If Jarryd Lyons was a cocktail bartender you’d call him Mr Consistent.
Week after week, season after season the Lions midfielder gets the job done.
In his third season at the Club, Lyons claimed his third top three finish in the Merrett-Murray medal and his first selection in the preliminary 40 man All-Australian squad.
He reached the 150 game milestone this season and celebrated with a new deal that ties him to the Lions until the end of 2024.
The 29-year-old gathered a career high 674 disposals in 2021 at an average of 28 a game. And there were some big days out along the way.
He thrived in the cold, inhospitable venues where every possession is hard earned gathering 38 against Hawthorn in Launceston and 36 against the Kangaroos in Hobart.
He also loves playing against his former club the Gold Coast Suns and took home the Marcus Ashcroft medal for best on ground in both QClashes in 2021.
However, although a proven ball winner, the secret to his success is doing the basics well every week.
The stats back that up.
He ranked in the top 10 across the AFL in eight statistical categories, including the midfielders’ bread and butter - contested possessions and clearances.
And to demonstrate he is more than a possession hunter, he also laid the third most tackles in the AFL and was fourth for pressure acts.
Standout Performance: JL Dominates in Tassie
For a player as consistent as Jarryd Lyons, there were a number of games we could choose from.
The sleeting cold of Hobart couldn't restrict Lyons' impact in Round 14 though, where he put on an absolute clinic.
A casual 36 disposal performance from the inside midfielder, coupled with 12 tackles and 6 marks saw him dominate in a hostile environment.
The impressive part however, is that none of those stats are season highs.
Lyons finished with 38 disposals against Hawthorn in Round 20, one touch away from a career high.
In the Lions thrilling Round 23 win against West Coast, 'JL' set a new career high for tackles, racking up 14 tackles along with a vital goal.
Season Averages
Disposals - 28.1 (Above-Average)
Kicks - 16.5 (Elite)
Marks - 5 (Above-Average)
Tackles - 6.4 (Elite)
Total Clearances - 6.2 (Above-Average)
