Opinion
In the predicted team for Round 3, six of the 22 players selected didn’t play.
Five were due to the Essendon-Melbourne game being postponed (Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Shaun McKernan, Christian Petracca and Kyle Langford). Pat Lipinski didn’t play for the Western Bulldogs as he was omitted from the team in Round 3. Sam Menegola of Geelong played, but suffered an injury during the game, which meant he definitely stood no chance of being selected in the Round 3 team of the week.
Two out of the 16 players that played were selected in the ‘AFL Team of the Week: Round 3’ article written by Josh Barnstable on The Roar. Those two players were Jacob Weitering from Carlton and Dan Butler from St Kilda. That’s what a challenging exercise this is. It’s extremely thought-provoking and a gamble.
This team consists of players that I predict to be the best performers in the upcoming round.
B: Liam Duggan (West Coast), Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne), Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast)
HB: Pearce Hanley (Gold Coast), Jeremy McGovern (West Coast), Brad Sheppard (West Coast)
C: Lachie Whitfield (Giants), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
HF: Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne), Matt Taberner (Fremantle), Toby McLean (Western Bulldogs)
FF: Dan Butler (St Kilda), Tim Membrey (St Kilda), Mason Wood (North Melbourne)
Foll: Tim English (Western Bulldogs), Tim Kelly (West Coast), Luke Shuey (West Coast)
Int: Chris Mayne (Collingwood), Dayne Zorko (Brisbane), Nick Holman (Gold Coast), Darcy MacPherson (Gold Coast)
Backs
Liam Duggan should prove why he is an important part of the Eagles’ best 22. Duggan was particularly impressive in Round 1, collecting 21 disposals.
Robbie Tarrant has been arguably one of the better key defenders in the competition. Tarrrant is such a pivotal part of the North Melbourne defence.
Jack Lukosius proved that it was a good move from Stuart Dew to play him in defence. Lukosius has been pivotal in Gold Coast performing exceptionally in Rounds 2 and 3. Expect him to continue on that form in Round 4.
Pearce Hanley of the Gold Coast looked so composed when he had possession of the ball. One of Hanley’s disposals was almost worth two as he was so good with his ball use in Round 3.
Jeremy McGovern proved why he is arguably West Coast’s most important player when he was suspended in Round 3, as they missed his influence on the game that he generally has. McGovern will curtail the influence of Todd Marshall and at times Justin Westhoff and Charlie Dixon.
Brad Sheppard will prove why he is such an important part of the West Coast Eagles’ defence and their team as a whole.
(Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Midfielders
Expect Lachie Whitfield to be a pivotal part of the Giants beating Collingwood in Round 4, if he recovers from the concussion he suffered in Round 3.
Marcus Bontempelli will need to step up in the absence of Josh Dunkley through injury. Bontempelli should prove why he is captain of the Western Bulldogs by leading from the front in Round 4.
Jack Macrae should prove why he deserves to be highly rated. Macrae is an extremely talented player, which will be on display in a Western Bulldogs team that could upset the Sydney Swans.
Forwards
Angus Brayshaw has the capacity to help Melbourne play finals footy if he plays to his optimum level. Expect Brayshaw to be an important part of a Melbourne team that are playing a game that could be defined as season-defining for them, against Geelong.
Matt Taberner is an exceptional player and will prove why in Round 4. Taberner is currently Fremantle’s leading goal-kicker with five goals after three games.
Toby McLean should prove why he should be in the Western Bulldogs team when fit and available. McLean will prove why he is a player that belongs at AFL level in Round 4.
Dan Butler played well for St Kilda in Round 3, despite the fact that Collingwood smashed St Kilda. Expect Butler to be extremely good against his old team in Round 4, Richmond.
Tim Membrey may only have kicked two goals this season, but he is a pivotal part of the St Kilda structure. Membrey should kick some goals in Round 4 as Richmond don’t appear to have a defender that could curtail his influence.
Mason Wood is a quality player. Wood just needs a good game to prove that he is capable of being a walk-up start in North Melbourne’s best 22. He will substantiate why he has to be in the North Melbourne team when fit and available to play.
Followers
Tim English was a standout for the Western Bulldogs in Round 3. English is a quality ruckman that has the capability of being regarded as one of the best in the competition. He should dominate against a Sydney Swans team that doesn’t have a ruckman anywhere near English’s ability.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Tim Kelly should prove why West Coast recruited him in what’s almost a must-win game for the team. Kelly is averaging exactly 20 disposals in the first three games of season 2020.
Luke Shuey could well show why he is captain of the West Coast. Expect Shuey to lead from the front and help West Coast possibly upset the undefeated Port Adelaide team.
Interchange
Chris Mayne was instrumental in Collingwood’s Round 1 win over the Western Bulldogs. Expect Mayne to be back to his best given the fact that he showed what he was capable of in Round 1.
Dayne Zorko should be back and play a key role in Brisbane beating Adelaide.
Nick Holman is playing for his spot in the side. Holman needs to prove that he deserves to be a permanent part of the Gold Coast’s best 22, which he will do in their Round 4 game.
Darcy MacPherson was one of the key players for the Gold Coast in Round 3. MacPherson kicked two goals and had a big influence on the game. Expect MacPherson to prove that his Round 3 performance wasn’t just an aberration.
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