DARCY Lang has been among the most improved players at Geelong this season.
The 19-year-old midfielder from Colac, who is still eligible for the NAB Rising Star Award, has featured in each of the Cats' 13 home and away games, taking his career tally to 14.
He has averaged 14 disposals per match and has kicked eight goals.
And he has consistently demonstrated the class that convinced the club's list manager, Stephen Wells, to select him with pick 16 in the 2013 national draft.
To this point of the season, Lang is …
* Ranked first at Geelong and 23rd in the AFL for score assists (19)
* Fifth at Geelong for score involvements (63)
* Fourth among Rising Star-eligible players and sixth at Geelong for inside-50s (38), including a season high of six against North Melbourne last weekend
* Seventh at Geelong for tackles (41), including a season-high of six against Essendon in round 10
* Seventh among Rising Star-eligible players for total kicks (105)
* Ninth among Rising Star-eligible player for total effective disposals (127)
Lang was among Geelong's better performers in the disappointing loss to North Melbourne last weekend.
He will need to be in the thick of the action again if the Cats are to keep their finals hopes alive with a win over the Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Darcy Lang at training at Simonds Stadium on Thursday
Get behind the Mighty Cats when we take on the Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium on Saturday. Buy your tickets here.
