WHO IS the player at your club to have made the biggest gains in 2018? Our writers look at the most improved player from all 18 clubs, and who else was in contention.

Wayne Milera

The third-year player has found his spot across half-back after struggling to cement a regular spot in the team. Milera's ability to read the play, hit targets by foot, his turn of pace and sound decision-making under pressure have made him a valuable asset. He gives the Crows' backline an attacking weapon and has been important in the absence of the injured Brodie Smith. Milera – the No.11 overall pick in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft – looks to be an important piece going forward.

Milera's best game in 2018

R6 v Gold Coast. Milera was instrumental for the Crows with a career-high 33-disposals in their 48-point win over the Suns at Metricon Stadium.

Other contenders

Tom Doedee, Hugh Greenwood. – Lee Gaskin

Darcy Gardiner

This decision was a no-brainer. For the first time in his five-year career Gardiner completed an entire pre-season, and the improvement has followed. Always known for his aggressive, never-say-die defensive attitude, Gardiner has added some strings to his bow in 2018. Initially suited to taking on the opposition's third tall forward, the 23-year-old has taken down the likes of Lance Franklin and Jeremy Cameron this season and proved he can play on almost any type of forward. Gardiner has also learned to intercept mark and has become more and more involved offensively as the season has progressed.

Gardiner's best game in 2018

R10 v Sydney. The greasy conditions helped, but any time you keep Franklin to a solitary goal is a huge win.

Other contenders

Tom Cutler, Hugh McCluggage, Oscar McInerney, Nick Robertson. – Michael Whiting

Darcy Gardiner has claimed several big scalps this season. Picture: AFL Photos





Zac Fisher

Having been pushed into the midfield on a permanent basis in 2018, Fisher has emerged as one of Carlton's brightest young talents. He's gifted with a high footy IQ that enables him time in congestion and a natural ability to hit targets with smart kicks on his left foot. He's also a natural ball winner, averaging a tick under 20 disposals per game in his 17 matches this season. Unfortunately, a leg injury will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, but the Blues have already seen enough from Fisher in 2018 to know he's going to be a consistent long-term performer.

Fisher's best game in 2018

R5 v West Coast: Fisher was among Carlton's best in a narrow 10-point loss to West Coast, winning 27 disposals and kicking a goal. He also had four clearances and laid four tackles.

Other contenders

Paddy Dow, Matthew Kennedy, Charlie Curnow. - Riley Beveridge

Tom Phillips

The left-footed wingman made steady progress in his first two seasons at the Holden Centre but this year he has made a quantum leap to prominence in the Magpies' star-studded midfield. The 22-year-old entered All Australian calculations mid-season after a purple patch that was briefly interrupted by a bout of concussion. Though his consistency has been a feature, he plateaued a little before returning to his best with 33 touches in the loss to Richmond at the weekend. The Pies' best endurance runner, he competes hard in the air and on the ground, uses the ball well and kicks goals.

Phillips' best game in 2018

R11 v Fremantle. Produced almost the complete midfield performance, gathering 36 possessions (12 contested) and six clearances and capped off his work with three second-half goals in the space of just 25 minutes.

Other contenders

Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey, Brodie Grundy, Matthew Scharenberg, Josh Thomas. - Ben Collins

Tom Phillips has made giant strides this season for the Pies. Picture: AFL Photos





Kyle Langford

Langford has been made to earn his place in Essendon's midfield, but now that he's there looks set for a permanent stay. Langford, who joined the Bombers as a first-round draft pick in 2014, started his career as a half-forward. But after coach John Worsfold identified his future as a tall and strong inside midfielder, Langford went back to the VFL to work on his craft. He played the first two games of this season before being dropped again, but he returned in round nine and has played every game since, including some strong wins against the Eagles, Kangaroos and the Suns. Langford suffered a case of whiplash late in the Bombers' win over Sydney last Friday but is expected to play this week against Hawthorn.

Langford's best game in 2018

R17 v Gold Coast. Langford had a career-high 26 disposals against the Suns and 10 inside-50s as Essendon notched up a win on the road.

Other contenders

Shaun McKernan. - Callum Twomey

Ed Langdon

There were promising signs from Langdon last season before a knee problem which he tried to play through forced him into surgery and cut his campaign short at round 11. The 22-year-old has come on in leaps and bounds this year, playing some scintillating football at Optus Stadium especially, where his pace and gut-running ability have made him a weapon on the wider expanses. Langdon's form was particularly pleasing given fellow wingman Bradley Hill was out of action for 12 matches and his proven ability to hit the scoreboard should develop as Fremantle's youthful line-up becomes a more dangerous team.

Langdon's best game in 2018

R6 v West Coast. If the Dockers had managed to get over the line they would have owed plenty to Langdon, who carved the Eagles up with 26 disposals and two goals.

