Jai Bednall’s AFL Team of the Week for Round 18
IT took us 10 days to get here but a split Round 18 is complete and it was filled with wonderful performances.
IT took us 10 days to get here but a split round 18 is complete and it was filled with wonderful performances. There were big bags of goals kicked by Jake Carlisle, Nick Riewoldt and Lachie Henderson, some ridiculous possession totals put up — especially in Brisbane — and some sound defensive efforts.
DEFENCE
Neville Jetta (Melbourne)
Melbourne’s defence stood up one-on-one against the Power forwards, including Jetta who spent time on the dangerous Chad Wingard.
Sam Rowe (Carlton)
Rowe earnt praise from defensive teammate Michael Jamison for his job on Drew Petrie.
Matt Jaensch (Adelaide)
Jaensch usually gets recognition for winning a stack of the ball but it was his defensive game which stood out against the Magpies.
Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
One of four Crows — along with Daniel Talia, Sam Jacobs and Patrick Dangerfield — with serious claims for an All-Australian berth.
Harry Taylor (Geelong)
Key defenders aren’t supposed to have 30-disposal games but that’s what Taylor did against the Giants. It was the third 30-touch game of his career.
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
Starting to work into top form as finals approach.
MIDFIELD
Pearce Hanley (Brisbane)
Led the way on the Lions stats-busting night at the Gabba, finishing with 45 disposals and two goals.
Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
Lewis was the best player on the ground in the blockbuster between the Hawks and the Swans.
Dom Tyson (Melbourne)
Tyson had been quiet after a hot patch between Rounds 7-11 but he was back to his best against Port.
ATTACK
Steve Johnson (Geelong)
Johnson — who is averaging more than 27 disposals, five tackles and a goal a game this season — ensured the Cats avoided a slip- up in Sydney.
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
Riewoldt finished with 30 disposals, 16 marks and four goals. Against the best defence in the comp. What a freak.
Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
His best game of the season — which included 32 disposals and two goals — was slightly overshadowed by teammates Hanley and Tom Rockliff.
Lachie Henderson (Carlton)
Henderson marked his 100th with the first six-goal haul of his career.
Jake Carlisle (Essendon)
Player of the round for his eight-goal bag against the Bulldogs. Could be the difference in Essendon’s pursuit of a finals berth.
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
It was a night to remember for Roughy as he turned it on with four goals in his 200th against Sydney.
FIRST RUCK
Stefan Martin (Brisbane)
Currently playing the best footy of his career and is averaging almost 20 disposals a game, which for a ruckman is brilliant.
Dustin Martin (Richmond)
Could work his way to end-of-year honours if his form holds and the Tigers can string a few more wins together.
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Selwood had more disposals (39) than he’s had in any game since midway through 2011.
INTERCHANGE
Matt Priddis (West Coast)
Continues to play a lone hand in the Eagles midfield. Finished with a whopping 18 tackles in the wet against Richmond.
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
Has moved to second in the AFL Coaches Association voting after another standout game against Melbourne.
Tom Rockliff (Brisbane)
It’s not too often you’ll find someone who tallied 47 disposals on the Team of the Week bench. Rockliff can consider himself slightly unlucky.
Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs)
Outshone by Carlisle at the other end but Stringer’s five-goal effort was extremely encouraging for the Dogs.
Jai Bednall’s AFL Team of the Week
GARY Ablett’s gone for the season and boy did all the other Brownlow contenders look to take advantage on the weekend.
Jai Bednall’s AFL Team of the Week
FOR the first time this season it was easier to fill the forward and back lines in the Team of the Week than it was finding players who shone in the midfield.