Is Shiels having best season?

LIAM Shiels is undoubtedly having one of his best AFL seasons – if not the best of his career.

But the 24-year-old midfielder – while happy with his season so far – is not completely content.

“I think my better games have been better, but I’ve probably still been a little bit inconsistent,” Shiels told SEN’s Morning Glory today.

“I’ve just been looking to string a few really good performances together heading into finals.”

Shiels produced arguably his strongest performance this season against the Lions on Saturday.

In the absence of on-ball leaders Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell, Shiels collected a team-high 34 disposals to help the Hawks post a 72-point win.

It was the eighth time he has collected 25 or more disposals this season, a feat he has achieved in just one other season (2011) in his seven-year career.

This year the hard-at-it onballer is averaging upwards of 22 disposals per game, and ranks second in the competition for tackles per match, proving his value offensively and defensively.

Within Hawthorn, Shiels is among the top six per game for handballs, disposals, contested possessions, clearances and tackles, and said he has relished the opportunity to play multiple positions.

“This year I’ve been working on playing a number of different positions, not just getting stuck through the midfield,” he said.

“I’ve spent a little bit of time on half forward and on the wing, which I really think has helped me.

“Most weeks now I’m just a ball hunter, but I think I’ve adapted my game now where if someone is getting on top through the midfield, that Clarko can swing me onto them in during a game.”

With just one game to play before finals – against Carlton – Shiels said external talk about the Hawks’ finals chances wouldn’t distract the group.

“It’s a bit of a change – when we won eight in a row there through the middle of the year, we were flag favourites and couldn’t lose (externally), so now it’s changed around a little bit,” he said.

“A few teams over in the west have really stepped and I guess they’re probably the sides to beat at the minute."