Team of the Week: Round 7

BACKLINE

Bachar Houli

Was vital in his side's triumph over the former ladder leaders in the Western Bulldogs, adding plenty of run and chase out of defence and was as lethal as ever by foot.

Ended his night with 31 touches, 10 marks, 665 metres gained and a goal in what might be a three-vote outing for the Tigers veteran.

Nathan Broad

Put in an x-factor performance against the Bulldogs, failing to lose any of his one-on-one contests against a tough attacking opposition.

Collected the ball on 25 occasions while also accumulating 11 marks, 10 intercepts and six rebounds 50s.

Steven May

Was rock solid for his side down back, amassing 25 disposals from his 14 marks and seven intercepts for the game.

Also had a hand in 10 spoils as he shut down a majority of the Kangaroos' attack on Sunday afternoon and had a team-high 552 metres gained.

Adam Saad

A massive statement against his former side, the dashing Blues defender offered plenty of run throughout the match to aid his side to a memorable victory.

Ended his evening with 21 touches, six rebounds 50s, six intercepts and eight score involvements, including a stellar long-range major.

Jacob Weitering

Clunked 11 marks against the Bombers, five of which came as intercepts in what was a stellar outing on Sunday.

Amassed 19 touches, nine intercepts and failed to lose any of his contested one-on-one marking encounters.

Bradley Hill 

Back to his best after starting in the backline and eventually moving up the ground, collecting the pill 27 times and using it at a rate of 85%.

Gained close to 600 metres for his side and was vital between either arcs in what we can hope to be the start of a nice run in form.

CENTRE

Sam Walsh

This kid continues to go from strength to strength until the final siren. Looked exhausted at the end of the match, which would have been due to his tireless running and impact.

Had 35 touches (13 contested), eight clearances, five tackles and a goal to win BOG honours for the Blues.

Brandon Ellis

The Gold Coast engine room is roaring at the moment and much of their plaudits can be directed to the former Tiger.

35 touches and an astonishing 16 marks as well as five tackles and a goal had Ellis amongst the best against the hapless Magpies.

Hugh McCluggage 

Is having some sort of season in 2021 and has jumped to 2nd in our MVP standings after seven rounds.

Was sensational in the wet on Saturday night as he amassed another 30+ touches to go with six clearances, 14 contested possessions and a goal.

FORWARD LINE

Ben Cunnington

Despite playing for the losing side on the day, the Kangaroos veteran was arguably best afield and was the sole reason North Melbourne had the better of the undefeated Demons at stages of Sunday's clash.

Ended his afternoon with 35 touches, 20 contested possessions, eight clearances and two majors, which sees him fall into our forward third of the team.

Jack Darling

Was at his best in the Western Derby on Sunday, booting three goals and played a part in 10 scores for the Eagles in their cruisy second-half dominance.

Ended his night with 17 touches and nine marks, five of which came in the attacking 50.

Shai Bolton

Was the visual difference maker in the latter stages of the match, springing up to boot three goals - including the sealer.

Ended his night with 22 touches, seven marks, and over 500 metres gained.

Bayley Fritsch

A career-high six goals lands the Demons spearhead into our side, with his all-round efforts aiding the comeback win over North.

14 touches for the day at 85% efficiency had Fritsch at his ever-reliable best down in Tasmania.

Harry McKay

Perhaps now the favoured forward to take out the Coleman Medal in 2021. Another bag of four places McKay just one goal away from the mantle.

Was a headache for the Bombers all day on his way to another impressive performance for Carlton.

Charlie Cameron

His best performance for the year and what better way to do it than demolishing a premiership contender.

The Gabbatoir returned on Saturday night as Cameron booted four goals to place the Lions back in the mix for the top bracket.

FOLLOWERS

Tom Hickey

One of the best for the Bloods as they edged past the Cats in a thriller.

Currently averaging six clearances a game and added a further 10 on Saturday night to go along with his 16 equal career-high 16 contested touches.

Tim Kelly

Took home the Glendinning-Allan Medal with little resistance as he collected 42 touches (22 contested), 13 clearances, nine tackles and almost 600 metres gained.

Arguably the player of the week as he stood up to the occasion of a fiery cross-town battle out west.

Zak Jones

If Kelly didn't put together Round 7's best outing, Jones did.

The Saints' hard-nut was as dominant as ever against the Hawks, recording 37 touches, six tackles, eight marks, seven clearances and two goals in the win.

INTERCHANGE

Touk Miller

As aforementioned, the Suns are shining in the middle as Miller, Ellis and Hugh Greenwood continue to command the ball and use it well.

Ended his evening with 34 possessions, eight marks, five tackles and 13 contested touches en route to another win for the Queenslanders.

Harris Andrews

On any other week he might have landed a starting spot in our backline, but due to several other strong performances we had Andrews a place on the pine.

Was rock solid for his side all game long, taking seven intercept marks and failed to lose any of his five one-on-one marking contests.

Oliver Florent

An all-round evert by the Swans utility, booting two goals as well as accumulating 26 possessions, four clearances, five marks and 645 metres gained.

Was critical late for the Swans as they just beat Geelong by two points in front of a loud home crowd.

Tim Taranto

Was arguably the Giants best on Saturday, going on to collect the ball on 35 occasions while also recording seven tackles, seven clearances and 11 contested touches.

Combined well with his fellow onballers to hand the Crows an ugly loss.