Latest AFL News

Team of the Week: Round 8

Published by
Patrick Lucarelli

Defenders

Back Pocket: Jeremy Howe

Solid once again in defence, collecting 30 disposals and 11 marks.

Full Back: Tom Jonas

One of the more unheralded players from Saturday's showdown win, Jonas was everywhere in Port's defence, registering 10 marks and 21 disposals.

Back Pocket: Connor Blakely

Blakely was very impressive on Saturday night, gathering 35 disposals, just one behind leading disposal winner Nat Fyfe, whilst also recording 11 marks and nine rebound 50's.

Half Back: Jack Crisp 

11 tackles, 32 disposals, four clearances and four inside 50's for Crisp against the Cats. Only went at 59 percent disposal efficiency which was poor but nonetheless very impressive.

Center Half Back: Alex Rance

Held Ben Brown to only 12 possessions and two goals, Rance also gathered 20 disposals of his own as well as seven marks and three rebound 50's.

Half Back: Nick Vlastuin 

Vlaustin used the ball well against the Roos and threatened to break the game open on multiple occasions. Had 26 disposals at 76 percent efficiency as well as 12 marks and eight tackles.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Nick Vlastuin of the Tigers marks during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Richmond Tigers at Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Centre

Wing: Rory Atkins

Probably the Crows' most impressive player on Saturday. He provided plenty of run for the Crows and collected 29 disposals and a goal in the process.

Center: Clayton Oliver 

Oliver was once again impressive with his contested possessions being his highlight. Oliver had 29 disposals (15 contested) as well as 11 tackles, 11 clearances and six inside 50's. To think he is only 20 years old is just scary.

during the round eight AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Melbourne Demons at The Gabba on May 12, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia.

Wing: Jake Lloyd

Playing in his 100th game, Lloyd played one of his best games so far this season. Lloyd had 36 disposals at 72 percent as well as six rebound 50's and six score involvements.

Forwards

Half Forward: Nat Fyfe

Fyfe is back to his best in 2018 and against St Kilda he continued this form. After his 36 disposal, 1.1 effort against the Saints, Fyfe is now averaging 32 disposals and almost one goal a game.

Center Half Forward: Tom McDonald 

Tom McDonald was the game changer against the Suns with 5.1 and 17 disposals. McDonald also had two contested marks and four marks inside 50.

Half Forward: Jack Gunston

It was looking like a shootout on Friday night between Gunston and Ben Ronke. Gunston was everywhere in Hawthorn's forward line booting 5.3 as well as four inside 50's.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Jack Gunston of the Hawks kicks the ball during the 2018 AFL round eight match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Forward Pocket: Ben Ronke 

Playing in just his third AFL game, Ronke kicked seven goals to guide the Swans to victory. Four first quarter goals was just the beginning as Ronke booted his seven goals from only 11 disposals.

Full Forward: Jack Darling 

Darling was everywhere against the Giants on Saturday, booting 4.3 as well as recording five contested marks and six tackles.

Forward Pocket: Robbie Gray 

It was the Robbie Gray show in the third quarter, with Gray booting five goals to will Port Adelaide over the line. Gray also had 20 disposals and five clearances.

Followers

Ruck: Mathew Kreuzer

Although Kreuzer lost the hit-outs to Tom Bellchambers, Kreuzer was all over Bellchambers around the ground. Kreuzer had 19 contested possessions and seven tackles.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Tom Bellchambers of the Bombers and Matthew Kreuzer of the Blues compete in the ruck during the round eight AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 12, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Rover: Jackson Macrae

Macrae is surging into Brownlow contention after another dominate performance. Macrae amassed 47 disposals, 10 score involvements, eight tackles, 10 clearances and eight inside 50's in a best on field performance.

Ruck Rover: Ben Cunnington 

A record 32 contested possessions against the Tigers, Cunnington also had 14 clearances, four inside 50's and seven tackles.

Interchange

Bench: Ed Curnow

Curnow continued his great form this year, registering 24 disposals, 2.1 and 13 tackles.

Bench: Trent Cotchin 

Cotchin put in a classic captain's performance on Sunday, collecting 37 disposals and one goal in the final minutes of the last quarter. After missing last weeks game with injury, Cotchin also had seven clearances and three inside 50's.

Bench: Marcus Bontempelli

Playing the majority of his time as a forward against the Lions, Bontempelli recorded 4.1 and 24 disposals. The Bont looked dangerous all night and the Lions simply had no match up to contain him.

Bench: Gary Ablett

The little master is back and he didn't miss a beat. Ablett had 32 disposals along with 1.1 in a brilliant return from a hamstring injury.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Gary Ablett of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round eight match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 13, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Published by
Patrick Lucarelli