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Round 21: Team of the Week

Published by
Johaan Forbes-Anthony

Defenders

Back Pocket - Andrew McGrath (Essendon) 

Essendon's rising star collected 25 touches and took eight marks while keeping Adelaide superstar Eddie Betts goalless in a matured performance.

Full Back - Jeremy McGovern (West Coast)

Was arguably the most important Eagle on the ground on Saturday night, taking 11 marks in the centre of defence to go along with 20 disposals and five one-percenters, ensuring the Eagles' finals chances would stay alive.

Back Pocket - Dane Rampe (Sydney) 

While the Swans' dominance around the ground made his life a little easier on Saturday, Rampe's 25 touches (11 intercept possessions), seven rebounds and six marks helped ensure the Swans would run out big winners.

Half Back - Brodie Smith (Adelaide)

Smith's run and carry out of Adelaide's backline was a feature of his play on Saturday night, collecting 23 touches, nine marks, five rebounds and 10 running bounces to break open the game on several occasions. He also kicked two goals for his efforts.

Centre Half Back - Lachie Henderson (Geelong)

A key cog in thwarting Richmond's attacks, leading the league with a round-high 12 intercept possessions across the weekend. All in all, 19 touches, eight marks and five rebounds made for a solid days work for the former Blue.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Lachie Henderson of the Cats in action during a Geelong Cats AFL training session at Simonds Stadium on June 29, 2017 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Half Back - Zac Williams (Greater Western Sydney) 

Instrumental for the Giants across half back, collecting 27 disposals along with 10 rebounds and six marks. A big reason why the Dogs were inefficient going forward.

Centre

Wing - Dayne Beams (Brisbane)

In one of the best individual games of the season, Beams was immense as the Suns simply couldn't keep up with the Lions skipper. 32 touches, seven marks, four clearances, four goals and 13 score involvements (four goal assists) in a sure-fire three-vote performance from the captain.

Centre - Josh Kelly (Greater Western Sydney)

Some of Kelly's 25 touches just oozed class on Friday night, as his 89% efficiency, six tackles and two goals led the way to a Giant win.

Wing - Nathan Jones (Melbourne)

Is there a more lovable bloke in football than Nathan Jones?

Another week, another inspiring performance when the Demons needed it most, racking up 35 touches (80% efficiency), six marks and four tackles.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Nathan Jones of the Demons handpasses the ball during the round 21 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 13, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Forwards

Half Forward - Luke Breust (Hawthorn)

Breust was back to his best on Sunday afternoon, kicking four goals from his 18 disposals whilst laying seven tackles in addition to six inside 50s in a complete performance.

Centre Half Forward - Harry Taylor (Geelong) 

With Hawkins out, Taylor took Richmond's number one defence in Alex Rance and comprehensively beat the league's best full back. Taylor not only reduced Rance's impact but held him accountable, kicking four goals that went a long way to the Cats grabbing the four points.

Half Forward - Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)

The Chad was at his influential best on Sunday afternoon, collecting 32 touches, taking eight marks, mustering six clearances, sending the ball inside 50 eight times and gaining an impressive 601m as the Power held on against the Pies.

Forward Pocket - Jack Billings (St Kilda)

Billings was immense on Sunday afternoon,collecting 30 disposals, nine marks, six tackles and despite kicking 1.3, he did most of the damage with one eye closed.

St Kilda fans have a lot to look forward to with this kid, provided they manage to re-sign Billings beyond this season.

Full Forward - Josh Kennedy (West Coast)

At his efficient best, Kennedy had nine scoring shots (6.3) from his 12 touches to take the lead in the Coleman and keep West Coast's finals chances in tact for another week.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Josh Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 21 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Carlton Blues at Domain Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Forward Pocket - Lewis Taylor (Brisbane)

Whenever you have 96% disposal efficiency, you must be doing something right.

Taylor's 25 disposals went at that exact clip, missing just one target in the process as he kicked two goals and had three goal assists to compliment his night's work.

Followers

Ruck - Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton) 

As impressive as he was in the air, he was just as good at ground level for the Blues, winning 15 of his 17 touches in the contest while laying seven tackles and picking up five clearances of his own in a strong all-round performance.

Ruck Rover - Luke Parker (Sydney)

29 touches (83% efficiency) and seven clearances was impressive enough from the gun Swan however his three goals and round-high 14 score involvements capped an impressive best on ground performance.

Rover - Stephen Coniglio (Greater Western Sydney) 

Chipped in with a little bit of everything on Friday night with 25 touches (12 contested), eight clearances, six tackles and a goal, stamping his importance in GWS' midfield.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Stephen Coniglio of the Giants in action ahead of Luke Dahlhaus of the Bulldogs during the 2017 AFL round 21 match between the Western Bulldogs and the GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Interchange

Jordan Lewis (Melbourne) 

All of Lewis' experience came to the fore in the second half on Sunday.

14 of his 25 touches came in the second half against the Saints, taking nine marks and having five inside 50s along the way. He was also a crucial presence in defence when the Saints hunted for the lead.

Marc Murphy (Carlton) 

As much as stats don't tell the full story, they come as close to it as possible here.

29 touches, six clearances, three tackles, 10 inside 50s, two goals, 11 score involvements and a round-high 716 metres gained in a monster performance from the Blues skipper.

Adam Treloar (Collingwood) 

Treloar continues to show why he'll come into calculators for the Copeland Trophy at seasons end with another strong performance on the weekend.

31 touches, 10 clearances, five tackles and six inside 50s led the way for the Pies as he broke the lines at every opportunity.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Adam Treloar of the Magpies runs with the ball during the round 21 AFL match between Port Adelaide Power and the Collingwood Magpies at Adelaide Oval on August 13, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Matt Crouch (Adelaide) 

A dominant force in the midfield in 2017, Crouch gathered 35 touches (20 contested) at 83% efficiency for the Crows to go along with seven clearances, four tackles and two goal assists as the Crows stamped their credentials as premiership favourites.

Published by
Johaan Forbes-Anthony