They were the centreman and rover of the 2017 All Australian side.
And on Sunday Dustin Martin and Tom Mitchell will go head-to-head as two of the in-form players in the competition.
The reigning Brownlow Medallist, Martin has backed up a dream season last year with two outstanding performances in the opening fortnight.
Against Adelaide last Thursday night, the Richmond star was best afield in a losing side, collecting 25 possessions (14 contested), seven tackles and five goals.
The 26-year old was simply unstoppable.
Meanwhile, Mitchell, a primary reason for the Hawks undefeated start to the year, has been making his own waves.
After breaking the league record with 54 touches against Collingwood in Round 1, the reigning Peter Crimmins Medallist was again dominant against Geelong, gathering 40 disposals, 13 clearances and nine inside 50s in the Hawks’ one-point win.
In 2017, Dustin Martin dominated the league with his work forward of centre, averaging a league-high six inside 50s, 6.4 clearances and 1.5 goals per game to go with his 29.8 touches.
Read: Match preview - Tigers v Hawks
If there was any criticism of Mitchell’s season last year it was his ability to influence the game in these areas that Martin reigned supreme.
But through the first two games of 2018 and Mitchell leads the competition in the four statistics that midfielders are measured on: disposals (averaging 47 per game), contested possessions (25), clearances (11) and inside 50s (8.5).
All of this while also averaging a goal a game.
Last week, Mitchell lined up against the superstar Geelong trio of Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield and Gary Ablett Jnr, a frightening proposition for any opposition on-baller.
A six-day break ensures Mitchell will barely get a breath before taking on the most damaging player in the country in Martin.
No other player in the league who has kicked six or more goals this season, as Martin has, is averaging more than 19 disposals- Martin is averaging 28.5.
If the All Australian side was picked today, these two players would arguably be the first two players picked.
We can’t wait to see them do battle on the MCG this Sunday.
