In the predicted team for Round 7, only one player wasn’t selected to play. That player was Jimmy Webster from St Kilda.
Two of the 22 players polled votes in the coaches’ votes. Shaun Higgins managed to get a vote, despite his team losing by nine goals. Izak Rankine got four votes, because he kicked two pivotal goals.
The team that is chosen strongly mirrors the positions that the teams are predicted to line up in.
Four players retain their position from Round 7’s predicted team in Round 8’s predicted team of the week. They are Jack Crisp, Sam Menegola, Shaun Higgins and Tim Taranto.
B: Michael Hurley (Essendon), Phil Davis (Giants), Jack Crisp (Collingwood)
HB: Ryan Clarke (Sydney Swans), Tom Doedee (Adelaide Crows), James Sicily (Hawthorn)
C: Sam Menegola (Geelong), Hugh Greenwood (Gold Coast), Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
HF: Jade Gresham (St Kilda), Harry McKay (Carlton), Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne)
FF: Tom Papley (Sydney Swans), Matt Taberner (Fremantle), Sam Walsh (Carlton)
Foll: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood), James Worpel (Hawthorn), Adam Treloar (Collingwood)
Int: Nick Coffield (St Kilda), Jordan Dawson (Sydney Swans), Tim Taranto (Giants), Cam Guthrie (Geelong)
(Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Backs
If Michael Hurley can replicate his performance in Round 7 then he should be a chance to be regarded as one of the best defenders in Round 8.
Phil Davis will be given the job of curtailing the influence of Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt and should be successful in that role.
Jack Crisp deserved to get coaches’ votes in Round 7 as he performed well and can replicate that display in Round 8 in a big game for Collingwood against West Coast.
Ryan Clarke played a decent a game in Round 7. If Clarke can play slightly better in Round 8, he will prove that he deserves to be a permanent part of the Sydney Swans best 22.
Tom Doedee was outstanding in Round 7 with five coaches’ votes. Expect him to relish the opportunity to captain the Adelaide Crows in the absence of Rory Sloane for the second week in a row in Adelaide’s Round 8 clash with Essendon.
James Sicily managed to get a coaches’ vote, despite the fact that Hawthorn were beaten comprehensively. Sicily is possibly Hawthorn’s most important player and should prove why against the Sydney Swans in Round 8.
Midfielders
Sam Menegola should prove why he has been such an important player for Geelong in AFL season 2020 when they play Fremantle in Round 8.
Hugh Greenwood should prove why he got ten coaches’ votes in Round 7 in the game of the round when the Gold Coast face the Western Bulldogs. Greenwood should go head to head with Marcus Bontempelli and prove why he is such an important player for the Gold Coast.
Jack Macrae is one of the most important players for the Western Bulldogs and should display why in Round 8.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Forwards
Jade Gresham will have to be at his best if St Kilda are to cause an upset against Port Adelaide in Round 8, which they may well get the opportunity to do.
Harry McKay should continue on from kicking three goals two weeks in a row. McKay will gain confidence from kicking some outstanding goals and be the difference between the two teams when Carlton play North Melbourne in Round 8.
Shaun Higgins collected 36 disposals, even though North Melbourne put in an extremely disappointing performance in Round 7. Expect Higgins to prove that display wasn’t an aberration.
Tom Papley from the Sydney Swans should prove why he can win the Coleman Medal for AFL season 2020 in Round 8, when Hawthorn will find it difficult to curtail his influence on the game.
Matt Taberner got three coaches’ votes in the Western Derby even though he missed some goals. Taberner should improve his goal kicking in Round 8 against Geelong.
Sam Walsh took an inspirational mark backing back with the flight of the ball in defensive 50 and kicked two goals.
Followers
Brodie Grundy should relish playing against West Coast in Round 8 and prove why he is such a quality player, not only in the ruck, but with his work around the ground.
James Worpel should improve on his 14-disposal game against Melbourne Round 7 as he should be motivated to play well in Round 8 and prove his Round 7 display was an aberration.
Adam Treloar is a quality player. Treloar claimed four coaches’ votes in Collingwood’s Round 7 win over Geelong. Expect Treloar to go head to head with West Coast captain Luke Shuey and get the better of the West Coast captain in that duel.
(Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Interchange
Nick Coffield was one of St Kilda’s best players in Round 7. Coffield has an opportunity to continue that good form in Round 8 against Port Adelaide.
Jordan Dawson should prove why he is such an exciting prospect in a winnable game for the Sydney Swans against Hawthorn in Round 8.
Tim Taranto kicked two freakish goals in Round 7. Taranto has the opportunity to prove why he is such a highly regarded player in a must-win game for the Giants against Richmond.
Cameron Guthrie claimed four coaches’ votes in Round 7. Expect Guthrie to keep that good form up when Geelong play their Round 8 game against Fremantle.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
It’s done on a Tuesday before the game based on the predicted team line ups on another website. As I endeavour to get the magnets in the right spot based on the predicted team line ups and from there have a look at the opposition. I then take the gamble of choosing the predicted team of the week for the given Round.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
How's this Aged Doran? You would have to say the Collingwood inclusions wouldn't be getting near a team of the week after performance against the Eagles. From a positive side of things Sicily, McRae and Papley would be near certainties after performances from the weekend.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
A coincidence. Probably would have picked Ryan Burton this week, but he is out injured.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
I just went back over your last 4 or 5 team predictions and not 1 port player in any of them and they are top? Just a coincidence ? Or something else to it
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I reckon you've already got one in Jack Macrae - he was very good last night.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I would of gone for Max Gawn in the Ruck considering Stef Martin is out and Brisbane have brought Archie Smith into their squad. Archie has continually shown he's not up to AFL standard. Max is going to have a field day!
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
I try and put players in their exact positions based on the predicted teams on a Tuesday through the foxsports website and based on their opposition matchup. For example I think that Sam Menegola to have a good game on the wing, up against Blake Acres, who has just returned from an injury. Another example is Adam Treloar who should be matched up against Luke Shuey, who has just had an injury and I think Treloar is a quality player. I also think Brodie Grundy could be too good for Nic Natianui in the ruck. Thanks for the query; hopefully this helps you understand the process better.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
I’ve looked at this for three weeks now and I still have no idea what the purpose or rationale is. Is there some restrictions? Otherwise I don’t understand the selections.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Robbie Gray can come on after the final siren
Colin
Guest
Not a single player from Port or Brisbane. You could pick a team from those two to beat your team of the week by 6-7 goals