Winter may have descended on the region, but it is going to take more than rain and chilly temperatures to cool down one of the hottest players in Goulburn Valley League ― Nathan Hrovat.
The former AFL Kangaroo and Bulldog turned Shepparton Swan has been on fire in recent weeks, turning in another stellar performance on Saturday against Kyabram.
The midfielder collected a game-high 37 possessions against the Bombers, a tally that should come as no surprise given his recent form.
Saturday’s performance was the sixth game in a row in which Hrovat has had at least 30 disposals, the longest such streak in the league.
Hrovat’s big day out against the Bombers followed on from a season-high 41-touch game against Tatura the week before, and a 39-possession effort against Shepparton in round seven.
Nathan Hrovat: season averages
Ranking points: 121.4
Disposals: 31
Contested possessions: 9
Kicks: 17
Handballs: 14
Marks: 8
Clearances: 6
Having joined the Swans this year as one of the club’s big off-season recruits, Hrovat has been a huge impact for the red-and-white in the midfield.
He ranks as elite in disposals, contested possessions, kicks, handballs, marks, clearances ground-ball gets and ranking points, leading the way for the Swans in every single one of those categories.
Hrovat’s numbers stack up across the league too.
He is second for total disposals, third for handballs, sixth for kicks and fifth in ranking points, cementing his status as one of the premier midfielders in the competition.
Hrovat played 69 AFL games over seven years with North Melbourne and the Bulldogs. He made the move to the Swans alongside former Kangaroos teammates Sam Wright and Jamie Macmillan.