I’m a nerd.
People have been saying it for years, and I embrace it, wholeheartedly.
I’m a particular type of nerd who loves AFL Footy Stats, and luckily for me, this is also right up the alley of many who frequent this site.
In 2025, we almost saw someone do what had not been done since 2011.
In that season, Geelong’s Steve Johnson averaged 22.35 disposals, and 2.17 goals per game. It was the second time he’d scaled this statistical Everest, and since then, none have reached the summit.
Kysaiah Pickett found himself within 0.45 of a disposal of being the first 20/2 player in the last 14 years. In his last game, he needed 20 touches. He managed just 16.
What a dud, right?
Just kidding – it was an incredible season from Pickett, who drifted between the midfield and forward line in struggling Melbourne team.
Is 2026 the year the drought is broken? And who outside of Pickett could join the names below?
Righto, before exploring the future, it is always good to examine the past. Below is a list of players that currently inhabit the 20/2 Club.
The 20/2 Club has welcomed only three players since the turn of the century. They are as follows.
2002: Brad Johnson (22.2 & 2.0)
2005: Nathan Brown (20.2 & 3.4)
2008: Steve Johnson (20.3 & 2.1)
2011: Steve Johnson (22.3 & 2.2)
2002 saw Brad Johnson get the mix of forward/midfielder just right, as he collected 22.2 disposals to go with his 2.0 goals per game.
Nathan Brown, before he snapped his leg went on to become a shit multi-tipster, was on track to become a great of the game. He was having a blinder in 2005, with 20.2 touches and a whopping 3.4 goals per game. He also went close to doing it again, post leg break, in 2008, with 20.44 touches and 1.94 goals per game.
He was some player – could have been an all-time great had he remained healthy.
And then we have Stevie J’s dual appearances.
But what about players like Dusty, Danger, Gray, and Petracca? Surely they’ve gone close?
Dusty’s best goal kicking return was 1.48 per game back in that massive 2017 season. Yes, he was capable of bags, but he didn’t do it often enough to average two per game at any point of his career.
Danger is similar, with 2017 also his high watermark for disposals per game. He averaged 1.88 goals that season.
Robbie Gray did hit the goals component back in 2017, with 2.04 per game, but sat at 18.96 disposals.
And Trac?
Nowhere near it. His highest return was 1.18 goals per game way back in 2017.
So, okay HB – you’ve covered who hasn’t made the cut, but would you mind jumping back a bit and letting us know who has? And possibly who did it most often?
Why, certainly. And thanks for asking so nicely.
Only two players in history have managed to average 20 and two for their entire careers. As you’d imagine, both have been elevated to legendary status in the Hall of Fame.
Darrel Baldock did it twice in his seven-year career, averaging 21.42 disposals and 2.32 goals in 1965, and backed it up three years later with 20.76 and 2.10 in his final year in the game.
His all-time stats stand at 20.76 disposals and 2.10 goals per game.
And Leigh Matthews – the Wilt Chamberlain of the AFL when it comes to individual records, notched it the lazy 11 times in his 17 seasons, en route to averaging 22.28 disposals and 2.67 goals across his career. And most players struggle to do it once, huh?
Here are the years he achieved 20/2.
1972 – 22.90 and 2.38
1973 – 24.89 and 2.68
1974 – 21.29 and 2.48
1975 – 22.82 and 2.96
1976 – 22.50 and 3.23
1977 – 27.42 and 3.79
1978 – 25.48 and 3.09
1979 – 25.92 and 2.31
1981 – 23.50 and 3.00
1982 – 22.45 and 3.36
1983 – 20.09 and 3.59
The next best behind Lethal Leigh, is Kevin Bartlett, who managed it four times in the following seasons.
1971 – 23.04 and 2.21
1974 – 29.41 and 2.14
1977 – 28.91 and 2.39
1978 – 24.73 and 2.00
The seventies… what a wild time
And so, that brings us to those who could finally join names like Matthew, Bartlett, Baldock, and Bob Skilton.
Oh yeah… Bobby was amongst it. In fact, Skilton is the only man in the history of the V/AFL to record an entire season where he averaged over 30 disposals and two goals per game.
THE CONTENDERS
KYSAIAH PICKETT – 2025 AVERAGES OF 19.6 AND 2.0
It will be interesting to see how Kozzie performs without the assistance of Oliver and Petracca. Does he become a more potent midfield force? And if so, does that detract from his time up forward?
TOBY GREENE – 2025 AVERAGES OF 16.4 AND 1.9
I’m starting to doubt TG4 will get there. Safe to say, he is now right into the back nine of his career, and you’d expect him to be more forward than in the middle by a fair margin. Going +3.6 and averaging more goals than 2025 seems like a very tough ask.
JOSH RACHELE – 2025 AVERAGES OF 11.5 AND 1.9
Would need a career-best year, and whilst I have little doubt he could have the goal component covered, the disposals present a real issue. The Crows could insert him into the guts to generate a little more run and creativity.
ZAC BAILEY – 2025 AVERAGES OF 20.0 AND 1.6
A real wildcard, but as he is now seeing more midfield time and hasn’t lost the ability to heavily impact the scoreboard, could be the bloke to do it. Of course, missing six shots a game, as per the Grand Final, won’t help.
ISAAC HEENEY – 2025 AVERAGES OF 23.6 AND 1.6
This is an interesting case, as I have always thought Heeney was a genuine threat. The Swans might need him as a medium forward a little more, with the departure of Hayward, so his 1.6 goals could become two per game. Of course, they’re losing a bit without him in the middle.. Would you trade off 3.6 disposals for 0.4 goals per game?
IZAK RANKINE – 2025 AVERAGES OF 20.6 AND 1.4
If he gets things right, he is the difference between a straight-sets exit, and a deep finals run. Almost has the balance of midfield/forward time right, and could swoop in to pip Pickett in the race. A bit might depend on how often Rachele is used in a similar role.
SHAI BOLTON – 2025 AVERAGES OF 17.9 AND 1.2
Second year at Freo… I expect a bump from Bolton this year. I get the feeling that 2025 was him assimilating to a new coach and system – if he can build on that start, and feed off the big boys crashing packs, he could provide something special. Averaged 21.7 touches in 2023, and 1.9 goals per game in 2022.
MARCUS BONTEMPELLI – 2025 AVERAGES OF 27.1 AND 1.2
Would the Dogs opt for Bont forward more often? Not likely, huh? Considering they have Naughton and Darcy down there, and Rhylee West should provide a great one-two small man punch at ground level. Still, Bont resting in a pocket… it puts the 20/2 club in his sights. He’d need to go +0.7 goals per game on his best return in front of goal to do it.
Also, I’ll be keeping an eye on the progression of Murphy Reid and Ollie Dempsey this season. Both know where the goals are and if they can increase their time with ball in-hand, we could see them emerge as contenders.
This is the first time in a while I’ve felt the 20/2 mark was in genuine reach of several players. Pickett was so close in 2025, and a healthy Rankine could give it a shake, as well.
Got anyone you think could get the job done?
Let’s hear them.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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