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Team of the Week: Round 11

Published by
Bevan Jones

Defenders

Back Pocket: Rory Laird

An All-Australian last year and a previous Crows best and fairest, Laird could well be on his way to his second yellow jacket. After having 30 disposals against the Giants, Laird was again one of the Crows best. His run and carry from the backline is a feature, as well as his kicking efficiency and he has become one of the best defenders in the competition.

Full Back: Cale Hooker

Considering the Bombers went down to the Tigers by 71 points, Hooker’s performance on Jack Riewoldt was even more impressive. He kept Riewoldt to one goal, as well as having 16 possessions and seven marks.

Back Pocket: Justin Westhoff

Like a good red, Westhoff is getting better with age and if this form continues he’s a real chance to take out his first ever John Cahill Medal as Port’s Best and Fairest. He was one of Port’s best on Saturday in their loss to the Hawks with 20 possessions and seven marks.

Half Back: Shaun Burgoyne

The silky smooth Burgoyne continues to play incredible footy at the ripe old age of 35 and he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon. Burgoyne had 26 disposals, 15 of which were contested against his old side Port Adelaide on the weekend. I bet the Power are wishing they tried harder to keep him.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - JULY 02: Shaun Burgoyne of the Hawks celebrates after kicking a goal with Jack Gunston of the Hawks during the round 15 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 2, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Centre Half Back: Jack Gunston

After terrorising opposition backmen for a number of years, Gunston has shown that there are many strings to his long bow. He helped turn the game for the Hawks when he went into the backline on the weekend, in their three-point win over the Power and ended up having 25 possessions and 10 marks.

Half Back: Kade Simpson

Another veteran who continues to get the job done, this Blues star had 27 possessions and four marks and provided plenty of run out of the backlines for the Blues.

Centre

Wing: Dylan Shiel

Shiel was back to his brilliant best on the weekend, winning plenty of the footy and he was one of the main reasons why the Giants were able to beat the Crows by 16 points. Shiel racked up 30 possessions and if he can continue to play like that, then the Giants could still be a serious contender this year.

Centre: Jake Stringer

The much maligned Stringer was clearly Essendon’s best in their 71-point loss to the Tigers. Stringer had 29 possessions, 16 of which were contested and nine clearances.

Wing: Shaun Higgins

Former Bulldog Shaun Higgins is in career best form and one of the main reasons why the Roos have exceeded all expectations in 2018 and find themselves in the top eight after 11 rounds. Higgins had 38 disposals and a goal against the Lions on Sunday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Shaun Higgins of the Kangaroos runs with the ball during the round 18 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium on July 22, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Followers

Ruck: Max Gawn

Gawn is one of the most improved players in the competition and on current form he is a real chance to be the All-Australian ruckman for 2018. Gawn had an incredible 57 hit outs, 19 disposals and seven marks in Melbourne’s 49-point win over the Dogs.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Max Gawn of the Demons and Toby Nankervis of the Tigers compete in a ruck contest during the 2018 AFL round five match between the Melbourne Demons and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 24, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Rover: Gary Ablett

Ablett was back to his brilliant best on Saturday night in Geelong’s 85-point win over his former side the Gold Coast Suns. The two-time Brownlow Medallist had 37 disposals and kicked three goals reminding us all that there is still at least a couple more years left before he hangs up the boots!

Ruck Rover: Dayne Beams

Beams was clearly Brisbane’s best player in a 54-point loss to the Kangaroos. The former skipper racked up 32 disposals and kicked five goals, which was all the more impressive considering he recently stood down as captain due to the struggle of losing his father earlier this year.

Forwards

Half Forward: Will Hoskin-Elliott

The former Giant is in stellar form for the Pies and he kicked six goals and took eight marks in their 61-point victory over the Dockers.

Centre Half Forward: Jesse Hogan

The versatile big man is in great form for the Demons and kicked five goals on the weekend as well as having 19 disposals and taking 10 marks. His partnership with Tom McDonald is becoming one of the most dangerous forward line combinations in the competition.

Half Forward: Josh Caddy

The former Cat is on fire for the Tigers at the moment. Caddy has now kicked 10 goals in two games, he kicked six the week prior against the Saints and on Saturday he finished with four majors against the Bombers in the Dreamtime game at the MCG.

Forward Pocket: Robbie Gray

Four goals from the little champion on the weekend almost got Port over the line against the Hawks. He’s already won three John Cahill Medals and could easily make it four this year if he keeps this form up.

Full Forward: Josh Kennedy

The two-time Coleman Medallist bagged six goals on Saturday night in the Eagles' win over the Saints. Despite having a few injuries this year, Kennedy is again having a great year and alongside Jack Darling, they are two of the main reasons why West Coast are sitting pretty at the top of the ladder.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Josh Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal taking him to the scorer of most goals for the club during the 2018 AFL round six match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on April 29, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Forward Pocket: Tim Membrey

Membrey has had the yips this year in front of goal, however he turned things around by kicking 6.0 on Saturday night in their 15-point loss to the Eagles.

Interchange

Bench: Callum Sinclair

The former Eagle helped the Swans to a 30-point win over the Blues on Friday night at the SCG with 26 hit outs, 22 possessions, seven marks and two goals.

Bench: Bryce Gibbs

Gibbs was one of the Crows' best in their 16-point loss to the Giants. The former Blue had 36 disposals and nine tackles and he is certainly having a good year since returning home to Adelaide for the 2018 season.

Bench: Josh Kelly

One of the stars of the competition, Kelly was instrumental in helping the Giants to their first ever win against the Crows at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday evening. Kelly had 31 disposals as well as four clearances and three inside 50’s.

Bench: Shane Edwards

Edwards was best on ground with 30 possessions and two goals in Richmond’s demolition of the Bombers on Saturday night, and was rewarded with the Yiooken Award.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Shane Edwards of the Tigers poses for a photo after winning The Yiooken Award for best on ground during the 2018 AFL round 11 Dreamtime at the G match between the Essendon Bombers and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 02, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Published by
Bevan Jones