Star midfielders Sam Mitchell and Luke Parker, and exciting defender Jason Johannisen have enjoyed a perfect start to 2016 by backing up their season-opening appearances in Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels.

Hawthorn's Mitchell had 37 possessions against West Coast and his efforts saw him move off the bench and into the centre of this week's team, while Parker starred again for the Sydney Swans and replaces Mitchell on the interchange.

Johannisen has been brilliant for the Western Bulldogs and followed up his best-on-ground performance from round one with another brilliant display off half-back for the ladder-leading Dogs.

Elsewhere, it was a big round for tall forwards around the competition, with Essendon's Joe Daniher, North Melbourne's Jarrad Waite, Gold Coast's Tom Lynch and his namesake from Adelaide all making the starting 18.

RORY LAIRD (Adelaide) – Overcame a heavy knock to be a star in defence for the Crows, finishing with 33 possessions and 12 marks for the winners.

MARCUS ADAMS (Western Bulldogs) – The mature-age recruit from West Perth has been a revelation in his first two senior games and gives the Doggies a big body in defence.

JAMES GWILT (Essendon) – The veteran's 24 touches at almost 92 per cent efficiency, plus his cool head, played a big part in the Bombers' shock win over Melbourne.

JASON JOHANNISEN (Western Bulldogs) – Another exciting performance. His second-quarter effort to stop a Saints attack before sprinting away to hit Jake Stringer on the lead was exhilarating.

JOSH GIBSON (Hawthorn) – With 44 disposals and his first goal for the Hawks in a crushing win over West Coast, it was just about the perfect day for the backman. 

BACHAR HOULI (Richmond) – All class under pressure, Houli had 35 touches and six rebound 50s, but also drove the ball inside his own attacking zone six times.

LACHIE HUNTER (Western Bulldogs) – Another Bulldog in a rich vein of form this season, Hunter gathered a game-high 35 disposals and kicked a goal.

SAM MITCHELL (Hawthorn) – The Hawks are missing some big names but their best ball winner remains a star after racking up 37 possessions and nine clearances against the Eagles.

DAVID ZAHARAKIS (Essendon) – One of the hardest runners in the game, Zaharakis was at his gut-bursting best deep in the final term to help his side hold on for a thrilling win.

JARRAD WAITE (North Melbourne) – A complete game for the mobile forward. Waite combined 23 touches and five goals with five tackles and four marks inside 50.

TOM J. LYNCH (Gold Coast) – The big forward took seven marks and kicked five goals to lead the Suns to their first victory in Perth, an upset of Fremantle. 

EDDIE BETTS (Adelaide) – Part of a dominant Adelaide forward line in the Showdown, Betts bagged five goals against Port and had an equal game-high three goal assists.

ALEX FASOLO (Collingwood) – The lively Magpie was back to his best with half a dozen goals to drag his side almost single-handedly to an amazing comeback victory.

JOE DANIHER (Essendon) – Goalkicking aside, the tall Bomber was outstanding and dragged in 15 marks, nine of them inside 50 and seven contested against the Dees.

TOM LYNCH (Adelaide) – Quickly becoming one of the most dangerous medium-sized forwards in the competition, Lynch smashed the Power with six goals.

SHANE MUMFORD (Greater Western Sydney) – Nearing peak fitness and form after serious ankle surgery last year, Mumford bashed and crashed the Cats in a vintage display. 

RYAN GRIFFEN (Greater Western Sydney) – Bounced back from a poor round one performance to gather 32 possessions, boot two goals and win his important duel with Patrick Dangerfield. 

TOM MITCHELL (Sydney Swans) – Largely overshadowed by star teammates, Mitchell is closing the gap after his 34 touches, nine tackles, eight clearances and eight inside 50s against Carlton.

KURT TIPPETT (Sydney Swans) – Has formed a solid partnership with Callum Sinclair, showing his versatility both in the ruck and up forward to finish with four goals.

ADAM TRELOAR (Collingwood) – Collingwood's best player in round one, Treloar followed that up with another quality 32-disposal game against the Tigers.

ZACH MERRETT (Essendon) – The left-footer was everywhere against Melbourne and finished with 32 possessions, two goals and eight tackles.

LUKE PARKER (Sydney Swans) – Couldn't match his 40 disposals from last week, but 29 touches, five clearances and a goal was another fantastic game from the gun Swan.

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