Another weekend of great footy has come and gone, so who makes our Team of the Round?
Back Pocket: Scott Thompson (North Melbourne)
Despite Fremantle’s dominance throughout the entire game, where they won every quarter, Thompson was superb on Matthew Pavlich. He restricted the Dockers skipper to just one goal, seven disposals and no marks until he was subbed out.
Full-back: Sam Rowe (Carlton)
Another key defender to stand up in an under-siege defence, Rowe held Tom Hawkins to just one goal, which he got after recieving a free kick for tackling Jason Tutt.
Back Pocket: Lee Spurr (Fremantle)
Spurr restricted North Melbourne’s small forward to just one goal and four disposals after Thomas had kicked 17 goals in seven games this year.
Half-back Flank: Kade Simpson (Carlton)
Simpson was another Blues defender to stand up on Friday night, collecting 30 disposals from half-back. He marked strongly, taking an equal game-high 10 marks which included numerous intercept marks and four contested marks. He also had seven rebound 50s.
Centre-half Back: James Frawley (Hawthorn)
Frawley had the best game of his time at Hawthorn, dominating Swans star Lance Franklin. Frawley kept Franklin scoreless and to just seven disposals in the standout defensive performance of the round.
Half-back Flank: Marley Williams (Collingwood)
One of four Collingwood player to feature in the Round 8 Team of the Week, Williams performed strongly in defence for the Pies. Williams finished with 33 disposals, 12 marks and six rebound 50s.
Wing: Dylan Shiel (Greater Western Sydney)
Shiel’s run and carry dominated the Crows who could not keep up with his, or any other Giant’s, pace. Shiel had 27 uncontested possessions (34 possessions in total), four running bounces, five inside 50s and was judged best on ground by the two coaches.
Centre: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
In his 200th game Pendlebury pulled off the performance of the round with 35 touches and three goals against the Suns. Spending more time forward, Pendlebury has elevated his game to another level that puts him on par with Fyfe as a dominant goal-kicking midfielder. He finished with a round high four goal-assists and equal second round-high eight inside 50s.
Wing: Travis Varcoe (Collingwood)
Varcoe was terrific on the wing for the Pies, collecting 29 disposals in a hard running performance. Not one of his disposals was wasted, recording a disposal efficiency of 100 per cent. He also had 10 uncontested marks and two goals.
Half-forward Flank: Jordan Murdoch (Geelong)
Murdoch was the best player on the ground in Geelong’s clash with Carlton and has shown that the future is bright for Geelong. He kicked four goals.
Centre-half Forward: Joe Daniher (Essendon)
Daniher was the standout forward of the round, kicking a career best six goals against the Lions. Daniher was dominant in the air, taking a round-high five contested marks, as well as five inside 50s. His pace and outside run was on show as he collected 21 uncontested possessions.
Half-forward Flank: Michael Walters (Fremantle)
Walters may be returning to the form that had many people believe he could become the best small forward in the competition prior to the first round after kicking four goals against the Roos. He was dangerous whenever he went near it and if Ballantyne can also return to his All-Australian form they could form one of the best small forward combinations in the league.
Forward Pocket: Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
The high-leaping Collingwood forward kicked five goals against the Suns. He was a marking target for the Pies, finishing with four marks inside 50, but was also dangerous at ground level in a balanced game. He had two goal assists.
Full-forward: Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
‘Tex’ went head-to-head with Joel Patful and comfortably won with four goals and 11 marks. His presence forward gave the Crows hope that they could potentially overcome the Giants. He was the Crows most dangerous player and, if given quality supply consistently throughout the match, could’ve kicked more.
Forward Pocket: Jesse Hogan (Melbourne)
Coming off a rest, Hogan dominated the Bulldogs defence in a contested marking and hard running performance. Hogan worked up hard up the ground, collecting 21 disposals, but was also a threat inside 50 with five marks inside 50 and three goals. He finished with nine marks (two contested) and two goal assists as well.
Ruck: Shane Mumford (Greater Western Sydney)
Two of the form ruckmen of the competition went head-to-head and, despite Jacobs collecting far more ball around the ground, Mumford was clearly the winner on the day. He dominated Jacobs in the hit-outs, having 47 (22 more than Jacobs), and was key to the Giants’ win in centre clearances on the day. He was also a presence in the stoppages, recording nine tackles.
Ruck Rover: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
Fyfe’s form this year has been outstanding, seven selections in the team of the week from eight rounds (he was unlucky to miss out in Round 3). This performance was as good as any of the other seven weeks with a career-best 37 disposals (21 contested) and 11 clearances. He is phenomenal.
Rover: Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
Hannebery was out for redemption in the grand final rematch after a poor performance in the grand final. He was dominant throughout the four quarters, finishing with 36 disposals and seven clearances. He used the ball at 75 per cent even though he collected 15 contested possessions, equal ninth for the round.
Interchange: Adam Treloar (Greater Western Sydney)
Griffen and Scully could both have featured here after the Giants midfield dominated the Crows. Treloar finished with 35 touches (13 contested), more than any other on the ground.
Interchange: Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
Mitchell was effectively held by McGlynn in the first quarter but broke free after quarter time to keep the Hawks in the game. Despite the poor first quarter, Mitchell finished with 32 touches and eight clearances, ensuring that the Hawks smashed the Swans in clearances (48-27) and inside 50s (54-36). His class shone in the tough contest with a disposal efficiency of 84 per cent.
Interchange: Jack Steven (St Kilda)
Interchange: Brett Deledio (Richmond)
The Tigers’ most important player, Deledio was potentially the best on ground against the Power with 28 disposals (15 contested) at a disposal efficiency of 86 per cent. His kicking is elite and he used that well through the midfield and also managed to go forward and kick an important goal in the first quarter.
B: S Thompson, S Rowe, L Spurr
HB: K Simpson, J Frawley, M Williams
C: D Shiel, S Pendlebury (c), T Varcoe
HF: J Murdoch, J Daniher, M Walters
F: J Elliot, T Walker, J Hogan
FOLL: S Mumford, N Fyfe, D Hannebery
INT: A Treloar, S Mitchell, J Steven, B Deledio
Season Team
B: J McGovern (2), M Hurley (3), M Williams (2)
HB: R Murphy (3), T McDonald (3), B Houli (2)
C: D Hannebery (4), JP Kennedy (3), S Hill (1)
HF: R Gray (3), JJ Kennedy (2), M LeCras(3)
F: E Betts (4), T Walker (3), J Cameron (2)
FOLL: S Mumford (2), D Shiel (5), N Fyfe (7)
INT: P Dangerfield (3), D Armitage (3), S Pendlebury(2), J Steven (2)
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