Lachie Neale still isn't comfortable hearing the praise but the Brisbane midfielder better get used to it after warning that 2022 could be his best AFL season yet.
The runaway 2020 Brownlow Medal winner will play game 200 on Thursday night when the Lions host an improved Collingwood at the Gabba.
In his 11th season - fourth in Brisbane since a high-profile move from Fremantle - the ball-winner and new father says he always believed in himself but had a hard time convincing himself others did too.
"That's never wavered, but at the start and in my draft year I didn't trust the belief that other people had in me, didn't think they saw me as that sort of player," he said.
"Once you bank a few games you feel comfortable and settled and 200 games now is a lot of footy, I've been around 11 years now.
"I still don't feel super comfortable being mentioned as one of the best players in the game, even though I feel my best is.
"To hear people say that is quite strange still."
But Neale is confident enough to suggest his renewed level of fitness and the team's quest for a flag should mean he's more prolific than ever.
"I can definitely have my best year, but talk's pretty cheap," he said. '
"You have to go out and deliver, but myself and the team's had a good start (with three wins and a close loss to Geelong)."
A big crowd, including many Collingwood fans, is expected for one of Brisbane's most-anticipated fixtures of the year.
"They've been playing some good footy," he said of the Magpies, who are 2-2 under new coach and former Brisbane premiership player Craig McRae.
"Hopefully we can shut them (their fans) up pretty quick."
