It had been 960 days since defender Andy Otten played his last AFL game when he took to the field for the round one game against Greater Western Sydney, but he hasn't missed a beat in his two appearances for the unbeaten Crows. After playing a solid role in defence against the Giants, Otten was thrown into the forward line against Hawthorn after a rib injury to Josh Jenkins. He presented a strong target and gave his crumbing forwards plenty of opportunities to win the ball. Otten, 27, reads the play extremely well and has filled the void left by tall defender Jake Lever, who has missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury. Otten has been invaluable to the Crows at both ends of the ground. - Lee Gaskin

He came into the season as a promising young defender, but after two rounds, Harris Andrews has already taken his game to a whole new level. It's not that Andrews wasn't expected to improve, but moreso the role he's filled. In his first two years, the 20-year-old showed an aerial prowess that made him perfect as a third defender that could float in and take intercept marks. But with good success against Tom Lynch and Joe Daniher in the opening fortnight, Andrews has shown he can both lock down a key forward and take intercept marks as well, creating a luxury not many Lions personnel thought they'd have so early in his career. - Michael Whiting

It has been a tough initiation with his new club for Caleb Marchbank. The Blues went to great lengths to snare the former Giant's services and he has impressed in his first two games. With Jacob Weitering used in attack, plenty of responsibility has been placed on the young key defender's shoulders and he has stood tall under fire, showing enormous courage and excellent judgment in the air with his strong hands. While his disposal needs to improve, he is destined to become an important member of the Blues' backline for years to come. - Howard Kotton

Former Giants fringe player Will Hoskin-Elliott has been one of the few constants for the Magpies in their winless opening fortnight. After kicking 42 goals in 52 games over five injury-hampered seasons with GWS, the light-framed forward/wingman has averaged 21.5 possessions, 10 marks and two goals in his first two games for the Pies. Impressive given he'd previously averaged just 11.7 touches. In the round two loss to Richmond he was particularly prominent with three final-quarter goals in less than 10 minutes to keep the Magpies in the contest. It raises hopes that he might finally live up the lofty expectations that came with his No.4 selection in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. - Ben Collins

It's impossible to go past Orazio Fantasia here. Although Fantasia produced some excellent games last year and booted 29 goals for the season, the smart, quick and talented small forward looks set for a breakout 2017 campaign. Fantasia has kicked nine goals in the opening two weeks to be Essendon's leading goalkicker in both games, proving to be an improved version of his 2016 self. The Bombers have struggled to find an effective small forward for many years, but Fantasia appears set for an exciting career at the club. No.1 pick Andrew McGrath has entered the team to make an impact right away out of defence, while Patrick Ambrose has also developed into a versatile and reliable key defensive option. - Callum Twomey

It's slim pickings trying to find even a handful of Dockers who can hold their heads high so far this season, but Ed Langdon has had a real crack in trying circumstances. The 21-year-old younger brother of Collingwood defender Tom played 13 games last season and hit a purple patch towards the end of the campaign. While others have gone backwards around him this year, Langdon has kept his standards high and has never stopped trying. He had 20 touches and booted a goal in the round one loss to Geelong, and backed that up with 15 touches – used at 87 per cent efficiency – in the mauling from Port. Langdon is one of the younger Dockers the club can build a future around and Freo will want to re-sign the Victorian beyond 2017. - Travis King

The Cats recruited Carlton's Zach Tuohy with the intention of the Irishman helping fill the hole left by Corey Enright. He showed his potential to do that in all three of the JLT Community Series games, and has fitted seamlessly into the line-up in the opening two rounds with an average of just under 25 disposals. He's moving the ball well with a disposal efficiency of 78 per cent, and gained 481m against North Melbourne; the second most of any of his teammates. When combined with Andrew Mackie across half back – who is enjoying some impressive form despite being the second oldest Cat – Tuohy's arrival has given the Cats some nice run out of defence. - Jennifer Phelan

Most of the excitement around the Suns prior to the season centred on the midfield recruitment of proven personnel Pearce Hanley, Michael Barlow, Jarryd Lyons and the return of injured stars Gary Ablett and David Swallow. But after two poor team performances, the man to stand well above his better-credentialled teammates is 21-year-old Touk Miller. Miller has racked up 27 disposals in each match and shown a defensive willingness some other Suns have lacked. No matter what happens for the remainder of 2017, it's almost assured Miller will play midfield and likely be one of his team's best two-way players each week. - Michael Whiting

Skilful forward Devon Smith battled knee problems in 2016 and managed to play just 14 games, but a pain-free pre-season has him in fantastic shape, and it's showed in the opening two rounds of the year. Blessed with fantastic skills on both sides of his body, Smith is a constant threat for opposition teams inside 50, and has kicked three goals in each of the first two rounds. The 23-year-old can often get the blinkers on around the sticks, but when he's focused on playing his role for the team, Smith is a match-winner. - Adam Curley

