Some players don’t make All-Australian sides.

They don’t do trick shots for Gatorade. They don’t bank seven-figure salaries. You might not even know their number or what they look like. Yet these 10 players are always selected.

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They all make a critical contribution to their side but don’t often get the plaudits they deserve.

We think it’s about time that changed – so here are footy’s 10 most underrated players:

Toovey on a trademark run from defence. Photo: Getty

Liam Shiels, Hawthorn
In a galaxy of stars, it’s hard for Shiels to shine at Hawthorn. He doesn’t have the precise kick of Luke Hodge or Sam Mitchell, or Cyril Rioli’s bag of tricks.

But Shiels, renowned for his intensity, is Hawthorn’s best tagger and his success at shut-down roles makes him an automatic selection for Alastair Clarkson. He’s also a tackling machine, averaging eight per game in 2015, more than any other player.

Alan Toovey, Collingwood
The 28-year-old has played 140 AFL games but somehow is still underrated. Often tasked with minding the opposition’s best small forward, Toovey has claimed plenty of scalps over the journey.

His footy nous is key to those roles, while his ability – and willingness – to run off opponents makes him damaging both ways.

Bachar Houli, Richmond
Houli is a key part of the Tigers’ set-up, setting up attacks with his vision, run and long kicks across the half-back line. The ex-Essendon man is blessed with a superb left foot and is among the league’s best ball users, kicking at 81.1 per cent efficiency.

He has taken the third-most bounces of 2015 and while Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio attract tags, Houli is often allowed to dictate play for the Tigers.

Docherty has been an astute pick-up for the Blues. Photo: Getty

Sam Docherty, Carlton
Carlton fans have endured a tough year, but at least the improvement of Docherty has been pleasing. Drafted by Brisbane at pick 12 in the 2011 draft, Docherty returned to Victoria in 2013 and he’s been the best of Carlton’s defenders this year. While Michael Jamison and Sam Rowe have been routinely dominated, Docherty has shone and leads the Blues for rebound 50’s.

He is also second at the club for marks, possessions and one-percenters. Blues fans are lucky he’s a long-time supporter of the club. Perhaps if he followed his head rather than his heart, he’d be elsewhere.

David Armitage, St Kilda
There’s been a pronounced changing of the midfield guard at St Kilda, but at least one of their stars is still there. Armitage, who is finally starting to get the credit he deserves, has been underrated for far too long.

He is consistent, hard at the ball and knows how to use it. Averaging 32 disposals per match this year, it’s easy to see why Richmond were keen on luring him to Punt Road in the off-season. Saints fans will be very glad they kept him.

Clancee Pearce, Fremantle
Filling the boots of the AFL’s most notoriously effective tagger, Ryan Crowley, was always going to be a tough ask. And when he struggled to contain Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak in Round 1, the stockiest of Fremantle’s Pearce’s looked like he would face a fight to keep his spot in the side.

Cripps is a tackling machine for the Eagles. Photo: Getty

Instead, Ross Lyon has transformed Pearce into another efficient ball winner. He averages 21 possessions per game, with over 80 per cent of them effective, sneaking under the radar as team-mates Nat Fyfe and David Mundy attract all the attention.

Jamie Cripps, West Coast
The Eagles’ superb start to the season is even more impressive when you consider how many of their key players are missing. One man to step up has been Cripps, with the forward averaging two goals per match.

Key to Cripps’ form has been his ruthless forward pressure and it is no surprise to see him with the third-most tackles in the AFL.

Nick Haynes, GWS
Greater Western Sydney’s rise into the eight and likely first finals campaign has come about due to smart recruiting and rapid development. Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel and Adam Treloar have made all the headlines but don’t forget Haynes, who has been superb down back.

The agile, versatile defender, who also possesses an excellent pair of hands, has bounced back strongly from a season-ending ankle injury in Round 8 last year. His ability to read the play is shown with his regular intercept marks and it looks the Giants have another star on their hands.

Stefan Martin, Brisbane Lions
You’re not going to find as many YouTube highlights of Martin as you are Nic Naitanui, and he’s not likely to be in All-Australian contention like Shane Mumford or Todd Goldstein.

Pittard celebrates a goal. Photo: Getty

But pound for pound, Martin has them all covered for effort and consistency, averaging over 19 possessions a game (half of those are contested).

He is streets ahead of other rucks in terms of inside 50’s and averages an admirable 31 hit-outs per game (seventh in the league) in a team that is routinely beaten.

Jasper Pittard, Port Adelaide
What the 24-year-old Pittard lacks in size he makes up for in dash. He leads the Power for kicks and rebound 50s, and he makes them count, boasting disposal efficiency of almost 80 per cent.

Pittard, who led the league for bounces in 2014, is crucial to Port’s hopes this season as they aim to improve on last year’s run to the preliminary final.