Another round has passed and, as usual, there are changes in the rolling team of the year.
The first change, an oversight from Round 18 when he was picked for the fifth time, is Matt Priddis who moves onto the bench for David Armitage.
The other change is Matthew Boyd replacing teammate Easton Wood on the bench as the seventh defender for his consistency throughout the year.
Back Pocket: Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne)
Tarrant roamed free in the Roo’s back half against the Western Bulldogs, consistently cutting off opposition attacks. Tarrant finished with 24 disposals at a disposal efficiency of 100 per cent and took a round high 14 marks, five of which were from opposition kicks (also a round high).
Full-Back: Daniel Talia (Adelaide)
Talia dominated soon-to-be Coleman medalist Josh Kennedy in the Crows’ big win over the Eagles. Kennedy only managed one mark (Talia took five, including three from West Coast kicks). Kennedy’s only goal was from a wayward attempt at a switch by Jake Lever in Adelaide’s back half.
Back Pocket: Steven May (Gold Coast)
The Gold Coast full-back was sent to Chad Wingard during the opening term immediately after the small forward kicked a goal on Kade Kolodjashnij. In the following three and a half quarters, Wingard could only manage one goal, from a free kick for Steven May abusing the umpire. May was also able to roll of Wingard and spoil the high ball coming into the Gold Cost defence.
Half-Back Flank: Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
Smith was terrific for the Crows off of half back where his pace and elite kicking were a highlight. Smith gained a massive 893 metres from his 29 possessions and had round highs in kicks (24) and rebound 50s (11).
Centre-Half Back: Alex Rance (Richmond)
Rance was once again one of the Tiger’s best performers against the Bombers. Matched up against Joe Daniher in the wet, he collected 22 possessions and had a massive 15 one-percenters while conceding just one point. Rance also took four intercept marks.
Half-Back Flank: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
Stationed at half-back, allowing his younger teammates to play in the middle, Pendlebury was a class above. He collected 32 possessions at a disposal efficiency of 91 per cent and assisted in two goals with his precise kicking.
Wing: Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
Hannebery collected 39 possessions against the Saints in a strong performance. From his possessions, 14 were contested and seven were from marks. He also sent the ball inside 50 seven times.
Center: Taylor Adams (Collingwood)
Adams was Collingwood’s most prolific midfielder in their win over Geelong with 36 possessions. He was ferocious at the stoppages with 18 contested possessions and a round high 12 clearances. He also had an impact on the score board with 1.1 and three goal assists.
Wing: Danyle Pearce (Fremantle)
Pearce was extremely damaging for the Dockers on the wing and forward with three goals from 24 possessions. He consistently drove the ball forward with his pace and accurate kicking, recording five inside 50s and 675 metres gained.
Half-Forward Flank: Adam Treloar (Greater Western Sydney)
Treloar has added a few dollars to his upcoming contract with 28 possessions and three goals against the Blues. Treloar was hard in the contest (seven tackles and six clearances) and classy in space (18 uncontested possessions, a disposal efficiency of 82 per cent and 602 metres gained) in a balanced display.
Centre-Half Forward: Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney)
Cameron once again dominated the Blue’s backline with an equal career high seven goals. His seven goals came from 17 possessions and 12 marks (including a round high eight inside 50).
Half-Forward Flank: Isaac Heeney (Sydney)
The young Swan played the best game of his short career with 21 possessions and four goals. His class and overhead marking drew comparisons between him and Nat Fyfe.
Forward Pocket: Alex Fasolo (Collingwood)
Fasolo was the most dangerous small forward for the round with five shots on goal (he kicked 3.2). He collected 18 possessions, took eight marks and sent the ball inside 50 on four occasions.
Full-Forward: Josh Jenkins (Adelaide)
Jenkins kicked a career best six goals against an undersized Eagles defence, including three in an outstanding first quarter from the Crows. He was unstoppable in the air, taking a round high five contested marks.
Forward Pocket: Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
In his 100th game Gunston ran the Lions defence ragged and scored four goals off the back of it. His hard running earned him 24 possessions and 10 marks.
Ruck: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
Grundy comfortably beat Geelong’s ruck combination to give his midfield first use of the ball. Grundy had a game high 27 hit-outs and followed up his work at ground level with 16 possessions (12 contested) and seven tackles.
Ruck Rover: Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
Neale was very good for the Dockers with 34 possessions and two goals. He collected 15 contested possessions and had a game high 10 clearances.
Rover: Josh P Kennedy (Sydney)
Kennedy was ferocious at the stoppages for the Swans, using his massive frame to collect a round high 20 contested possessions. He was unstoppable in the midfield and finished with 33 possessions, nine clearances and eight inside 50s.
Interchange: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
While not being the most prolific ball winner on the ground, Bontempelli was the best with 23 possessions and a goal in a damaging display. Bontempelli collected 18 contested possessions and had 10 clearances (both game highs) but still used the ball to perfection (a disposal efficiency of 87 per cent).
Interchange: Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
Dangerfield was the Crows’ best against the Eagles with 28 touches and a goal. He was unstoppable early with 12 possessions and five clearances in an outstanding opening term that set up the win. He finished with a game high 15 contested possessions and used the ball at an impressive 86 per cent disposal efficiency.
Interchange: Sam Gray (Port Adelaide)
Gray was prolific in the wet against the Suns with a massive 37 possessions. Of his 37 touches, 19 were contested and 10 were clearances. He also sent the ball inside 50 on eight occasions, a game high.
Interchange: Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
Boyd was excellent off of half-back for the Wester Bulldogs with 32 possessions. Boyd consistently collected the ball from defence with eight rebound 50s and also took eight marks.
Team of the round
B: R Tarrant, D Talia, S May
HB: B Smith, A Rance, S Pendlebury
C: D Hannebery, T Adams, D Pearce
HF: A Treloar, J Cameron, I Heeney
F: A Fasolo, J Jenkins, J Gunston
FOLL: B Grundy, L Neale, JP Kennedy
INT: M Bontempelli, P Dangerfield, S Gray, M BoydTeam of the season
B: M Hurley (4), D Talia (5), H Shaw (5)
HB: R Murphy (5), A Rance (8), S Mitchell (7)
C: D Hannebery (8), P Dangerfield (10), A Gaff (6)
HF: D Sheil (6), J Cameron (4), C Wingard (5)
F: E Betts (5), JJ Kennedy (5), T Walker (5)
FOLL: A Sandilands (5), N Fyfe (10), JP Kennedy (9)
INT: M Priddis (6), S Pendlebury (6), L Hodge (5), M Boyd (5)
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