Team of the Round

Team of the Week: Round 12

Check out who made the cut 👇

Published by
Ben Lawless

BACKLINE

Shannon Hurn

Playing without usual partner Jeremy McGovern, Hurn more than made up for it being the general down back for the Eagles.

Keeping Carlton forwards at bay, Hurn not only managed nine intercepts but showed class turning offence into defence with six score involvements. He also had 27 touches, nine marks and led all Eagles with 554 metres gained.

Dylan Grimes

While his stats aren't always the most impressive, Grimes is the glue and cool head in the Tigers defence. Whether it is a timely mark, spoil or preventing an otherwise certain goal, Grimes has become one of the premier key defenders.

He finished with nine marks (three contested), 14 touches, eight spoils and nine intercepts.

Jake Lloyd

The reliable Jake Lloyd was dominant again for the Swans in their victory over the Saints. His efficiency with the ball out of defence was elite, finishing with 96.3%.

He led all swans for disposals (27), metres gained (500) and score involvements (eight).

Jack Crisp

Jack Crisp was a defensive wall for the Magpies, helping his team sneak across the line against the Crows.

While not only stopping the Crows from scoring, Crisp was instrumental in controlling and rebounding from the defensive 50. He finished the night with 31 disposals, nine marks, seven intercepts and 412 metres gained.

Luke Ryan

With the Dogs lethal midfield, they managed 52 inside 50s. Ryan held up strong, preventing the Dogs from scoring more effectively on their entries. He withstood the attack and helped the Dockers rebound in the other direction.

Ryan led all Dockers with 669 metres gained, 10 marks, and seven intercepts. He also collected 25 touches while disposing of the ball with 84% efficiency.

Rory Laird

Laird was instrumental in the Crows performance, helping them nearly complete the comeback against the Magpies.

He finished with 40 disposals, 9 score involvements, seven inside 50s, seven clearances (five centre) and five tackles. In this complete game, he not only defended when required but was instrumental in providing first use and spread to his teammates.

CENTRE

Sam Walsh

Despite the loss, Sam Walsh continues on with his impactful play. He is routinely in Carlton's best and is one of the bright spots of the Blue's season.

He ended the match with 30 touches, 11 marks, eight score involvements, five intercepts and had a disposal efficiency of 83.3%.

Christian Petracca

Continuing on with his impressive season, Petracca put on another best on ground performance in the Demons victory over the Lions.

With 26 touches (16 contested), 724 metres gained (200 more than any other player), six tackles, nine marks, seven inside 50s and nine score involvements Petracca filled up the stat sheet. His all-around performance shows his ability to win the ball on the inside and also help his team move the ball into attack.

Luke Parker

Parker is the general in the middle of the ground, leading his side to a victory over the Saints. He was the link between his forwards and defenders helping the ball transition between the two.

27 disposals, 454 metres gained, five inside 50s and five score involvements were Parker's numbers when the siren sounded.

FORWARD LINE

Shai Bolton

Bolton was the most impactful forward in the match, helping the Tigers flip the switch and win the match.

Booting three majors, he also finished with 21 touches (90.5% efficiency), five marks, seven inside 50s and eight score involvements. Whenever he touched the ball, good things happened for the Tigers. Luckily for them, he found the ball often.

Tom McDonald

Tom McDonald's comeback season continues with another strong showing from the forward. After not being able to be traded in the offseason, he has now become the Demon's most important presence up forward.

McDonald kicked three majors, while also collecting 12 disposals, 10 score involvements and five marks. Over 80% of McDonald's touches led to scores, now that's effective.

Jamie Elliott

Returning from injury can be difficult for most players, well Elliot is not most players. After being sidelined for most of the season, he returned to kick a half-dozen goals.

While Collingwood has struggled to score throughout the season, having Elliot back significantly helps their forward set-up. Look for more hauls of goals from the small forward if he can remain healthy for the remainder of the season.

Liam Ryan

'Flyin' Liam Ryan was at it again dominating a Carlton team that had no answer for him. With his usual highlight plays, Ryan was spectacular for the undermanned Eagles.

Ryan ended the game with four goals, 17 touches, nine marks, six inside 50s and eight score involvements.

Tim Membrey

While most of the Saints forwards struggled throughout the night, Membrey was the steady hand that was keeping the score close. Kicking 2.2, Membrey could have had more of an impact if it wasn't for the inaccuracies that plagued most of the Saints forwards.

He also gathered 20 touches, eight marks, nine score involvements and five intercepts trying hard to keep his side in the match.

Zac Bailey

Despite the loss, Bailey has put together another impressive performance up forward. He is becoming just as important as his small forward teammate Charlie Cameron.

Booting four goals for the match wasn't enough for Bailey, he also had 19 disposals, five marks, six inside 50s and five score involvements.

FOLLOWERS

Max Gawn

Gawn was once again the most dominant ruckman of the week, allowing his teammates to get good use of the ball and win the clearance battle.

He had 31 hit-outs (more than all of Brisbane) to go along with 17 touches (11 contested), six score involvements, four clearances, four tackles and a goal. Gawn's ability to impact all aspects of the game makes him such a valuable asset for the unstoppable Demons.

Darcy Parish

Darcy Parish is at it again with another 40+ disposal game. Despite not getting the win, Parish was best on the ground in the Bombers late collapse to the Tigers.

Parish gathered 44 disposals, 737 metres gained, 11 clearances, nine inside 50s, 10 score involvements, eight marks and five tackles. Each week Parish seems to get better and better, which is pretty impressive for a player routinely getting 35+ disposals a week.

Marcus Bontempelli

The Bont put on another show, dominating both in the midfield and up forward. His ability to make an impact on the scoreboard is what has elevated him to the #1 player in the game.

By the end, he had 27 touches, two goals, seven clearances, seven inside 50s, 12 score involvements, 595 metres gained and five tackles. The Bont caused too many headaches and defensive lapses for the Dockers, with inaccuracy the only thing keeping the game close.

INTERCHANGE

Steele Sidebottom

Sidebottom was instrumental for the Magpies, helping to overcome some of the strong performances of the Crows players. He gave his players good use of the ball, having a great impact in stoppage play.

He finished with 22 touches, seven clearances, five marks and a crucial goal that was especially important with a five point margin.

Dustin Martin

Dustin Martin was as impactful as always, finding ways to change the momentum of the game with goals or elite ball use.

He booted three goals, collected 27 touches, five clearances and 426 metres gained. While starring for the Tigers, he was just beaten out by equally impressive performances for a starting position.

Jack Macrae

With the injuries to Treloar and Dunkley, Macrae hasn't skipped a beat allowing the Dogs to continue their midfield dominance. While being pipped for a starting spot, he still managed to put together one of the stronger performances of the week.

He finished with 35 disposals, six marks, six inside 50s, five score involvements and 435 metres gained.

Brad Crouch

With his best four quarter performance since coming to the club, Crouch was excellent for the Saints in the middle. While not as damaging with the ball as some of the others selected for the team, he proved link and ball movement for St Kilda.

He finished with 38 touches, 12 score involvements, seven tackles, seven clearances, and five inside 50s. For the Saints to have any chance of pushing towards the finals either this year or in 2022, Crouch will need to start stringing together more performances like this.

Published by
Ben Lawless