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Round 7 Team of the Week

Published by
Justin McInerney

Defenders

Back Pocket: Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)

Daniel has thrived as a defender in 2019, where he is able to use his elite kicking skills to find targets in the defensive half. On the weekend, he recorded 36 disposals (77% efficiency), three marks, six tackles and ten rebound 50’s.

Full Back: Alex Pearce (Fremantle)

Played on Taylor Walker for the entire game and rendered him completely ineffective, after he looked back to his best in the two weeks prior. He also had 16 disposals, six marks and laid three tackles.

Back Pocket: Tom Stewart (Geelong)

A regular in the team of the week, Stewart is putting together another excellent season. Against the Bombers, Stewart managed 25 disposals at 80% efficiency and took nine marks.

Half Back: Zac Williams (GWS)

Williams was clearly best on ground in the win over St Kilda, where his speed and superior ball use was on full display. He finished with 30 disposals, eight marks, 12 rebound 50’s, eight score involvements, nine intercept possessions and 685 metres gained.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Zac Williams of the Giants kicks during the round seven AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the St Kilda Saints at Manuka Oval on May 04, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Centre Half Back: Darcy Moore (Collingwood)

Moore’s ability to intercept was on full display on Friday night, where he recorded 21 disposals, seven marks and 12 intercept possessions.

Half Back: Brodie Smith (Adelaide)

Smith’s run and carry from the back half arguably makes him Adelaide’s most important player. In the gruelling win over the Dockers, Smith finished with 25 disposals, three marks, one goal, seven intercept possessions and 497 metres gained.

Centre

Wing: Andrew Gaff (West Coast)

Gaff recorded 35 disposals, ten marks, seven score involvements, seven intercept possessions, six tackles and 467 metres gained against Gold Coast.

Centre: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

In a vintage display from the Magpies' skipper, Pendlebury recorded 36 disposals, five marks and five tackles on a night where his class and poise stood out.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies handballs during the round seven AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on May 03, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Wing: Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)

Sidebottom recorded 29 disposals, 11 marks, laid four tackles and kicked a wonderful goal on Friday night.

Forwards

 Half Forward: Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)

Bontempelli spent more time forward on the weekend, which proved a masterstroke for the Dogs, as he kicked three goals and recorded 27 disposals and nine marks.

 Centre Half Forward: Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)

Naughton produced an incredible display for a kid in just his second year of AFL football. Naughton kicked five goals, took 14 marks (nine contested) and had 16 disposals, evidencing his dominance on the night.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Aaron Naughton of the Bulldogs marks the ball against Dylan Grimes of the Tigers during the round seven AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Richmond Tigers at Marvel Stadium on May 04, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Half Forward: Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)

McCluggage continued his strong start to 2019, with 24 disposals and two goals as well as four marks and six tackles.

Forward Pocket: Tom Papley (Sydney)

On a pretty average night for the Swans, Papley was a shining light. He kicked four goals and recorded 18 disposals, four marks and four tackles.

Full Forward: Jeremy Cameron (GWS)

The Coleman Medal leader continues to kick bags of goals in 2019. On the weekend, he kicked six, took 11 marks and had 15 disposals.

Forward Pocket: Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood)

Stephenson was a crucial player in the first quarter where the Magpies were able to build an insurmountable lead. He finished with four goals, 14 disposals, six marks and four tackles.

Followers

Ruck: Reilly O’Brien (Adelaide)

Not many would have seen this coming from the Adelaide big man. In just his seventh game, O’Brien recorded 22 disposals, five marks, three tackles and 44 hit-outs.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Reilly O'Brien of the Crows competes with Rory Lobb of the Dockers during the 2019 AFL round 07 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval on May 05, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Ruck Rover: James Harmes (Melbourne)

Harmes tagged O’Meara after quarter time and completely shut him down. He also recorded 31 disposals, six marks, laid five tackles and kicked a goal, rendering him the most important player on the ground.

Rover: Matt Crouch (Adelaide)

Crouch has always been able to find the footy and did so with ease against the Dockers, finishing with 39 disposals, four marks and three tackles.

Interchange

Trent Dumont (North Melbourne)

Dumont goes under the radar a bit playing for North Melbourne but he has quietly built a solid start to the year. Against the Blues, Dumont recorded 38 disposals, four marks and five tackles.

Elliot Yeo (West Coast)

Yeo played his best game this year on the weekend, finishing with 28 disposals, one goal, seven marks, 12 tackles and 547 metres gained.

Tim Kelly (Geelong)

It is easy to forget Kelly is playing just his second year of league football. Against the Bombers, Kelly recorded 30 disposals, two goals, ten clearances, four marks and two tackles.

Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)

The margin would have been much larger if Gunston was not playing, as his 20 disposals, three goals and eight marks kept Hawthorn in the game until the bitter end.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Jack Gunston of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 07 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 04, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
Published by
Justin McInerney