TEAM OF THE ROUND – ROUND 14, 2008

B: Andrew Carrazzo (Carlton), Shane Wakelin (Collingwood), Max Hudghton (St Kilda)
HB: Corey Enright (Geelong), Trent Croad (Hawthorn), Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs)
C: Paul Wheatley (Melbourne), Jimmy Bartel (Geelong), Brad Green (Melbourne)
HF: Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs), Travis Cloke (Collingwood), Dale Thomas (Collingwood)
F: Colin Sylvia (Melbourne), Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
FOLL: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Nick Stevens (Carlton), Mark McVeigh (Essendon)
I/C: Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs), Jobe Watson (Essendon), Brad Miller (Melbourne), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)

BACKS

Andrew Carrazzo (Carlton) – Matched up on Nathan Brown and although the Tiger landed six behinds from six scoring shots, Carrazzo was more effective with 29 disposals (including a game-high 12 contested possessions).

Shane Wakelin (Collingwood) – After starring in the corresponding match last season, the veteran defender produced a repeat performance against the Swans, holding a frustrated Barry Hall to just one goal. Wakelin also gained an equal career-best 22 touches.

Max Hudghton (St Kilda) – The veteran backman quelled North Melbourne big man Nathan Thompson, limiting him to just six disposals and one behind in a first-class defensive effort. Hudghton won 15 touches, with his disposal efficiency ranking at 100 per cent.

HALF-BACKS

Corey Enright (Geelong) – In one the finest matches of his 139-game career, Enright provided great drive out of defence against the Crows, accumulating a personal-best 36 disposals. He also laid five tackles.

Trent Croad (Hawthorn) – The general in Hawthorn's defence, Croad was outstanding against West Coast, continually setting up forward thrusts. His marking was also a highlight with 13 grabs, including four contested.

Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs) – Continues to go about his business with a minimum of fuss. Morris eclipsed Port Adelaide dynamo Daniel Motlop, holding him to just 10 touches. It was a fine effort from Morris, who bounced back from hurting his knee in the second term.

CENTRES

Paul Wheatley (Melbourne) – Continued his underrated season with one of his best performances in the red and blue. Wheatley managed a career-best 31 disposals and led the way in contested possessions with 11. He also laid five tackles.

Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) – Best-on-ground in his side's win over Adelaide, the reigning Brownlow Medallist produced one of his finest performances, compiling a personal-best 41 disposals.

Brad Green (Melbourne) – Showed why he was recently elevated back into Melbourne's leadership group with a stirring display for the Demons. He put his body on line with great consistency as he collected 30 touches and 15 marks.

HALF-FORWARDS

Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs) – Continued his marvellous season with four goals against Port Adelaide in Darwin, giving him 36 goals for the season. His form is equal to any time in his illustrious career.

Travis Cloke (Collingwood) – After serving a one-match suspension, Cloke returned to play his best game for the season against the Swans. The key forward was pivotal with three goals and his contested marking work was a feature of his play.

Dale Thomas (Collingwood) – The dynamo may have had just 12 touches – albeit nine of them contested – but his influence against the Swans was telling. He booted three goals and took a classical hanger over opponent Marty Mattner.

FORWARDS

Colin Sylvia (Melbourne) – Sylvia has been a focal point since the re-jigging of Melbourne's forward line after the retirement of David Neitz and injury to Russell Robertson. And he delivered with a fine four-goal performance against the Lions – a personal best.

Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) – Although his side went down in yet another close contest, the efforts of the Freo skipper could again not be faulted. He worked tirelessly for six goals, including three in the final term. He has 53 goals for the season.

Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) – West Coast duo Matt Priddis and Daniel Kerr may have racked up 40 or more touches against the Hawks, but Roughead was clearly best-on-ground with six goals from 10 scoring shots. He also had 21 touches and took nine marks.

FOLLOWERS

Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) – The giant gave his all for Freo, although his team was unable to prevail. In a dominant performance, he managed 25 touches (including 14 contested), won 45 hit-outs and also sent the ball inside 50 on five occasions.

Nick Stevens (Carlton) – In the absence of injured skipper Chris Judd, the vice-captain stepped up to lead his side to victory. It was a fine effort from Stevens, who was best-on-ground against Richmond with 26 disposals and 10 tackles.

Mark McVeigh (Essendon) – In many respects, McVeigh has become the heart and soul of the Dons in the post-Hird era and this was evident with his personal-best 36 disposals (including 13 contested possessions) against Fremantle.

INTERCHANGE

Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs) – Instrumental in his side's win over Port Adelaide, the classy midfielder made the most of his opportunities, using his 20 disposals effectively and managing two goals and 11 marks.

Jobe Watson (Essendon) – Along with McVeigh, he was a tireless worker in the middle for the Bombers, amassing a career-high 36 disposals (17 contested) in one of the best performances of his 64 games. He also won eight clearances.

Brad Miller (Melbourne) – Set the tone for Melbourne's second win of the season with three first-quarter goals before kicking the match-winner after a contested mark with only 90 seconds remaining. It was a commanding performance.

Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) – Has been best-on-ground in the past two rounds against Fremantle and North Melbourne. The captain's efforts against the Roos were first class, with 24 touches, 14 marks and a game-high five scoring assists.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL