Team of the week

TODD Goldstein's grip on the starting ruckman position in the All Australian team tightened in round 16 and it is hard to see anyone surpassing him in the final seven rounds.

Goldstein produced one of the most outstanding individual performances of the season against Essendon on Friday night to earn selection in the round 16 Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels.

His form meant Adelaide big man Sam Jocobs, who drove the Crows to a memorable Showdown win against Port Adelaide, couldn't earn selection when he normally would have been a lock.

Backs

HEATH SHAW (Greater Western Sydney) - Continued what is shaping as an All Australian season for the former Collingwood star, racking up 29 possessions and using the ball superbly. Took 12 marks and attacked off half-back repeatedly.

ALEX RANCE (Richmond) - His rebounding influence was less pronounced than recent weeks, but Rance did his job defensively as well as ever, keeping Josh Bruce to one goal and one mark.

MARLEY WILLIAMS (Collingwood) - Another small defender who demanded selection, making this a small backline. Couldn't be overlooked after dancing out of defence with 33 possessions and nine rebounds against West Coast.

Half-backs

LUKE HODGE (Hawthorn) - Led the Hawks in a brutal mauling of the Sydney Swans, racking up 30 possessions and eight marks. Went where he was needed, going into attack three times and rebounding four times.

MICHAEL HURLEY (Essendon) - Almost a lock for All Australian selection, Hurley produced another excellent performance against North Melbourne, keeping Jarrad Waite to 1.0 and five marks.

STEPHEN HILL (Fremantle) - Spent significant time pushing into defence and streaming off half-back against Carlton and set the Dockers up with his ball use. Still got forward enough to rack up nine inside 50s from his 28 possessions.

Centres

TRAVIS BOAK (Port Adelaide) - A great effort from the Power skipper to get his team back in the contest in the fourth quarter, almost getting Port over the line. Finished with 32 possessions, eight clearances and two goals.

JOSH CADDY (Geelong) - Stepped up with captain Joel Selwood suspended to lead the midfield with 37 disposals and 12 clearances. Was ruthless in his attack on the ball, finishing with 23 contested possessions.

BRETT DELEDIO (Richmond)- Had a massive 15 score involvements against St Kilda and was voted best on ground, receiving the Ian Stewart Medal. Finished with 28 possessions and three goals.

Half-forwards

LUKE DAHLHAUS (Western Bulldogs) - Enjoyed a career-best 37 possessions playing higher up the ground and getting involved at stoppages. Finished with four clearances and nine inside 50s.

JARRYD ROUGHEAD (Hawthorn)- The star Hawk returned in fine fashion with five goals and seven marks, dominating the air inside 50. His night, however, will be remembered for a slide over exposed bolts over the boundary line at ANZ Stadium.

DEVON SMITH (Greater Western Sydney) - Proved the spark GWS needed to get past Gold Coast, kicking four goals in a 15-point win. Played a complete game with 27 possessions, six clearances and four inside 50s.

Forwards

CYRIL RIOLI (Hawthorn) - Booted three goals, including a gem from outside 50 on the run. He also took a superb contested mark to set up another and finished with 20 possessions (11 contested) and laid eight tackles.

BEN BROWN (North Melbourne) - Stepped up in the absence of Drew Petrie to boot a team-high four goals and take four marks inside 50. Was good on the lead and had the agility to work free on the rebound.

CHRIS MAYNE (Fremantle)- Back to his high-pressure best with nine tackles as a forward 50 nuisance. Also hit the scoreboard with 4.1, taking six marks and racking up 18 possessions.

Followers

TODD GOLDSTEIN (North Melbourne) - Without doubt the player of the round and the dominant ruckman this season, Goldstein did a bit of everything against the Bombers. In one of the best individual performances of the season, he racked up 27 possessions, eight marks, 56 hit-outs, eight clearances and 1.2.

GARY ABLETT (Gold Coast) - Well and truly over his shoulder issues, Ablett laid a massive 17 tackles against GWS. Offensively he was a constant threat with 30 possessions and three goals, but it wasn't enough for his team.

SCOTT THOMPSON (Adelaide) - Phenomenal against Port Adelaide, the veteran midfielder collected 36 possessions, 13 clearances and kicked a goal to take home the re-named Phillip Walsh Medal as best on ground in the Showdown.

Interchange

CHAD WINGARD (Port Adelaide) - Fought a one-man battle at times through the Showdown before help arrived in the fourth quarter. The classy half-forward finished with 26 possessions, five inside 50s and three goals.

MARK LECRAS (West Coast) - Kickstarted the Eagles in a tight second half with a nice goal on the run and sealed the rest with back-to-back goals in the fourth quarter. Pushed up the ground to win four clearances and 23 possessions.

STEELE SIDEBOTTOM (Collingwood) - Roamed the wing and got free to rack up 38 possessions and eight marks against the Eagles. Worked hard into defence for the Magpies and pushed forward to kick one goal.

MATT PRIDDIS (West Coast) - Did the hard stuff against Collingwood, setting up teammates on the outside with eight clearances, including five centre clearances. Also had six inside 50s in an all-round performance from the Brownlow medallist.

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