HB: Jason Gram (St Kilda), Nathan Bock (Adelaide), Heath Shaw (Collingwood)
C: Jared Brennan (Brisbane Lions), Tyson Edwards (Adelaide), Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans)
HF: Alan Didak (Collingwood), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Chris Knights (Adelaide)
F: Brad Dick (Collingwood), Brendan Fevola (Carlton), Kurt Tippett (Adelaide)
FOLL: Dean Cox (West Coast Eagles), Chris Judd (Carlton), Gary Ablett (Geelong)
I/C: Justin Koschitzke (St Kilda), Paul Chapman (Geelong), Simon Black (Brisbane Lions), Dane Swan (Collingwood)
BACKS
Graham Johncock (Adelaide) – The rebounder has regained some strong form in recent weeks with his 22 disposals against Essendon among his best performances in the past two seasons. His disposal efficiency was excellent
Ben Rutten (Adelaide) – 'Truck' completely blanketed Jay Neagle, holding the young Bomber goalless and keeping him to just three disposals. The experienced Rutten had 15 touches.
Matthew Scarlett (Geelong) – Yet another first-class performance, with 21 disposals against West Coast. It was yet another tick towards the argument debated in the media during the week in the lead-up to this round: is Scarlett the greatest full-back of all time?
HALF BACKS
Jason Gram (St Kilda) – The dasher's second match back after a one-game stint in the VFL was a beauty against the Roos. Pushing through midfield/half-back, Gram collected 31 disposals, had seven inside-50s and four rebounds.
Nathan Bock (Adelaide) – On the back of a fine performance on Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, the All-Australian centre half-back eclipsed Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd. Bock finished with 25 touches and an equal game-high five rebounds.
Heath Shaw (Collingwood) – Produced his best game of the season against Melbourne with 30 disposals, 10 marks and a round-high 10 rebounds. It was a fine return from the integral Pie who has been troubled by hamstring and suspension in 2009.
CENTRES
Jared Brennan (Brisbane Lions) – The classy utility was everywhere to be among the standouts against Carlton. He finished with 24 touches and four goals. Brennan was also one of four players – and the only Lion – to have an equal game-high seven inside 50s.
Tyson Edwards (Adelaide) – It could be argued the 32-year-old's 300th match was also his best. He finished with an equal career-best 41 disposals, rivaling teammate Kurt Tippett for best-on-ground honours.
Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans) – Continued his outstanding season with another likely three-vote performance, despite his side going down to Hawthorn. Goodes finished with 23 touches (including 13 contested), three goals and eight tackles.
HALF-FORWARDS
Alan Didak (Collingwood) – Just his second game back after five matches out with a leg injury, the Magpie dynamo won a personal-best 33 disposals, booted two goals, including a soccer gem and had seven inside 50s. His skills in the wet were outstanding.
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) – The champion skipper worked tirelessly to have nine scoring shots, finishing with 4.5. His contested work was first-class. Four of his 13 marks and 10 of his 19 touches were contested.
Chris Knights (Adelaide) – Continued his remarkable recent form with another five goals – including the two sealers – and 22 disposals. He has now kicked 14 majors in the past three matches, after hauls of five against Carlton and four against Hawthorn.
FORWARDS
Brad Dick (Collingwood) – In just his 11th match and on the back of three goals against Port Adelaide, the exciting small booted a career-best five goals from seven scoring shots on the big stage. He was also involved in three scoring assists.
Brendan Fevola (Carlton) – 'Fev' turned it on with an equal career-best eight goals. He is now the new leader in this year's Coleman Medal race with 39 goals. It was the eighth time he has bagged eight.
Kurt Tippett (Adelaide) – Played an absolute blinder, finishing with a personal-best 7.1. His second quarter in particular was outstanding. He kicked a checkside gem and drop-punt from opposing pockets and took a classic hanger over Courtenay Dempsey.
FOLLOWERS
Dean Cox (West Coast Eagles) – The competition's best ruckman produced yet another first-class effort. Cox finished with 30 disposals, including 13 in the first term, and six clearances. Of West Coast's 32 hit-outs, he won them all.
Chris Judd (Carlton) – In a match highlighted by some brilliant individual efforts, none was better than the superstar skipper. Judd finished with 28 disposals (including 13 contested), 10 clearances, seven inside 50s and five tackles.
Gary Ablett (Geelong) – Just another lazy 43 touches and best-on-ground display from the superstar – the third time he has notched up 40-plus disposals this season. He also chipped in with two goals, adding further votes to his Brownlow Medal prospects.
INTERCHANGE
Justin Koschitzke (St Kilda) – Continued his fine season with a personal-best six goals. It was also the fifth time this season he has kicked four or more goals in a match. His marking was a genuine highlight – five of his 10 grabs were contested.
Paul Chapman (Geelong) – After just one match in the past three rounds due to a back and finger injuries, Chapman bounced back strongly with 24 disposals and an equal game-high three goals.
Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) – Yet another standout from this match, Black was brilliant in the middle, racking up a game-high and season-best 33 disposals. He also claimed seven clearances and laid six tackles.
Dane Swan (Collingwood) – Set the tone with 13 of his 32 disposals coming in a blistering, and ultimately match-winning, opening term. He also had a game-high nine inside-50s. Swan continues to lead the competition in disposals, with 350 to his name.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
