LOCKING away Dayne Zorko on a reported $2 million, four-year deal was some of the smartest money spent by the Brisbane Lions in recent times.
Why? In an era when plenty of onballers rack up cheap possessions, Zorko's touches count towards where it matters most – on the scoreboard.
For impact forward of centre, we expect plenty from goalkicking stars such as Robbie Gray, Patrick Dangerfield, Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Shuey and Luke Parker.
But Zorko has topped them all in 2016; no mean feat given the season the Lions have endured.
Among midfielders who average more than 20 disposals from at least 10 games this season, Zorko leads the AFL for score involvements (13.9 points per game) and average goals (1.2).
The zippy playmaker was electric in the first half against Carlton on Saturday, blitzing the Blues by racking up 19 touches, 10 inside 50s, three goals and four score assists.
His influence was quelled by Blaine Boekhorst's tag after the long break, but the Lions vice-captain still led his side to a drought-breaking win at the Gabba.
Zorko registered a monster 35.9 AFL Player Ratings points, the highest of any player in round 21, and 10th highest recorded since the rankings were introduced five years ago.
Our leaders stood up to the challenge
Zorko will play his 100th career game against Geelong on the weekend at the Gabba. Be there!
But he's not the only surprise among the competition's most damaging midfielders.
Jarryd Lyons didn't even start the season in Adelaide's senior team, and after coming in for round three was dropped four games later.
Reprieved against Gold Coast in round nine, the 24-year-old has been a revelation since.
Besides picking up some of the departed Dangerfield's slack by averaging 21.8 possessions a game, Lyons has also become part facilitator and finisher (0.9 goals) in the club's dangerous forward line.
Lyons, taken at a lowly pick 61 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, contributes nearly two goals (11.9 points) scoreboard impact per game for the Crows – rivaling Dangerfield (12.1) at the Cats and bettering Bontempelli (11.1) for the Dogs.
But while kicking goals and setting them up can make a good onballer great, it doesn't always separate stars from the rest.
Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell hasn't kicked a goal so far this season for the first time in his illustrious 15-year career and only averages 3.8 points scoreboard impact (an individual player's scores and score assists combined).
West Coast clearance machine Matt Priddis has barely troubled the scorers (0.2 goals per game, four points scoreboard impact) and either has Fremantle skipper David Mundy (0.3, 3.8) or ball magnet Lachie Neale (0.3, 3.5) in the Dockers' annus horribilis.
STATS QUIRK OF THE WEEK: Round 21 was the first time in AFL history five games in the same round were decided by a goal or less.
