HB: Jason Gram (St Kilda), Nathan Bock (Adelaide), Brendon Goddard (St Kilda)
C: Dane Swan (Collingwood), Luke Ball (St Kilda), Adam Goodes (Sydney)
HF: Alan Didak (Collingwood), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs)
F: Steve Johnson (Geelong), Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions), Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide)
FOLL: Dean Cox (West Coast), Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs), Gary Ablett (Geelong)
I/C: Simon Black (Brisbane Lions), Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney), Scott Thompson (Adelaide), David Rodan (Port Adelaide)
BACKS
Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs) - Instrumental in his side's win over the previously undefeated Hawthorn, the dashing defender was at his best with efficient ball use and rebound into attack. He finished with 23 quality disposals.
Ben Rutten (Adelaide) - Performing beautifully with tall teammate Nathan Bock down back, 'Truck' was able to stymie the influence of Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd, who finished with just one goal and eight touches.
Sam Fisher (St Kilda) - Dominant out of back half, setting up plenty of St Kilda forward thrusts as well as capitalising on Melbourne turnovers, Fisher set the tone in the opening term with 10 of his 27 disposals.
HALF-BACKS
Jason Gram (St Kilda) - Combined brilliantly with Fisher in the opening quarter to help set up St Kilda's comprehensive win over Melbourne. He gained 12 of his 27 touches in the first quarter and by the game's end had chalked up his best performance so far in '08.
Nathan Bock (Adelaide) - Continued to press his claims for the All-Australian centre half-back post with another excellent display. Not only did the big man accumulate 24 disposals, he also held key Bomber Scott Lucas to eight touches on his return.
Brendon Goddard (St Kilda) - Completing the hat-trick for the Saints in defence is Goddard, who produced his best effort since returning from a knee injury. He was super efficient with his 28 disposals - at 96 percent - and also laid six tackles.
CENTRES
Dane Swan (Collingwood) - Continually flies underneath the radar, yet surely his past three performances have made the footy community take note. On the back of 28 and 29 disposals respectively, Swan won the football 36 times and booted two goals in round 10.
Luke Ball (St Kilda) - Among his finest efforts in the red, black and white, Ball was super in the midfield, winning a game-high 29 disposals, nine clearances, 10 tackles and seven free kicks. It was a great reward for the courageous Saint.
Adam Goodes (Sydney) - Showed why he is a dual Brownlow Medallist with a super display in the midfield, breaking the lines and producing some penetrating attacks inside the forward 50. His contested and clearance work was also a feature of his game.
HALF-FORWARDS
Alan Didak (Collingwood) - Like teammate Swan, Didak has been one of the Pies' most integral performers over the past three rounds. Against West Coast, he was super in the midfield and up forward, collecting 28 disposals, six inside 50s and finishing with three goals.
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) - Ever since shining for Victoria in the Hall of Fame match, Brown has been in scintillating form. And in his past three outings for the Lions, Brown has booted 18 goals, including six against the Roos this round.
Jason Akermanis (Western Bulldogs) - 'Aka' was dynamic yet again, on the back of his super performance against North Melbourne. Against the Hawks, Akermanis claimed 24 disposals, sent the ball inside 50 on seven occasions and laid seven tackles.
FORWARDS
Steve Johnson (Geelong) - The Norm Smith Medallist produced a super performance against the Blues, with five goals - including some obligatory 'Stevie J' gems - as well as amassing 29 disposals. He also had seven inside 50s.
Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane Lions) - Kicked six goals for the second successive round and again combined brilliantly with Brown. Together they bagged a dozen goals to equal their achievement from round nine. Bradshaw now has 43 goals for the season.
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) - Played a massive part in the final term to help his side over the line. Motlop finished the match with five majors, including one of the most remarkable goals seen in recent years - from an impossible angle in the pocket.
FOLLOWERS
Dean Cox (West Coast) - Continues to further enhance his status as one of the all-time ruck greats. Despite playing on with a foot problem and being part of a 100-point drubbing, Cox amassed 30 disposals, won 36 hit-outs and booted two goals.
Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs) - The dynamic goalkicking midfielder was best on ground against Hawthorn. He set the tone early before finishing with 28 disposals, seven clearances, six tackles and two goals. His efforts only bolstered his Brownlow prospects.
Gary Ablett (Geelong) - Like Cooney, Ablett's Brownlow chances increased again with another cracking display against the Blues. Ablett won the ball 32 times - including 13 times in the third quarter - and also finished with 11 inside 50s and eight tackles.
INTERCHANGE
Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) - The champion midfielder was instrumental in setting up the delivery into his side's forward 50, which enabled Brown and Bradshaw to capitalise. Black clearance and tackling work was also first rate, and he finished the game with 30 touches.
Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney) - Super against Richmond across half-forward and pushing into the midfield with 27 disposals to continue his superb start to the season.
Scott Thompson (Adelaide) - Arguably Adelaide's best player over the past two rounds, the damaging midfielder was also the standout against the Dons, racking up 33 disposals - including 14 in the third term - along with five inside 50s and six tackles.
David Rodan (Port Adelaide) - Shone in his 100th AFL match and was a key part of Port Adelaide's win in the west. The former Tiger was first class with his clearances, winning 11 for the match, adding to his 24 disposals and two goals.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.
