Two of the 22 players predicted for Round 4 didn’t play. Mason Wood was omitted from the North Melbourne team and Jeremy McGovern was a late out for West Coast due to an ankle injury.
Dayne Zorko suffered a calf injury for Brisbane in the first quarter of their game against Adelaide.
Six of the 20 players who played were given votes by the AFL coaches. Those six players were Marcus Bontempelli and Tim English of the Western Bulldogs, Dan Butler and Tim Membrey of St Kilda, Matt Taberner of Fremantle and Angus Brayshaw of Melbourne.
Picking this team is effectively a gamble as it’s done prior to the confirmation of the teams, but that’s what makes it such an entertaining exercise. When formulating this team, you have to try to predict the result of the game as well as the individual match-ups.
It’s fascinating to take all the facets into account, as it’s difficult to narrow down the team to 22 players!
This team consists of players I predict will be the best performers in the upcoming round.
Round 5 best 22
B: Ryan Lester (Brisbane), Sam Collins (Gold Coast), Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
HB: Lachie Whitfield (Giants), Josh Walker (North Melbourne), Nick Haynes (Giants)
C: Lachie Weller (Gold Coast), Seb Ross (St Kilda), Jack Billings (St Kilda)
HF: Lincoln McCarthy (Brisbane), Eric Hipwood (Brisbane), Aaron vandenBerg (Melbourne)
FF: Dean Kent (St Kilda), Tim Membrey (St Kilda), Jacob Townsend (Essendon)
Foll: Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast), Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne), Darcy Tucker (Fremantle)
Int: Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne), Brandan Parfitt (Geelong), Kyle Langford (Essendon), Tom Phillips (Collingwood)
Backs
Ryan Lester should prove that his display in Round 4 wasn’t an aberration. Lester was arguably one of Brisbane’s most pivotal players against Adelaide and will need to be at his best if Brisbane are to beat Port Adelaide in Round 5.
Sam Collins will curtail the influence of Geelong’s full-forward in Tom Hawkins. It will be a fascinating duel. Expect Collins to win it comprehensively, though.
Caleb Daniel showed how good a player he is in the Western Bulldogs win over Sydney in Round 4. Daniel created plenty of run out of defence.
Lachie Whitfield will be an important part of the Giants back six in Round 5 as he provides plenty of run off the halfback flank. He may also spend time on the wing. Expect him to be at his best if the Giants can beat Hawthorn as it’s a tough game to predict a winner in!
Josh Walker will prove why he was recruited to North Melbourne. Walker should get the job of negating the influence of Bulldog Josh Bruce.
Nick Haynes is one of the best defenders in the competition, as he displayed in the Giants Round 4 win over Collingwood. That performance definitely wasn’t an aberration, as Haynes will prove in Round 5 against Hawthorn.
Lachie Whitfield. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Midfielders
Lachie Weller will need to be at his best if the Gold Coast are to beat Geelong, which is possible, as the Gold Coast have won three consecutive games.
Seb Ross will prove why he should be rated higher than he is. Ross will probably go head to head with Carlton’s Patrick Cripps. Expect Ross to win the battle.
Jack Billings looks certain to prove why he is one of the form players in the competition. Billings should get the better of the likes of Jack Newnes and Marc Murphy, who will most probably line up on the wing for Carlton.
Jack Billings. (Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Forwards
Lincoln McCarthy should prove what an asset he is to Brisbane as it’s difficult to find anyone from Port Adelaide to curtail his influence in Brisbane’s Round 5 clash with the Power.
Eric Hipwood should prove that Port Adelaide’s biggest weakness is their key defensive stocks.
Aaron vandenBerg will prove that he should be a permanent part of Melbourne’s best 22. Melbourne are playing against a Richmond team that’s struggling for form, and Round 5 should substantiate that.
Dean Kent should show why he belongs in St Kilda’s best 22 when fit and available, as he did in Round 4 when he kicked a couple of goals. Kent should continue on with that form against Carlton in St Kilda’s Round 5 game.
Tim Membrey showed that he is capable of being renowned as one of the best key forwards in the game. Membrey will gain confidence from his Round 4 display when he kicked three goals and translate that form by proving it wasn’t an aberration in Round 5 against Carlton.
Jacob Townsend has yet to recapture the form he displayed in Round 1. Despite that, Townsend is still a dangerous player, as he proved in Round 4 when he was extremely close to kicking the winning goal. He just needs to gain confidence in a big match, which Round 5 is as Essendon are playing against Collingwood, where he will be a danger around the goals.
Tim Membrey. (Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Followers
Jarrod Witts will have far too much ability for Geelong ruckman Darcy Fort. Witts will lead from the front against an inexperienced opponent in Round 5.
Shaun Higgins will need to replicate his Round 4 if North Melbourne are to beat the Western Bulldogs. Expect Higgins to be motivated for the challenge.
Darcy Tucker is a quality player, as he displayed in Round 4. Expect him to continue with that form in Round 5.
Interchange
Angus Brayshaw kicked a couple of goals for Melbourne in Round 4. Brayshaw should prove why he finished third in the Brownlow Medal in 2018. Expect him to recapture that form in Round 5 against Richmond, which is a must-win game for Melbourne.
Brandan Parfitt polled four votes in the AFL coaches votes in Round 4. Parfitt should prove why he is such a good player against the Gold Coast in Round 5.
