Wayne Milera Junior took his game to new heights in 2018 with a switch from the forward line to half-back leading to a breakout year for the 2017 Mark Bickley Emerging Talent award winner.

The former forward ranked fourth at Adelaide for rebound 50s with 53 and eighth for inside 50s with 47.

He had a standout game in Round Six against Gold Coast and continued to improve as a defender from week-to-week, while using his attacking smarts to take the game on.

WATCH: The life of Wayne

The 21-year-old was a human highlight reel courtesy of his ability to duck, weave and break through packs with apparent ease.

Milera’s impressive year earned him a selection in initial AFL Players’ Association 22under22 squad for 2018.

He also recorded his first career Brownlow votes at Monday night’s count.

Q: Can we get the Sir David Attenborough audio from that iguana escape video spliced onto some of these? - @crkomorek



A: Of course! Sound on, obviously #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/1J5oSyQxPQ — Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) August 7, 2018

At a glance:

Games: 19

Disposals per game: 19.4

Marks per game: 4.7

Tackles per game: 2.6

Rebound 50s per game: 2.8

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Best game:

Round 17 v Geelong

While it may not have been Milera’s biggest game of the season in terms of numbers, it was certainly his best as he repelled Geelong’s forward entries time and time again.

He had 11 third-quarter disposals, 23 for the game, and was daring across half-back.

Running at 91.3 per cent efficiency, Milera’s ball use was elite and it backed up a confident game by the then 20-year-old.

Other season highlights:

Round Six v Gold Coast

A career-best 33 disposals against Gold Coast in Round Six signaled Milera’s arrival as a defender.