There were unsung heroes everywhere in Round 19 of the AFL season.
Jamie Elliot will get all the headlines, but if it was not for a certain kick, Collingwood would never have had the shot on goal to win the game.
Meanwhile, a huge defensive effort ensured Fremantle salvaged something against Richmond.
Unsung hero #1
Trent Bianco
Nine wins in a row thanks to the heroics of Jamie Elliot after the siren.
Collingwood has catapulted its way into the four after an incredible win against Essendon, but it might not have happened had Trent Bianco not kept his composure in the closing seconds.
After Harrison Jones missed a set shot which would have won the game for Essendon, the Pies surged into attack with one final push from the kick.
Bianco found himself in acres of space across the broadcast wing after receiving a kick from Darcy Moore and strode away towards his forward 50.
With only Elliot to aim at up the field against two Bombers’ defenders, Bianco pinpointed his kick to the advantage of Elliot who did the rest.
Bravo Bianco.
Unsung hero #2
michael frederick
It has been a real grind for Fremantle over the last fortnight or so and the draw against Richmond highlighted a lost opportunity to lock itself inside the top four.
Thankfully, despite the below-average performance, the Dockers salvaged a draw thanks an amazing bit of defensive brilliance from Michael Frederick.
With Noah Balta lining up a shot in the the last minute of the match, the shot-clock expired and Frederick was the first to react as he smothered the incoming kick.
It was a brilliant moment of awareness from Frederick.
Unsung hero #3
brendan hosking
Umpires rarely get praise from the fans or media.
But Brendan Hosking deserves the plaudits for his high-pressure call late in the Richmond Fremantle act which saw Michael Frederick become an unsung hero this week.
Hosking was the controlling umpire when Noah Balta took a mark in the dying stages to win the game for the Tigers.
After using up his allotted time, Hosking blow the whistle twice to hurry Balta on, then called play on.
It was the correct call.
Well played.
Unsung hero #4
Tom atkins
As Geelong goes from strength-to-strength, its weekly performers and job doers continue to go unnoticed by many.
Tom Atkins is another one to add to the list.
Atkins has become an integral part of the Geelong midfield and was a big reason why the Cats were able to bring up their ninth win in a row.
The Geelong on-baller had 24 disposals alongside seven tackles, seven intercept possessions, five clearances, four score involvements.
He also had a game-high 31 pressure acts.
Unsung hero #5
lachie plowman
He cops a bad wrap from Carlton fans, but Lachie Plowman was solid as a rock in Carlton’s 36-point triumph against GWS on Sunday.
The nuggety lock-down defender provided great support for the returning Mitch McGovern.
His 18 disposals (10 kicks and eight handballs) went at 100% efficiency, he had zero turnovers and gave no free kicks away.
Yes, he is prone to a handful of mistakes in the back half, but he had stood up under duress for Carlton in a time of need.