Other contenders

Luke Ryan, Matt Taberner (if he stayed fit). - Travis King

Ed Langdon had a day out when Freo lost to West Coast in round six. Picture: AFL Photos





Tom Stewart

It's hard to believe Stewart is just 39 games into his AFL career. In his second season, the mature-age recruit has stood up in the absence of key players. Playing alongside Tom Lonergan, Andrew Mackie (retired), Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson in his debut last year, Stewart has carried the load without all four for much of the season. After proving he can play small or tall in 2017, he has added offensive flair to his game this season, taking the game on while being released as Geelong's spare in defence. He's averaging six more disposals, three more rebound 50s and 110 more metres gained per match in 2018.

Stewart's best game in 2018

R8 v Collingwood. Stewart repelled everything in defence, keeping the Pies to just five majors. Collected a career-high 28 disposals and 12 contested possessions.

Other contenders Mark Blicavs, Jordan Cunico, Jack Henry, Rhys Stanley. – Mitch Cleary

Lachie Weller

Big things were expected of Weller after the Suns paid a heavy price to lure him from Fremantle, and after a slow start, the speedy utility has started to deliver. Weller showed promise in his three seasons at the Dockers, but not finishing in the top-10 of any best and fairest – despite playing 22 games in each of the past two seasons – he has clearly improved in his time at Carrara. Weller was always brave and ran hard both ways, but as the season has worn on, the 22-year-old has showed his willingness to run and carry and break the lines with both his leg and his boot. Starting at half-back, he has also played valuable minutes on the wing and in the midfield.

Weller's best game in 2018

R18 v Sydney. With his team trailing by five goals at quarter-time, Weller helped turn the tide with his 23 disposals and two booming goals from outside 50.

Other contenders

Charlie Ballard, Rory Thompson. – Michael Whiting

Lachie Weller played a big role in the Suns' SCG surprise over Sydney. Picture: AFL Photos





Lachie Whitfield

The former number one draft pick hasn't just filled the hole left by the injured Zac Williams, he's excelled in his unfamiliar position across half back. Whitfield has averaged a career-high 27.2 disposals while playing all 18 matches this season, and is ranked fourth in the competition for uncontested possessions (20.6). With his outstanding running ability and brilliant foot skills on either side of his body, the 24-year-old is one of the Giants' best offensive weapons, and his form has him in All Australian contention.

Whitfield's best game in 2018

R17 v Richmond, when he finished the win with 35 touches, 12 marks, six tackles and six rebound 50s.

Other contenders

Aidan Corr, Jeremy Finlayson, Harry Himmelberg. – Adam Curley

Blake Hardwick

One of Alastair Clarkson's most inspired moves during the challenging 2017 season was to move erstwhile forward Hardwick to the backline. It was made out of necessity and Hardwick showed glimpses, but he has come on superbly this year with his precision kicking out of defence, ability to read the play and his adaptability. He is comfortable playing both small and tall, and his 83.5 per cent disposal efficiency is the best among Hawthorn's regular senior players. Hardwick wears No.15 for a reason, and he has helped fill the gap left by Luke Hodge's departure.

Hardwick’s best game in 2018

R18 v Carlton. It was an important game for the Hawks after the debacle against Brisbane, and with 23 touches and seven marks, Hardwick led the way with hard running from defence that set up numerous attacking moves.

Other contenders

Luke Breust, James Sicily, Ben Stratton. – Ashley Browne

Blake Hardwick isn't one to waste a disposal. Picture: AFL Photos





Angus Brayshaw

The hard-at-it midfielder always had the talent, but four concussions in the space of 12 months put his career in jeopardy. The Demons worked with Brayshaw to rebuild his confidence and altered the way he approached contests – teaching him to avoid leading with his head and putting himself in vulnerable positions. Unexpectedly to some, Brayshaw spent the first month of the year in the VFL ironing out some inconsistencies in his game, but since then has become a central part of Melbourne's midfield. The No.3 pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft is averaging a career-high 26.5 disposals and four clearances per game. Signed a new four-year deal last week to underline his importance to Melbourne's side.

Brayshaw's best game in 2018

R10 v Adelaide. Brayshaw was best afield with 37 disposals and three goals in the Demons' 91-point hammering of the Crows.

Others contenders

James Harmes, Oscar McDonald, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham, Clayton Oliver. - Ben Guthrie

Majak Daw

Daw's injury woes were only part of what prevented him thriving at AFL level before this year. There was doubt about whether he was more than just a tease capable of the odd good performance among several underwhelming ones. But North hatched a pre-Christmas plan to transform the forward-ruck into a defender – and the results are impressive. Daw is on track to play double the number of games as in any of his other seasons, and his overhead marking has complemented Robbie Tarrant and Scott Thompson down back. He ranks equal-18th in the competition and No.1 at the Roos for average intercept marks (2.4) among those to play double-digit games in 2018.

Daw's best game in 2018

R19 v West Coast. Daw was telling late against the Bulldogs in round 14 and booted nine goals in 10 quarters up forward through rounds 16 and 18, but it was his return to defence against the Eagles that stands out. Daw won a season-high 17 disposals, took seven marks, including four off opposition kicks, and had 10 spoils.

