Back Pocket: David Astbury (Richmond)
Astbury was a rock in defence for the Tigers in their impressive victory over the Pies in the top of the table blockbuster at the MCG on Saturday. The Tigers key defender had 21 possessions and took seven marks. It was the fifth time this season that Astbury has had 20 or more disposals.
Full Back: Steven May (Gold Coast)
Despite an undisciplined hit which will most likely result in a stint on the sidelines, the Gold Coast key defender was clearly the Suns best in their disappointing 35 point loss to the Blues. May had 17 disposals and took seven marks. The Suns will be hoping that he resists the temptation to go to another club for more success.
Back Pocket: Kade Simpson (Carlton)
The Blues veteran is having another great season and is proving that there is still a few more years left in him. Simpson racked up 29 touches and took six marks and provided plenty of run out of defence for Carlton.
Half Back: Jayden Short (Richmond)
Short had 19 disposals and went at 83% disposal efficiency and was instrumental in the Tigers 28 point victory over the Pies on Saturday. Short also kicked two important running goals beyond the 50 metre arch to prove how dangerous he can be with ball in hand.
Centre Half Back: Michael Hurley (Essendon)
Hurley only had the 12 disposals which was well below his normal high numbers, however his role on Swans gun forward Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin proved to be match winning. Hurley kept Buddy to only two goals and seven disposals and provided plenty of rebound from defence all night.
Half Back: Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
Whitfield has been one of the reasons behind the Giants amazing recent form where they have won three games in a row. He was brilliant down back in the Giants 25 point win against the Saints. Whitfield racked up 32 disposals and took 11 marks to be one of the best players on the ground.
Wing: Jared Polec (Port Adelaide)
The Power running machine proved why the Kangaroos have offered him a massive $700,000 a season. Polec had team high 32 disposals and provided plenty of run and carry all day for the Power in their 44 point victory over the Bulldogs.
Centre: Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
The red hot favourite for this year’s Brownlow Medal had another blinder in helping his Hawks to a big percentage boosting 59 point victory over the Dockers. Mitchell had 42 disposals, took nine marks and kicked two goals.
Wing: Josh Kelly (GWS)
Kelly hasn’t missed a beat since returning from injury and he was superb in helping his side to a 25 point victory over a competitive St Kilda outfit. Kelly racked up 32 disposals at 81% efficiency and took eight marks.
Ruck: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
Grundy dominated his battle with Toby Nankervis from the Tigers and finished with a very impressive 23 disposals, ten tackles and 48 hit outs.
Rover: Gary Ablett (Geelong)
The two-time Brownlow Medallist was back to his very best in helping the Cats to a 42 point victory over the Lions on Saturday. Ablett racked up a game high 38 disposals at 84% efficiency, had eight clearances and took eight marks.
Ruck Rover: Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
Oliver backed up a brilliant game last week against the Cats with another superb performance for the Dees to help his side to a 13 point win over the Crows. Oliver had 31 disposals, 25 of them being contested and also had an amazing 14 clearances.
Half Forward: Paul Ahern (Kangaroos)
Playing in only his eighth AFL game, the Kangaroos midfield/forward was one of the best players on the ground in the Roos 40 point victory over the Eagles on Sunday. Ahern racked up 37 disposals and also had 12 clearances, the most of anyone on the ground.
Centre Half Forward: Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide)
The big forward proved how important he could be in the Power’s premiership chances this year in kicking five goals against the Dogs. Dixon enjoyed spending more time up forward this week and provided a great target for the Power all day with 14 disposals and five marks to go with his 5.2.
Half Forward: Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
The solidly built Demon was terrific in helping his side to a morale boosting 13 point victory over the in-form Adelaide Crows. Petracca had 21 disposals, eight inside 50’s and laid five tackles.
Forward Pocket: Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
The three-time premiership winning Hawk kicked four goals against the Dockers and has taken his season tally to 45 goals. Breust is now sitting 3rd in the Coleman Medal race, eight goals behind the leader Ben Brown from the Roos who is on 53 goals. Breust also had 19 touches and took six marks to go with his four goals in the Hawks 59 point demolition of the Dockers on Sunday.
Full Forward: Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
Hawkins has now kicked seven goals in consecutive weeks to race into 2nd on the AFL goal kicking with 46 goals. Hawkins also had 22 disposals and took ten marks and is very important in how far the Cat’s can go this year.
Forward Pocket: Harry Himmelberg (GWS)
Himmelberg was brilliant up forward in the absence of key forward’s Jeremy Cameron (suspended) and Jonathan Patton (injured). The young forward kicked four goals and provided a constant target for the Giants all day. Leon Cameron certainly has some thinking to do with Cameron back this week and another tall forward Rory Lobb also playing well.
Max Gawn (Melbourne)
Gawn dominated Adelaide’s ruckman Sam Jacobs and had an amazing 66 hit outs to help the Dees to win the clearances 59 to 39. He was a main reason why the Dees were able to kick 7.4 to 1.2 in the third quarter against the Crows.
Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
The young star midfielder celebrated a two year contract extension with the Blues with another dominant individual performance to help his team to a 35 point win over the Suns, their second win of the season. Cripps had 37 disposals and laid 11 tackles.
Dyson Heppell (Essendon)
The Bombers skipper was integral in helping his side keep their finals hopes alive with a 43 point victory over the Swans. Heppell had 31 disposals and took eight marks and led from the front all night.
Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
The Roos midfielder was sensational in their 40 point victory over the Eagles at Blundstone Arena on Sunday. Cunnington had 39 disposals, 22 of those were contested and also had seven clearances and laid ten tackles.