Height and pace were critical factors in determining this week’s edition of The Rushed Behind’s Team of the Week.
With multiple ruckmen putting up their hand for selection alongside intercept marking defenders and rebounding runners, it's made for an exciting team bursting with talent.
IN A NUTSHELL…
Thirteen teams were featured for the second consecutive week, with the five sides who missed out all losing on the weekend.
Collingwood benefited the most from their impressive Thursday night win at Optus Stadium, locking in four spots before the other games were played.
A raft of other sides also saw multiple players selected. West Coast’s strong Derby victory gave two of their members a gig, while Richmond, Port Adelaide, St Kilda, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs all gained recognition for taking home the four points in Round 7.
With such an even spread of contributions arising from the weekend, it was a hard task selecting two leaders. Eventually, TRB’s selection committee decided on Tim English as captain after racking up a ton of ranking points in his dominant display against the Bombers.
To back up the young ruckman, milestone man Josh Kennedy was given the role as vice-captain, bringing experience and reliability to the job as shown in his four-goal effort on Sunday.
After getting their first selection all season last week, Adelaide broke through for a second straight round with temporary captain Tom Doedee making a last-minute push onto the bench following to his stellar defensive game last night.
THE UNLUCKY OMISSIONS…
In a round where ruckmen came to the fore, Brodie Grundy was incredibly unlucky not to get into the team with 46 hit-outs and 17 disposals against the Cats. If it weren’t for the virtuoso performances of Tim English and Max Gawn, then the Pies' big man would have been a lock.
Grundy wasn’t the only unlucky big man – last-minute call-up Peter Ladhams was a wonderful surprise for the Power on Sunday, and was stiff to not get a go.
Stephen Coniglio’s return to form included 27 touches and a dash of class. He was sitting on the bench until Tom Doedee pushed him off on Monday night.
Strong midfielders Clayton Oliver and Patrick Cripps were in the same boat as Coniglio – both controlled their respective matches yet couldn’t break into a star-studded side.
Crafty small forwards Mitch Wallis (three goals) and Izak Rankine (two) both circled the selection table, yet couldn’t push their way past the likes of Jordan De Goey (five) and Dan Butler (three).
Down back, running defenders in Liam Duggan (19 disposals) and Ryan Burton (20) had great games rebounding off half-back, but couldn’t push their way into the team.
THE BREAKDOWN…
Four consistent performers held their spot from Round 6. Patrick Dangerfield deservedly retained his position as ruck-rover due to carrying Geelong’s midfield on Thursday, while Christian Petracca’s blistering 2020 season sees him stay in the team for the third consecutive week.
Adam Treloar’s prolific return from a spate of soft tissue injuries gave him the nod once again, while Collingwood teammate Darcy Moore retained his spot at centre half-back following yet another eye-catching game against the Cats.
James Sicily did his best to get selected again with a valiant display on a losing team. Tim Kelly did his chances no harm in his debut derby, while Izak Rankine’s goal-sense nearly gave him another go in the Team of the Week.
Tall defenders Harris Andrews and Moore (alongside Doedee on the bench) all proved to be thorns in their opposition’s backside on the weekend. Although it is unlikely the trio will be unable to intercept mark the ball, the break-out game of Richmond's Derek Eggmolesse-Smith and the consistency of Darcy Byrne-Jones proved the pair can mop up any spills.
Brayden Maynard and Brad Sheppard were both brick walls in their respective matches, tackling fiercely and winning the footy at will.
Sam Walsh’s courage under fire and Shaun Higgins’ 36 possessions gave them found reasoning to be selected as wingmen.
Dynamic duo Shai Bolton (19 touches) and Christian Petracca (29 and one goal) were both moved to a half-forward flank, despite dominating in the midfield against the Roos and Hawks respectively.
Four goals to Josh Kennedy and three to Charlie Dixon meant they locked in the key forward spots, with Jordan De Goey (five goals) and Dan Butler (three) in great form around the sticks.
In centre bounces, Tim English and Max Gawn make a fearsome combo if the weekend was anything to go by – Dangerfield, Adam Treloar and Jack Steele (26 disposals,13 clearances) are the three most likely to capitalise from this dominance.
If the midfield needs any help, tough pair Marcus Bontempelli and Hugh Greenwood proved in Round 7 that they can fire their sides to a win when needed.
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