Robert Shaw has ranked the players he rates as the Bombers best contributors across the first 13 games of the season.

1. Michael Hartley

Games: 10  Disposal efficiency: 86%  Ave marks: 3.9  Ave intercept possessions: 4.6  Ave spoils: 7.7

Shaw says: “From Coburg to full-back in the Essendon team against some of the premier forwards in the competition.  He’s been sensational.” 

2. Matthew Leuenberger

Games: 12 Ave disposals: 12.6  Ave contested possessions: 6.1  Ave hit outs: 26.8 

Shaw says: “A lot of discussion when he came here because he was only playing 50 per cent senior time because of injury.  I think for the same sort of reasons and in a premier position, Matthew Leuenberger has not only held his own in the ruck – but in the last month or so has really improved with his marking and his forward play.”

3. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

Games: 12  Ave disposals: 16.5  Disposal Efficiency 79.8%  Ave metres gained: 284.3  Ave intercept possessions: 4.8 

Shaw says: “The crowd favourite.  Half back flank, run, poise, balance and courage.  Project your thinking two years down the track how good this boys going to be.”

4. James Kelly

Games: 12  Ave disposals: 26.1  Ave contested possessions: 8.2  Average marks:  6.3  Ave intercept possessions: 6.4

Shaw says: “I think he’s been resolute and strong.  He looked in a little bit of trouble with injury and maybe pace at Geelong.  This has rejuvenated him, he’s had a fantastic year."

5. (Equal) David Zaharakis 

Games: 13  Ave disposals: 27  Ave contested possessions: 8.8  Ave metres gained: 388.4 

Zach Merrett

Games: 13  Ave disposals: 28.2  Ave contested possessions: 9.8  Ave metres gained: 387.2  Ave tackles: 6.5

Shaw says: “Lack of depth through the midfield meant that David Zaharakis and Zach Merrett have had to shoulder an enormous burden in the midfield.  They have been absolutely sensational.”

7. Mitch Brown

Games: 13  Goals: 16  Ave marks: 5  Ave inside 50’s: 2

Shaw says: “I reckon when he came to the Club they were hoping he would give support to the backline and the good thing about him – he can play both ends of the ground.  I’ve loved the way he’s presented and worked really hard in the forward line.”

8. Matt Dea

Games: 12  Ave disposals: 17.3  Disposal efficiency: 82.7%  Ave marks: 6.4  Ave intercept possessions: 5.7

Shaw says: “Rejected by Richmond – he’s been very consistent and Essendon has found a player and I think he’ll finish pretty high up in the best and fairest.”

9. Patrick Ambrose 

Games: 10  Ave disposals: 11.7  Ave contested possessions: 3.7  Ave tackles: 3.4

Shaw says: “Thrust into the (defensive) role – look at the game he played on Jack Riewoldt.  Some of his stopping jobs have been absolutely fantastic.  A bit like Hartley, they have to play on some of the premier forwards in the competition and I’ve loved his improvement, so Essendon has found a good one there.”

10. (Equal) Orazio Fantasia

Games: 12  Goals: 14  Ave disposals: 16.7  Ave score involvements: 4.3  Ave metres gained: 236.1

Darcy Parish 

Games: 12  Goals: 5  Ave disposals: 21.1  Ave contested possessions: 8.4  Ave tackles: 2.9

Shaw says: “It’s going to be great watching them play and develop over the next five and ten years because they’re going to be terrific players.”