HB: Cameron Bruce (Melbourne), Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs), Heath Shaw (Collingwood)
C: Bernie Vince (Adelaide), Brett Kirk (Sydney), Chance Bateman (Hawthorn)
HF: Mark McVeigh (Essendon), Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Simon Goodwin (Adelaide)
F: Paul Medhurst (Collingwood), Brendan Fevola (Carlton), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)
FOLL: Dean Brogan (Port Adelaide), Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs), Brad Sewell (Hawthorn)
I/C: Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs), Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney), Jimmy Bartel (Geelong), Chris Judd (Carlton)
BACKS
Roger Hayden (Fremantle) - The running defender was one of his side's best in its derby win over West Coast. Hayden's efficient ball use, contested work and rebound were a feature of his play.
Craig Bolton (Sydney) - The Sydney co-captain continued his excellent start to the season with a compelling performance on Jonathan Brown. Bolton, who had 21 disposals, held the champion Lion to just one goal and 10 touches.
Sam Fisher (St Kilda) - St Kilda may have lost to the Dogs in disappointing circumstances, but Fisher's ability to keep Bulldog skipper Brad Johnson goalless was first-class.
HALF-BACKS
Cameron Bruce (Melbourne) - Bruce shone off half-back on reigning Norm Smith Medallist Steve Johnson. He not only restricted the influence of the dangerous Cat, but pushed forward and kicked three goals.
Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs) - Given the task of running with brilliant Saint Nick Riewoldt, the underrated Bulldog defender managed to limit Riewoldt's impact to just 10 touches and two goals.
Heath Shaw (Collingwood) - Statistically, Shaw was the most effective player on the ground against Richmond. He was at his dashing best from half-back, finishing the match with an equal career-high 33 disposals.
CENTRES
Bernie Vince (Adelaide) - Vince produced the best performance of his 13-game career, earning him best on ground honours in the Showdown against Port Adelaide. He amassed a career-best 24 disposals, laid six tackles and booted two goals.
Brett Kirk (Sydney) - The Sydney co-captain was arguably best on ground against the Brisbane Lions, producing a dominant display out of the middle. Kirk led from the front with 25 disposals and nine tackles.
Chance Bateman (Hawthorn) - Continued his fine start to the season with an excellent four-quarter display in the midfield. Bateman won 25 disposals, sent the ball inside 50 on six occasions and had three scoring assists.
HALF-FORWARDS
Mark McVeigh (Essendon) - McVeigh has started the season in top form and his effort in the middle and up forward against Carlton was brilliant. Not only did he rack the ball up 26 times, he also booted four goals, laid seven tackles and won six clearances.
Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) - The Fremantle skipper was outstanding against West Coast and was rewarded with the Ross Glendinning Medal. Pavlich booted five goals and had 11 contested disposals from 14 touches.
Simon Goodwin (Adelaide) - On the back of a career-best seven-goal performance, Goodwin again shone up forward. He also spent some time in the middle, finishing with three goals, five inside 50s and 20 touches.
FORWARDS
Paul Medhurst (Collingwood) - Medhurst collected career-best disposals, gaining 24 touches - in arguably his best performance yet for the Pies. He chipped in with three goals and had five scoring assists in an outstanding team-oriented performance.
Brendan Fevola (Carlton) - For the fifth time in his 145-game career, Fevola booted eight goals in a match. It was an excellent display from Fevola, who had 12 scoring shots against the Bombers and showcased his kicking prowess over distance.
Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) - Franklin was telling in Hawthorn's come-from-behind win against North Melbourne. He booted five goals from nine scoring shots - including two goals in the final term - helping the Hawks to a 16-point victory.
FOLLOWERS
Dean Brogan (Port Adelaide) - The 2004 premiership player was a tireless performer in the Showdown. His one-percenters and bash-and-crash style was a feature of his play, as was his contested and clearance work.
Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs) - The dashing midfielder continued his super start to the season with 28 disposals in a best on ground display against St Kilda. He also booted two goals in the Dogs' excellent win.
Brad Sewell (Hawthorn) - The reigning Hawthorn best and fairest winner has continued his excellent form in 2008 and was the premier player against North Melbourne with 34 disposals, 11 marks, seven inside 50s, eight clearances and six tackles.
INTERCHANGE
Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs) - The classy Bulldog was a key contributor in his side's comeback victory over St Kilda. Griffen provided plenty of dash as he finished the match with 25 disposals and three goals.
Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney) - The classy Swan was outstanding up forward in his side's win against the Lions. He collected a game-high 27 disposals, with 17 of those contested, and chipped in with two goals.
Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) - The 2007 Brownlow Medallist was outstanding for the Cats and stood tall in the final term when some extra impetus was required. Bartel finished with 30 touches, 10 marks, six inside 50s and three scoring assists.
Chris Judd (Carlton) - Played a beauty despite his side going down - his best match so far for the Blues. The Carlton skipper won the ball 32 times, including 12 in the third term, and had two goals, nine clearances and six inside 50s.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
