HB: Heath Shaw (Collingwood), Nathan Bock (Adelaide), Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney)
C: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Simon Black (Brisbane Lions), Joel Selwood (Geelong)
HF: Brett Burton (Adelaide), Matthew Richardson (Richmond), Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs)
F: Paul Medhurst (Collingwood), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions)
Foll: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide)
I/C: Adam Goodes (Sydney), Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Steven Salopek (Port Adelaide), Joel Corey (Geelong)
BACKS
Graham Johncock (Adelaide) - Although his direct Carlton opponent Eddie Betts opened the match with a cracking soccer goal from 40 metres, Johncock hit back strongly for the Crows with his disposal efficiency and drive out of defence a feature of his play.
Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs) - Overcame back and hip problems - and the controversy of not taking a set-shot for goal in the dying stages against Richmond - to play a beauty down back against West Coast. The key defender finished with 26 touches.
Michael Firrito (North Melbourne) - 'Spud' stymied Michael O'Loughlin for much of the day, until the Swan bobbed up with two late goals. Still, Firrito was arguably his side's best and his spoil on the last line of defence forced the draw.
HALF-BACKS
Heath Shaw (Collingwood) - Last year's Anzac Day Medal winner produced another top notch performance against the Bombers. Shaw's rebound from half-back was again a highlight, as was his ability to find space and win the contested ball.
Nathan Bock (Adelaide) - Continued his top year, keeping the red-hot Brendan Fevola in check when Adelaide teammate Ben Rutten left the field injured in the second term. Bock also kicked a Phil Manassa-like goal when he had three bounces before converting.
Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney) - Although the Swans drew with the Kangaroos, the Irishman did everything in his power to will his side over the line. Kennelly, who had nine disposals in the final term, was vital in his side's comeback to claim at least two points.
CENTRES
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) - The young-gun played his best match of the season, finishing one vote behind teammate Paul Medhurst for the Anzac Day Medal. Pendlebury finished with a game-high 33 disposals - including a whopping 16 in the third quarter.
Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) - The triple premiership player and champion midfielder continued his excellent season, with a best-on-ground display against Melbourne. Black amassed 36 disposals. Only Geelong's Joel Corey has won the ball more times this year.
Joel Selwood (Geelong) - The reigning NAB AFL Rising Star winner was scintillating in the final term against Fremantle, when Geelong secured a stunning victory after mounting its second comeback. Selwood won 14 of his 26 disposals during this period.
HALF-FORWARDS
Brett Burton (Adelaide) - The high-flying forward was the leading goalkicker in Adelaide's win over Carlton, booting four goals from seven scoring shots. He also had two scoring assists and was the dominant forward in the match.
Matthew Richardson (Richmond) - 'Richo' is in red-hot form - either up forward, on the wing or pushing back. He finished with four goals, 27 disposals and 13 marks against the Hawks in another damaging display and has kicked 11 goals in the past three rounds.
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs) - Murphy produced a best-on-ground performance against West Coast, booting four goals and having a hand in three scoring assists. He also sent the ball inside 50 on nine occasions, won the ball 24 times and took 13 marks.
FORWARDS
Paul Medhurst (Collingwood) - Starred in front of almost 90,000 winning the Anzac Day Medal for his outstanding six-goal display against Essendon. It came on the back of five majors against North Melbourne. He also took a classic hanger in front of goal.
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) - The key forward's fifth goal late in the final term snuffed any chance of a Richmond win and capped off an excellent day's work. He stepped up as dynamic teammate Lance Franklin jagged a wayward 1.7 against the Tigers.
Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions) - The veteran continued his remarkable comeback from a knee reconstruction and again terrorised Melbourne with six goals - he has bagged 23 goals in his past three outings against the Demons. He now has 29 goals in 2008.
FOLLOWERS
Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) - Without doubt the best ruck performance of the year, the man mountain produced an awesome individual display. He claimed 42-hit outs, 24 disposals and an incredible 10 clearances.
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) - The Hawks' vice-captain played a massive role in his side's victory over Richmond, producing his finest match for the season in collecting 31 disposals. Hodge also led the way in the tackling department, laying a game-high eight.
Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide) - Backed up his outstanding performance on West Coast's Daniel Kerr with a best-on-ground effort against St Kilda. Cornes accumulated 33 disposals, which netted him the Peter Badcoe VC Medal as best on ground.
INTERCHANGE
Adam Goodes (Sydney) - After Goodes' form was raised as a concern by his coach Paul Roos following Sydney's loss to Geelong, the dual Brownlow Medallist hit back with a best-on-ground effort against the Kangaroos. He finished with 21 touches and two goals.
Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) - The skipper led from the front and finished with five goals and 21 touches in arguably the game of the year. A shattering poster in the dying stages of the match was hardly the reward for an otherwise first-class display.
Joel Corey (Geelong) - Racked up a game-high 35 disposals - including 10 in the first term and 11 in the third quarter - in another super consistent display. The 2007 premiership player has won 179 touches for the year - the most in the competition.
Steven Salopek (Port Adelaide) - The underrated midfielder was crucial in the win over St Kilda. He claimed 29 disposals - his second best effort in an AFL match - and set the tone from the start. He finished second to Kane Cornes in the Badcoe Medal voting.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
