AFL Team of the Week: Round 8

The first of the bye rounds has been completed and it was an exciting weekend all up, with a bit of footy thrown in. We had a big upset, a couple of close crackers and an almighty flogging complete with a big bag.

Due to the quality of the individual performers this week it wasn’t an easy round to pick, so who did crack the final 22?

Backline
Dane Rampe (SYD) – Fantasy coaches wouldn’t have been as happy as recent weeks but Sydney supporters would have been chuffed.

Up against an extremely imposing forward line, Rampe kept one of the most dangerous threats – Jack Gunston – to a measly two behinds and 11 possessions.

Alex Silvagni (FRE) – Often seen as a whipping boy or surplus to Fremantle’s needs, Silvagni took his chance at seniors with both hands outstretched. He was shaky early and his team eventually went down, but after current Coleman leader Jay Schulz kicked the first goal of the game Silvagni made sure he did little to nothing else for the remainder.

Jackson Trengove (PTA) – Spent most of the game down back, mostly manning Zac Clarke and doing a reasonable job of it, but his work in the ruck and on the ball in the last quarter pushed him into the team of the week.

What a luxury to have a player the size of Trengove with such versatility. It takes a special effort to essentially get into the side on the back of one quarter, but if you’re one who saw Trengove in action late Saturday afternoon, you’ll know why.

Half-back line
Shannon Hurn (WCE) – Was back with a vengeance as the rebounding superboot, helping his team demolish GWS. 27 disposals (20 kicks), 12 marks, eight inside 50s and three tackles in a fine display.

Cale Hooker (ESS) – Kept Jonathan Brown (who, despite what you may have heard, is still a more than capable goalkicker) to one goal and severely hampered his ability to get effective disposals away. Had 20 touches (at 90 per cent efficiency), 10 marks and 10 one percenters of his own.

Nick Malceski (SYD) – Made a few mistakes but also did some of the extraordinary. Gathered 22 touches, five rebound 50s and three marks, but the best moments were his two goals, the latter a miraculous effort from a pocket that brought back memories of the 2012 grand final.

Centre
Tom Rockliff (BRI) – Almost playing a lone hand this season, Rockliff has led from the front and nearly dragged the team over the line against the Bombers. Was relentless attacking the ball. Finished with 35 possessions, 11 tackles, 8 clearances, 7 marks, 5 rebound 50s and even a couple of hit-outs.

Jobe Watson (ESS) – The yin to Rockliff’s yang. Was a bull in the middle as always and looked very imposing. Rockliff and Watson were head-to-head for most of the evening and although it’s hard to pick a winner, Jobe’s team got the chocolates.

35 disposals, 9 tackles, 8 clearances, 7 marks and a goal for the evening. Honourable mention goes to Dyson Hepell for assisting with the heavy lifting.

Bryce Gibbs (CAR) – It seems remarkably simple in hindsight. Want a player to prove his worth? Throw him in the guts. Gibbs led by example in a scrappy game with his disposal valuable and set up work clever, racking up 38 touches (17 contested), 8 clearances, 6 marks, 5 tackles and a goal.

Not the average statsheet for Gibbs, but one would suspect Carlton fans would be more than happy with it.

Half-forward line
Chris Yarran (CAR) – Was a class above for most of the evening and helped Carlton gain the ascendency with a massive second quarter. His four bounce goal running from near half-back was stand up and applaud stuff. He finished with 22 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles and 4.1 in a Monday night victory.

Stewart Crameri (WBD) – A smaller option in the side this week, but well deserved. Bags of goals weren’t going to come easy in a high pressure game against the Demons but Crameri made the most of his opportunities.

Was lucky to get a goal from a free late in the game, but his mark and goal afterwards with three minutes left put the result beyond doubt. 14 touches, 6 marks (3 contested), 3 tackles, 4.1 and perhaps some evidence that he can be the main man for the Dogs.

Luke Parker (SYD) – One of the Swans’ best in a fantastic win. Shifted between the midfield and the forward line and both had the desired result. Had a strong third quarter which helped the Swans stay in touch.

Finished with 26 possessions, 8 tackles, 4 marks, 4 clearances, four inside 50s, two goals and a goal assist.