It took just two games in brown and gold for Jaeger O'Meara to register a career-high possession tally, with 36 against Adelaide on Saturday. The gifted midfielder didn't play for two years because of a series of knee injuries and the Hawks gave away a slew of draft picks, including their first selection later this year, to get him across from Gold Coast. So far, the Hawks would be really pleased with O'Meara, who hasn't lost any of his ability to win the ball on the inside and find a teammate. He hasn't been quite as creative on the outside, and his 30 handballs and six kicks on Saturday might suggest he hasn't quite gained full confidence in his kicking. Given his reportedly slavish preparation, that will soon come. - Ashley Browne

Second-year midfielder Clayton Oliver has been Melbourne's best player across the first two rounds with the 19-year-old ranked third in the AFL for disposals per game (35.5). Oliver was best afield against St Kilda in the opening round, racking up 36 disposals, nine clearances and seven tackles. The youngster, with just 15 games to his name, then followed up with another 35 disposals and nine tackles against Carlton in another standout display. Oliver has vastly improved his fitness – having shed five kilograms over the summer – and put a huge amount of work in over the pre-season with development coach Brendan McCartney on winning more uncontested football. The balance of contested (30) to uncontested (43) possessions has made Oliver a more damaging player in 2017. - Ben Guthrie 

It is impossible to go past the Kangaroos' man mountain, rugby league convert Braydon Preuss. We were introduced to Preuss thanks to his spear tackle on former skipper Andrew Swallow in an intraclub match in February. An impressive JLT series followed, but it was the 206cm ruckman's round two display – as a late inclusion for Todd Goldstein – that really turned heads. Preuss monstered Rhys Stanley in the hit-outs department, won 13 disposals, set up goals and threw his 109kg frame around (escaping with a fine on a rough conduct charge). It will be tough for Brad Scott to leave him out, even with Goldstein set to return. - Marc McGowan

No one could have foreseen the immediate contribution Sam Powell-Pepper was going to make to the Power's midfield. The question now, after two ultra-impressive games, is how did the 19-year-old West Australian fall all the way to the 18th pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft? There were doubts over his kicking, but that certainly hasn't been an issue, as shown at the SCG when he announced himself to the footy world with a sensational 60m goal. Powell-Pepper was the NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for round one and will be a hot favourite to collect the award at the end of the year. - Lee Gaskin

Ruckman Toby Nankervis has been arguably the most important of the Tigers' off-season recruits in the opening two rounds. The big man has brought a physical presence to the stoppages, having a big impact at ground level as well as in the air. In round two, the 22-year-old had an equal team-high seven clearances and an equal game-high 14 contested possessions. The Tigers have had to keep an eye on the former Swan in training since he arrived, given his rough-and-tumble approach, but they are thrilled with his physicality on game day. Dan Butler and Jason Castagna have come from the blue to add pace and pressure to the forward line. - Nathan Schmook

He's not the flashiest player at the Saints, but midfielder Seb Ross' performance is often crucial. Coach Alan Richardson knows he can assign the left-footer to damaging opponents to limit their output, while relying on the 23-year-old to win the ball himself. The perfect example was last Saturday night against West Coast. Sam Mitchell has made a career out of not only being able to win the ball, but using his smarts to hurt the opposition. Ross was sent to Mitchell and while the former Hawk had 25 disposals, his influence was blunted. Meanwhile, Ross won 29 disposals and was one of St Kilda's best. - Dinny Navaratnam

After a nightmare 2016 season Sam Reid has returned to show just how valuable he is to the Swans' forward structure. The athletic big man failed to play a senior game last year because of hamstring, calf and Achilles injuries, but now fully fit and with a strong pre-season behind him, Reid looks like he's in for a huge year. The 25-year-old kicked three goals in round one against Port Adelaide, then booted six against the Western Bulldogs last week, and has been a dangerous forward with his marking inside 50. - Adam Curley

He has all the natural ability to be a star of the competition, but Elliot Yeo hasn't always managed to put his talent together into consistent performances. Being constantly shifted through defence, midfield and attack last season didn't help coming off a breakout 2015, however the 23-year-old's switch to half-back has worked wonders in the opening two rounds. Yeo's high-leaping, his vice-like hands and his penetrating kick have become weapons again and, importantly, he backed up a 26-possession, two-goal game against North Melbourne with another ripping 25 disposals and 13 marks in the arm-wrestle victory over the Saints. Veteran mid Chris Masten has also stood up. The 27-year-old felt pressure for spots in pre-season and has come out firing, delivering a 27-disposal, two-goal display to help turn the tide against St Kilda after a strong round one effort. - Travis King

The reigning premiers have had a pretty settled line-up in their flag defence, but former Magpie Travis Cloke has been an impressive addition since crossing to the Whitten Oval. After an inglorious finish to his decorated career at the Holden Centre, the key forward appears to be rejuvenated under Luke Beveridge. The 30-year-old has slotted four goals, helped alleviate the pressure on Tom Boyd, and provided support in the ruck. - Ryan Davidson