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Team of the Week: Round 19

Published by
Johaan Forbes-Anthony

Defenders

Back Pocket - Nic Newman (Sydney)

A key in defence all season, Newman's 29 touches at almost 83% efficiency were crucial in keeping the Swans in the contest.

Full Back - James Sicily (Hawthorn)

It truly was a team effort in defence for the Hawks, but Sicily stood the tallest with 26 touches - at an impressive 88.5% - and a whopping 14 marks.

Back Pocket - Brodie Smith (Adelaide)

Stepped up in a big way when the Crows needed it most in a well-rounded game that included 26 touches, eight marks and a final-quarter goal in one of the games of the season.

Half Back - Seb Ross (St Kilda)

Ross played the almost-perfect game for all by 15 seconds of the contest however we won't allow one play overshadow his performance.

He led St. Kilda's midfield with 31 touches, six clearances and six tackles in the heart-breaking loss.

Centre Half Back - Jake Carlisle (St Kilda)

In what was probably his best game in a St. Kilda guernsey, Carlisle picked up 16 touches (81% efficiency) while hauling in eight marks (four contested) and registering nine one percenters deep in defence as the Saints had their hearts broken in the dying moments.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Jake Carlisle of the Saints marks the ball during the round 19 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on July 29, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Half Back -  Taylor Adams (Collingwood)

Adams was sensational for the Pies, kicking three first half goals and finishing with 34 disposals, eight clearances, seven marks and six tackles despite it not being enough to will the Pies over the line.

Centre

Wing - Daniel Wells (Collingwood)

Wells was at his brilliant best on Sunday, picking up 34 disposals and kicking three goals in Collingwood's dramatic draw. He was in the thick of everything, registering 15 score involvements for the Pies and dragging his teammates along for the ride.

Centre - Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) 

While the result wasn't what they wanted, Dees fans couldn't have asked anything more of their young gun who tallied a whopping 26 contested possessions (out of 33 overall), registered 12 clearances and laid 12 tackles in the tight loss.

Wing - Aaron Hall (Gold Coast)

Hall was everywhere in the Suns' loss to the Tigers on Saturday night, chalking up 40 disposals, eight marks, 10 inside 50s, six tackles and three clearances with little help in midfield.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Aaron Hall of the Suns runs the ball during the round 19 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Forwards

Half Forward - Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn)

His 17 touches and two goals aren't the most eye-catching stats of all time, but Burgoyne was arguably the Hawks' best player on Friday night. His veteran presence was on show for all to see as he continues to thrive in what's meant to be the twilight of his career.

Centre Half Forward - Tom Hawkins (Geelong)

Tomahawk silenced his critics with an emphatic display on the weekend with 27 touches, 12 marks and a bag of six goals in the Cats win.

Half Forward - Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs)

Luke Beveridge's masterstroke move paid dividends on the weekend as 'JJ' snagged four goals across half forward. His 18 disposals went at 89% efficiency as well to round out a strong performance.

Forward Pocket - Joe Daniher (Essendon)

In a losing effort, Daniher claimed the Coleman lead behind a strong performance that included 11 marks and six goals. His prowess in the air and on the ground was on show as his breakout season continues.

Full Forward - Josh J. Kennedy (West Coast) 

Kennedy continued the weekend of bags for key forwards, booting six of his own in the Eagles easy win. He also reeled in nine marks in a performance that keeps his Coleman Medal chances alive.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Josh Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 19 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Brisbane Lions at Domain Stadium on July 30, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Forward Pocket - Daniel Rioli (Richmond)

Lit up Metricon in the opening term, kicking the Tigers' first three goals of the game as he finished with 16 touches, five tackles, and four marks with his pressure inside 50 a feature in a forward line sans Jack Riewoldt.

Followers

Ruck - Paddy Ryder (Port Adelaide)

Only one of his 45 hit outs on the night will be remembered but with good reason as he sent Robbie Gray through to kick the winning goal.

Impressively, Ryder picked up eight clearances of his own in the win as his ability and agility at ground level won't be forgotten anytime soon.

Ruck Rover - Dayne Beams (Brisbane) 

Beams continues to impress in his first season as Brisbane skipper, this time picking up 41 touches in a tough loss to West Coast. He also had nine clearances and laid six tackles to lead his young teammates.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Dayne Beams of the Lions kicks during the round 18 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues at The Gabba on July 23, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Rover - Dustin Martin (Richmond)

The new Brownlow favourite pressed his case some more on Saturday night with 34 touches, seven clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal as the Tigers held their spot in the top four.

Interchange

Liam Shiels (Hawthorn) 

Shiels' importance through the midfield on Friday night was a big reason why the Hawks upset the rampaging Swans. Inside and outside of the contest, Shiels racked up 28 touches, seven inside 50s, five clearances and kicked two goals to keep their finals hopes alive.

Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)

Fyfe led the way against their highly-fancied opponents on Saturday and nearly caused a boil over through his 31 disposals, six marks, five tackles, five clearances and two goals.

Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne)

Leading the game with his 28 disposals, Higgins was at his game-breaking best on Saturday afternoon with seven inside 50s, five marks and a goal in North's upset win.

Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)

We've all seen the masterful work of Gray in the dying moments but that was just the culmination of a great night's work.

27 touches, five marks, five clearances and combining with Ryder to deliver arguably the weekend's most clutch play.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Robbie Gray of the Power, who kicked the iwnning goal, is hoisted up by Ollie Wines (L) and Brad Ebert after the final siren as they celebrate during the round 19 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the St Kilda Saints at Adelaide Oval on July 29, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Published by
Johaan Forbes-Anthony