Some roles get significant public applause while other less glamorous jobs are not necessarily given much credence outside the team's inner sanctum.
When Hawthorn blew a late-game lead to draw with St Kilda on Friday, their best-player list was headed by two of its primary attacking weapons.
The irrepressible Luke Hodge was fantastic around the middle with 18 contested possessions and seven clearances. Buddy Franklin played his unique 195cm running half-forward role and finished with 19 disposals and kicked 5.3.
Both players made enormous contributions to a terrific Hawthorn performance. Small forward Michael Osborne was the Hawks' lowest possession gatherer with a meagre seven disposals, although two of those were valuable goals.
The plus stat was five inside-50m tackles. Not big numbers but the effectiveness of his defensive forward role on Sam Gilbert, the Saints best defensive space filler and attacking rebounder, made Osborne one of Hawthorn's most valuable players.
I'm always interested in the Coaches' Association voting because key defensive assignments are often rewarded with a vote or two when these roles are often overlooked by casual observers.
Osborne will not figure in the best player lists but I suspect the coaches will be well aware of the value of his game.
Gilbert has been a critical factor in the Saints' defensive system over the last couple of seasons. Hard-running, tall and agile, his ability to intercept opposition attacks in the air and provide attacking run on the rebound, has made him an integral part of the Saints' back half and a probable All-Australian this year.
Osborne's disciplined defensive forward function stopped Gilbert from reading the play unopposed and prevented him from being used as a defensive receiver and attacker.
Not once did he allow Gilbert to mark from a Hawthorn kick forward and with only six effective disposals to the Saints defender, the result was a very important task performed extremely well.
Playing your role and being recognised and acknowledged by your teammates is the most powerful motivation to making this concept part of the team's competitive culture.
There will be no Brownlow votes and very little fan appreciation, but Osborne's reward will certainly be a big pat on the back as part of the Hawks' internal match review process.
