THE ROUND 15 Team of the Week, brought to you by AccorHotels, was the most difficult edition to put together this year.
Upsets galore meant there were plenty who could take issue with not being picked.
Among the names not included were rejuvenated Sydney gun Luke Parker, Hawthorn ball-winner Jaeger O'Meara, Port Adelaide jet Travis Boak and perhaps the unluckiest of the lot, Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe.
NINE THINGS WE LEARNED Star Crow's fall defies belief
That calibre of those not in meant those who made it absolutely demanded selection. Tim Kelly racked up 33 disposals and booted two goals in a best-afield display against a top-four contender in Adelaide, but only just squeezed into the side.
It's absurd how loaded this midfield is.
Given the job on Jack Gunston, Brad Sheppard shut him down, as he does almost every week. North Melbourne had plenty of massive contributors – it was no surprise to see Robbie Tarrant chief among them. Blistering backman Adam Saad continued his impressive season, while Zac Williams was similarly influential. For Sydney, Dane Rampe and Jordan Dawson were brilliant in the Swans' victory over Gold Coast.
THE RUN HOME Is Port too unreliable to play finals?
Former Carlton captain Marc Murphy could have made the 22 for that match-winning goal alone. If that's what Ed Curnow is going to produce as skipper, maybe he should get the role full-time. Shaun Burgoyne's career is winding down, and Luke Shuey is making an exceptional case to take his mantle as the most clutch player in the competition. The move of Mark Blicavs into the ruck turned the game for the Cats. And what about the Roos? Ben Cunnington and Jack Ziebell is a pretty handy one-two combination in the midfield.
Brisbane is a top-four chance, and if Dayne Zorko keeps going like he did against Melbourne, that will become an even more realistic proposition. Cam McCarthy returned with a four-goal haul. It's a tad cheeky putting Marcus Bontempelli on a half-forward flank but he spent time there and had to make the side, given how unreal he was, particularly early. There's been a lot of Sydney Stack love, deservedly so, and it will continue here. Eric Hipwood booting five goals to single-handedly maul Melbourne, and Jack Darling bagging the same number in wet conditions, were both impressive outings in their own right.
AROUND THE STATE LEAGUES Veteran Dog returns, Port stars dominate
At what point does a player become elite? If Josh Dunkley isn't categorised as an elite onballer yet, he must be mighty close. Stephen Coniglio was fantastic in a losing side. Rounding out the team are two who would have claims to be considered the best player of 2019: Kelly and Lachie Neale.
FANTASY FORM WATCH Lion king reigns with bye rounds over
