Errol Gulden is one. So are Nick Daicos and Zach Merrett. Ditto Jordan De Goey and Jordan Dawson. Patrick Cripps, surprisingly, is as well – with a bit of help.

They are not necessarily the AFL’s speed demons or endurance beasts, but they give their coaches tactical flexibility. And at a time when the tag is back, their importance is greater than ever. They are the iron men of AFL midfielders, the on-ball stars who spend the longest on the field.

Every club, according to Champion Data, has at least one midfielder who plays 80 per cent of the match. Some........

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