Other contenders

Jed Anderson, Jy Simpkin, Cameron Zurhaar. – Marc McGowan

Majak Daw has found a home down back for the Roos. Picture: AFL Photos





Jared Polec

The 25-year-old outside runner is having the best season of his eight-year AFL career. Polec is averaging a career-high 25.2 disposals per game (up from 22.3 last year). He's also taken 4.7 marks per game and has 2.9 rebound 50s per game, both career-bests as well. Polec is fifth in the League for metres gained and seventh for total kicks. He can still make the odd mistake by foot, but he's far from the only Power player to be guilty of that. Polec's run and carry on the wing is an important complement to the Power's array of big-bodied inside midfielders.

Polec's best game in 2018

R6 v North Melbourne. Polec turned in an outstanding performance, racking up 34 disposals and laying 12 tackles in the Power's 33-point win against the Kangaroos.

Other contenders

Dougal Howard, Dan Houston, Tom Jonas, Justin Westhoff. – Lee Gaskin

Jayden Short

Stung by his omission from the team just before finals last year, Short did all he could over summer to make sure he became a permanent part of the 22. It's no wonder he's ranked first in the competition for metres gained, given his precise kicking skills and ability to complement his one-on-one work with offence. He has not only shut down the likes of Luke Breust, Ben Ronke and Jade Gresham, he's shown he can streak forward and be a factor in attack too, having snared nine goals for the year as well as 62 inside 50s.

Short's best game in 2018

R19 v Collingwood. Until the weekend, his best was against Port Adelaide in round 12, but his two goals from 19 touches gave his performance against the Magpies the edge. He took the ball forward 549m, which was less than the 652m he contributed in the loss to the Power, but he troubled the Pies more especially with his pair of 50m goals when teammates dished off handballs while lining up for set shots.

Others contenders

Josh Caddy, Reece Conca, Kane Lambert. - Jennifer Phelan

Jayden Short's booming right boot has become a weapon for Richmond. Picture: AFL Photos





Jimmy Webster

Everything seems to have clicked for the tough defender this year, except on the injury front. A right groin on two different occasions has kept him out for three games so far, while he missed another couple with a hip flexor issue. When he's played, the left-footer has been fantastic. Webster doesn't shirk a contest, as he showed when he went back with the flight against Melbourne in round seven, while his elite kicking skills have been pivotal. Had the 25-year-old not been sidelined, he might have won the Saints' best and fairest.

Webster's best game in 2018

R8 v Fremantle. With Jake Carlisle concussed in the second quarter, Webster stood up and collected 31 disposals and eight rebound-50s.

Other contenders

Jade Gresham, Daniel McKenzie, Jack Steele. – Dinny Navaratnam

Ben Ronke

The speedy second-year small forward was a shock debutant against Geelong in round six, but showed in the Swans' thrilling comeback win why coach John Longmire had plucked him from the NEAFL. Ronke's forward pressure is outstanding and he laid 20 tackles in his first three games, but his goalkicking has been the biggest surprise. Ronke's 7.0 against Hawthorn in round eight stunned the footy world, but he's been a consistent performer in each of his 13 games this year. Has 22 goals for the season to be third in Sydney's goalkicking.

Ronke's best game in 2018

R8 v Hawthorn, when Ronke's amazing seven-goal haul to go with 10 tackles made him an instant star on the Friday night stage.

Other contenders

Aliir Aliir, Oliver Florent, Callum Sinclair. – Adam Curley

Tom Cole

Family tragedy when his father passed away on the eve of the season delayed Cole's start to the campaign but despite the Eagles' barnstorming 10-1 run he forced his way into the line-up by round five and has played every game since. The 21-year-old has managed only six appearances in his first two seasons on the list but is developing a reputation as an excellent lockdown defender on dangerous small forwards who can intercept mark and take the game on when the opportunity arises. Cole is tough in the mould of Brad Sheppard and looks his natural heir apparent.

Cole's best game in 2018

R19 v North Melbourne. It wasn't a great day for the Eagles but Cole did his best to hold back the tide with 11 intercepts, 18 disposals and five rebound 50s to earn the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

Other contenders

Jack Darling, Jack Redden. - Travis King

Tom Cole has become a permanent fixture in West Coast's backline. Picture: AFL Photos





Billy Gowers

The hard-running forward failed to play a game in two seasons on Carlton's rookie list and spent last season with Footscray in the VFL, but the 22-year-old hasn't wasted a second chance at the top level. The rookie debuted in round one and held his spot through impressive performances until round 17 before an ankle injury sidelined him. Standing at 187cm, Gowers has a burst of speed, a strong appetite for tackling, is competent overhead and leads the Dogs' goalkicking with 21 majors. Expect Gowers to earn a two-year contract before the season is out.

Gowers' best game in 2018

R14 v North Melbourne. In the loss to the Kangaroos, Gowers was a standout with a career-best three goals and 22 disposals. The performance earned him a spot in Kane Cornes' Accor Team Of The Week.

Others contenders Josh Dunkley, Bailey Williams, Josh Schache. - Ryan Davidson