Team of the Week returns for another instalment, with the round's best players celebrated.
BACKS
Jake Lloyd starred in the quarterback role for the Swans, racking up nine marks, eight rebound 50s and 32 disposals at 87 per cent efficiency.
Sam Collins too was a monster down back for the Suns in their colossal win against the Bulldogs, with 11 of his possessions being both contested and interceptions. Additionally, the ex-Docker clunked four contested marks and kept Josh Schache goalless.
Meanwhile, Shannon Hurn was instrumental in the Eagles victory over the Pies in the Grand Final rematch, racking up 28 disposals at 86 per cent efficiency to give the Eagles their trademark bounce out of the back half.
HALF-BACKS
Lachie Whitfield is enjoying an exceptional start to the season, and this weekend was no different, as he ended his afternoon up 42 disposals off the half-back line at 76 per cent efficiency. Making full use of the freedom provided to him by the hapless Tigers, he also clocked 12 marks, eight inside 50s, and 10 score involvements.
Josh Walker too dominated off the half-back line against Port Adelaide, positioning himself incredibly well behind the ball to rack up 11 intercept marks and 11 intercept possessions on his way to a 23-disposal and 16-mark game.
The drive Luke Ryan provided was similarly pivotal in the Dockers’ five-point win over the Saints, with his 32 disposals, 13 intercept possessions, 13 marks and 677 metres gained arguably the Freo defender's career-best performance.
CENTRE
David Zaharakis was a crucial cog in continuing Melbourne’s abysmal start to the season, with his 516 metres gained, 31 disposals and 16 contestd possessions to give the Bombers first use of the ball at the coalface.
But the throne of contested king goes to Carlton’s Patrick Cripps, who churned out a monumental 22 contested possessions and 13 clearances, giving his young Blues outfit the best chance possible out of the middle.
Jack Macrae, meanwhile, continued to do Jack Macrae things on his way to 33 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency. With nine tackles thrown into the mix, performances such as these are fast becoming (if not already) a standard game for the star Bulldog.
HALF-FORWARD
Travis Boak was a standout in Port’s loss to the ever-dangerous Lions, complimenting his 35 disposals at 71 per cent with two goals off the half-forward line to keep the Power in the game.
It was a parallel effort of Adelaide’s Tom Lynch, who slotted two goals among 26 disposals (84 per cent in the forward half), nine inside 501s and 11 score involvements.
Completing the trio of players who starred in losing outfits, Richmond’s Kane Lambert was the one beacon coming out of a torrid game for the Tigers, flitting between the middle of the ground and the forward line on his way to 34 disposals, nine score involvements, six inside 50s and a goal.
FORWARDS
There were some standout performers in the forward half this week, one of which was Sydney’s Isaac Heeney, who showed the form everyone knows he’s capable of with four goals, 26 disposals (14 contested), 11 score involvements, and eight marks (three inside 50) to cap off an all-round performance.
But the standout performer in the forward half this week can only go to spearhead Jeremy Cameron, who will be featuring in the nightmares of the Richmond defence this week with 30 disposals, seven goals, 16 score involvements and seven marks inside 50, despite injuring his shoulder in the first quarter. It could’ve been worse for Richmond, with the GWS star kicking five behinds as well.
Connor Rozee too provided a blistering display for a first-year player, kicking five goals on his way to 21 disposals and 13 score involvements.
FOLLOWERS
Despite there being an overwhelming selection of ruckmen to choose from, Collingwood’s Brodie Grundy took the cake this week, finishing the Grand Final rematch with 22 disposals (13 contested) to go with his 40 hit-outs; his dominance in the ruck giving the Pies’ midfield first use.
Meanwhile, Patrick Dangerfield continued his early season form by racking up 32 disposals (16 contested) at 69 per cent, to go with 11 score involvements, 10 clearances, 12 inside 50s and a goal in what was a complete midfield performance against his former side.
However, the player of the week goes to a man that we are running out of superlatives for. Lachie Neale was absolutely dominant as he dragged the Lions over the line against Port Adelaide in a sensational game. The numbers don’t lie: 43 disposals at 84 per cent, 25 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, 16 clearances and a goal are all indicative of a man at the peak of his powers.
INTERCHANGE
Tom Liberatore was a standout in the Dogs' loss to Gold Coast, with 22 contested disposals and 12 clearances.
Steele Sidebottom also enjoyed a good showing with 25 disposals and a goal, acting as a constant thorn in West Coast’s side on the outside.
Despite being on the losing side, Melbourne big man Max Gawn also earns a spot in our Team of the Week as the secondary ruckman, following a standard Maxy performance with 17 disposals, a goal and 43 hit-outs.
Essendon hard nut Dyson Heppell, rounds out the Team of the Week, with the Essendon skipper dragging the Bombers over the line with 27 touches (14 contested) and five clearances.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Jack Billings: two goals, 32 touches at 75 per cent and six inside 50s in what was a solid effort in a losing outfit.
Jaeger O’Meara: 31 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances would normally earn you a spot; however, the competition was stiff this week, plus 11 clangers doesn’t help.
Josh P. Kennedy: contributed 31 disposals at 74 per cent, seven clearances and eight tackles to help the Swans over the line, going head-to-head with Patrick Cripps in a gripping battle.
Rowan Marshall: 16 disposals, 40 hit-outs and six clearances put the big man in the spotlight, reaffirming the notion that he is "The Prospect".
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