After injury disrupted the middle part of David Zaharakis’ 2015 season, the midfielder rediscovered his best and fairest winning form in 2016.
A blistering opening seven weeks of the season saw the 26-year-old average more than 31 possessions per game and re-establish himself as a key member of the Dons on-ball division.
As Zaharakis form spiked so too did the attention from rival clubs.
In previous years Jobe Watson or Dyson Heppell would have drawn the opposition’s number one stopper but in 2016, that responsibility went to Zaharakis.
Initially the prolific numbers he’d posted in the first third of the season subsided but the coaches praised the way he was selflessly able to clear space for teammates at the stoppages.
An off-season that had included a trip to the US to boost his aerobic base and a win in the Club’s triathlon paid dividends late in the season, as Zaharakis returned to his ball winning best late in the season.
A 40-disposal effort in the win against Gold Coast was backed up a week later with 31 possessions and ten tackles against Western Bulldogs.
Zaharakis' strong season was recognised with fifth placing in the Crichton Medal and he shapes as a key component of the Dons 2017 ambitions.
How Zaharakis lifted his numbers in 2016
2015 2016 Diff
Games 16 21 +5
Disposals 300 522 +222
Tackles 63 99 +36
Rebound 50’s 17 41 +24
Inside 50’s 48 65 +17
Clearances 29 75 +46
Cont poss 94 172 +78
Uncont poss 211 345 +134
