Team of the week

WHEN good things come in small packages and the big men fail to fire, you need to play 'small ball'. Isolate 'Dusty' in the goalsquare and let Jeff Garlett and Chad Wingard wreak havoc.

There were few tall forwards who put their hands up for the round 12 Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels, so small was best in attack.

The one big man selected was resting ruckman Max Gawn in a forward pocket, while Jake Stringer at 192cm qualifies as a centre half forward, even if that's not strictly how he plays.

Josh Kennedy, Lachie Henderson, Daniel McStay (all three goals) and Tom Boyd (four) might have played reasonable games, but they've been overlooked for Dustin Martin, who knows how to kick a goal when he's isolated deep.

Backs

ROBERT MURPHY (Western Bulldogs) - The captain ignited his team on Saturday night and regularly dashed off half-back to set up attacking play. Finished with an equal team-high six inside 50s and four rebounds.

LYNDEN DUNN (Melbourne) - Continues to punch above his weight, this week giving away 9kg and 6cm to opponent Tom Hawkins, who kicked two goals. Dunn finished with 15 rebound 50s and 26 possessions.

HEATH SHAW (Greater Western Sydney) - The experienced backman did his best in a defensive unit that was under the pump at times. Had eight intercept possessions, 14 marks and 30 disposals.

Half-backs

JAMIE MACMILLAN (North Melbourne)- Probably his best game for the Kangaroos. MacMillan had 29 possessions, but importantly he used it well, going at 82.8 efficiency. Worked hard and made courageous decisions with the ball.

JEREMY McGOVERN (West Coast) - The young Eagle just keeps performing against the odds, this time standing up against the Tigers' trio of tall forwards, who managed four goals between them.

LUKE HODGE (Hawthorn) - The Hawks' captain led superbly on Thursday night and pushed to half-back, where he racked up 25 possessions, eight marks and five rebounds. Hardly wasted a kick.

Centres

ANDREW GAFF (West Coast) - Another strong game from the outside specialist, who ranks No.1 in the AFL for uncontested possessions. Gaff racked up 31 disposals and seven inside 50s against Richmond and was arguably the match's most influential ground-level midfielder.

PATRICK CRIPPS (Carlton) - A special game from the 20-year-old, who was best afield in the Blues' four-point win. Had 31 possessions (15 contested), nine clearances, 12 tackles and seven inside 50s. A clear favourite for the NAB AFL Rising Star.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Adelaide) - Dangerfield's influence was obvious when he was taken off the ground in the fourth quarter and the game slipped away from Adelaide. Inspirational in the third quarter, he finished with 31 possessions.

Half-forwards

CHAD WINGARD (Port Adelaide) - Wingard kicked an equal round-high five goals against the Blues and almost dragged his team over the line. He had maximum effect with his 12 touches and played close to goal.

JAKE STRINGER (Western Bulldogs)- So dynamic was the young star he has been placed at centre half-forward after his five-goal performance. The Bulldog converted snaps and set shots from the pocket and was dangerous at ground level, finishing with 17 possessions.

BERNIE VINCE (Melbourne) - Vince typified the Demons' hunger at the contest with 19 contested possessions and 11 clearances. He can be placed forward for his scoreboard impact (two goals) and eight inside 50s. Finished with 38 possessions in a brilliant performance.

Forwards

MAX GAWN (Melbourne) - The second ruckman in this team, Gawn announced himself as a leader in a young midfield with 44 hit-outs. His impact around the ground with six contested marks and a goal separated him from the pack.

DUSTIN MARTIN (Richmond)- In a small forward line, Martin is the dangerous option isolated in the goalsquare after his 3.1 against West Coast. Did much more on Friday night, racking up 31 possessions and seven inside 50s. His checkside goal from long range was brilliant.

JEFF GARLETT (Melbourne) - Worked into dangerous areas and made the most of his opportunities to kick four goals. Stood up with Jesse Hogan out of the team and made a crucial contribution in a great win.

Followers

NIC NAITANUI (West Coast)- Could do no wrong in the ruck against a genuine opponent in Ivan Maric.

His ability to tap to advantage was superb, giving the Eagles a 39-30 advantage in clearances.

MARC MURPHY (Carlton) - A captain's game from the Blues' skipper, who kept willing the ball forward with 10 clearances and 11 inside 50s. Finished with 29 possessions, winning 15 of those in contests.

NATHAN JONES (Melbourne) - Another game that smacked of leadership from the Demons' skipper. His possessions in close were crucial, as was his goal deep into the fourth quarter that all but sealed a famous win.

Interchange

JACK VINEY (Melbourne) - Was brilliant in a tagging job on Joel Selwood, getting under the Geelong skipper's skin and barely leaving his side to restrict him to 17 possessions. Won 28 possessions (17 contested) himself.

TRAVIS BOAK (Port Adelaide) - His team's best player in a close loss, Boak would have been the hero if his team had got up against the Blues. Booted two goals to go with his 27 possessions and six tackles.

ELLIOT YEO (West Coast) - The young Eagle shines every time he is given more midfield time, and that was the case against the Tigers. Superb in the air with four contested marks, his 21 possessions added great value in his team's win.

NICK DAL SANTO (North Melbourne) - The smooth mover didn't take long to find his touch in his first game back from hamstring surgery. In the midfield, drifting cross half back and pushing forward, Dal Santo was polished with 34 possessions, eight clearances and five inside 50s.

• Check out how fans voted on previous teams of the week
• How your team's players fared in this weekend's state leagues