Team of the week

ROUND 21 saw the tall forwards come out to play, with Taylor Walker, Ty Vickery and Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy combining for 20 goals.

They all earned selection in the Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels, but there were plenty of quality performers squeezed out as a result.

Sydney Swans big man Kurt Tippett was squeezed onto the bench despite kicking five goals. St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt missed out altogether after a quality performance on the wing.

Essendon ruckman Shaun McKernan and Carlton counterpart Matthew Kreuzer can also consider themselves stiff.

It is the No.1 ruck position where a fierce battle raged, however, with Paddy Ryder getting the nod over Nic Naitanui and Sam Jacobs.

Backs

ROBBIE TARRANT (North Melbourne) - His best game for the Kangaroos, just days after signing a contract extension. The key defender had 14 possessions and 10 marks, playing his role in a backline that kept the Dockers to just five goals after quarter time.

ALEX RANCE (Richmond) - Outstanding on key forward Travis Cloke, keeping the two-time All Australian to one goal. Offensively, he racked up 13 marks and 22 possessions at 91 per cent efficiency.

HEATH SHAW (Greater Western Sydney) - The veteran defender was the Giants' best in a one-sided match, finishing with 32 possessions and a round-high 12 rebound 50s. Appears destined for his first All Australian selection in his 12th season.

Half-backs

JASPER PITTARD (Port Adelaide) - The attacking half-back enjoyed one of his best games for the season against Hawthorn, racking up 27 possessions and 10 marks. Under extreme pressure, he used the ball well and played a key role in the Power's upset win.

MICHAEL HURLEY (Essendon) - Another powerful performance from the tall defender, this time because of his attack from the backline. Racked up 26 possessions, eight rebound 50s (the third best tally of his career) and six marks.

ELLIOT YEO (West Coast) - Provided some highlights, but this was a defensively-minded performance to cover for the Eagles' missing talls. Played on Jack Redpath and gave away 4cm, but kept him to two goals.



Centres

PATRICK CRIPPS (Carlton)- Best on ground against Melbourne, making another significant push for the NAB AFL Rising Star award. Played like a hardened midfielder with 26 possessions (16 contested), eight clearances and two goals.

JOSH KENNEDY (Sydney Swans) - Had more clearances than any player in round 21, racking up 12 in a superb performance against GWS. With 35 possessions and two goals, he was a clear best on ground and one of the standout midfielders of the round.

STEVEN MOTLOP (Geelong)- Continued his strong form, battling with Cam Guthrie for honours as the Cats' best. Had 33 possessions, eight tackles and eight inside 50s, causing havoc for the Saints defenders.

Half-forwards

JAKE STRINGER (Western Bulldogs)- Outstanding for three quarters, kicking all five of his goals before three-quarter time. Burned around Shannon Hurn for his fifth and finished with 17 possessions and three contested marks.

TAYLOR WALKER (Adelaide) - The powerful forward ignited the Crows' run in the second quarter with three goals and kicked on to finish with seven. Stood up in tackles, took contested marks and beat his opponents running back towards goal.

SAM GRAY (Port Adelaide) - A mature-age rookie from the SANFL, Gray would have been long odds to enjoy such an outstanding game against the reigning premiers. He racked up 34 possessions and six inside 50s, kicking the last goal of the game when he drifted forward.

Forwards

CHAD WINGARD (Port Adelaide)- Booted four goals against the reigning premiers on the big stage and seemed to be ignited after a high bump from Luke Hodge. Also had 20 possessions and seven inside 50s.

JOSH KENNEDY (West Coast) - Another brilliant performance from the Coleman Medal leader, who finished with seven goals. Took nine of his 14 marks inside 50, making him a constant threat, and could have kicked more with a final return of 7.3.

TY VICKERY (Richmond) - The big Tiger is coming right at the perfect time, with 10 marks and six goals against Collingwood – his second strong performance against the Magpies this season. Has 10 goals in his past two matches. Also took 10 marks.

Followers

PADDY RYDER (Port Adelaide) - Gets the nod in a tough round to split in terms of ruckmen. His 40 hit-outs gave the Power a slight clearance advantage, but his team was particularly dominant in the centre thanks to his deft tap work.

ROBBIE GRAY (Port Adelaide) - Just a star onballer now. Half his 34 possessions were contested and he racked up an equal team-high seven clearances and seven inside 50s. His composure against the reigning premiers was first class.

MATT PRIDDIS (West Coast) - Bounced back from a quiet Western Derby with 37 possessions against the Western Bulldogs. Had an equal game-high seven clearances, seven tackles and five inside 50s.

Interchange

TOM LYNCH (Adelaide) - Goalless against the Brisbane Lions but playing a different role, leading well up the ground and linking the backline to the forward line. Had a team-high 32 possessions, nine marks and four inside 50s.

KURT TIPPETT (Sydney Swans) - Unlucky not to earn selection on the ground, Tippet slots in as a second ruckman thanks to his dual role against GWS. Booted five goals but also racked up 20 hit-outs.

BRANDON ELLIS (Richmond) - Enjoyed a day out against the Magpies, with 31 possessions and 10 marks. Has improved his ball use this season and he kicked well against the Pies, with five inside 50s and one goal.

DUSTIN MARTIN (Richmond) - Worked hard at both ends of the ground to finish with 32 possessions, five rebounds and four inside 50s. Ran in to kick a fourth-quarter goal, but could land in hot water for his two-fingered gesture to the Magpie crowd.

• Check out how fans voted on previous teams of the week
• Finals crystal ball: Week one predictions