Kyle Langford should prove why he is an important part of the Essendon team against Collingwood.
Tom Phillips has the opportunity to prove why he is one of the most underrated players in the competition following on from his Round 4 performance where he kicked two goals. Phillips should provide more of the same endeavour and quality against Essendon in Round 5.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Both teams have a history of being inconsistent. The one thing that gives me confidence is under Teague we have generally been in most games until late. I think Jones will take King, Weitering likely to go with Membrey. The Blues have been taking a lot of marks inside 50 but I am thinking it will likely be Martin & Betts (possibly McGovern) that will pose the biggest danger to the Saints. Hopefully it will be a cracking game.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Yeah McKay and Fisher are good inclusions for Carlton. Their forward line looks a little bit more dangerous than St Kilda’s I think with those two players in there now. Teague and Ratten are smart coaches so they will be trying to figure out how to get the edge on one another. Max King will presumbably be up against Weitering, which will be a really interesting match-up. King was a bit quiet last week but did some nice things. Weitering will have a bit of an advantage on him with his body strength but I am looking forward to it. Hopefully the game will be a free-flowing. Both teams appear to be pretty even with their squads but I think the Blues have a slight advantage and I think they will win. Jones being absent makes the Saints a bit weaker in the midfield and the Blues forward line has been in better form than Richmond’s, especially now with McKay in the side. You can obviously tell I don’t trust my team’s form because they have the bad habit of being inconsistent and not being able to back up good performances the following week so I think the Blues will win this encounter in a close one. The Blues haven’t really put in a bad 4 quarter performance yet. The Saints did in R3 against the Pies so that tells me they are not as consistent with their form as the Blues.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
I thought there might be another inclusion for the Saints but Ratts is backing in the squad from last week to get the job done again. Geary might play on Docherty to reduce his influence like he did with Jason Johannisen a few weeks ago but Docherty will be a tough match-up. He has really made the Blues a much better side this year. Was badly missed in 18' and 19'. Dougal Howard will probably play on McKay and Carlise will probably get Casboult. McKay is quite quick so he will be a difficult match-up. Fisher will make the Blues quicker and is good inclusion for Carlton. I think the Blues probably deserve to go in as favourites tbh and I wouldn't be surprised if they win.
Dean
Guest
Also my Hawks are in big trouble, l have tipped the Giants though. Looks like we know who his tips will be this week.
Macca
Roar Rookie
I am really looking forward to this game (which usually means I will be disappointed) but both teams are in pretty decent form and are playing pretty attractive footy. Looking forward to watching King and I would love it if Cuningham backed up his performance from last week.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
In McKay & Fisher, out JSOS & Philp. In Geary, out Jones.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Yeah some of the players in his squad raise some eyebrows but he is entitled to his opinions. Dean Kent is a decent small forward but by no means a great small forward. He played a good game last week but he is on the fringes of the Saint’s best 22 imo. Same with Seb Ross. A solid and servicable midfielder but his kicking sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Expecations should be tempered after last week. Still a lot of work to be done but I am liking what I am seeing so far. You can never be too confident as a Saint’s supporter so I could easily see the Blues beating us, much like they did late last year. The Blues are proving to be a tough oppotent to beat this year and seem to have got rid of that defeatist attitude that was apparent when Bolton was coaching them. They seem to have a never say die approach to the game now and they shouldn’t be underestimated anymore. Geelong made that mistake two weeks ago. It appears Zak Jones won’t be playing for the Saints tomorrow, which is a bit of blow for them. He has been really good so far this season. His run and carry has been important in a lot of games. If he could just brush up a bit on his kicking, he would be a superb midfielder. I think his loss might just tip the game slightly in favour of the Blues. Not sure if McKay will return for the Blues given the five day break but the forward line has appeared to be functioning pretty well without him so the Saints defenders will have their work cut out for them I think. Jack Bytel, who was highly rated in his draft year might debut for the Saints, which would be good. Would be interested to see what he can do.
Macca
Roar Rookie
He was definitely one of your better players last week.
Macca
Roar Rookie
Surely Doran is a Saints supporter. I wouldn't be surprised if Weitering went to Membrey, Docherty went to Kent and Cripps went head to head with Ross - those 3 Carlton players are in some pretty decent form.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
bit like my mob col,top of ladder and not 1 selected,we in for a whooping i think,will change my tip
Gerard Klomp
Guest
How can we tip this Weekend. The Eagles and Swans are not in form. I am going to tip my mighty Eagles to win though. Sadly what a terrible state affairs the AFL is in.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Looks like Carlton don’t have a chance against St Kilda tomorrow night with 4 Saints in Dorans predicted ‘Team of the weak’ and no Blues.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Yep I agree, he did very well against Cripps, and he does play well every game but he is a little slow
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I thought he had a pretty solid game up against Patrick Cripps.
ConnorJoyce
Roar Rookie
Just had a look at last week's side and you've done well to pick Timmy English. I'm a bulldogs fan but I can't say he looked like being dominant after the first few rounds, but gee he looked good on Thursday. Almost an impossible side to pick but I reckon you'll be right with Witts against the Cats ruck problems. Also, I like the Hipwood call. In need of a big performance and when better than against the best side in the comp.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Oooooofffffftttt I have seen far too much hatred directed at Langford, I actually think he’s done a good Job reinventing himself as an inside midfielder