TEAM OF THE ROUND - ROUND 5, 2008

B: Roger Hayden (Fremantle), Trent Croad (Hawthorn), Max Hudghton (St Kilda)

HB: Andrew McLeod (Adelaide), Nathan Bock (Adelaide), Bachar Houli (Essendon)

C: Gary Ablett (Geelong), Jimmy Bartel (Geelong), Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)

HF: Brad Green (Melbourne), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Shannon Grant (North Melbourne)

F: Paul Medhurst (Collingwood), Brendan Fevola (Carlton), Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions)

FOLL: Josh Fraser (Collingwood), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide)

I/C: Chris Judd (Carlton), Kane Johnson (Richmond), Brad Sewell (Hawthorn), Darren Jolly (Sydney)

BACKS

Roger Hayden (Fremantle) - The underrated small running defender again provided excellent rebound out of the Freo defence against the Crows. His use of the ball was first-class, as he gained 100 per cent efficiency with his 20 disposals.

Trent Croad (Hawthorn) - After injuring his wrist in round one, forcing him to miss the past three matches, Croad returned with a mighty performance on champion Lion Jonathan Brown. He held Brown goalless and kept him to 10 touches.

Max Hudghton (St Kilda) - The veteran St Kilda defender played a fine game on Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd. Not only did Hudghton restrict Lloyd to just seven disposals and one behind, he also shone with his defensive spoils.

HALF BACKS

Andrew McLeod (Adelaide) - McLeod was a genuine match-winner for the Crows, standing up when his side needed him most in the final term. It only added to a superb game in which he notched up 34 disposals and kicked two goals.

Nathan Bock (Adelaide) - The key defender continued his top season, keeping Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich to just 11 touches and three behinds. Bock himself collected 23 disposals.

Bachar Houli (Essendon) - In just his ninth AFL match, Houli, who was nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star in round one this year, shone again across half-back against the Saints. He was Essendon's best, winning 23 disposals and chipping in with two goals.

CENTRES

Gary Ablett (Geelong) - Ablett started on the wing, spent time in the middle and up forward and delivered the knockout blow in a scintillating final term in which he won 13 of his 25 disposals and booted three match-winning goals against the Swans.

Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) - The reigning Brownlow Medallist was brilliant yet again and like Ablett was pivotal in helping Geelong race away from Sydney in the final term, during which he collected 11 of his 27 touches. He also booted two goals for the match.

Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) - "Boomer" was his side's best in North Melbourne's seven-point victory over Collingwood at the MCG, amassing a game-high 34 disposals, including 11 touches in a telling final term.

HALF-FORWARDS

Brad Green (Melbourne) - It may have been another winless match for the hapless Demons, but the efforts of Green could not be understated. The midfielder/forward pushed into attack and booted four goals and finished with 26 disposals.

Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) - Another "Buddy" beauty from the game's most exciting player. The key forward booted eight goals from 14 scoring shots to continue his amazing start to the season. He now has 29 goals from five matches.

Shannon Grant (North Melbourne) - The 1999 Norm Smith Medallist was pivotal in his side's comeback win over Collingwood, putting his side in front in the final quarter. He finished the match with three goals and gathered 24 disposals.

FORWARDS

Paul Medhurst (Collingwood) - Although he was part of a losing side in round five, Medhurst's efforts couldn't be ignored. His five-goal performance was excellent, along with his ability to send the ball inside 50, which he achieved on nine occasions.

Brendan Fevola (Carlton) - Fevola is second to Franklin in the goalkicking race, but his past three matches in front of goal have been unsurpassed. He has kicked 22 goals in those games, including seven goals from just seven kicks against Melbourne.

Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions) - The dual premiership player's outstanding comeback from a year out of the game with a knee injury continued against Hawthorn, with the Lion bagging seven goals from 11 scoring shots. He now has 23 goals for the season.

FOLLOWERS

Josh Fraser (Collingwood) - The acting Collingwood captain was brilliant, despite his side falling short against North Melbourne. He not only impressed in the ruck, but his contested work and ability to kick four goals resulted in a first-class display.

Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) - The St Kilda vice-captain played one of his best matches since returning from a knee injury last year. He claimed 25 touches, but it was his tackling – he laid 12 against Essendon – and clearance work that was a feature of his game.

Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide) - Cornes was at his best, shutting down the opposition's best midfielder – this time West Coast's Daniel Kerr – restricting him to just 13 touches. The Power gun also accumulated 27 disposals and laid eight tackles.

INTERCHANGE

Chris Judd (Carlton) - With a superb clearance and goal, the superstar turned the game just as Melbourne had a sniff in the second term. He finished the match with 26 disposals, including 14 contested possessions, and three goals.

Kane Johnson (Richmond) - On the back of a super performance against Fremantle the skipper again led from the front, although his team drew with the Western Bulldogs. Johnson won the ball 25 times and laid eight tackles.

Brad Sewell (Hawthorn) - Remarkably overlooked for the Victorian squad, Sewell again put his hand up for inclusion in the Hall of Fame tribute match with another top midfield display against the Brisbane Lions. His ball use was again extremely efficient.

Darren Jolly (Sydney) - Arguably his side's best against Geelong, the Sydney ruckman's work around the ground, along with his 28 hit outs, was a key to the Swans taking it right up to the Cats until late in the match. He also chipped in with a goal.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL