The Snitch: Jordan Clark, Liam Baker & Jack Silvagni included in seven most underrated AFL players list

The Snitch, you might recall, fancies himself as a culinary artist in the galley. Once a month I like to surprise Mrs Snitch with a gourmet dinner and this week’s taste sensation was a succulent spatchcock pigeon, charcoal grilled on our backyard Kamado, paired with a drop of 2017 Domaine Tawse, Gevrey-Chambertin. While shuffling around the kitchen to my favourite Angelique Kidjo track, Batonga, I added my favourite spice, paprika of course, and was lost in wonder at both its pungent kick and how it is the most underrated of the cupboard condiments, too often tucked away and forgotten behind two-decade old pappadums and a faded tin of Keen’s mustard powder. As I was covering the stretched bird in sprinklings of luscious ochre, it got me thinking about my favourite AFL players who also do not get the accolades they deserve. Those beacons of consistency who aren’t mentioned often enough in All-Australian dispatches or even as linchpins for their teams. So here’s a top seven. Jack Silvagni (Carlton) Otherwise known as SOS (Son of Stephen) or GOS (Grandson of Serge), Jack might be the most versatile player in the competition. Can play forward, back or even pinch hit in the ruck. Note to the Blues, leave him back! Lachie Ash (GWS) Wasn’t underrated in 2019 when he was picked up with the fourth selection overall in the draft, but has fallen under the radar since. A running defender who exposes lazy opposition forwards, or just those who are too slow to catch him, with his rebound from the last line. Liam Baker (West Coast) Just about my favourite current player (behind Riley Thilthorpe, I just like saying it!). The Tigers rated him after two flags. And Eagles fans will too at the end of this season when he has a John Worsfold Medal in his pocket. You read it here first. Jordan Clark (Fremantle) I want to make a plea to the 2025 All-Australian selection panel (Andrew Dillon, Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Glen Jakovich, Matthew Pavlich, Laura Kane, Abbey Holmes, and Josh Mahoney). Don’t leave this bloke out. Doesn’t get enough credit for his ability overhead and is harder to penetrate than a hessian hanky. Alex Neal-Bullen (Adelaide) The big three of Thilthorpe, Taylor Walker and Darcy Fogarty get all the plaudits, but I reckon the Melbourne premiership favourite is up there as one of the recruits of the season. Beau McCreery (Collingwood) Any doubts about how quick this Magpie is were erased when he won last year’s grand final sprint, from Darcy Wilson (St Kilda) and Eddie Ford (North Melbourne), in those delightful orange pants. Dane Rampe (Sydney) I almost started a Go Fund Me page in 2019 when the AFL fined him $10,000 and changed the rules when he climbed a goal post in a game against Essendon to put David Myers off his potential match-winning kick. They called it irresponsible and unsportsmanlike. I called it genius.