HB: Jason Gram (St Kilda), Sam Gilbert (St Kilda), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
C: Daniel Wells (North Melbourne), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
HF: Justin Sherman (Brisbane Lions), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
F: Ben McGlynn (Sydney Swans), Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Barry Hall (Western Bulldogs)
FOLL: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)
I/C: Gary Ablett (Geelong Cats), Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane Lions), Mark LeCras (West Coast Eagles), Heath Grundy (Sydney Swans)
BACKS
Nick Malceski (Sydney Swans) - Has started the season in fine fashion and is now back to the type of form he sustained before a serious knee injury. A round-high 10 rebounds out of the backline against Richmond.
James Frawley (Melbourne) - Achieved career-best numbers (25 disposals) in his best AFL match from 42 appearances. Helped curtail the influence of Crow Brett Burton and provided impressive drive.
Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) - Again showed no signs of being the competition's oldest player with a best-on-ground display against the Blues. Fletcher's lunging effort to spoil what looked a certain Eddie Betts goal in the third term typified his performance.
HALF-BACKS
Jason Gram (St Kilda) - Instrumental in his side's impressive win over the Pies, Gram matched six rebounds with six inside 50s and finished with 29 touches.
Sam Gilbert (St Kilda) - The most in-form tall defender in the competition after three rounds, Gilbert was best-on-ground with 32 disposals. He had game highs in marks (20), effective kicks (17) and eight rebounds.
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) - Starred in his sweeping role with seven rebounds against the Dogs. He also claimed 34 disposals, including a match-best 17 effective kicks.
CENTRES
Daniel Wells (North Melbourne) - After just 31 touches in the opening two rounds, the classy Roo was only bettered by skipper Brent Harvey in its win over the West Coast Eagles. Finished with 33 disposals.
Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) - Showed enormous courage - again - to play on with a smashed nose following a collision with teammate Steven King. Despite looking like a mummy with tape wrapped around his head, Hayes was inspirational.
Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs) - His 100th AFL match was one of his finest. Had a personal-best 34 disposals, including 26 in the second and third quarters. His ability to find space and provide run-and-carry was a highlight.
HALF-FORWARDS
Justin Sherman (Brisbane Lions) - Like Griffen, Sherman celebrated his 100th match with a fine display against the Power. He booted four goals and had 20 touches.
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) - Continued his stunning start to the season with five goals and three scoring assists. The powerhouse skipper has now kicked 17 goals from three matches and is leading the Coleman Medal by six goals.
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) - Even though his pre-season was ruined by a groin injury and he played in a losing side, Rioli dazzled with a best-on-ground display, kicking four goals and winning 24 touches.
FORWARDS
Ben McGlynn (Sydney Swans) - Backed up his personal-best five goals with another top effort in just his third match for the Swans. The former Hawk managed three goals from eight scoring shots, had 31 disposals and six inside 50s.
Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) - It was fitting the club's greatest player helped his side achieve its best start to an AFL season, producing a best-on-ground performance against Geelong. Pavlich kicked five goals from nine scoring shots and had 26 touches.
Barry Hall (Western Bulldogs) - Produced his best home-and-away effort for the Dogs, with four of his six goals coming in a match-winning final quarter. Hall also took nine marks, including three contested.
FOLLOWERS
Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) - The 2007/08 All-Australian was dominant against Geelong duo Mark Blake and first-gamer Dawson Simpson. Won 37 hit-outs as the Cats had a team total of 23.
Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) - Amassed a game-high 35 disposals, including 15 contested, 11 clearances and 10 tackles in a first-class display. Boyd has had 99 touches after three matches - the second most in the competition.
Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) - After coming under the microscope for his five touches in round two, the skipper bounced back with 44 disposals in a best-on-ground feat - statistically the best performance of his 282-game career.
INTERCHANGE
Gary Ablett (Geelong Cats) - Played a super game despite his side going down, racking up 33 touches, including a remarkable 19 contested. He also booted four goals and had six inside 50s.
Michael Rischitelli (Brisbane Lions) - Helped set the tone with eight of his 27 touches coming in the first term. Had a match-high seven clearances and a team-best seven inside 50s.
Mark LeCras (West Coast Eagles) - After missing round two with a hamstring injury, the classy forward bounced back as his side's best with five goals, including three in the opening term.
Heath Grundy (Sydney Swans) - After progressing last season, the key defender has taken his game to another level in 2010. He claimed a career-best 33 touches, including a game-high 20 effective kicks.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
