This round saw the toughest decision-making process for the Team of the Week so far. The midfielders and talls all stood up and many can count themselves unlucky to miss out. Winners were definitely grinners.
Who did end up making the best 22 this round?
Full-back line
Josh Gibson (HAW) – Gets a gig yet again for blanketing the opposition’s attacking 50. Kept Warnock goalless and ended the night with 31 possessions, 10 marks and 11 one percenters.
Luke McPharlin (FRE) – A bit of an uncharacteristic night for ol’ McPharlin; racking up the touches and wheeling around to boot goals from 50 usually isn’t his area of expertise, but what a night for the big defender.
Choked the space out of the Essendon forward line along with parter in crime Michael Johnson and ended with 31 touches, 13 marks and the aforementioned goal.
Brodie Smith (ADE) – Provided vital rebound playing loose in the back 50 for the Crows and was one of their best in their strong win. 30 touches and 12 marks for the night.
Half-back line
Matt Suckling (HAW) – Spent some time up forward but as usual his highlights came from him setting up play and using his lethal boot. Great to see him flying again. 30 touches, four marks and two goals for the night.
Scott D. Thompson (NTH) – Got his chance for revenge on Franklin on a day that didn’t suit KPP’s. Kept him goalless, filled space and repelled forward forays all game. 24 touches, seven marks and four tackles in his stats column.
Jared Rivers (GEE) – Took one of the West Coast ruckmen when they went forward but his best work came up on the flanks taking marks and rebounding. 25 disposals, 12 marks and seven one percenters.
Midfield
Matthew Stokes (GEE) – The re-invention continues. Another powerful night in the midfield from the Geelong veteran with 38 disposals, 10 marks and three goal assists.
Matthew Boyd (WBD) – Many predicted Boyd would slow this season but this game should keep them quiet for the time being. A vintage effort from the ex-captain, his hardened game proving vital in a hard fought win against GWS.
Had a massive last quarter when needed, racking up 15 disposals and three clearances for the quarter. Ended with 39 possessions, eight clearances, seven marks, six inside 50s and 1.1 for the game.
Sam Mitchell (HAW) – One of many Hawks to dine out on the Suns, playing inside and out and showing his class. 36 touches, six marks, six clearances, four inside 50s and two goals for the match.
Half-forward line
Dayne Beams (COL) – Played brilliantly in the midfield and booted goals up forward in the second and third. Seemed to be having a lot of fun as the Pies ran over the top of the Tigers. 30 possessions, eight clearances, seven inside 50s, five marks, four tackles and three goals as well as one behind.
Matthew Pavlich (FRE) – Complemented McPharlin perfectly at the other end of the ground with another vintage performance of his own. Worked hard and presented well all throughout the final match of the round. 14 kicks, six handballs, eight marks and 3.1 and a heap of presence.
Matt White (PTA) – Called upon to fill Monfries’ role with the latter out with a hamstring. Responded with gusto and was brilliant, especially early, as the Power destroyed the Lions. Finished with 26 disposals, nine marks, seven tackles, six inside 50s, two goal assists and three goals of his own.
Forward line
Jack Gunston (HAW) – A dead-eye dick as always up forward, including a special soccer effort out of mid-air in the second. Took Clay Cameron to the cleaners and ended with 25 disposals, 10 marks and five goals straight.
Jay Schulz (PTA) – Any key forward should relish the opportunity to kick a bag and Schulz did so, taking apart Jordan Lisle and booting 7.1 as a deep forward. Took six marks inside 50, more than the entire Lions side managed.
James Frawley (MEL) – The $800,000 dollar man showed he was up for the challenge up forward as the Demons took home the chocolates. Played as a high forward for a fair bit of the game and presented well when inside 50. Finished the match with 24 touches, 14 marks, six inside 50s and 2.1.
Followers
Sam Jacobs (ADE) – Big Sandi was strong as usual, but Big Sauce even better (to the chagrin of Supercoach players who ditched him). Dominated the ruck all day against young Billy Longer and contributed around the ground as well. Ended with 22 possessions, 39 hit-outs, seven marks, four tackles and 1.2.
Travis Boak (PTA) – The Power captain lit up the new Adelaide Oval against a hapless Brisbane on his way to 41 touches (at 80.5 per cent efficiency), eight clearances, seven marks, six inside 50s, four tackles, three goal assists and 1.1 for himself.
Led from the front all day and cleaned up his disposal after a bit of shakiness early to cap off a brilliant day on the field for his club.
Scott Pendlebury (COL) – A class above (especially early) on Friday night. As others fumbled a greasy ball Pendlebury looked like it was dry as anything, pulling his usual time slowing tricks out and booting goals.
Vital as the Pies gained the ascendency in general play. 24 touches, six tackles and a very handy 3.1 for the evening.
Interchange
Rory Sloane (ADE) – Sloane looked rightfully chuffed after the match as he’d spent the previous four quarters gathering the ball with ease. Ended the day with 30 disposals, nine marks, five tackles and 1.1
Ben Cunnington (NTH) – Went head to head with big Josh Kennedy (unlucky not to make the TOTW himself) and his team came out on top. Played a fierce game and again showed us why he’s so highly rated. 30 touches, 11 clearances, 10 tackles, five marks and a behind for the match.
Nathan Jones (MEL) – The perennially underrated Jones went about his business and did what he always does, except this time it helped inspire his team to victory. From Carlton’s first goal to Pedersen’s sealer he was involved, leading from the front and ending with 28 disposals, four tackles and a goal.
His effort around the ground was punctuated on the stats sheet with six rebound 50s and three inside 50s.
Sub (from chosen subs)
Josh Saunders (STK) – Came on in the second after a nasty clash sent Nathan Wright off and took the opportunity with both hands. Did great work inside and out, finishing with 20 disposals, four clearances, four tackles and a goal in just over a half of footy.
Crowley of the Week
Who else? Brent Macaffer kept star Tiger Trent Cotchin to 13 possessions while getting nine (and laying 11 tackles) of his own. However…
Campbell Brown of the Week
Goes to those in the media and the punters who deride Macaffer’s performance for shallow reasons. Taggers aren’t a blight on the game, they’re a part of it and an excellent job should be applauded as we would a defender.
It might not be the prettiest part of the game, but to ignore an individual’s (mostly selfless) strong contribution to a team effort for no better reason than aesthetics is baffling.
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