If you’re simply judging by the numbers, Kayne Turner’s stat-line isn’t reflective of his contribution and certainly fails to tell the story of his season so far, according to those that know best.

The small forward has taken on a new role, with an even greater focus on forward 50 pressure and hunting opposition defenders. 

“It’s unbelievable to play with Kayne Turner,” Jed Anderson told North Media.

“He just goes about it and plays his role for the team, and we love to have him out there.”

Turner laid a season-high six tackles in Saturday night’s win over Carlton, with his manic pressure leading to many of North’s 18 goals.

Fellow forward Shaun Atley, who kicked three majors on the weekend, enjoys having the 22-year-old next to him in the forward-line.

“I love playing with him, I especially like his pressure and his work rate, it’s second-to-none,” Atley said.

“He set-up a lot of goals on the weekend because of his pressure, and that’s why we love playing with him. 

“I definitely think some of the stuff he does goes unnoticed.

“His tackles will be counted, but it’s the little hand-in and the smothers that creates goals, which doesn’t get a stat. We definitely notice it.” 

His impact was rewarded in Hobart with a vote in the AFLCA award.

“He just brings toughness around the contest, his pressure, and he always goes back with the flight. He’s so underrated,” Marley Williams said.

Ed Vickers-Willis agreed saying, “For me as a defender, as well as kicking goals, Kayne does a variety of things.

“I think his pressure on their defenders bringing out of our forwardline is really important for me because I’ll be trying to cover my man who’s an outlet, and seeing Kayne chasing them down just puts that pressure on, and gives me an extra second to cover my man. 

“That’s just one thing that Kayne brings to our team that the public may not see, but for us we value it so highly.”

Trent Dumont believes Turner doesn’t receive the external credit he deserves. 

“Absolutely he flies under the radar,” Dumont said. 

“I think most small forwards do, but if you ask any player in our team and most clubs around the AFL, they’ll value the role of their small forwards as much as anyone else in the team.”