Team of the Week: Round 6

Published by
Patrick Lucarelli

Defenders

Back Pocket: Tom Jonas (Port Adelaide)

Nine rebound 50's, along with 10 spoils and 19 disposals at 80 percent efficiency in an outstanding effort against Ben Brown.

Full Back: Michael Hurley (Essendon)

Mopped up all he could for the Bombers in a disappointing display from the Bombers. 26 disposals and 7 marks was enough to get into the team of week.

Back Pocket: Shannon Hurn (West Coast)

31 disposals, 11 marks and joint best on ground against the Dockers on Sunday. Provided plenty and run and spread off half back all match.

Half Back: Wayne Milera (Adelaide)

33 possessions and 84 percent efficiency in probably his breakout game of his career. In the absence of Brodie Smith, the Crows are screaming for a player to step up, and that's what Milera did on the weekend.

Center Half Back: Daniel Talia (Adelaide)

Keeping Tom Lynch to no goals and only 10 possessions is a feat in itself, however collecting 19 possessions himself makes him a walk up start for the team of the week.

Half Back: Lachie Whitfield (GWS)

Broke the tag this week and was once again very impactful which highlights the need for any team to tag him. 33 possessions, a goal and plenty of run helped the Giants open up the Lions on several occasions.

Midfielders

Wing: Isaac Smith (Hawthorn)

16 disposals and four goals against the Saints in a best afield performance. Stood up when the Hawks needed him too when the game was on the line.

Centre: Josh Kennedy (Sydney)

A massive 17 contested possessions, 13 clearances and nine inside 50's saw Kennedy return to form against the Cats. He was extremely instrumental in the last quarter.

Wing: Jared Polec (Port Adelaide)

Polec has returned to his consistent best after an injury riddled 2017. A career high 34 disposals in a solid display on the wing against the Kangaroos.

Forwards

Half Forward: David Swallow (Gold Coast)

32 disposals and three goals in a heavy loss is always going to draw praise. Swallow just keeps continuing his impressive form in 2018.

Center Half Forward: Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)

3.3 off 20 disposals says enough. What was more interesting was that Riewoldt had 10 contested disposals, which means he's also getting up the ground more and getting more into the contest.

Half Forward: Matt De Boer (GWS)

The revival of De Boer continues. After being delisted by the Dockers, De Boer has been in stellar form for the Giants. 35 disposals and a goal on the weekend shows how important he has been for the Giants.

Forward Pocket: Sam Gray (Port Adelaide)

Only one of three players to kick more than four goals this round. Gray was impressive with 4.1 and 19 disposals. Also chimed in with 11 score involvements.

Full Forward: Jack Darling (West Coast)

Darling's ability to get up the ground is probably the biggest element that he's added to his game this season. Along with his seven marks, Darling had a day out with 3.1 and 18 disposals (11 of them contested).

Forward Pocket: Josh Caddy (Richmond)

Back in the side for a reason. Caddy's ability to get himself and others into the game is a highlight. 4.2 and 10 score involvements got the Tigers over the line.

Followers

Ruck: Max Gawn (Melbourne)

A toss up between Gawn and Callum Sinclair, however Gawn's scoreboard impact got him over the line. 2.2 and an impressive 42 hitouts in another dominate display.

Ruck Rover: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)

Probably best on the ground in a loss for the second week running, Cripps recorded 24 contested possessions in a real brute like performance.

Rover: Lachie Neale (Fremantle)

Joint best afield with Shannon Hurn, Neale was instrumental with 35 disposals, the most on the ground. 16 of his disposals were contested along with 8 tackles and 7 score involvements.

Interchange

Bench: Adam Treloar (Collingwood)

42 possessions and goal for Treloar as he continues to build on a solid season. What was most impressive was his disposal efficiency of 81 percent, which is something many experts believe was a flaw in his game.

Bench: Callum Sinclair (Sydney)

39 hitouts, 18 disposals (14 contested) and four clearances for Sinclair as he dominated Rhys Stanley on the weekend.

Bench: Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)

Back to his best after two poor weeks. The Saints tried to tag him but failed as Mitchell collected 28 disposals up to half time. Ended up with 45 disposals, nine clearances and seven score involvements.

Bench: Tom Phillips (Collingwood)

A very underrated player who was once again superb against the Tigers on the weekend. 38 disposals, two goal assists and nine marks off a wing. Phillips has continued a great start to 2018 recording his 3rd game with over 30 disposals.

Published by
Patrick Lucarelli