminds Kangaroo fans why they took him in the high-profile trade of the Magpies.

North Melbourne were a much better team when Stephenson was fit and playing well, he was key to playing against Hawthorn in Round 19.

Hugh Fitzpatrick

Ash Johnson (Collingwood)

Collingwood forward Ash Johnson was solid on his debut against the Crows, hitting 2.1 and making an impact with 11 releases.

While he doesn’t make the world shine, Johnson’s efforts on the wet court cannot be underestimated as his skill at 193cm is far better suited to the dry deck.

Even though the man he replaced at Ollie Henry scored four goals at VFL level, Johnson had to retain his place in the team because of his ability to play as a bail-out option and for his continued work (something that might have kept Henry out of the game). ).

With an excellent jump and clean hands, Collingwood will be interested to see what they can get out of the former mid-season conscript against Essendon.

He deserves at least one more match at senior level to prove his worth.

Lachlan Geleit

Lachlan Murphy (Adelaide)

Small forward Adelaide Lachlan Murphy had his most prolific game in front of goal this year against Collingwood, scoring 3.1 in a solid game.

Prior to last Saturday, Murphy had not kicked multiple majors in a single outing in 2022 and the Crows would expect more of the same from the 23-year-old.

On his four goalscoring shots, Murphy provided a goal assist in a performance that helped the Crows hold on until the end.

Having been dropped twice in the last month, hope Murphy retains his place for Adelaide’s Round 19 clash against Sydney at SCG.

Lachlan Geleit

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