HB: Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Sam Gilbert (St Kilda), Rhyce Shaw (Sydney Swans)
C: Jimmy Bartel (Geelong), Paul Hasleby (Fremantle), Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide)
HF: Steve Johnson (Geelong), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Paul Chapman (Geelong)
F: Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood), Brendan Fevola (Carlton), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
FOLL: Dean Brogan (Port Adelaide), Chris Judd (Carlton), Brad Sewell (Hawthorn)
I/C: Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide), Stephen Hill (Fremantle), Farren Ray (St Kilda)
BACKS
Martin Mattner (Sydney Swans) – The ex-Crow was lauded by his coach Paul Roos for his match-saving tackle on Tiger Jack Riewoldt, which was a key part in the Swans hanging on. It capped off a fine match for Mattner, who had a game-high seven rebounds.
Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Sydney Swans) – The big man continued his much-underrated season and produced one of his finest AFL matches against Richmond with a career-best 25 disposals.
Ted Richards (Sydney Swans) – The former Bomber was another Swan to shine down back against the Tigers. Richards, whose contested work was a feature of his play, collected 22 disposals and took a game-high 14 marks.
HALF BACKS
Brendon Goddard (St Kilda) – Confirmed his status as one of the competition's elite players, with a best-on-ground performance against the Bulldogs. His ball-use was first-class, as he notched up an equal career-best 33 disposals.
Sam Gilbert (St Kilda) – Continues to go from strength to strength in 2009. He was again one of St Kilda's best, with his contested marking and tackling ability a particular highlight.
Rhyce Shaw (Sydney Swans) – Continued his fine start, playing arguably his best match yet for his new club. Shaw claimed a team-high 25 disposals, providing polish and drive from half-back.
CENTRES
Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) – Gained a game-high 41 disposals against Melbourne, equal with his personal best achieved against Adelaide in round 14 last year.
Paul Hasleby (Fremantle) – Starred in the derby, particularly in the final term when he racked up 12 of his 34 disposals and the game was in the balance. He was duly rewarded with his fourth Ross Glendinning Medal for best-on-ground.
Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide) – Again showed why he is one of the competition's most consistent players with a fine midfield display against arch-enemy Adelaide. Cornes won a game-high 37 disposals, including 15 in the final quarter.
HALF-FORWARDS
Steve Johnson (Geelong) – The 2007 Norm Smith Medallist turned it on in the second term when the Cats set up their win over the Demons, kicking three of his four goals. He had seven scoring shots for the day.
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) – Produced an imposing best-on-ground performance over the Bombers, booting five goals. His contested work was also on song. Five of his 13 marks were contested, as were 11 of his 24 touches.
Paul Chapman (Geelong) – Clearly best-on-ground against Melbourne, amassing 41 touches, including 15 in the second term, when the Cats did their most damage. He also had a whopping 11 inside 50s and five scoring assists.
FORWARDS
Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood) – Played an integral part in his side's 52-point win over North Melbourne, booting an equal career-best four goals. He also had three scoring assists and notched up 25 touches.
Brendan Fevola (Carlton) – Despite hitting the post in the dying stages against Hawthorn, which denied his team victory, 'Fev' was still outstanding with eight goals from 12 scoring shots – his best haul so far this season.
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) – Awarded the David Parkin Medal for his best-on-ground effort against the Blues. Roughead, like his opposing key forward Fevola, booted eight goals – his best tally in an AFL match. He heads the Coleman Medal with 24 goals.
FOLLOWERS
Dean Brogan (Port Adelaide) – A key figure in the Power's 14th win over cross-town rival Adelaide, he won the 'Showdown' medal for best-on-ground. Brogan claimed 27 hit outs and teamed brilliantly with Brendon Lade, to overshadow the Adelaide rucks.
Chris Judd (Carlton) – Although his side went down in an epic to Hawthorn, the skipper was simply brilliant. He collected 34 disposals – his best effort for the Blues – and had six clearances and six inside 50s.
Brad Sewell (Hawthorn) – A tireless performer against the Blues, the midfielder gained 32 touches (16 contested), with 11 coming in the final term. He also laid 10 tackles, nine inside 50s and nine clearances in a first-class display.
INTERCHANGE
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) – Continued his outstanding recent form, booting four goals from nine scoring shots against the Bulldogs. His work-rate was again excellent, highlighted by four contested marks from 14 grabs.
Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide) – Like his brother Kane, Chad shone in the 'Showdown' against the Crows, racking up 27 touches across the ground. He also chipped in with two goals, had five inside 50s and took 12 marks.
Stephen Hill (Fremantle) – The first-year midfielder played his best match so far. He was instrumental in Fremantle's third term turnaround, with eight of his 21 touches coming here.
Farren Ray (St Kilda) – The first-year Saint and ex-Bulldog turned it on against his former side with a career-best 31 disposals, including 13 touches in the second term. He also took 11 marks, including three contested.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
