Opinion
Round 2 is in the books, now it’s time to reflect on the weekend that was in the team of the week.
Back pocket – Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
It was another huge performance from Moore, who has become Collingwood’s most important player. He played an enthralling match against Harry McKay, and despite conceding four goals to the big Blue, Moore was a constant threat offensively with 22 possessions at 90 per cent efficiency and six marks, five of them intercepts and three contested.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Full back – Tom McCartin (Sydney)
The key cog in the Sydney defence was resolute on Saturday against the Crows, winning 18 possessions at 83 per cent efficiency, taking six grabs, five of them intercepts and getting his fist to the ball on six occasions.
Back pocket – Jordan Ridley (Essendon)
The reigning best and fairest winner at the Bombers tried hard on a tough day in Adelaide, gaining 616 metres from 32 touches at an elite 90 per cent efficiency and taking seven grabs, four of them intercepts and three contested.
Half back – Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
He has started the season fantastically and that continued on Saturday against Essendon, picking up 25 possessions and gaining 657 metres at a deadly 96 per cent. He also took four grabs, two of them intercepts and two contested, laid four tackles and kicked a goal among his 11 score involvements on the night.
Centre half back – Dougal Howard (St Kilda)
It was a tough night for the Saints, but in the inaugural Spud’s Game, it’s quite fitting it was a St Kilda player dominating down back. Howard gained 769 metres from 29 disposals, took eight marks, six of them intercepts, and had a monster 13 spoils for the night.
Half back – Braeden Campbell (Sydney)
The young Swans continued to shine over the weekend, with academy gun Campbell showing why the Swans invested so much in him as a junior. The dashing left footer had 25 touches and 708 metres gained against the Crows, while he took six marks for the afternoon.
Wing – Jack Crisp (Collingwood)
He was one of Collingwood’s best in their circuit-breaking win over Carlton on Thursday night at the MCG. The former Lion had 36 possessions, gaining a whopping 788 metres in the process. He also took seven marks and laid three tackles.
Centre – Jackson Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
Going head-to-head with the dangerous West Coast midfield, Macrae showed how underrated he is with an incredible performance at Marvel Stadium. He collected a monster 41 disposals, 15 of them contested, while he won nine clearances for the day. He was a big offensive threat as well, gaining 591 metres and getting involved in 14 different scores throughout the afternoon.
Wing – Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
He continues to go from strength to strength out in the west. Brayshaw was magnificent in Fremantle’s win over the Giants, helping himself to 440 metres gained from 32 touches at 84 per cent efficiency. He also laid six tackles, took five marks and kicked two goals among nine score involvements in his best performance in the AFL to date.
(Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Half forward – Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
While it was Macrae doing the damage on the inside, it was Bontempelli who killed the Eagles on the spread. The Dogs’ skipper was instrumental as he led his side to their second win from two games, finishing with 30 possessions at 93 per cent efficiency, 582 metres gained, six marks, three goals and 14 score involvements. He will be pipping his teammate for the three Brownlow Medal votes come September.
Centre half forward – Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
Fresh off a surprise five-goal performance last week, Walker upped the ante on Saturday against the Swans, kicking six goals from an incredible nine scoring shots. He had a total of 13 scoring involvements for the afternoon, amassing 15 touches, taking six grabs and laying four tackles.
Half forward – Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
He has transformed from an opportunist forward into a fully fledged damaging midfielder, showing his wares on Saturday against Essendon. Butters collected a career-best 36 disposals at 86 per cent efficiency, 14 of them contested, won six clearances, took three marks, laid six tackles and booted a goal.
Forward pocket – Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
He almost single-handedly won the Cats the contest against Brisbane on Friday night, with his virtuoso performance in the ruck helping deliver the match-winning goal to Isaac Smith. Hawkins finished with 17 disposals, five marks – all of them inside 50 and two of them contested – plus 12 score involvements and 3.4.
Full forward – Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide)
Dixon was running hot against the Bombers on Saturday, kicking four goals from 13 touches, having nine score involvements and taking five marks, all of them coming inside 50.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Forward pocket – Jordan de Goey (Collingwood)
Celebrating his 100-game milestone on Thursday night, De Goey was superb with 15 possessions, six marks, five of them inside 50, and 4.3 from 12 score involvements.
