But often at grassroots level it is hard to judge consistency due to the lack of widely available statistics, and that is the case with the Warrnambool and District league.

The Standard has found a way around that to find out which players have been the most consistent in the league this season.

Using a method based on best players - something club coaching staff determine - The Standard has ranked the top 20 players for consistency in the competition based on their 2021 campaigns.

A specific formula has been used to generate points attributable to players who have earned a spot among their team's best players each week.

It works like this. The best player on a winning team gets 16 points. Second gets 13.5 points, and so on. For the losing team the best gets seven, second six, and so on.

Midfielders dominate the top five with a Bulldogs stopper leading the way for the league's defenders.

A large majority of the top 20 is midfielders while a number of ruckman, forwards and defenders were still rated by their coaches this season.

Here is who makes this list.

HOW IT WORKS:

Winning team - 1st best (16.0 points); 2nd best (13.5); 3rd best (11.0); 4th best (8.5); 5th best (6.0); 6th best (3.5).

Losing team - 1st best (7.0); 2nd best (6.0); 3rd best (5.0); 4th best (4.0); 5th best (3.0); 6th best (2.0).

Drawn game (both teams) - 1st best (10.0); 2nd best (8.5); 3rd best (7.0); 4th best (5.5); 5th best (4.0); 6th best (2.5).

Games: 13

Points: 114

Summary: A solid first season with the Blues which has the classy midfielder as one of the favourites to take home his and his club's first J. A. Esam Medal. Was named in the best nine times including four best on grounds.

Games: 11

Points: 102.5

Summary: A strong return to the Warrnambool and District league for the Power bull. In his side's best players nine times including three best on grounds. Another favourite for the Esam.

Games: 12

Points: 89

Summary: An impressive first season in a new league for Nicholson. The silky Creeker featured in the best eight times and was best player on four of those occasions. Is also a strong chance to win the Esam.

Games: 10

Points: 78

Summary: A leader in the Bulldogs' back six in his first full season at the kennel since moving from Hampden league side Warrnambool. In the best players on eight occasions this season, four of those best on ground.

Games: 13

Points: 74.5

Summary: The older of Merrivale's Porter brothers was a solid performer in his side's midfield all season. In the best on seven occasions with a best on ground against Timboon Demons in round three. Porter finished outside the top three when named in the best players just once.

Games: 13

Points: 73

Summary: Didn't miss a game all season and was one of the Tigers' most consistent performers. The goal-kicking midfielder was named best on ground twice in his seven best players appearances.

Games: Nine

Points: 68

Summary: A solid performer across just nine games as he put together his most consistent year since 2016. Named in the best seven times this season, with two Warriors' best player and four other top-three selections.

Games: 12

Points: 68

Summary: The Tigers' captain led from the front and, with the Porter brothers, was one of his side's most consistent. The former Saint was in the best seven times and collected three best on grounds.

Games: 10

Points: 64.5

Summary: The dual Blues premiership player had another top year for his home club. Was named in the best on seven occasions and slotted 16 goals as a midfielder.

Games: 11

Points: 64.5

Summary: A very strong year from the Blues forward, kicking 37 goals to finish fifth on the league's goal-kicking tally with an average of over three goals a game. Was named in the best on seven occasions including a best on ground when he slotted 11 majors against Dennington.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly podcast The Main Break:

Games: 13

Points: 62

Summary: A solid year for the Lions' utility and he was well recognised by his side's coaching staff. Was named in his side's best players seven times and was the best against Panmure, Old Collegians and Allansford.

Games: 13

Points: 62

Summary: A rising star in the Power's midfield and was a reliable player in the side's premiership defence. Featured in the best six times including one best on ground against Russells Creek.

Games: 13

Points: 61.5

Summary: A solid debut season for the Demons' half-back flanker. Was named in his side's best nine times with two best player nods. He was also his side's second best player on six occasions.

Games: 11

Points: 60

Summary: Another solid year from the Lion, slotting 22 goals for the season. Named in his side's best six times including three best player performances.

Games: 13

Points: 60

Summary: The speedy Bulldog forward featured in the best five times including a best-on-ground against Russells Creek and kicked 25 goals at almost two a game.

