HB: Heath Shaw (Collingwood), Chris Tarrant (Fremantle), Jordan Russell (Carlton)
C: Tom Scully (Melbourne), Simon Black (Brisbane Lions), Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
HF: Paul Chapman (Geelong Cats), Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles), Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
F: Jeff Garlett (Carlton), James Podsiadly (Geelong Cats), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
FOLL: Nic Naitanui (West Coast Eagles), Dane Swan (Collingwood), Gary Ablett (Geelong Cats)
I/C: Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide), Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs), Eddie Betts (Carlton), Dean Cox (West Coast Eagles)
BACKS
Graham Johncock (Adelaide) - A key contributor in the Crows' first win of the season with 21 touches, including an equal game-high 12 effective kicks, before he was taken from the field during the final term due to a shoulder injury.
Matthew Scarlett (Geelong Cats) - After being sidelined for four matches, held one of the most in-form players in the competition - Swan Daniel Bradshaw - to just two kicks in Geelong's 67-point win.
Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) - A day after celebrating his 35th birthday, the league's oldest player produced another quality display with an equal game-high 11 effective kicks against Port Adelaide.
HALF-BACKS
Heath Shaw (Collingwood) - The dasher was instrumental in the second term, collecting 13 of his 33 disposals during this period, when the Pies set up the win. Finished with a match-best 18 effective kicks.
Chris Tarrant (Fremantle) - The forward-turned-defender produced another fine performance, this time on superstar Jonathan Brown, restricting the Lions skipper to just one goal.
Jordan Russell (Carlton) - Produced a blinder in his side's outstanding win over St Kilda, amassing a career-best 35 disposals - nine more than his previous best, including a match-high 20 effective kicks.
CENTRES
Tom Scully (Melbourne) - In just his seventh AFL match, last year's No.1 draftee produced a phenomenal display against the Western Bulldogs, notching up 18 of his 39 disposals in the last quarter.
Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) - The champion Lion played his best match for the season so far, accumulating 36 disposals. He finished with nine inside 50s, eight tackles and six clearances.
Stephen Hill (Fremantle) - Continued his fine season with another outstanding effort. His run-and-carry was a highlight - as evidenced by his game-high nine inside 50s - as he collected a career-best 32 disposals.
HALF-FORWARDS
Paul Chapman (Geelong Cats) - Helped destroy the Swans with 27 disposals and three goals, plus six inside 50s and seven tackles.
Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles) - The big man was instrumental against Hawthorn, kicking a career-best six goals, including five in the first half. Now has 23 goals for the season.
Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) - Kicked a career-best five goals against North Melbourne in just his 18th AFL match. His three majors in the first half helped the Pies set up the 66-point win.
FORWARDS
Jeff Garlett (Carlton) - Teamed brilliantly with fellow small forward Eddie Betts kicking four goals. He now has 11 goals from the past four matches, after returning to the side in round four.
James Podsiadly (Geelong Cats) - Not only has Pods emerged as one of the feel-good stories as the year, he is now a genuine Coleman Medal prospect after another five goals gave him 17 from five matches.
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) - On the back of signing a new four-year deal, the big man had a belter over in the west, kicking six goals, including four in the final term to almost get his side over the line.
FOLLOWERS
Nic Naitanui (West Coast Eagles) - Another eye-catching performance from the ruckman, winning 22 hit-outs and 19 touches, including a remarkable 16 contested possessions.
Dane Swan (Collingwood) - Rivaled teammates Shaw and Sidebottom for best-on-ground honours with a season-high 38 disposals, including 14 contested, plus nine clearances and six inside 50s.
Gary Ablett (Geelong Cats) - Produced the game of the round: 38 touches, including 18 contested, plus 10 clearances, 10 marks, seven tackles, eight inside 50s. And just for good measure, two goals.
INTERCHANGE
Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide) - Continued his good form and celebrated his 100th AFL match with a best-on-ground performance, gaining 29 touches and nine inside 50s and kicking two goals.
Dean Cox (West Coast Eagles) - With Naitanui, forms the best ruckman combination in the business. Cox smashed 35 of 60 hit-outs - Hawthorn won a total of 30 - and chipped in with a goal.
Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs) - Continued his fine recent form with 32 disposals, including 16 contested possessions, along with a game-high 15 effective kicks.
Eddie Betts (Carlton) - Kicked an equal career-best five goals, for the third time in his career. Betts ended any hope of a St Kilda comeback in the final term, when he nailed four majors in that period.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
