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Round 8 Team of the Week

A number of superstars have earned themselves a spot in our side.

Published by
Justin McInerney

Defenders

Back Pocket: Rory Laird (Adelaide)

Attempts to tag the star defender were ineffective, as he piled on 31 disposals, three marks, three tackles, five score involvements, 15 intercept possessions and 674 metres gained.

Full Back: James Frawley (Hawthorn)

Frawley primarily played on Jeremy Cameron and kept him goalless for the first time this year. He also recorded 17 disposals and eight marks.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: James Frawley of the Hawks is seen with Jeremy Cameron of the Giants during the 2019 AFL round 08 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 12, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Back Pocket: James Sicily (Hawthorn)

Sicily recorded 27 disposals, nine marks, three tackles, six score involvements, 616 metres gained and kicked a fine goal from outside 50 in the upset win over the Giants.

 Half Back: Bachar Houli (Richmond)

Houli’s attacking drive from the defensive half was a highlight for Richmond in their win in the west, where he recorded 30 disposals (21 kicks), 11 marks, seven intercept possessions and 515 metres gained.

Centre Half Back: Alex Keath (Adelaide)

Keath won the Showdown Medal after he was judged best afield in Adelaide’s crucial Showdown win. Keath absolutely blanketed Justin Westhoff and rendered him ineffective, while recording 26 disposals, five marks, and 12 intercept possessions.

Half Back: Dylan Grimes (Richmond)

Grimes is known for the defensive side of his game but it was his attacking prowess that stood out on Sunday afternoon, as he recorded 26 disposals, 11 marks and seven intercept possessions.

Centre

 Wing: Tom Phillips (Collingwood)

Phillips continues to thrive on a wing where he can use his running power to great effect. Against Carlton, Phillips recorded 34 disposals, four marks, two tackles and kicked two goals.

Centre: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)

Cripps nearly dragged the Blues over the line on Saturday afternoon, where he managed 35 disposals (19 contested), four marks, seven tackles and kicked a goal.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Patrick Cripps of the Blues (right) and Sam Petrevski-Seton of the Blues celebrate during the 2019 AFL round 08 match between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 11, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Wing: Ricky Henderson (Hawthorn)

Henderson’s career revival continues in 2019. On the weekend, he recorded 36 disposals (22 kicks), 10 marks, five score involvements and 642 metres gained against the Giants.

Forwards

 Half Forward: Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs)

Has played more midfield minutes in the last two weeks after starting the year playing predominantly in the forward line. This moved has paid dividends and on the weekend, he recorded 36 disposals, eight tackles, two marks and kicked a goal.

Centre Half Forward: Tom Lynch (Adelaide)

Lynch’s presence up forward was crucial for Adelaide in the Showdown. Lynch kicked three goals and recorded 20 disposals, six tackles and two marks.

Half Forward: Gary Ablett (Geelong)

A vintage performance from the Geelong superstar. He kicked four goals and had 16 disposals as well as six marks.

Forward Pocket: Shai Bolton (Richmond)

Bolton produced a career-best performance on Sunday afternoon, where he recorded 16 disposals, two marks, seven tackles and kicked four goals.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Shai Bolton of the Tigers looks to handball during the round eight AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Richmond Tigers at Optus Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Full Forward: Ben Brown (North Melbourne)

Brown kicked five goals and recorded 11 disposals, eight marks and two tackles, as he tried to keep the Kangaroos in the game against Geelong.

Forward Pocket: Mitch Robinson (Brisbane)

Robinson was at his defensive best on Saturday, recording 11 tackles, evidencing his defensive intent. He also recorded 16 disposals, five marks and three goals.

Followers

 Ruck: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)

Grundy was only the second ruckman in history to record 25+ disposals, 45+ hitouts and 2+ goals in a game, highlighting his dominance in one of the best performances by a ruckman in recent years.

Ruck Rover: Tim Kelly (Geelong)

After a slow start, Kelly quickly began to influence the contest with 36 disposals, seven tackles, three marks and two goals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Tim Kelly of the Cats kicks the ball from Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Rover: Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)

In a mammoth display by the young midfielder, Oliver recorded 38 disposals (22 contested), five marks, eight clearances and 15 tackles.

Interchange

Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)

On a down day for Fremantle, Fyfe stood tall and recorded 33 disposals (21 contested), four marks and kicked three goals.

Tom Rockliff (Port Adelaide)

Easily Port Adelaide’s best in the showdown, where he managed 41 disposals, 10 clearances, six marks, six tackles and 517 metres gained.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Tom Rockliff of the Power competes for the ball during the round eight AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on May 11, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)

De Goey continues to impact up forward for the Magpies in 2019. Against the Blues, De Goey recorded 23 disposals, six marks, three tackles and two goals.

Zach Merrett (Essendon)

On Friday night, Merrett was the best player on the ground where he recorded 28 disposals, five marks, nine tackles, seven clearances, seven score involvements and one goal.

Published by
Justin McInerney