Team of the week

PLAYING against your old club is always a big deal, and Western Bulldog Stewart Crameri made it count against Essendon on Sunday.

Crameri kicked a career-high seven goals to spearhead the Dogs' landslide victory and lock himself into the round 18 Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels.

In his two matches against the Bombers last year, the medium forward kicked just one goal, but played catch-up in his 19-disposal, five-mark game.

Crameri joins Jake Stringer as the two Bulldogs to make the team after the 87-point rout.

Backs

ALEX RANCE (Richmond) - The West Australian defender is leading the Tiger revival and everyone at Richmond must be relieved he re-committed to the club earlier this season. A lock for an All Australian jumper after another dominant display against Hawthorn, Rance will have some massive jobs to do over the coming weeks.

STEVEN MAY (Gold Coast) - One Sun who can hold his head high this season, May has taken on the competition's best forwards in 2015 and did a brilliant job curbing West Coast goal kicker Josh Kennedy on Saturday night. May kept the Eagles' star to just just two goals from five kicks.

HEATH SHAW (Greater Western Sydney) - The dasher is averaging a career-high 23.5 possessions in his 11th season, including 31 in a losing side against Fremantle on the weekend. The former Magpie's leadership in the young Giants' defence has been a key to them being in the finals hunt for the first time.

Half-backs

DANE RAMPE (Sydney Swans) - The mature-age recruit just keeps getting better in his third season, and is in All Australian form off half-back. His 32 possessions, 12 marks and nine rebound 50s made the Crows look silly at times.

WILL SCHOFIELD (West Coast) - He's just about the last key defender standing at West Coast and is vital to their chances in September. Gives away height and weight most weeks but is underrated in one on one contests and loves to run with the footy – two attributes that were on display in abundance against Gold Coast.

JARRAD McVEIGH (Sydney Swans) - The Swans' co-captain produced a masterful performance in a massive week for the club and once again showed outstanding leadership. Had 37 touches at almost 84 per cent efficiency and marshalls his side as well as anyone in the competition.

Centres

STEPHEN HILL (Fremantle) - He has been mixing his time between the wing and half-back over the past six weeks and his move behind the ball has been very effective. His sublime skills and run were on display again with 32 damaging touches at 81 per cent efficiency against Greater Western Sydney.

ANTHONY MILES (Richmond) - He was outstanding against the Hawks with his work inside the contest. He finished with 30 disposals, 18 contested, seven clearances and eight inside 50s. One of the best games of his career to date.

BERNIE VINCE (Melbourne)- His year keeps getting better. He was clearly best afield with 30 touches and three goals against Collingwood and some of his finishing was sublime.

It was the fifth time he's registered 30-plus disposals this season and his fourth multiple goal game.

Half-forwards

BRETT DELEDIO (Richmond) - His four goals were crucial in the Tigers' upset win, as was his pressure. He laid six tackles and was a constant worry for Hawthorn.

TOM LYNCH (Gold Coast)- Stepped up as captain and took a huge mark in attack with just seconds remaining. He coolly converted – his fourth – to give the Suns the draw at the death.

MICHAEL WALTERS (Fremantle) - The classy Docker kicked four majors and set up another. He worked hard up the ground to generate seven inside 50s.

Forwards

CHAD WINGARD (Port Adelaide) - Another four goals for Port Adelaide's star, taking his overall tally to 42 and further strengthening his case for All Australian selection. He was deadly around goal.

STEWART CRAMERI (Western Bulldogs)- An almighty effort against his old side, booting a career-high seven goals in a massive win. His pressure around goal was also impressive, creating a number of scoring opportunities.

JAKE STRINGER (Western Bulldogs) - Slotted four goals alongside Crameri and took a few marks inside 50 as well. He also gathered 16 possessions in a polished showing.

Followers

IVAN MARIC (Richmond) - He has been a key contributor to the Tigers' success so far this season and he was very influential on Friday night against the Hawks. He had 31 hit-outs and helped the Tigers win the clearance battle. He also took five contested marks, three more than any other player on the ground.

DAN HANNEBERY (Sydney Swans) - The star midfielder is having a sensational year and sits second in the AFL Coaches Association award. He'll eat into Nat Fyfe's lead after 40 possessions and three goals against Adelaide. It was the sixth time in his career he's gathered 40 possessions and his fourth bag of three goals or more.

CAMERON GUTHRIE (Geelong) - The Cats' running machine has become an attacking weapon in the midfield to complement his run-with capabilities. Against the Brisbane Lions he had 28 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency, kicked two goals and laid seven tackles.

Interchange

MATT PRIDDIS (West Coast) - The Brownlow medallist did what he always does – racks up big numbers. Despite being followed by Suns youngster Jesse Lonergan for most of the night, Priddis was tireless with 34 disposals and 12 clearances.

HARLEY BENNELL (Gold Coast) - For the second successive week since his club-imposed suspension, Bennell has excelled. Coach Rodney Eade described his 28-disposal, seven-tackle, one-goal game against the Eagles as a superior all-round effort to his previous week's 38-touch performance against Adelaide.

JACK ZIEBELL (North Melbourne) - The first of two Kangaroos on the bench this week, Ziebell was instrumental in their demolition of Carlton. The robust midfielder had 26 disposals – including a game-high 13 contested – to go along with eight marks, six clearances and two goals.

SHAUN HIGGINS (North Melbourne) - The former Bulldog continued to make a big impact at his new club with a season-high 31 disposals and two goals. Higgins is getting more comfortable every week at the Kangaroos and looms as a vital part of their bid for September action.

• Check out how fans voted on previous teams of the week
• The run home: who's on track for September?