HB: Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs), Phil Davis (Adelaide), Darren Milburn (Geelong)
C: Stephen Hill (Fremantle), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), Dane Swan (Collingwood)
HF: Gary Ablett (Geelong), Jarrad Grant (Western Bulldogs), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
F: Brad Green (Melbourne), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Liam Jurrah (Melbourne)
FOLL: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Levi Greenwood (North Melbourne), Kieren Jack (Sydney Swans)
I/C: Dean Brogan (Port Adelaide), Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs), Marc Murphy (Carlton), Scott Thompson (Adelaide)
BACKS
Nick Malceski (Sydney Swans) - With Tadhg Kennelly out, Malceski and fellow half-back runner Marty Mattner got the Swans going at the Gabba. The Lions struggled to contain Malceski's creativity on Saturday night as the defender ran forward to gather 17 first-half possessions before finishing with 26 touches and a goal.
Brent Staker (Brisbane Lions) - Staker might not have played from the goal square but his job on Adam Goodes down back was superb. The Lions weren’t able to get the points but they stayed in the game a long time, and much of that was thanks to the former Eagle. He kept Goodes to 15 touches while collecting 22 himself and booting a goal.
Beau Waters (West Coast) - Waters’ leadership in 2010 has been outstanding, and he enjoyed his second superb match against the Cats this season. The courageous left-footer was the pick of a plucky Eagles’ side, as he held firm in defence for the visitors. He gathered 22 touches and took 14 marks as he filled holes well to stem the bleeding before the inevitable Cat surge.
HALF-BACKS
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs) - Murphy’s polish across half back has been a welcome acquisition for Rodney Eade. There are few smoother movers in the game, and the likes of Barry Hall and Jarrad Grant must love seeing Bob with the ball in his mitts. On Saturday night against the Bombers, he had it 28 times, grabbed 11 marks and used his right boot with precision to put the ball inside 50 six times.
Phil Davis (Adelaide) - Adelaide fans would have loved seeing how well Davis went up against one of the AFL’s best. With Nathan Bock’s decision to leave still fresh in their minds, Davis is Generation Next. He picked up 19 touches (nine contested) on Nick Riewoldt - the match’s pivotal duel - while the Saint managed just four marks and 0.3.
Darren Milburn (Geelong) - Milburn, or The Grange, as some are calling him down at Catland given his enduring qualities, had another ripper in the final home and away round of the season. Each week his efficiency by foot is almost unsurpassed, while his ability to back himself, zone off and help teammates has been a key to Geelong’s successful back six. Racked up 31 touches and 15 grabs against the Eagles.
CENTRES
Stephen Hill (Fremantle) - Hill rebounded from a couple of lean weeks in sublime fashion. In a warning to the Hawks, he looks to have rediscovered his best at the right time. He loves the open expanses of Subi, and exploited Carlton with 25 lethal touches, including seven inside 50s, two goals and a couple of score assists.
Travis Boak (Port Adelaide) - Whoever gets the Port coaching gig will be rubbing their hands together with what they have to work with in the No.10 jumper. Boak is maturing into a super player. He has nifty footwork and knows where to find the pill. He gathered 31 touches against the Tigers (15 contested), had seven clearances laid eight tackles and booted three goals... not bad.
Dane Swan (Collingwood) - If Swanny hadn’t cemented his first Brownlow several weeks back then he might have done so on Saturday, regardless of what Ablett was doing down the road. Swan was easily the Pies’ best as he did what he’s done all year - powered around for a stack of touches (34), won the clearances (a whopping 12) and banged it inside 50 (seven) with authority. He also booted a goal.
HALF-FORWARDS
Gary Ablett (Geelong) - Ablett was back to his brilliant best against West Coast. His first half was pretty good, his third quarter out of this world. It didn’t matter who went near him, he either outmarked them, shrugged them off or ran around them. He finished the day with 33 touches and 4.2, playing mostly in attack.
Jarrad Grant (Western Buldogs) - Grant seems to have arrived. The youngster kicked a career-best 6.0 against the Dons from 22 touches and 12 marks, and looks set for a long career at the kennel.
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn) - It’s what Rioli does when he gets it - and as importantly what he does when he doesn’t have it - that makes him so valuable. He and Buddy team so well, and slippery Cyril was at his damaging best against the Pies. He gathered 27 touches (11 contested), booted two goals - including the matchwinner - and laid six crucial tackles to keep the heat firmly on the Pies.
FORWARDS
Brad Green (Melbourne) - Green kicked another five goals. He took 11 marks and had five tackles but it is when he’s lurking in or around the 50m arc that he’s most dangerous. His haul wasn’t enough for victory against the Kangas, but a season tally of 55 goals was a fitting reward for a stellar season.
Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) - Buddy is so often the difference in matches. When he plays well, the Hawks are at least a chance. He fired on Saturday against the Pies, and his team got home over the minor premiers. His 6.2 was his best return in front of goal all season, as he proved too good for Nathan Brown on the lead and on the ground.
Liam Jurrah (Melbourne) - Jurrah was able to find space a couple of times as the Kangas struggled to find a clear match-up for the improving Demon, but there’s one thing the exciting Melbourne forward sure knows how to do - make sides pay. One of the best kicks in front of goal, Jurrah kicked five straight from 12 touches to further show the huge talent he possesses.
FOLLOWERS
Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) - A few weeks out did Sandilands the world of good. Against his former teammate, Sandilands underlined his importance to Mark Harvey’s team with 20 possessions - 17 contested - and a staggering 40 hit-outs. He also had 13 clearances to pave the way for the home side’s win over Carlton.
Levi Greenwood (North Melbourne) - Every so often a player has a breakout game, or a match where you sit up and go ‘gee, that guy’s better than I thought’. Greenwood had that day with a gritty, impressive display against Melbourne. In an open, free-flowing game of footy it was Greenwood’s hardness around the packs that impressed as he won 39 touches to show Brad Scott he has another good one on the rise.
Kieren Jack (Sydney Swans) - Jack further consolidated his reputation as one of the game’s best young midfielders by dominating the stoppages against the Lions. A week after carving up the Bulldogs, Jack lifted to ensure his club hosted a home final. He gathered 26 touches (10 contested), had seven clearances, six tackles and was again dangerous near goal, kicking three goals.
INTERCHANGE
Dean Brogan (Port Adelaide) - Brogan wasn’t far behind Sandilands for the No.1 ruck spot in this side, given his influence on the match at Etihad Stadium. His quality of opposition might not have been as great, but the Port big man controlled the ruck. He was also prolific around the ground, collecting 21 touches, eight marks and kicking a goal to be among the best afield.
Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs) - Against the Bombers, Giansiracusa rounded out his home and away season with class, another 25 touches (11 contested) and two goals helping the Dogs to a morale-boosting win.
Marc Murphy (Carlton) - Murphy’s legs were crucial at Subiaco. While his side was unable to get the win it so desperately needed, the hard-running Blue ensured his side was in the contest all night by having a big impact. He had 30 touches, six tackles, booted a goal and played a part in two others.
Scott Thompson (Adelaide) - Thompson was again Adelaide’s best midfielder at the weekend, and against the likes of Lenny Hayes that’s no mean feat. Thompson did a power of work, gathering 37 possessions and eight clearances to ensure his club farewelled its club champions in style.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
