B: Graham Johncock (Adelaide), Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs), Troy Chaplin (Port Adelaide)

HB: Jack Grimes (Melbourne), Sam Gilbert (St Kilda), Ryan Hargrave (Western Bulldogs)

C: Alan Didak (Collingwood), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)

HF: Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney Swans), Travis Cloke (Collingwood), Brad Johnson (Western Bulldogs)

F: Russell Robertson (Melbourne), Kurt Tippett (Adelaide), Michael Gardiner (St Kilda)

FOLL: Josh Fraser (Collingwood), Chris Judd (Carlton), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)

I/C: Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Brett Kirk (Sydney Swans), Paul Chapman (Geelong), Cameron Bruce (Melbourne)

BACKS
Graham Johncock (Adelaide) – Has bounced back from a tough 2008 with some fine form this season, highlighted with his effort against Richmond – 28 disposals, including a team-high 11 contested possessions.

Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs) – Played a gem of a match on Hawthorn's Lance Franklin, holding him goalless for the first time in 71 matches. Lake also collected 21 disposals to Buddy's 10.

Troy Chaplin (Port Adelaide) – Showed why the Power recently re-signed him until the end of 2012 with one of his best games. He repelled strongly with an equal team-high five rebounds and finished with 26 touches.

HALF BACKS
Jack Grimes (Melbourne) – In just his ninth match, he reinforced why he is viewed as a 10-year-plus player, producing a best-on-ground display against West Coast. He won a career-best 29 disposals and also took a game-high 16 marks.

Sam Gilbert (St Kilda) – Continued his outstanding season in the epic encounter against Geelong. Along with back-half teammate Sam Fisher, he was instrumental in the first term, yet Gilbert's consistency remained throughout – finishing with 27 disposals.

Ryan Hargrave (Western Bulldogs) – In brilliant form after chalking up career-best disposals for the third round in succession – this time 32 touches, including a first-term high 12 when the Dogs kicked 9.6 to 0.2. He also had a game-high six rebounds. 

CENTRES
Alan Didak (Collingwood) – His past month has been scintillating, with more than 10 Brownlow votes likely from his past four matches. Against the Dons, he racked up 36 disposals, had four inside 50s and three scoring assists.

Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) – Can lay claims to being best-on-ground in the toughest home-and-away encounter for the season. He was stunning with 33 touches, including 16 contested possessions. Hayes also had 12 clearances and laid eight tackles.

Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) – The 2007 Brownlow Medallist was Geelong's best against St Kilda. He amassed 37 disposals, including double figures in three quarters. Bartel had a team-high 15 contested possessions, seven inside 50s and six tackles.  

HALF-FORWARDS
Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney Swans) – Has been in cracking form recently and this was highlighted by his 37-disposal effort, including a game-high 13 contested possessions, against North Melbourne.

Travis Cloke (Collingwood) – The 2007 Copeland Trophy winner has had his critics this season, but he hit back hard with four goals – his best effort for the season – and four scoring assists.

Brad Johnson (Western Bulldogs) – One of three Dogs to boot three majors, the skipper led from the front. He also claimed game highs in scoring assists (four) and marks (11) and equal in inside 50s (seven). Johnson also had 24 disposals.

FORWARDS
Russell Robertson (Melbourne) – played his best match since suffering his serious achilles injury mid-way through last season. He booted four goals, including two in the opening term and the sealer, plus took a trademark hanger.

Kurt Tippett (Adelaide) – Returned to his native Gold Coast region and was outstanding with five goals from eight scoring shots. He also had three scoring assists. His three contested marks were outstanding to watch.   

Michael Gardiner (St Kilda) – Turned in his finest performance for the Saints and one of the most memorable of his career, with the match-winning mark and subsequent goal. He then bobbed up with another crucial grab moments later. He finished with four goals.

FOLLOWERS
Josh Fraser (Collingwood) – Produced a best-on-ground display in the type of performance he showed early in the season. Fraser dominated the hit-outs with 35 and also claimed 23 touches, including 10 contested possessions. He also had six clearances.

Chris Judd (Carlton) – Returned to Subiaco Oval and dominated with 35 disposals, including 10 in the final term when the Blues came from behind over Fremantle. His effort included eight inside 50s, seven clearances, nine tackles and five scoring assists. 

Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) – Shone with a game-high 35 disposals, including 16 in the final term. Boyd also had a team-high 10 contested possessions, plus an equal game-high seven inside 50s.

INTERCHANGE
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) – Took a brilliant mark early in the match against Geelong, running back with the flight of the ball, before kicking his first of three majors. He finished with 11 marks, including a game-high four contested in red-hot conditions.

Brett Kirk (Sydney Swans) – Claimed 37 disposals and was instrumental in lifting his side over the line after claiming 16 touches in the final term. Kirk also finished with a game-high nine clearances.

Paul Chapman (Geelong) – Was an absolute beauty in the final term with 15 of his 39 disposals coming during this period. Excellent in both zones – he had a came high seven rebounds and six inside 50s. He has claimed 103 touches in the past three matches. 

Cameron Bruce (Melbourne) – Continued his good form, playing a key role in Melbourne's second win of the season. Bruce finished with 28 disposals.

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