Super Rankings: Who were the best 20 players in Round 19?

MICHAEL Hurley is the poster boy for Essendon’s recovery from its darkest days. And his job on Lance Franklin on Friday night was the best performance by a player in Round 20.

Essendon’s Michael Hurley clears by hand as he is tackled by Sydney’s Nic Newman. Picture: Michael Klein

IF YOU required a poster boy for Essendon’s recovery from its darkest days, then Michael Hurley would be that person.

Hurley as much as any was openly affected by the saga, so for him to return to his defensive best is a huge statement for his football club.

His captain Dyson Heppell belongs in the same category, with both being selected in this week’s Super Rankings.

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Hurley is in All-Australian form at full-back, while at the other end of the ground Tom Hawkins has made a very strong statement with 14 goals in two weeks.

Michael Hurley outbodies Lance Franklin. Picture: Michael Klein

Then comes the bookends in Patrick Cripps, 23, and Clayton Oliver, 21, a pair of young tyros laying claim to succeeding Dangerfield, Fyfe and Martin as the AFL’s premier midfielders.

If Port Adelaide is going to make a flag charge then Charlie Dixon will need to play well, just as he did at Ballarat in unsuitable conditions on Sunday.

Lachie Whitfield continued his outstanding season, Gary Ablett might just be about to explode at the business end while Shane Edwards again played well when it mattered.

And then there was North Melbourne’s Paul Ahern, a 21-year-old who might just be a bargain basement steal after his two knee reconstructions in 2016.