HB: Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs), Simon Prestigiacomo (Collingwood), Graham Johncock (Adelaide)
C: Jason Winderlich (Essendon), Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs), Joel Selwood (Geelong)
HF: Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
F: Jack Steven (St Kilda), Jay Schulz (Port Adelaide), Adam Schneider (St Kilda)
FOLL: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Michael Barlow (Fremantle), Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)
I/C: Brett Deledio (Richmond), Simon Goodwin (Adelaide), Harry O’Brien (Collingwood), Michael Osborne (Hawthorn)
BACKS
James Gwilt (St Kilda) - Played his finest match at AFL level. Playing across half-back, the left footer had 27 possessions as he not only ran off his opponents but also found space to create several St Kilda attacks.
Tom Lonergan (Geelong) - Was caught out of position a number of times against Justin Koschitzke but never let his opponent get a look in. Made several desperate spoils, held his feet well while playing in front and kept the Saint to just one behind in the grand final rematch.
Chris Newman (Richmond) - Made use of his greatest asset, his kicking, with 22 kicks from 23 disposals. He had a 96 per cent kicking efficiency and had five inside 50s.
HALF-BACKS
Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs) - Used his pinpoint disposal with distinction against West Coast. His 32 touches included four inside 50s and a goal.
Simon Prestigiacomo (Collingwood) - It was a typical Presti performance - not huge on numbers but big on impact. The Pie defender was to go to Daniel Bradshaw, but when he pulled out Adam Goodes became the Swans’ go-to man. Presti wore him like a glove, Goodes didn’t hit the scoresheet and had six clangers.
Graham Johncock (Adelaide) - Saw off the tag of Lynden Dunn to be best afield for the Crows in their win over Melbourne. Had 32 touches from defence for Adelaide, providing run and carry and also booted a goal. He used the ball beautifully.
CENTRES
Jason Winderlich (Essendon) - Rediscovered his dash against Hawthorn to give his side a real chance. He won the ball 35 times, had six clearances and a goal in a promising showing.
Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs) - Had one of his best games of the year. Cross accumulated 31 possessions, almost half of them contested, and had six tackles to play a big part in his side’s convincing win.
Joel Selwood (Geelong) - Was the outstanding midfielder in the Cats-Saints clash. Continually put his head over the footy as he won 12 clearances - four more than any other player on the ground - laid six tackles and finished with 34 disposals.
HALF-FORWARDS
Daniel Giansiracusa (Western Bulldogs) - Retreated to a more forward-focused role this week and shone. Had 23 possessions, took eight marks, booted two goals and assisted in four others as his superior skill showed out in the west.
Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) - Quite simply, the difference between Hawthorn and Essendon. Kept the Hawks in it during a gripping final term and won the match with two breath-taking goals that will live in the memory of all footy fans. Finished with 5.4 from 26 touches as he continues to revolutionise the role of the modern forward.
Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) - Sidebottom not only has a PhD in goalology, but he also works hard. He only had 16 touches against the Swans but was damaging whenever he was near it, booting 2.1, laying seven tackles and sending it inside 50 several times.
FORWARDS
Jack Steven (St Kilda) - Who would have thought a three-gamer could have such an impact in a grand final rematch? Steven only had 14 disposals but, on a night when goals were priceless, inspired the Saints with his third-quarter burst. He booted three goals to get his team back in the hunt and propel them to a memorable victory.
Jay Schulz (Port Adelaide) - Schulz’s haul may not have been as exciting as a Jack Riewoldt bag, but it’s hard to ignore a guy who boots seven in a losing side. Schulz, who has showed some good signs this year, found space to kick seven against the Scott Thompson-Nathan Grima combination - a great effort.
Adam Schneider (St Kilda) - While teammate Steven got the Saints back in the hunt, Schneider kept St Kilda in touch early in the match. He relished the conditions, finishing with 23 possessions and four goals.
FOLLOWERS
Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) - Carlton had a huge problem when Matthew Kreuzer went down with a knee injury. Sandilands had 49 hit-outs, 15 contested possessions and kicked a goal as he helped set up Freo’s crucial win.
Michael Barlow (Fremantle) - Barlow was at it again, showing he’s getting better and better at hurting teams forward of the centre. Fourteen of his 30 touches were contested but he drifted forward to boot 4.1 in a wonderful midfield display.
Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) - Was simply superb against the Power. When the game was on the line and the Kangas needed a lift, it was Harvey’s run and carry that gave them the spark. He finished with 32 touches, booted two goals and had a hand in six others in a dominant display.
INTERCHANGE
Brett Deledio (Richmond) - Richmond coach Damien Hardwick seems to have found Deledio’s niche in defence. The Tiger can play a host of positions but the former No.1 draft pick was great against the Lions in defence. Had 33 disposals and used the vast majority to the benefit of his side.
Simon Goodwin (Adelaide) - Along with Johncock, provided plenty of run for the Adelaide defence against the Demons. Got better as the match wore on, with 20 of his 36 disposals (the game-high) coming after half time. The skipper repelled several Melbourne attacks.
Harry O’Brien (Collingwood) - Set the scene for the Pies’ comfortable win when he slashed through the Swans’ defensive 50, marked at full pace and ran into an open goal. O’Brien in full flight is a joy to watch, and his dash and flair was on display against the Swans as he cut off the home side’s attacks and set up his own team’s forward thrusts.
Michael Osborne (Hawthorn) - In a week when it was tough to find consistent, four-quarter performers - especially in attack - Osborne deserved a mention. After an up-and-down year, the Hawk found some of his best form to finish with 24 touches, nine marks and the match-sealing goal against the Bombers. His chase and tackle of Jarrod Atkinson, which resulted in a Lance Franklin goal, was also a highlight.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