Ruckman – Nic Naitanui (West Coast)
Taking on the daunting ruck duo of Stefan Martin and Tim English, Naitanui was simply too good, winning 40 hitouts to go with his 13 touches, five tackles and 11 clearances.
Ruck rover – Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
He was superb in the stoppage battle against St Kilda on Saturday night, winning 11 clearances as he racked up 37 possessions, 21 of them contested, gained 520 metres, took five grabs and laid six tackles.
Rover – David Mundy (Fremantle)
The 35-year-old veteran wound back the clock ten years on Sunday evening against the Giants, doing as he pleased in his side’s first win of season 2021. Mundy collected 35 disposals, 15 of them contested, won six clearances, gained 552 metres, took four grabs, laid five tackles and had a monster 15 score involvements.
Interchange – Taylor Adams (Collingwood)
The tough Magpie was superb against the old enemy on Thursday night, amassing 29 touches, 18 of them contested, winning 13 clearances, taking three marks, laying seven tackles and kicking a sensational goal to go with his ten score involvements.
Interchange – Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn)
His star continues to rise after a terrific display against the reigning premiers on Sunday afternoon. Jiath collected 25 disposals, took eight marks, five of them intercepts, and had seven spoils.
Interchange – Dion Prestia (Richmond)
He was terrific for the Tigers as they went 2-0 against Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon, winning 29 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency, taking four marks and laying four tackles.
(Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Interchange – Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
The young Sun starred in his side’s big win over North Melbourne on Saturday night, roaming the midfield to collect 35 possessions, 13 of them contested, seven clearances, nine marks and ten score involvements.
Emergency – Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)
He was a constant threat up forward for the Dogs, finishing with 13 touches, eight marks, four of them inside 50, and three goals.
Emergency – Max Gawn (Melbourne)
He was pushed back defensively from the ruck all night to stifle the dynamic St Kilda forward line, which won’t be completely recognised on the stat sheet. He still finished with impressive numbers of 17 touches, five marks and 40 hitouts.
Emergency – Rory Laird (Adelaide)
He put in a great performance in the midfield against Sydney on Saturday, amassing 30 disposals, 14 of them contested, winning ten clearances and taking four marks.
Emergency – Eric Hipwood (Brisbane)
With the spotlight on Joe Daniher up forward for the Lions, it was Hipwood who looked like winning Brisbane the game on Friday night against Geelong. The tall Lion had 12 touches, took four marks, two of them contested, and finished with an impressive albeit inaccurate 4.3.
On paper
FB: Darcy Moore (Collingwood), Tom McCartin (Sydney), Jordan Ridley (Essendon)
HB: Dan Houston (Port Adelaide), Dougal Howard (St Kilda), Braeden Campbell (Sydney)
C: Jack Crisp (Collingwood), Jackson Macrae (Western Bulldogs), Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
HF: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Taylor Walker (Adelaide), Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
FF: Tom Hawkins (Geelong), Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide), Jordan De Grey (Collingwood)
R: Nic Naitanui (West Coast), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne), David Mundy (Fremantle)
I/C: Taylor Adams (Collingwood), Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn), Dion Prestia (Richmond), Noah Anderson (Gold Coast)
EMG: Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs), Max Gawn (Melbourne), Rory Laird (Adelaide), Eric Hipwood (Brisbane)
By team
Adelaide: Walker (1)
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: Nil (0)
Collingwood: Moore, De Goey, Adams (3)
Essendon: Ridley (1)
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Mundy (2)
Geelong: Selwood, Hawkins (2)
Gold Coast: Anderson (1)
GWS Giants (Nil 0)
Hawthorn: Jiath (1)
Melbourne: Oliver (1)
North Melbourne: Nil (0)
Port Adelaide: Houston, Butters, Dixon (3)
Richmond: Prestia (1)
St Kilda: Howard (1)
Sydney: McCartin, Campbell (2)
West Coast: Naitanui (1)
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, Bontempelli (2)
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