OLLIE Wines has been the best player in the competition over the past three weeks, and he was rewarded with a spot in my round 14 Team of the Week, brought to you by AccorHotels.
The Port Adelaide brute signed a four-year deal and showed why he's worthy of the big bucks with another excellent performance in the Power's great win over Melbourne last Friday.
He's getting it done on the inside and is delivering the ball forward. At 23, this improved form isn't just a bright patch, he's going to the next level.
For the opposition, Jack Viney was similarly excellent. He makes his teammates walk taller with his attitude.
NORTH'S BROWNLOW CHANCE Six things we learned from round 14
That was the best performance by Luke Hodge in Brisbane colours. Cale Hooker's influence meant West Coast couldn't score, and he helped set up Essendon's drive out of defence as well. For Port, Tom Jonas did the job on Jesse Hogan, despite the Dees putting the Power backline under plenty of pressure. That was probably the best game Hayden Crozier has played. It seems James Sicily is a Virgin Australia All Australian lock – right now, no-one at Hawthorn is in better form. West Coast ended up having to tag Adam Saad, a sign of how electric he was with the football.
Luke Hodge winds back the clock and takes a hanger! #AFLLionsGiants pic.twitter.com/t8mkKlG8zy
— AFL (@AFL) June 23, 2018
Josh Kelly plays that wing/onballer role as well as anyone in the competition. The marking of Patrick Cripps was really strong against Collingwood, and he was his typical self in the middle of the ground. It was yet another great game for the red-hot Steele Sidebottom. There was competition for the first ruck spot but Tom Bellchambers' effort to beat Nic Naitanui was huge. Viney was a clearance beast and adds niggle. Another captain, Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury, put in a typically terrific performance.
Leading the Bombers' best and fairest is probably Devon Smith, whose pressure is elite. I loved that Charlie Curnow signed a big contract then delivered with a big game – Carlton supporters would have gone home from that match happy with their young stud. Shaun Higgins has gone to a new level this season and is in Brownlow Medal contention while for the Western Bulldogs, Billy Gowers showed great confidence and a huge work rate. The Dogs tried to outnumber Ben Brown but they couldn't stop him. Meanwhile, Luke Breust continues his excellent year.
Curnow!
— AFL (@AFL) June 24, 2018
What a huge grab!#AFLPiesBlues pic.twitter.com/78je4055NB
Wines is an absolute ripper. He helped Port Adelaide beat Melbourne despite Max Gawn winning the ruck battle against Paddy Ryder. For North Melbourne, Ben Cunnington was a contested beast. The leadership of Dyson Heppell in Essendon's upset win over West Coast was exceptional.