HB: James Kelly (Geelong), Andrew Mackie (Geelong), Cale Morton (Melbourne)
C: Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Jobe Watson (Essendon), Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)
HF: Justin Sherman (Brisbane Lions), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Steve Johnson (Geelong)
F: Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs), Warren Tredrea (Port Adelaide), Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions)
FOLL: Dean Cox (West Coast Eagles), Chris Judd (Carlton), Brad Sewell (Hawthorn)
I/C: Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Robin Nahas (Richmond)
BACKS
Paul Duffield (Fremantle) – One of best on ground against Hawthorn, the running defender continued his emergence with 26 disposals and five tackles. His work in both zones was excellent, with five rebounds and five inside 50s.
Simon Prestigiacomo (Collingwood) – Although the Pies were smashed, the veteran stopper quelled one of the game's best key forwards, Carlton star Brendan Fevola. Presti kept Fev goalless and limited him to just eight touches.
Chris Tarrant (Fremantle) – Taz continued his fine transformation from forward to defender when he kept the brilliant Lance Franklin in check. Although Buddy booted four, Tarrant shone with his spoiling and pressure.
HALF-BACKS
James Kelly (Geelong) – Still vastly underrated outside of the Cattery, the half-back/midfielder amassed a career-best 37 touches (including 14 in the final term) against North Melbourne.
Andrew Mackie (Geelong) – Not only starred with 27 touches, but took on further responsibility when Darren Milburn was injured early with an ankle injury. Halted attacks and repelled beautifully, chipping in with two majors.
Cale Morton (Melbourne) – Has been a star in recent weeks since playing across half-back, and he maintained the standard against the Bulldogs with a personal best 37 disposals (including 24 at half time). He also had a team-high seven rebounds.
CENTRES
Leigh Montagna (St Kilda) – Continued his highly consistent season with 28 disposals against the Dons. His work in both zones was excellent – he had four rebound 50s and six inside 50s.
Jobe Watson (Essendon) – Played his best match this season with 39 disposals – two shy of his best AFL effort. This included a whopping 18 contested possessions. His effort against the in-form St Kilda midfield further enhanced his reputation.
Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) – The 2007 Brownlow medallist played his best match for the season, setting the tone with 13 touches in the first term and finishing with 34. He was also the game's equal leading goalkicker with three majors in a best-on-ground display.
HALF-FORWARDS
Justin Sherman (Brisbane Lions) – Continued his resurgent form, his best since he was runner up in the best and fairest in 2006, with a best-on-ground display against Adelaide. He amassed a career-best 35 disposals and also booted three goals from seven scoring shots.
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) – Continued his blistering season with another first-class effort. The skipper turned it on the last quarter, booting two of his three majors, when the Bombers threatened. He took five contested marks from 11 grabs.
Steve Johnson (Geelong) – Although early in the season, the mercurial Stevie J continues to stake his claim for a third consecutive All-Australian honour, racking up 31 touches, an amazing 13 inside 50s and four scoring assists.
FORWARDS
Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs) – The veteran continued his excellent recent form with a best-on-ground effort against Melbourne. He booted four goals, including three in the second term that ignited his side. Aker also had six inside 50s.
Warren Tredrea (Port Adelaide) – Produced one of his best games and was clearly the player of the round after a herculean seven goals. Tredrea not only kicked the goal to snatch the lead for the Power at the 29-minute mark of the final term, he then took a match-saving mark at half back.
Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions) – Etched his name into the Brisbane Bears/Lions record books when he became the club's greatest goalkicker after booting five goals. He now has 463 goals from 209 gamest.
FOLLOWERS
Dean Cox (West Coast Eagles) – Went another step further towards claiming his fourth consecutive All-Australian jumper after recording 30 hit outs and 22 disposals against one of his best opponents, Swan Darren Jolly.
Chris Judd (Carlton) – The captain continued his brilliant season with a best-on-ground 32 disposals. He also laid eight tackles and had eight inside 50s. His stocks for a second Charlie are on the rise.
Brad Sewell (Hawthorn) – Not surprisingly, the hard-at-it premiership player shone with his grunt work. He finished with game highs in contested possessions (13) and tackles (11), plus a team-best 29 disposals.
INTERCHANGE
Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) – The skipper did everything in his power to will his side over the line, particularly in the last term when he had nine of his 30 disposals and kicked the first goal. Although Freo fell short, Pavlich vied for best-afield honours.
Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) – The vice-captain was outstanding with a team-high 33 disposals. This included nine in the first term, when he was pivotal in helping his side to a 6.5 to 2.1 start. Hayes also laid nine tackles.
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) – The skipper was instrumental with a game-high 34 touches. As usual his work around the stoppages was a feature, with six clearances. Mitchell also had five inside 50s.
Robin Nahas (Richmond) – In just his sixth match, the diminutive rookie bobbed up with five goals against Port Adelaide (including a brilliant goal at the 25-minute mark of the final term which put the Tigers in front – until Warren Tredrea entered the fray).
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
