GREATER Western Sydney is entrenched in the top four on the back of its sixth straight win, so it's little wonder the Giants have four players selected in the AFL's Team of the Week for round nine, brought to you by Accor Hotels.
Co-captain Callan Ward and fellow midfielder Stephen Coniglio, defender Heath Shaw and forward Jeremy Cameron have all made this week's team of the League's best after starring in the 25-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
GWS' cross-town rivals, the Sydney Swans, have three representatives with reliable backmen Heath Grundy and Nick Smith joined by onballer Dan Hannebery, while West Coast also has its own trio in the side, with seven-goal star Josh Kennedy, Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis and ruckman Nic Naitanui dominant against Port Adelaide.
Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury and his Richmond counterpart Trent Cotchin, plus North Melbourne big man Todd Goldstein make the team again, but there's also a couple of new faces.
Port's Aaron Young, St Kilda youngster Seb Ross and high-flying Magpie Jeremy Howe bring some fresh talent to this week's 22.
NICK SMITH (Sydney Swans) – Was given the tough task of shutting down Cyril Rioli and did it to perfection in his 150th game, with the star Hawk hardly sighted.
ROBBIE TARRANT (North Melbourne) – The in-form Kangaroo was brilliant again with 22 disposals and nine marks and is a vital part of his team's defence.
HEATH GRUNDY (Sydney Swans) – Bounced back from a shocker the week before to grab 25 touches and help keep the dangerous Hawks to just seven goals.
JEREMY HOWE (Collingwood) – In his best game since crossing from the Dees, Howe used his aerial ability to drag in 11 marks across half back.
DANIEL TALIA (Adelaide) – Had the better of Suns star Tom Lynch and picked up 23 possessions for the Crows, while even adding a rare goal to his day out.
HEATH SHAW (Greater Western Sydney) – Put the Bulldogs to the sword with a game-high 38 touches, with an incredible 36 of them kicks, and all of them effective.
TRENT COTCHIN (Richmond) – The skipper led his team to a second straight win and a rare one in Perth with 39 disposals and 10 clearances.
MATT PRIDDIS (West Coast) – Twenty-six contested possessions, 11 clearances and 10 tackles from the Brownlow medallist inspired the Eagles to an important win on the road.
STEELE SIDEBOTTOM (Collingwood) – Another 150-gamer, the smooth-moving wingman grabbed another 31 touches as the Pies' midfield got the better of the star-studded Cats.
SCOTT PENDLEBURY (Collingwood) – Cut Geelong to pieces with 26 possessions at almost 85 per cent disposal efficiency, and also hurt them with three crucial goals.
JOSH KENNEDY (West Coast) – The hard-working forward kicked five first-half goals and finished with seven to be the difference in a tight clash with Port Adelaide.
JACK GUNSTON (Hawthorn) – The lone Hawthorn forward to fire a shot against the Swans, Gunston booted four goals from 11 marks in a fantastic performance.
JEREMY CAMERON (Greater Western Sydney) – Sparked the Giants with three goals in the opening term and gave the Dogs' defence headaches all day to finish with five.
JESSE HOGAN (Melbourne) – Had his kicking boots on against the struggling Lions and grabbed five of his own at the MCG to go with 20 possessions.
AARON YOUNG (Port Adelaide) – Has taken his opportunity in attack and booted four for the Power in a losing side, while also gathering 21 touches and laying six tackles.
NIC NAITANUI (West Coast) – Another dominant outing for the freak athlete. Naitanui had 48 hit-outs for the Eagles and made things easy for his little men.
CALLAN WARD (Greater Western Sydney) – The co-captain was right at home against the best contested side in the league, gathering 30 possessions, as well as seven clearances and 11 tackles.
JACK STEVEN (St Kilda) – The speedy Saint was everywhere against the hapless Bombers, with Steven's 40 touches a league-high for the round.
STEPHEN CONIGLIO (Greater Western Sydney) – Part of the Giants' in-form midfield unit, the West Aussie picked up 32 touches and laid eight tackles in another brilliant effort.
DAN HANNEBERY (Sydney Swans) – One of the hardest runners in the competition, Hannebery roamed the wide open spaces of the MCG to grab 33 disposals and 11 clearances.
TODD GOLDSTEIN (North Melbourne) – Last year's All Australian ruckman took advantage of the injury-hit Blues to have a night out at Etihad Stadium, with 45 hit-outs and three goals.
SEB ROSS (St Kilda) – Celebrated his new contract with a sensational game against Essendon, finishing the 37 touches and six inside 50s.
• Check out how fans voted on previous teams of the week
• How your team's players fared in this weekend's state leagues
