B: Graham Johncock (Adelaide), Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs), Cameron Bruce (Melbourne)

HB: Andy Otten (Adelaide), Nick Maxwell (Collingwood), Ashley McGrath (Brisbane Lions)

C: Alan Didak (Collingwood), Simon Black (Brisbane Lions), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)

HF: Ricky Petterd (Melbourne), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)

F: Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide), Brendan Fevola (Carlton), Kurt Tippett (Adelaide)

FOLL: Michael Gardiner (St Kilda), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Dane Swan (Collingwood)

I/C: Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda), Brent Stanton (Essendon), Liam Jurrah (Melbourne)

BACKS
Graham Johncock (Adelaide) – Continued his top recent form with 29 disposals against Fremantle. His ball use was excellent, highlighted by 15 effective kicks – a game-high.

Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs) – After holding Lance 'Buddy' Franklin goalless last round, the big man played another outstanding match in his side's epic one-point loss to Collingwood. Lake gained 24 touches and took 12 marks.

Cameron Bruce (Melbourne) – Best-on-ground in the win over Port Adelaide, Bruce accumulated 37 disposals and was outstanding in both zones. He had a match-best seven rebounds and also had five inside 50s.

HALF BACKS
Andy Otten (Adelaide) – In just his second season, the round-nine NAB AFL Rising Star nominee was instrumental with 13 of his 27 touches coming in the first term. He also had an equal game-high six inside 50s, highlighting his fine rebound play.

Nick Maxwell (Collingwood) – Continued his fine first-up season as skipper with 24 disposals, six rebounds and six tackles.

Ashley McGrath (Brisbane Lions) – His 30-disposal effort against Geelong rivaled his six-goal haul in round 22, 2003 as his finest match for the Lions. His excellent performance also included seven inside 50s and four scoring assists.

CENTRES
Alan Didak (Collingwood) – One of the most in-form players in the competition, Didak has been in scintillating form during the past five matches. This continued with 33 disposals, six inside 50s and six tackles. 

Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) – Played his best match for the season and reinforced why he is one of the game's most decorated players with 33 disposals, six rebounds and seven clearances.

Leigh Montagna (St Kilda) – Did his Brownlow Medal prospects no harm with a career-best 43 disposals against the West Coast Eagles. Montagna also had 12 inside 50s, 10 clearances and nine tackles.

HALF-FORWARDS
Ricky Petterd (Melbourne) – Kicked a career-best four goals – including two crucial majors in the final term. Petterd also took a game-high 11 marks.    

Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) – 'Buddy' hit back hard with a match-winning four-goal effort – all coming in the final term – against North Melbourne. He also collected a career-best 24 disposals, with his one-percenter play also a feature.

Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) – Best-on-ground with three goals and three scoring assists. It was his game-high 14 contested possessions that were most crucial.

FORWARDS
Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide) – Booted an equal career-high five goals, taking his tally to 36 majors this season – also a personal best. Porplyzia also took nine marks.

Brendan Fevola (Carlton) – After kicking eight bags of eight, 'Fev' went one better to achieve a career-best nine goals against Richmond. His best-on-ground effort gives him 55 goals for the season – the best in the competition after 15 rounds. 

Kurt Tippett (Adelaide) – Backed up his five-goal effort last round with another five majors from nine scoring shots. Tippett now has 32 goals for the season. His marking was again a highlight, with four of his nine grabs contested.   

FOLLOWERS
Michael Gardiner (St Kilda) – After kicking the match-winning goal last round, the big man returned west to take on his former side and did it with aplomb. Gardiner’s presence and strong marking proved important.

Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) – Played his best match for the season with 25 touches, including 12 in the final term when the Hawks came from behind to win. He also booted two goals and had six clearances.

Dane Swan (Collingwood) – Finished with 34 disposals, which included 17 contested possessions. He also chipped in with two majors, had six inside 50s and seven clearances to further enhance his Brownlow Medal chances. 

INTERCHANGE
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) – Booted four goals, giving him 51 for the season. He is second to only Fevola in the race for the Coleman Medal. Brown also claimed 23 touches and took 15 marks.

Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda) – Like teammate Montagna, did his Brownlow Medal prospects no harm with yet another first-class display. Dal Santo collected 28 disposals and also chipped in with three goals. He also laid six tackles.

Brent Stanton (Essendon) – Best-on-ground against the Sydney Swans, Stanton gained 29 touches, 10 marks and also chipped in with a goal.

Liam Jurrah (Melbourne) – Ignited the 'G with three of his four goals coming in the first quarter. He also finished with four scoring assists and four marks (all contested). 

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