Games: 13

Points: 57

Summary: The big Tiger was a consistent performer in the ruck for his side. Was named in the best seven times and was Tigers' best against Kolora-Noorat in round two.

Games: 13

Points: 55

Summary: A solid year from the big Cat with eight appearances in the best players including two best on selections against Kolora-Noorat and Old Collegians.

Games: 13

Points: 55

Summary: Another Cat who had a consistent season with eight best player appearances and one selection as his side's best player against Nirranda.

Games: 13

Points: 55

Summary: As far as debut seasons it doesn't get much better than Hutchins' with 40 goals to his name, fourth on the league goal-kicking tally and five appearances in the best players at just 17.

Games: 13

Points: 54.5

Summary: Was one of the league's most consistent players again. Nine appearances in the best and was their number one against Merrivale (round one) and Dennington (three).

Games: 10

Points:54

Summary: A big first season with the Creekers. Two bags of 10 and 11 saw him collect best on ground honours in two of his six best player appearances and top the league's goal-kicking tally.

Games: 11

Points: 54

Summary: A solid year for the Blues' key defender as he collected four best player appearances including two best on grounds.

Games: 12

Points: 54

Summary: Another good year from the loyal Bulldog. Named in the best five times including a best on ground.

Games: 13

Points: 54

Summary: A solid season for the Young Power midfielder with four best player appearances, two of which were best on grounds.

Games: 13

Points: 52.5

Summary: Five appearances in the best players including two best on grounds in a good year for the former Blues junior.

Games: Seven

Points: 50.5

Summary: A happy return to Creek, collecting six best player appearances across just seven games.

Games: 12

Points: 48.5

Summary: Seven best player appearances including two best on grounds in a good year for the loyal Lion.

Games: 13

Points: 48

Summary: A key pillar for the Dogs' defence and was recognised for his efforts with 10 appearances in the best players - the most across the top 20.

Games: 11

Points: 48

Summary: A breakout season for the Warriors' number one ruckman. His solid year in the seniors saw him finish in his side's best players eight times including one best on ground.

Games: 13

Points: 48

Summary: Another solid year for the long-time Cat with nine appearances in the best players including two best on grounds.

Games: 12

Points: 46.5

Summary: A solid year for the speedy Bulldogs' winger. He was named in the best five times this season and was best on two occasions.

YOUR CLUB'S TOP FIVE

Allansford

Robbie Hare, 55 points

Zavier Mungean, 55 points

Travis Membrey, 48 points

Ben Lenehan, 42.5 points

Dylan Cross, 36 points

Dennington

Zeb McKenna, 48 points

Bronte Baker, 44 points

Luke Pearson, 37 points

Tom Fitzgerald, 37 points

Jack Johnstone, 29 points

Kolora-Noorat

Joel Moloney, 102.5 points

Harry O'Sullivan, 62 points

Ryley Hutchins, 55 points

Luke McConnell, 54 points

Nick Hoare, 44 points

Merrivale

Jalen Porter, 74.5 points

Tate Porter, 74 points

Blair McCutcheon, 68 points

Manny Sandow, 57 points

Sean Barnes, 46 points

Nirranda

Scott Carlin, 114 points

James Willsher, 64.5 points

Jack Spokes, 64.5 points

Mathew Lloyd, 54 points

Reagan Nutting, 52.5 points

Panmure

Matt Colbert, 78 points

Lachlan McLeod, 60 points

Sam Mahony, 54 points

Brad Gedye, 46.5 points

Isaac Sinnott, 45 points

Old Collegians

Tim Lewis, 68 points

Colby Rix, 54.5 points

Connor Barby, 48 points

Jacob Brooks, 46

Mason Crosier, 35.5 points

Russells Creek

Dan Nicholson, 89 points

Jyran Chatfield, 54 points

Taylem Wason, 50.5 points

Phillip Chatfield, 34.5

Blake Rudland-Castles, 29.5 points

South Rovers

Dylan Cox, 62 points

Alex White, 60 points

Joe Higgins, 48.5 points

Kurt Lenehan, 45 points

Aaron Seabrook, 41 points

Timboon Demons

Jordan Fowler, 61.5 points

Marcus Hickey, 41.5 points

Josh Worboys, 41.5 points

Connor Cardwell, 38.5 points

Rhys Ziegelaar, 33 points