YEAR 10 in the red and blue was one of Jack Viney’s best, seeing him play a career-high 22 games for the season.
The 28-year-old managed to remain relatively injury-free, averaging a career-high 98 minutes per game.
Viney was recognised at the end of Melbourne’s campaign, winning the club’s values award at the best and fairest night, while polling fourth in the vote count.
The numbers
Often the underrated Demon midfielder, Viney’s numbers speak for themselves this year, performing at a high standard both with and without the ball.
Disposals: 25.7 per game
Contested possessions: 12.7 per game
Tackles: 5.7 per game
Clearances: 4.9 per game
Inside 50s: 4.1 per game
A highlight
Viney has had plenty of highlights in his 172 AFL matches, but there might not be any that sum up the midfielder better than this.
On a Friday night in Perth, Viney gathered, spun, and weaved through traffic to dish off a ball that he had no right to possess.
Best outing
Fresh off the bye, Viney turned up the heat against the Lions in Round 15.
The Dees’ vice-captain stood up in Max Gawn’s absence and was at his unstoppable best, hunting both the footy and his opposition all night at the MCG.
Viney racked up 34 disposals, 19 contested possessions, 10 inside 50s, eight clearances and seven tackles to earn three Brownlow votes.
A quote
Simon Goodwin on Viney:
“He’s an outstanding leader of our footy club. He’s been brutal around the contest all year and he’s been in some fantastic form all year.”
Something social
Viney was treated with a regular guest at Melbourne’s Captain’s Runs in 2022.
His daughter, Mila, came down to Gosch’s Paddock, to offer her advice and support.
