Team of the week

COLLINGWOOD big man Brodie Grundy was outstanding in the Magpies' Friday night win, proving you don't need to win the hit-outs to do your job as a ruckman.

Grundy unseated Todd Goldstein as the ruckman in round five's Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels, despite winning 22 hit-outs to a combined tally of 47 from his opponents Robbie Warnock and Cameron Wood.

Tackling and winning the ball at ground level have always been strengths of Grundy's game, but he took it to a new level against the Blues with 14 pressure acts and five clearances.

He also had 286m gained for the night, which was more than Carlton's ruckmen combined (273m).

Backs

GRANT BIRCHALL (Hawthorn) - Playing a little deeper this season, Birchall was still the man who set up Hawks' attacks from defence, with 23 possessions at more than 90 per cent efficiency. His second selection this season.

HARRY TAYLOR (Geelong) - Spent time as a spare man and also on young Richmond half-forward Ben Lennon. The senior Cat finished with 13 marks and 25 possessions, also pushing forward at the right times.

JOSH GIBSON (Hawthorn) - With Brian Lake and James Frawley injured, Gibson stood up as the main man in the Hawks' back six, keeping opponent Drew Petrie to two goals. Also had 18 possessions and seven marks.

Half-backs

ELLIOT YEO (West Coast) - Now a regular in the Eagles' backline, Yeo was pushed up the ground against GWS and played as a big-bodied midfielder. He thrived in the role and had 25 possessions, nine marks and five tackles.

LUKE McPHARLIN (Fremantle) - A comprehensive winner in his match-up with young Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan, McPharlin continued his outstanding start to the season. Finished with 21 possessions and 10 marks, while Hogan had 14 and six, with one goal.

BACHAR HOULI (Richmond) - Arguably his team's best player in a narrow loss to Geelong, Houli had career-high 33 possessions off half-back. He was clean with his disposal and better than usual defensively, laying nine tackles.

Centres

MITCH DUNCAN (Geelong) - Marked one of his best games with an important running goal from beyond 50m, which gave the Cats just enough breathing room. Had 29 possessions and 12 marks, finishing with two goals.

LIAM PICKEN (Western Bulldogs)- The hard-nosed midfielder has a new look in 2015, highlighted in round five by his career-high 33 possessions and 11 clearances against the Sydney Swans. Still did the hard stuff he is renowned for, laying 12 tackles.

NAT FYFE (Fremantle) - In the team for the fourth time this season, Fyfe put on an aerial masterclass against the Demons, taking five contested marks (more than any player in round five). Near impossible to beat one-on-one, he finished with 30 possessions (18 contested) and eight clearances.

Half-forwards

HARLEY BENNELL (Gold Coast) - An equal game-high six inside 50s and two goals gets Bennell onto a half-forward flank this week. Did his damage on the outside with 31 possessions and was involved in 12 scores.

CHARLIE DIXON (Gold Coast)- Gets the nod ahead of West Coast's Josh Kennedy, who also kicked six goals. Dixon attacked the ball ferociously and had a team-high 15 contested possessions to go with his bag of goals, winning the Marcus Ashcroft Medal as best on ground.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Adelaide)- The Crows star earned his second selection after his best performance of his season so far, winning 36 possessions and a League-high 14 clearances and nine centre clearances. His ability to damage forward of centre with seven inside 50s gets him on a half-forward flank.

Forwards

EDDIE BETTS (Adelaide)- The standout small forward in round five, Betts was at his best in the pocket he has made his own in Sunday's Showdown, kicking 5.3. A threat at ground level and in the air, he was hard for the Power to stop but didn't have much support.

JAY SCHULZ (Port Adelaide) - The Power sharpshooter kicked 5.1 from all angles at Adelaide Oval, with all of his goals coming from set shots. One of the best tall forwards in the game, he now has 16 goals for the season.

CHRIS MAYNE (Fremantle) - A return to form for Mayne, who stepped up to kick four goals with Matthew Pavlich and Michael Walters sidelined. Earns his spot here on the back of 12 tackles, rediscovering the maniac pressure he is known for.

Followers

BRODIE GRUNDY (Collingwood) - Took on two opponents – Cameron Wood and Robbie Warnock – and had more influence than both combined with his work at ground level and ability to move the ball. Finished with 22 hit-outs, nine tackles and one goal.

DAVID ARMITAGE (St Kilda) - Continued an outstanding start to the season against the Bombers with 35 possessions and 11 clearances. Selected for the second time, he is standing up superbly since Lenny Hayes' retirement.

ROBBIE GRAY (Port Adelaide) - Won the Showdown Medal after leading the Power midfield with 32 possessions (20 contested) and 11 clearances. Lost his opponent to sneak forward for a quick transition goal as well.

Interchange

SCOTT PENDLEBURY (Collingwood) - Of the skipper's 32 possessions, only two were ineffective on Friday night. Was tagged initially, but not effectively, and rattled home to be a clear best on ground.

DAN HANNEBERY (Sydney Swans) - Thrived in the wet with 37 possessions and a career-high 10 tackles against the Western Bulldogs. Was strong for the third straight week and his 13 inside 50s were also a career-high.

JACK GUNSTON (Hawthorn) - Just couldn't squeeze into the starting forward line, despite a commanding performance against the Kangaroos. Finished with 4.3 and 13 marks, pushing up the ground effectively.

ISAAC SMITH (Hawthorn) - A genuine wingman who can run all day, Smith was a major ball-carrier for the Hawks, finishing with 27 possessions, 11 marks and 10 score involvements. He got his hands dirty as well, with nine contested possessions.

• Check out how fans voted on previous teams of the week
• Doc Larkins' injury update ahead of round six
• How your team's players fared in this weekend's state leagues