And then there were two: Round 22 MVP

There remains just one more round of action in the 2021 AFL home and away season, with our MVP crown still up for grabs between two stars of the game.

Following votes from Round 22, Demons star Clayton Oliver moved into second place behind Ollie Wines, with a near-perfect round this coming weekend needed for the Melbourne midfielder to win the award.

Catch up on all the votes from the passing week and the leaderboard below!

Richmond 67 def by GWS 106

The Giants helped put an end to the great Richmond era on Friday night, thrashing the reigning premiers by 39 points at Marvel Stadium.

Despite both teams desperately needing a win, the Giants proved to be too good for the tired Tigers, who's final chances have now become near impossible.

Despite the loss of Toby Greene, the Giants were not fazed, with midfielder Tim Taranto kicking an impressive four goals. Returning pair Josh Kelly and Jacob Hopper were also terrific in the Giants midfield, as well as defender Isaac Cumming who remained solid in the backline.

Ed Carmine: 5. Josh Kelly, 4. Tim Taranto, 3. Jacob Hopper, 2. Isaac Cumming, 1. Trent Cotchin.

Mitch Keating: 5. Josh Kelly, 4. Tim Taranto, 3. Isaac Cumming, 2. Jacob Hopper, 1. Liam Baker.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Josh Kelly, 4. Jacob Hopper, 3. Tim Taranto, 2. Callan Ward, 1. Dion Prestia.

Nick Splitter: 5. Josh Kelly, 4. Tim Taranto, 3. Nick Vlastuin, 2. Jacob Hopper, 1. Callan Ward.

Western Bulldogs 37 def by Hawthorn 64

A 27-point win over one of the premiership favourites saw the Hawks pull of one of the biggest upsets of the round.

With Alistair Clarkson set to coach his last game for the Hawks this week, his team did not disappoint in sending him off the best way possible.

Despite wet and windy conditions, the Hawks continued to win the midfield battle and make the most of their opportunities in front of goal. Daniel Howe was a standout for the Hawks, collecting an impressive 34 disposals, kicking a goal and collecting 717 metres.

The Game was a worrying sign for Luke Beveridge's side, who's poor form has allowed them to slide down to fourth on the ladder.

Ed Carmine: 5. Daniel Howe, 4. Jonathon Ceglar, 3. Tom Mitchell, 2. Chad Wingard, 1. Bailey Dale.

Mitch Keating: 5. Daniel Howe, 4. Chad Wingard, 3. Tom Liberatore, 2. Tom Mitchell, 1. Tim O'Brien.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Daniel Howe, 4. Chad Wingard, 3. Tom Mitchell, 2. Bailey Dale, 1. Marcus Bontempelli.

Nick Splitter: 5. Daniel Howe, 4. Chad Wingard, 3. Tom Mitchell, 2. Tim O'Brien, 1. Tom Liberatore.

Carlton 45 def by Port Adelaide 140

Port did not hold back against a depleted Carlton, generating a significant percentage-boosting victory that helped claim third spot on the ladder.

Despite Carlton taking an early lead, the power quickly turned the game around. Travis Boak (31 disposals), Karl Amon (30 disposals) and Ollie Wines (30 disposals) were the most dominant in helping create the win. The impressive four goals from Dixon should also be noted, as well as the impenetrable Aliir Aliir in the back line.

With Carlton Coach David Teague already under significant pressure, the match was exactly what the club did not need. The game was also a depressing send off for Carlton great Marc Murphy, who played his 300th and last AFL game.

Ed Carmine: 5. Travis Boak, 4. Ollie Wines, 3. karl Amon, 2. Aliir Aliir, 1. Zak Butters.

Mitch Keating: 5. Aliir Aliir, 4. Travis Boak, 3. Karl Amon, 2. Ollie Wines, 1. Zak Butters.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Travis Boak, 4. Aliir Aliir, 3. Karl Amon, 2. Ollie Wines, 1. Zak Butters.

Nick Splitter: 5. Aliir Aliir, 4. Travis Boak, 3. Ollie Wines, 2. Karl Amon, 1. Orazio Fantasia.

St Kilda 71 def by Geelong 85

The Cats locked a spot in the top four on Saturday, in a gritty 14-point win over the Saints.

Despite the Saints leading an impressive 31-0 in the first quarter, the Cats fought hard, kicking four goals in a row to help put them back into the game.

Dangerfield, Menegola and Guthrie were stand outs for the Cats, particularly with the skipper who sealed the game with a mark on the goal line.

The game moves the Cats into second spot on the ladder, and leaves the Saints outside the eight.

Ed Carmine: 5. Patrick Dangerfield, 4. Sam Menegola, 3. Jack Steele, 2. Cameron Guthrie, 1. Rhys Stanley.

Mitch Keating: 5. Patrick Dangerfield, 4. Sam Menegola, 3. Jack Steele, 2. Cameron Gutherie, 1. Brad Crouch.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Sam Menegola, 4. Cameron Guthrie, 3. Patrick Dangerfield, 2. Jack Steele, 1. Jack Sinclair.

Nick Splitter: 5. Patrick Dangerfield, 4. Sam Menegola, 3. Cameron Guthrie, 2. Jack Sinclair, 1. Shaun Higgins.

Collingwood 57 def by Brisbane 142

The Lions eye the top four after demolishing the Pies by 82 points at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Jarryd Lyons was essential in giving the Lions their lead, gathering 15 of his 29 disposals in just the first half. Zac Bailey and Lachie Neale were also notable, particularly Neale who not only managed to collect 30 disposals but kick a goal from 45m out.

