Team of the Week returns for Round 4, with the round's best players celebrated.
Backs
Key Richmond defender Dylan Grimes was the standout from a defensive standpoint this week after a dominant performance in a heavy-depleted back six. With the entire leadership group unavailable, Grimes would step up majorly with 17 disposals and seven marks while also coming up in clutch with a number of key fourth quarter intercepts.
2018 All Australian Tom Stewart showed his class at the Cattery on Saturday afternoon with an outstanding 26 disposals and eight marks across half back for Geelong. Despite his side going down in a heartbreaker, Stewart held firm all day by taking a number of crucial marks and providing a spark for his team from the back half.
Controversial Hawk James Sicily was back to his best as an intercepting defender, taking 10 marks on his way to a 28 disposals performance. With James Frawley and Ben Stratton going down early in the piece, Sicily was instrumental in leading the inexperienced Hawks defence and setting up their trademark ball movement.
Half-Backs
Former No. 1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield continued his red-hot start to 2019 with 31 disposals and 10 marks off half-back in the Giants’ stunning four-point win over the Cats. Whitfield was also very efficient going at 84 per cent, as he found space with ease all day at Kardinia Park.
Key Essendon defender Michael Hurley was at his All Australian best in the Bombers’ rout of the in-form Brisbane at the MCG, claiming 21 disposals and six marks. He was also critical in shutting down star Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood, who only managed seven disposals and a solitary goal for the day.
West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn added third Ross Glendinning-Allen Medal to his resume after a dominant 32-disposal and eight-mark display in a tight Derby tussle against the Dockers. Renowned for his penetrating leg, Hurn hit his teammates up all night going at 84 per cent and making almost all of his possessions count.
Centre
Promising wingman Seb Ross was at his devastating best on Sunday afternoon against the Hawks, as he ran hard all day to claim 39 disposals in a famous St Kilda victory. His efforts would also see him win the Silk-Miller Memorial Medal alongside Hawthorn’s Tom Scully as the best players for their respective sides.
Although his Blues went down in a nail-biting encounter at Metricon Stadium, skipper Patrick Cripps was at his beastly best as he dominated the Suns from start to finish with 30 disposals, 12 tackles, eight clearances and two goals.
Returning West Coast star Andrew Gaff picked up where he left off last week with a prolific 35-disposal and nine-mark display in the Derby on Saturday night. Gaff’s work rate was a particular highlight to his game, as he constantly popped up in dangerous positions like a true hard-running wingman.
Half-forwards
After showing signs of becoming an A-grade player for the past few seasons, Jack Billings looks to be finally be taking the leap after yet another classy display against the Hawks on Sunday afternoon. Playing through the middle of the ground and across half-forward, Billings was brilliant all day with 34 disposals and five tackles. His last quarter was a particular highlight of his game, as he had a huge nine touches to will his Saints to victory.
Boom recruit Tom Lynch continues to endear himself to the Richmond faithful, as he helped guide the Tigers to a famous victory over Port Adelaide. Matched up against some quality defenders in Tom Jonas and Tom Clurey, Lynch was dominant all day as he competed strongly in the air and reaped the rewards with six majors.
Former Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak continues to thrive in his new role in the Port Adelaide midfield, picking up 33 disposals to be the Power’s most influential player. Boak would also have a game high six inside 50s to go with five clearances, as he took advantage of the Tigers’ inexperienced on-ball brigade.
Forwards
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti produced the standout performance of Round 4, with the livewire forward booting a career-best seven goals along with 20 disposals in the Bombers’ big win over the Lions. An electric presence around the sticks all day, McDonald-Tipungwuti’s pressure was also immense as he constantly worried the Brisbane defence.
North Melbourne key forward Ben Brown hit back at his early season critics with a classy four-goal display against Adelaide at Marvel Stadium. Matched up with dual All Australian Daniel Talia, the big North Melbourne forward outmaneuvered his opponent all day and presented to the ball strongly.
Another livewire inside St Kilda’s inside 50, Jack Lonie produced a break out game on Sunday afternoon against the Hawks, kicking 3.5 to go along with his 17 touches. Although inaccurate, Lonie provided a spark inside 50 for the Saints with his pressure and work at the contest key factors in the overall result of the match.
Followers
The starting ruck position could have gone either way, but we’ve chosen to give the nod to Melbourne big man Max Gawn after his incredible performance against the Swans on Thursday night. Matched up with an in form Callum Sinclair, the two time All Australian would dominate from start to finish, amassing a ridiculous 55 hit-outs to give the Melbourne midfielders first look at the footy all night. His work around the ground was also excellent as he took five marks and had 19 disposals.
It’s official, Marcus Bontempelli has taken his game to new heights in 2019. On the game’s biggest stage, the Bulldogs superstar was huge all night against the Magpies, amassing a classy 36 disposals, eight clearances, seven inside 50s and eight tackles. He also used the ball at an efficient 75 per cent and was pivotal in the Bulldogs’ ability to transition the ball through the middle of the ground.
In Geelong, the suitors for Stephen Coniglio continued to grow as he was brilliant in the midfield with 32 disposals and 10 clearances in the Giants’ thrilling win against the Cats. He also took control of the midfield group when Callan Ward went down with a serious knee injury and led from the front in the game’s dying stages.
Interchange
Following Gawn’s effort on Thursday night, Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy produced a similarly dominant game in the Magpies’ win over the Bulldogs. Up against the inexperience of Tim English, Grundy was able to do as he pleased all night, ending up with 58 hit-outs, 23 disposals and eight tackles.
Gold Coast vice-captain Touk Miller had a career best afternoon at Metricon Stadium on Sunday as he fought valiantly through the midfield to see the Suns claim a crucial win over the Blues. Playing as an inside midfielder, Miller was a beast in and around the contest with 14 tackles to go with his 31 touches and six clearances.
The 2019 season just keeps getting better for Brisbane recruit Lachie Neale. The former Docker picked up 40 disposals for the third straight week in the Lions’ loss to Essendon.
After copping heavy criticism for his performances in the first two rounds, Essendon onballer Zach Merrett was back to his damaging best with a season high 35 disposals, seven clearances and seven inside 50s to steer the Bombers to victory.
Honorable mentions
Shaun Higgins: Was a class above for North Melbourne all night against the Crows with 30 disposals, seven marks, five clearances and a goal.
Tom Rockliff: Responded from his concussion last week with a match-high 37 disposals and six clearances in the Power’s seven-point loss to Richmond.
Nathan Jones: An inspirational performance from the Melbourne skipper, whose three goals and 21 disposals were pivotal in inspiring his side’s first win of the season.
Rowan Marshall: The St Kilda ruckman continues to blossom in his breakout year, as he enjoyed a tough battle with Ben McEvoy in the ruck and was pivotal around the ground with 17 disposals and a goal.
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