B: Darren Milburn (Geelong), Tayte Pears (Essendon), Harry O'Brien (Collingwood)
HB: Martin Mattner (Sydney Swans), Matthew Scarlett (Geelong), Ryan Hargrave (Western Bulldogs)
C: Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda), Dane Swan (Collingwood), Brendon Goddard (St Kilda)
HF: Paul Chapman (Geelong), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Alan Didak (Collingwood)
F: Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide), Justin Koschitzke (St Kilda), Angus Monfries (Essendon)
FOLL: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Andrew Welsh (Essendon), Gary Ablett (Geelong)
I/C: Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Bernie Vince (Adelaide), Matt Priddis (West Coast Eagles), Jared Brennan (Brisbane Lions)
BACKS
Darren Milburn (Geelong) – The veteran played one of best matches for the season. It was a renowned 'Dasher' display, finding space and using the ball with his usual efficiency. He collected 29 disposals and chipped in with a goal late in the match.
Tayte Pears (Essendon) – In just his second season and 17th match, the 19-year-old took the honours against Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola. Pears had 21 disposals, as he held 'Fev' to two goals and 11 touches.
Harry O'Brien (Collingwood) – Provided great run and drive to be among his side's most influential against Fremantle. O'Brien finished with a game-high six rebounds, plus 18 touches and a fine running goal to start the second half.
HALF BACKS
Martin Mattner (Sydney Swans) – Played an excellent match against his former side Adelaide, kicking the first goal of the day, before claiming a career-best 30 disposals. He also laid five tackles.
Matthew Scarlett (Geelong) – The competition's best key defender clearly took the honours against Power forward Justin Westhoff. Scarlett continually pushed up the ground and finished with 26 disposals to be one of Geelong's standouts.
Ryan Hargrave (Western Bulldogs) – For the second successive round – and for the fourth time in his 152-game career – Hargrave notched up an equal-best 29 disposals. He also had seven rebounds against North Melbourne – a game-high.
CENTRES
Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda) – Continued his outstanding season – and again is likely to gain Brownlow Medal votes – after claiming 26 touches against Richmond. Dal Santo now has 362 disposals this year – the sixth best in the competition.
Dane Swan (Collingwood) – The ball-magnet was at it again with 41 disposals. It was the second time this year he has cracked 40-plus in a match. He now has 420 touches in 2009 – the competition leader and 30 more than his nearest rival, Geelong's Gary Ablett.
Brendon Goddard (St Kilda) – Awarded the Ian Stewart Medal for his best-on-ground performance, the brilliant Saint claimed a personal-best 35 disposals, including 14 in a dominant third term.
HALF-FORWARDS
Paul Chapman (Geelong) – Helped set up the win with a 12 touches in the first quarter, before finishing with 33 disposals (including 10 contested), a game-high 14 marks and two goals in a top display.
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) – The triple premiership player is now leading the Coleman Medal, having kicked five goals against Melbourne. Brown has booted 45 for the season, including 14 from the past three rounds.
Alan Didak (Collingwood) – The classy Pie's electrifying form continued with his third best-on-ground effort in a row. He now should have nine Brownlow votes from his past three matches. On Saturday, he claimed a career-best 39 disposals and kicked two goals.
FORWARDS
Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide) – After kicking five goals and claiming three Brownlow votes in round 17 last season, Porplyzia was again a headache for the Swans, jagging four majors in another best-on-ground effort. He also had three scoring assists.
Justin Koschitzke (St Kilda) – 'Kosi' continued his fine year with five majors, giving Tiger debutant Jarrod Silvester a tough initiation. The big Saint has now kicked 33 goals this season, including four or more in a match six times.
Angus Monfries (Essendon) – Played one of his best matches for the Dons, kicking five majors – from as many scoring shots – to equal his career-best against the Brisbane Lions, round two, 2006.
FOLLOWERS
Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) – The game's tallest man dominated the ruck with 44 hit outs, 25 disposals (including a game-high 13 contested) and a goal in a fine display, despite his side's disappointing day.
Andrew Welsh (Essendon) – Given the task of running with superstar Chris Judd, Welsh claimed 30 disposals and kept the Carlton skipper to 22 touches. It was a top effort from the Bomber, in just his second game back this season, from an ankle injury.
Gary Ablett (Geelong) – The dynamo was best-on-ground with 36 disposals, including 21 by half-time. He also had the most contested possessions (13) and inside 50s (seven) for the match and chipped in with 2.3 to further enhance his Brownlow prospects.
INTERCHANGE
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn) – After racking up a career-best 40 disposals against West Coast in round five, the Hawthorn skipper did it again on Saturday night. Mitchell also had a game-high 10 inside 50s and 13 clearances.
Bernie Vince (Adelaide) – Vince racked up 28 touches, including nine in the match-winning final term to be one of Adelaide's most important players in the win. He also finished with a team-high six inside 50s.
Matt Priddis (West Coast Eagles) – His side's best in its fine win over Hawthorn, claiming 35 disposals, including a remarkable 17 contested possessions. Priddis also laid seven tackles and had six clearances – a fine performance.
Jared Brennan (Brisbane Lions) – The mercurial Lion continued his outstanding recent form. He finished with 26 disposals, including 10 in the first term to help set the tone. Brennan's work in both zones was strong – he had five inside 50s and four rebounds.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