The win sees the Lions in a position to overtake the Bulldogs, which could allow them a double chance in the finals.

Ed Carmine: 5. Lachie Neale, 4. Hugh McCluggage, 3. Jarryd Lyons, 2. Joe Daniher, 1. Zac Bailey.

Mitch Keating: 5. Jarryd Lyons, 4. Charlie Cameron, 3. Lachie Neale, 2. Hugh McCluggage, 1. Zac Bailey.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Lachie Neale, 4. Hugh McCluggage, 3. Jarryd Lyons, 2. Dayne Zorko, 1. Jack Crisp.

Nick Splitter: 5. Lachie Neale, 4. Jarryd Lyons, 3. Hugh McCluggage, 2. Oscar McInerney, 1. Charlie Cameron.

North Melbourne 77 def by Sydney Swans 91

The Kangaroos will receive their first wooden spoon since 1972, after losing to the Swans by 14 points.

Despite a strong start from the Swans, the Roos' second half surge from players such as Davies-Uniacke (24 disposals) created an unexpected pressure. Yet the class of Parker (25 disposals) and Cunningham (26 disposals) proved too much for the Kangaroos.

The Swans were left with some concerns after the game coming into finals, with both Blakey and Kennedy out due to injuries.

Ed Carmine: 5. Harry Cunningham, 4. George Hewett, 3. Luke Parker, 2. Luke Davies-Uniacke, 1. Will Hayward.

Mitch Keating: 5. Luke Parker, 4. Harry Cunningham, 3. Will Hayward, 2. George Hewett, 1. Aaron Hall.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Harry Cunningham, 4. Luke Parker, 3. George Hewett, 2. Luke Davies-Uniacke, 1. Jy Simpkin.

Nick Splitter: 5. Luke Parker, 4. Harry Cunningham, 3. Tom Hickey, 2. Will Hayward, 1. Aaron Hall.

Adelaide 63 def by Melbourne 104

The Demons have claimed the title of premiership favourites, after a hard fought 41-point victory over the Adelaide Crows.

Despite the Crows booting four of the first five goals, the experience and class of Petracca, Gawn and Oliver displayed why the Demons are indeed the team to be reckoned with going into finals.

The win saw the Demons move up to the top of the ladder, the box seat for them to claim their first premiership in over 57 years.

Ed Carmine: 5. Clayton Oliver, 4. Paul Seedsman, 3. Max Gawn, 2. Bayley Fritsch, 1. Luke Jackson.

Mitch Keating: 5. Christian Petracca, 4. Paul Seedsman, 3. Bayley Fritsch, 2. Ed Langdon, 1. Max Gawn.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Max Gawn, 4. Paul Seedsman, 3. Christian Salem, 2. Bayley Fritsch, 1. Christian Petracca.

Nick Splitter: 5. Christian Petracca, 4. Ben Keays, 3. Clayton Oliver, 2. Bayley Fritsch, 1. Paul Seedsman.

Gold Coast 30 def by Essendon 98

The Bombers kept their finals hopes alive on Sunday afternoon, smashing the Gold Coast Suns by an impressive 68 points.

Despite a slow start against the Suns, the Dons kicked an exceptional six goals in the second quarter to set them up for victory. Stringer was pivotal in their victory collecting 19 disposals and kicking five goals, however Parish (35 disposals) and Merrett (32) should also be noted for their dominance in the midfield.

The Bombers must win against rivals Collingwood this week to ensure a spot in the eight.

Ed Carmine: 5. Jake Stringer, 4. Darcy Parish, 3. Zach Merrett, 2. Mason Redman, 1. Touk Miller.

Mitch Keating: 5. Jake Stringer, 4. Darcy Parish, 3. Nick Hind, 2. Mason Redman, 1. Brayden Fiorini.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Darcy Parish, 4. Nick Hind, 3. Zach Merrett, 2. Jake Stringer, 1. Mason Redman.

Nick Splitter: 5. Darcy Parish, 4. Jake Stringer, 3. Nick Hind, 2. Zach Merrett, 1. Brayden Fiorini.

West Coast 64 def by Fremantle 79

The Dockers not only pulled off the biggest upset of the round on Sunday night, but broke the six year Western derby drought.

In a thrilling matchup, the Dockers secured a 15 point victory and chance at finals, leaving the Eagles at risk of securing a place in the eight.

Glendinning-Allen medallist Caleb Serong (32 disposals and two goals) was a the standout for Freo, who's performance was no doubt the most influential in dragging the Dockers over the line.

Ed Carmine: 5. Caleb Serong, 4. David Mundy, 3. Adam Cerra, 2. Nic Naitanui, 1. Luke Ryan.

Mitch Keating: 5. Caleb Serong, 4. Luke Ryan, 3. Adam Cerra, 2. Nic Naitanui, 1. Sean Darcy.

Ed Lemmo: 5. Caleb Serong, 4. David Mundy, 3. Sean Darcy, 2. Nic Naitanui, 1. Adam Cerra.

Nick Splitter: 5. Caleb Serong, 4. Adam Cerra, 3. Sean Darcy, 2. David Mundy, 1. Nic Naitanui.

LEADERBOARD

RANK			LAST ROUND	TOTAL
1		Ollie Wines	11	237
2		Clayton Oliver	8	220
3		Sam Walsh	0	216
4		Touk Miller	1	207
5		Jack Steele	8	198
6		Marcus Bontempelli	1	196
7		Jack Macrae	0	194
8		Christian Petracca	11	193
9		Darcy Parish	18	190
10		Callum Mills	0	177

 

VIEW THE FULL ZERO HANGER MVP LEADERBOARD