NTFA premier division: who has started 2021 off strong?

Since joining the Tigers from Hutchins this season, Luke Murfitt-Cowen has been a revelation for the ladder-leaders, booting 50 of the side's 116 majors.

Fellow recruit, ex-North Launceston player Connor Pearton, has been the group's most consistent, appearing in the best players six times, with Murfitt-Cowen and Kasey Curtis doing so on four occasions.

The Bulldogs have an even spread both in front of goals and in their best players.

Bart McCulloch (21), Daniel Berry (16) and Kaleb Thomas (15) have all been reliable in front of the big sticks, while Gareth Holt, Jake Laskey and skipper Luke McCarty have been named in the best four times.

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Victorian and Northern Territory recruit Matty Dennis has been instrumental around the ground as the Redlegs push for a flag, appearing in the best players a massive six times.

Nick Mitchell's five follows him, while new coach Corry Goodluck has booted 26 goals - sitting second in the league.

Third in the league is North-West footy icon Darren Banham, who made the move to the Kangaroos this season and has proved worthwhile with 24 majors.

Young co-captain Jarrod Scott was Deloraine's best in last year's NTFA Shield final and has carried on his form, recognised five times for his work.

Kyle Lanham has been a strong spark up forward for the Magpies this season, booting 23 majors including a haul of eight against George Town.

Brady Gee (six appearances) has been consistent for the side, with young gun Jacob Singline on his tail with five strong showings.

Prominent forward Rohan Sergeant has again been dangerous and is the only Parrot to have kicked double figures with 23.

Midfield bull Casey Walker-Russell, who spent time in Launceston's development league side last year, has carried his form back to the Parrots, notching five best-players appearances.

Powerful Tigers duo Brayden Claridge (21) and Josh Holton (20) have been the two main targets for Rocherlea's midfielders and have thrived in tandem.

The explosive Jordan Cousens, Mitch Cordell and skipper Luke Richards have all been named in the best players four times.

Experienced ruck Kieran Fullard has led from the front with the young Sharks crew, producing five strong games despite missing a week early in the season.

The sparse goals have been shared around by the 2019 premiers, with strong targets Josh Moore (nine), Andrew Whitmore and Brad Templar (both eight) leading the way.

Experienced campaigner Luke Crane leads the goal-kicking for the Saints, booting seven majors in his four appearances, while young gun Austin Maynard has transitioned back into senior football with a bang after the under-21 premiership with five best-player showings.