It’s the kind of contribution that can get overshadowed under the Friday night lights, games built on the doing the grunt work, lunging for a spoil or a tackle, or a smother.

But it’s the sort of thing Fletcher Roberts is building a career on and it’s no surprise that as another week goes by Robert is again at the top of the Bulldogs’ stats sheet for one-percenters.

His six last night tied him with skipper Easton Wood, and for the fourth time in the last six matches he’s been the Dogs’ leader in that category.

Since returning to the senior side in round 16 against Richmond, the 196cm, 90kg Roberts, along with fellow defender Joel Hamling, has lifted his game to a new level, something his teammates have noticed.

“Especially with [Dale] Morris going out, they’ve stood up the last couple of weeks,” Luke Dahlhaus told Channel 7 in the rooms post-match on Friday night.

“They’ve been knocking on the door for ages and as soon as they come into the AFL they just perform.

“They’re really solid down there and we love them.”

The Dogs are ranked fourth in the League for total one-percenters behind Port Adelaide, Hawthorn and Collingwood, with Roberts (21st) and Hamling (23rd) leading the way.

Both players have the combination of size and athleticism to run with the League’s best forwards, but it’s their willingness to do the less glamourous stuff that have stood out this season.

And last night was no exception.