AS INDIVIDUAL performances go, it was one of the best we have seen in recent times.

Gary Ablett’s 39 possessions and two goals against North Melbourne have only cemented him as Brownlow Medal favourite and as one of the modern-day champions.

Ablett’s season has been superb so far, better even than last year’s when he was also Brownlow favourite.

But in typical style, Ablett was reluctant to sing his own praises after the match.

“It’s hard to say [if I’m in better form this year]. I’m trying to get out there and play my role for the team. The most important thing is that we won,” he said.

If you were to believe everything the 24-year-old said, his brilliant display came from his teammates looking for him and some good fortune.

“I just kept battling away and it fell my way a few times. It was well battled out by the guys,” he said.

Even his stunning left-foot goal in the third-quarter, which had opponents and teammates looking on in awe, was just a case of being in the right place at the right time.

“Everyone seemed to run the other way and left me open so I just chucked it on the boot and it went through,” he said.

Ablett said he was becoming increasingly comfortable in the midfield, which he says is due to seven years of conditioning in the AFL system.

 “It takes a few years for your body to mature and get used to the load we take as AFL players, you find that as the years go by that you get stronger,” he said.

“It has always been a goal of mine to get up and play midfield and I’ve been given that opportunity and I’m happy to stay there.”

Another youngster who got the opportunity to play in the midfield was Brent Prismall, who played just his second match of the season on Friday night after Joel Selwood pulled out with illness.

Ablett said Prismall could consolidate a senior spot.

“He’s been playing well in the reserves for a long time but just hasn’t cracked into the senior side,” he said.

“It was great he got the opportunity tonight and played the footy he did because he is a good player.”