By JACKSON MILLER

There have been some stellar performances in the first three rounds of the AFL season, including straight wins by a club that didn’t make the finals last year.

To pick just five outstanding players in these opening weeks is a difficult task, but there have been five players who stood out during these first three rounds.

#1 Jordan De Goey, Collingwood

Jordan De Goey has long been considered one of Collingwood’s best recruits, and his performance so far this season has confirmed that title.

While he wasn’t up to his usual standard in their Round 3 loss to West Coast Eagles, the Pies forward was an integral part of the win against Richmond in Round 2.

De Goey kicked five goals, took six marks (including a very impressive specky over Dylan Grimes) and had 15 disposals.

This impressive display of skill has landed him votes for both the mark of the year and goal of the year.

#2 Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong

The Geelong vice-captain has been essential in leading the team to three straight wins so far, a feat only shared by one other club, Brisbane Lions.

In the Cats’ nail-biting win against Collingwood in their Round 1 match, Dangerfield came out with 27 disposals and was a large part of keeping the seesaw action going on the scoreboard.

His statistics so far include an impressive 96 disposals, 14 tackles, and 18 marks. With these numbers exceeding Dangerfield’s career averages, it’s clear to see that the midfielder will be performing well this season.

#3 Lincoln McCarthy, Brisbane

As mentioned above, Brisbane are the only team to share Geelong’s current statistic of three wins and zero losses.

This is pretty impressive, considering they finished in the bottom four last year. One of their most impressive wins so far was their demolishing of the reigning premiers, West Coast Eagles, with an amazing 44-point win.

One player who stood out in that slaughter match was ex-Cat Lincoln McCarthy. The Lions’ new forward shone in his first game for the Lions, kicking a career-high four goals.

McCarthy was not the only player to perform well against West Coast, but he was among the top three, the others being Charlie Cameron and recruit Lachie Neale.

#4 Tom Lynch, Richmond

Despite Richmond’s concerns with injuries to star players, there have been some redeeming features.

The Top 5 spot goes to recruit Tom Lynch. While the former Gold Coast player was somewhat rusty, he worked well with fellow forward Jack Riewoldt in the Tiger's win.

Lynch kicked two goals in the opening quarter, and both Riewoldt and he did a lot of damage using manic and aggressive pressure.

#5 Jeremy Cameron, Greater Western Sydney

GWS bounced back in Round 3 after their disappointing loss to the Eagles, defeating Richmond 125 to 76.

The standout in this win was, without a doubt, Jeremy Cameron, who was the leading goalkicker with an impressive seven goals, including the opening score for the match and three of the Giants’ six goals in the final quarter.

Cameron didn’t even let a potential injury stop him, after appearing to injure his shoulder in the first quarter.