HB: Andrew McLeod (Adelaide), Nathan Bock (Adelaide), Martin Mattner (Sydney)
C: Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Jimmy Bartel (Geelong), Travis Tuck (Hawthorn)
HF: Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs), Barry Hall (Sydney), Simon Goodwin (Adelaide)
F: Mathew Stokes (Geelong), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Corey Jones (Kangaroos)
FOLL: Dean Cox (West Coast), Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs), Gary Ablett (Geelong)
I/C: Luke Power (Brisbane Lions), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide), Hamish McIntosh (Kangaroos)
BACKS
Graham Johncock (Adelaide) - An integral part of Adelaide's back half against West Coast. Consistently sent Adelaide into attack with great run and rebound, collecting 24 disposals.
Craig Bolton (Sydney Swans) - The Swans co-captain produced his usual high standard of play, checking the brilliant and versatile Chad Cornes, who spent time up forward during the match.
Joel Macdonald (Brisbane Lions) - Injuries have restricted Macdonald's output over the past two seasons, but he showed why he is an important member of the Lions' defence against Collingwood with 23 disposals and eight marks.
HALF-BACKS
Andrew McLeod (Adelaide) - Another first-class display from McLeod, who continually mopped up and led counter-attacks against West Coast. He finished with 31 disposals, including 12 touches in the opening term.
Nathan Bock (Adelaide) - On target to becoming a genuine elite key defender by the season's end, Bock was excellent against West Coast, winning a career-best 32 disposals.
Martin Mattner (Sydney Swans) - Playing his 100th AFL match but just his second with Sydney - the dashing half-back produced a top 23-touch display against Port Adelaide.
CENTRES
Leigh Montagna (St Kilda) - The still underrated midfielder was arguably best in his side’s 95-point drubbing of Carlton. Stepped up in the second term when the Saints took control, collecting 10 of his 28 touches during this period.
Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) - Superb against the Dons with 38 disposals, equaling his haul against the Western Bulldogs in round 16 last year. Also took a great hanger and booted two goals.
Travis Tuck (Hawthorn) - Yet another player who has added to the club's depth, Tuck, in just his third AFL match, was outstanding against Fremantle. Won 25 touches and high praise from coach Alastair Clarkson.
HALF-FORWARDS
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs) - Had a good old-fashioned field day against the hapless Demons, with four goals, 19 disposals and 11 marks as he contributed heavily to his side's 95-point win.
Barry Hall (Sydney Swans) - Answered his pre-season critics with a telling display up forward in the comprehensive win over Port Adelaide. Booted five goals from nine scoring shots in a first-class display.
Simon Goodwin (Adelaide) - The new Adelaide skipper produced one of his greatest performances: a career-best seven-goal haul. His ability to push forward makes him undoubtedly one of the competition's elite midfielders.
FORWARDS
Mathew Stokes (Geelong) - Played one of his best matches yet for the Cats, finishing with career-best figures: 31 disposals, two goals and 13 marks.
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) - An integral part of Hawthorn's make-up, Roughead stepped up with four goals in his side's 15-point win over Fremantle. A fearsome prospect alongside Lance Franklin.
Corey Jones (North Melbourne) - Kicked four of his seven goals against Richmond in a brilliant opening term – the finest period in a best-on-ground display.
FOLLOWERS
Dean Cox (West Coast) - Although his side went down by 76 points, Cox backed up his round one efforts with another comprehensive display in the ruck. His numbers were again remarkable - he won 35 hit-outs, collected 25 touches and took eight marks.
Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs) - Played one of his best matches for the Bulldogs, adding goalkicking ability to his game. Although Cross's 30-plus touches came as no surprise, he added three goals to his name.
Gary Ablett (Geelong) - Has started the 2008 season where he left off last year, producing two cracking displays against Port Adelaide and now Essendon, against whom he had 34 disposals and two goals.
INTERCHANGE
Luke Power (Brisbane Lions) - The Lions co-captain was in sparkling form against the Pies in the round two opener. Worked tirelessly in slippery conditions, winning 27 disposals and laying six tackles.
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) - Backed up his first-class round one performance with another excellent display against Fremantle. Again led from the front in the midfield and finished with 27 touches.
Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide) - One of the great stories early in the year, Porplyzia's top pre-season form has continued into the season proper. He was again outstanding in the middle and pushing forward, winning 21 touches and booting two goals.
Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne) - The vastly underrated ruckman worked tirelessly against Richmond. He was good early on when the Roos set up their lead, before he finished with 19 disposals and 18 hit-outs.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
