Electric defender Joel Jeffrey has had a phenomenal start to the 2025 season, highlighted by one of the finest games of his young career at Barossa Park on Saturday.

The 2022 AFL Rising Star nominee tallied 20 disposals, six score involvements, a career-high 13 marks and one goal against North Melbourne, earning himself a coaches vote and the fan-voted Austworld Player of the Round.

In fact, Jeffrey’s form has been that strong that the 23-year-old is currently ranked the fourth-best general defender, and 10^th best player overall in the competition according to Champion Data’s 100X Ratings System, through the first five rounds of 2025.

Jeffrey says he’s enjoying playing his part in the club’s best-ever start to an AFL season.

“It's the best feeling when you kick a goal so it's good to get on the end of one again,” Jeffrey said.

“Getting the wins, it's an unreal feeling obviously.

“We just want to keep banking them up when we can and not get bored of the little things we're doing throughout the week.

“We don't want to get too ahead of ourselves.  We just stick to our process. When we go out, we're not worried about kicks, marks, handballs and all that. We just play to the system and that's what is getting us wins.” 

The Indigenous All-Star has transitioned seamlessly into a role in defence under Senior Coach Damien Hardwick, leaning on fellow defenders for inspiration.

“Wil Powell and Bodhi Uwland play similar positions. So, when we do our reviews after games, after training sessions, we're always sitting together doing reviews,” Jeffrey added.

“So yeah, probably those two (are my major influences).”

Following the long-term unavailability of key defender Charlie Ballard, Jeffrey has taken the most of his opportunity in a hybrid role down back, providing plenty of dash alongside the likes of star recruits Daniel Rioli and John Noble.

“Having Daniel and Nobes come in, they give off that drive off half-back. I did do that a little bit last year but having them two, I can add other things to my game now and work on my defensive side of things,” Jeffrey said.

“I could always use the footy well. It's just how I can add other things into my game, which is my defensive work, one-on-one work and building strength to compete with bigger bodies. 

“Obviously playing in a hybrid role, you've got to play on small and tall players. I feel like I've improved a lot. The coaches have been giving me good raps after a game, so I just need to keep doing the little things that add up.”

Jeffrey will raise his hand for selection again this week ahead of this Saturday night’s pursuit for a sixth consecutive win.

The SUNS take on Richmond at Marvel Stadium from 7:25pm on Saturday. Catch all the action live on Fox Footy and Kayo.