Shepparton United captain Kyle Clarke leads the way for most intercept possessions in the competition with a mammoth 94 to his name.
Clarke has been one of his side’s standout performers in 2023 and his exploits across half-back have been a shining light for Duane Hueston’s outfit.
The Dees’ defender sits ahead of Mansfield’s key-position talent Dirk Koenen and Kyabram star Lachie Smith.
Koenen and Smith sit on 87 for the season.
Smith’s averaged a stellar 6.7 a match, yet he isn’t the defender with the highest average in 2023.
Echuca’s gun running defender Logan Prout averages an impressive 8.7 a game from his six appearances this season.
But when it comes to the most in-form intercept players, his teammate Cam Valentine is the outlier.
During the past five rounds Valentine has tallied 42 to his name, more than half his season total of 77.
Valentine is averaging 8.4 a match in the five-round block and 6.4 for the season from his 12 games.
Versatile Tatura swingman Harley McCarthy is enjoying a rich vein of form and has racked up 34 since round 12.
Most intercept possessions since round 12
1. Cameron Valentine - 42
2. Harley McCarthy - 34
3. Kyle Clarke - 32
4. Mitch Trevaskis - 30
5. Hamish Hooppell - 30
6. Dylan Scopel - 29
7. Ryan Pendlebury - 28
8. Harry Mahoney - 28
9. Jack Hutchins - 27
10. Jason Morgan - 27
McCarthy is ranked 11th overall for the season, not a bad number for someone who spent the opening month as a forward.
In the first six rounds of the year McCarthy managed 10 intercept possessions, but he went ballistic in round nine to record 13 against Seymour.
The key tall has managed 52 since round nine and 34 of those have come in the past five matches.
United duo Clarke (32) and Mitch Trevaskis (34) are third and fourth respectively in most in-form players, while Rochester’s Hamish Hooppell is fifth.
Most intercept possessions in 2023
1. Kyle Clarke - 94
2. Dirk Koenen - 87
3. Lachie Smith - 87
4. Ryan Pendlebury - 85
5. Mitchell Roche - 83
6. Hamish Hooppell - 80
7. Cameron Valentine- 77
8. Michael Archer - 77
9. Brad Whitford - 77
10. Huw Jones - 74
Interestingly, Euroa defender Nate Trotter has managed 21 from only three matches in this five-week block and he will no doubt be a much-welcomed addition to the line-up come finals.
Mansfield young gun Harry Mahoney has chalked up 28 in the past five weeks of footy.
His teammates Jack Hutchins (27) and Koenen (26) have been in strong form down back for the Eagles.