Forward line
Chad Wingard (PTA) – No matter the situation, always found himself in the right spot to put on through the big sticks. Kicked 5 of his team’s 13 goals and took a mark of the year contender. Ended the match with 17 disposals, 5 marks and two tackles as well.

Josh Kennedy (vc) (WCE) – What an absolute joy to watch. The big bags might be less common nowadays but if anything they’re even more enjoyable. Kennedy did it all right for a key forward – 10 of his goals came from set shots and he didn’t have a behind to go with his 11 goals.

That’s one way to shake off the rust.

Mark LeCras (WCE) – It’s a shame LeCras got himself rubbed out for a week after hitting a rich vein of form in this match, but nonetheless he well and truly earned a spot. Heath Shaw had the job on him but could do little to quell LeCras’s influence as he finished up with 22 touches, 7 marks, three tackles and 4.1 in the Eagles slaughter of the Giants.

Followers
Dean Cox (WCE) – Keeps on keeping on. With all the talk of Naitanui’s down patch another strong year from Cox has flown under the radar. But no matter, Cox’s work in the third quarter against GWS was sublime and he contributed around the ground as he always does.

He finished with 18 touches, 7 marks, 30 hit-outs, 3 tackles and two goals in an all-round performance.

Tom Liberatore (WBD) – If Tom’s career progression continues on the upwards trend he’s experienced the past couple of years, he’ll win a Brownlow. His inside work is terrific and the last two weeks he’s added that ever so vital goalkicking string to his bow.

He started the game with a bang and then racked up the tackles as he attacked the contest and got the better of Jack Viney in their duel. Finished with 27 disposals, 5 marks, 2.1 and a whopping 14 tackles.

Daniel Hannebery (c) (SYD) – The most important player in a massive win for his club. Impacted, damaged, influenced – whatever buzzwords you want to use, the Swans couldn’t have won without him.

From the continual work inside and out to the constant delivery inside 50 to the goal that iced the game, Hannebery was brilliant. Was a ball magnet with 40 possessions, 9 inside 50s, 6 tackles, 5 marks, 2 goal assists and that aforementioned, special goal.

Interchange
Robbie Gray (PTA) – Kane Mitchell was the spark early and no doubt some would have him in their teams, but Gray’s performance after half time elevates him above.

Spending most of the game well and truly in the thick of things, he was prominent when the Power needed him and his work getting the ball into dangerous positions was crucial. 30 touches, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 5 marks and a goal assist in an important game.

Josh P. Kennedy (SYD) – A beast of a game against the old club. Had the most contested possessions, clearances and tackles of any player on the ground. Langford tried to go with him early but there’s little that can be done when JPK is on. Tallied up 36 touches (23 contested), 11 tackles, 10 clearances, 5 inside 50s and a goal assist.

Nathan Fyfe (FRE) – Did so much to keep Fremantle involved until they finally succumbed in the last. His inside work was excellent and as always he provided an avenue when up forward. Class in close was the name of the game and he had 34 touches (19 contested), 7 marks (5 contested), 6 clearances, 3 tackles and two goals when all was said and done.

Sub (from chosen subs)
Daniel Giansiracusa (WBD) – Not many great performances from the green vesters this bye weekend, but Gia came on in the second and showed he still has worth. Has settled into the role nicely.

Had 12 possessions, two marks and a goal from his shortened game. Aaron Young (PTA) deserves a mention for booting the goal that put his club 30 points clear in the last as well.

Crowley of the Week – Dennis Armfield (CAR): Was a late in for Heath Scotland and given the big job on Jack Steven. Managed to force Steven to play very inside to get possessions, restricting him to 15 touches (11 handballs) while getting 12 of his own.

A couple of mentions should go to Toby Greene too, one for his solid effort on Luke Shuey in a losing effort, and the other for…

Campbell Brown of the Week – …his ‘nightclub’ assault fiasco. It’s more than likely he’ll get off and we don’t know the full story, but it’s something we see far too often.

Rising Star Runner Up – Marco Paparone (BRI) for his 29 disposal, one goal effort in a struggling Brisbane outfit. His tall, running link-up role has shades of Andrew Embley in his prime. Special mention to Troy Menzel (CAR) who showed Mick that he should be getting full games week in, week out.