Tom Scully is playing the best football of his life and has never received the credit he deserves

TOM SCULLY would be used to hostile receptions by now, given the history; but maybe it is time the focus should be on his performance, which is better than ever, writes Jay Clark.

TOM Scully might have been the most harshly-judged player in the game.

He left Melbourne when the club was on its knees for what was described at the time as the heftiest salary in the AFL.

And his father, Phil, who took a recruiting job at the Giants at the same time as his son, had his salary included in the club’s salary cap, for maybe the first time in world sport.

From a Melbourne perspective, something about it seemed toxic, and to be fair, Scully has perhaps never really received the on-field credit he deserves.

But one thing seems clear now.

The No. 1 draft pick in 2009 is playing the best football of his life and must be in the All-Australian conversation for a position on the wing, alongside Eagle Andrew Gaff and Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom.

Giants Tom Scully in action during AFL match GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs

Greater Western Sydney people rave about Scully. About his character, his incredible preparation standards, his influence on the youngsters, his selflessness, and of course, his gut-busting run.

Those who work with the 25-year-old believe his two-way power running is the best in the AFL and potentially Olympic standard.

Stat	Average	Ranking
Disposals	25.3	Above avg
Kick rating	-2.0 %	Below avg
Uncontested possessions	17.8	Above avg
Metres gained	478m	Elite
Goals	1.2
Score involvements	7.4	Above avg

And now, he is getting some reward for effort on the scoreboard, too, kicking 12 goals from 10 games, ranked No. 1 for all players who average at least 25 possessions.

Instead of covering in defence all the time, the 181cm ball-carrier is bouncing away from stoppages and becoming a weapon up forward. He can put daylight, on his man.

It seems remarkable, but the workhorse comes to the bench on average only twice a game, according to Champion Data. He is the least-benched midfielder in the AFL.

He is Phar Lap, in orange. (Just without the popularity, in Melbourne, anyway.)

But maybe it is time to get over the whopping pay packet and appreciate Scully for the footballer that he is, and the strength of character and resilience he must have shown in the darkest moments, coping with the searing personal scrutiny when the Giants were getting belted early on.

The limited rotation cap and the emergence of the Giants’ brilliant young engine room have helped him blossom into one of the best wingmen in the game.

GWS football manager Wayne Campbell said he had “enormous” admiration for Scully.

“He has (had a different journey) and it took courage to do what he did. It brought the spotlight on in him and I think he has coped with that extremely well,” Campbell said

“His training he is as good as you will find, he is so meticulous in his preparation and extremely thorough.

Tom Scully in action against the Crows. Picture Sarah Reed

“To do what he does to his body each week — it requires very good preparation and recovery. And he is not a ‘ranter-and-a-raver’, but when young players see how he prepares it really sets a great example.”

Campbell said the Giants believed Scully was enjoying “his best and most consistent season” as the expansion club matured into a serious finals contender.

“We hope all that work he has put in comes to fruition with some success,” Campbell said.

“He deserves it, because he is an outstanding young player and an outstanding young fella.”

He averaged 478 metres gained a game, again ranked elite, and will today spend time on some of the Cats’ matchwinning midfielders, such as Steve Motlop and Mitch Duncan.

The Cats have won 64 of their last 70 games at Simonds Stadium and will be desperate to avoid a rare third-straight defeat, especially in their own backyard.

Scully would be used to hostile receptions by now, given the history.

Now, the focus should be on his performance, which is better than ever.