Who’s improved and who’s lost form in 2018?

THERE is nowhere to hide in the sometimes cruel statistical world of AFL as form fluctuates year to year. JON ANDERSON has picked a team of this season’s most improved and biggest sliders.

Charlie Dixon (centre) is down on his output this year, but Dale Thomas and James Sicily have improved.

MOST casual AFL observers would be happy to have the 2018 version of Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon in their team, even if the stats tell a different tale.

Big Charlie might remain a key component in Port’s premiership push, yet Champion Data reveals the bearded powerhouse is well down on his 2017 output.

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For instance, he has kicked 25 goals from 19 games to date (49 in 23 games in 2017) and his 79 marks are well below the 149 he plucked last year.

And Dixon isn’t on his own when it comes to quality players being down on their 2017 seasons, with names such as Gary Ablett, Dustin Martin, Matt Crouch, Dom Sheed, Dylan Shiel, Josh Jenkins, Eddie Betts and Taylor Adams all below the standard they set last year.

Then again most of us would love them in our respective teams, and in the cases of superstars such as Martin and Ablett, it’s a case of being victims of exceptional 2017 levels.

Charlie Dixon is performing below his 2017 form. Picture: Sarah Reed

THE IMPROVERS IN 2018

B: Tom Stewart, Harris Andrews, Matt Scharenberg

HB: Jayden Short, Phil Davis, James Sicily

C: Jy Simpkin, Jarrod Berry, Zac Fisher

HF: Jake Melksham, Mason Wood, Josh Caddy

F: Liam Ryan, Josh Schache, Brandon Parfitt

R: Rhys Stanley, Hugh McCluggage, Jack Redden

I/C: Brennan Cox, Bailey Williams, Adam Tomlinson, Dale Thomas

THE SLIDERS IN 2018

B: Jed Bews, Daniel McStay, Bacha Houli

HB: Luke McDonald, Kyle Hartigan, Ryan Burton

C: Bailey Dale, Tom Rockliff, Brandon Ellis

HF: Jack Watts, Tom Lynch (GC), Eddie Betts

F: Brandon Matera, Charlie Dixon, Cam McCarthy

R: Matthew Kreuzer, Daniel Rich, Dan Hannebery

I/C: Tim O’Brien, Kieren Jack, Oscar McDonald, Caleb Daniel

Originally published as Who’s improved and who’s lost form in 2018?