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Team of the Week: Round 9

What do you think of these selections?

Published by
Patrick Lucarelli

Defenders

Back pocket: Jake Lloyd

Jake Lloyd had a career best night on Saturday against the Dockers. Racked up 41 disposals, 15 marks and a goal.

Full Back: Cale Hooker

The Tom Wills medallist for best on ground in the country game, Hooker had 21 disposals, four contested marks and 15 intercept possessions.

Back Pocket: Jeremy Howe

Jeremy Howe was Collingwood's most important and influential defender on the weekend. Howe had 30 disposals, while also collecting 11 intercept possessions as well as eight rebound 50's.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Jeremy Howe of the Magpies is tackled during the round nine AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium on May 19, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Half back: Jack Crisp

Going at 77 percent efficiency, Crisp provided plenty of run and carry for the Pies this week against the Saints. Crisp collected 30 disposals as well as seven inside 50's and four rebound 50's.

Centre Half Back: Jake Lever

It looks like Jake Lever is finally starting to fit in at Melbourne. Against the Blues, Lever had 27 disposals, eight marks, 13 intercept possessions, five rebound 50's and four inside 50's.

Half Back: Elliot Yeo

After going off with a knee injury in the first quarter, Yeo returned with his knee heavily strapped and although looking restricted, Yeo dominated the Tigers collecting 29 disposals, one goal and an impressive 10 clearances.

Centre

Wing: Andrew Gaff 

One of the most sought out free agents this year, Gaff is justifying his reasons to delay negotiations after a string of excellent performances. Gaff had 24 disposals against the Tigers, one goal, eight marks and seven score involvements.

Centre: Tom Mitchell

Although the Hawks were super disappointing against the Lions, Mitchell returned to his prolific best. Amassing 46 disposals, Mitchell also had one goal, 26 contested possessions as well as 10 clearances and five inside 50's.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Hugh McCluggage of the Lions competes with Tom Mitchell of the Hawks during the 2018 AFL round nine match between the Brisbane Lions and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Gabba on May 20, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Wing: Tom Phillips 

After being KO'd last week, Phillips showed no signs of delayed concussion against the Saints. Phillips played the wing role to perfection, collecting 30 disposals, one goal as well as seven score involvements.

Forwards

Half Forward: Dayne Zorko

After being let off the chain the past two weeks, many expected Hawthorn to tag Zorko however they didn't and they paid the consequences. Zorko kicked one goal (his ninth in three weeks) as well as collecting 30 disposals, 12 tackles and 10 inside 50's.

Centre Half Forward: Jack Darling 

Is there anyone better in the league right now? Jack Darling tore the game to shreds against the Tigers booting six goals, including two behinds that were missed directly in front. Darling also took 15 marks, 11 of them contested, as well as collecting 20 disposals.

Half Forward: David Zaharakis

The leading disposals winner on the ground with 33, Zaharakis dominated the Cats on the weekend. Zaharakis registered six tackles as well as five rebound 50's.

Forward Pocket: Tom Cutler 

Cutler was dominate against the Hawks on the weekend with three goals and 26 disposals. The Hawks simply had no answer for Cutler who also registered 10 marks and seven inside 50's.

Full Forward: Tom McDonald 

Like Gaff, McDonald will be a highly sought out player come free agency. McDonald did spend time in defence as well this week, booting four goals against the Blues, as well as collecting 20 disposals, six tackles, five inside 50's and four marks inside 50.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Tom McDonald of the Demons in action during the 2018 AFL round nine match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 20, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Forward Pocket: Eddie Betts 

The most influential player on the ground on Friday night, Betts won the game off his own boot, kicking four majors, including an impressive goal from the boundary line.

Followers

Ruck: Brodie Grundy 

Basically playing as a fourth midfielder, Grundy had 10 contested possessions on the weekend, as well as seven marks and 42 hit outs.

Rover: Jack Macrae

Another dominate display from Macrae against the Crows on Friday. Macrae had 36 disposals, 25 contested possessions, 10 clearances, 13 tackles and eight intercept possessions. Is he leading the Brownlow medal at the end of Round 9?

Ruck Rover: Patrick Cripps

Cripps was again at his contested best on the weekend. He amassed an incredible 23 contested possessions (31 disposals in total), 10 clearances, nine tackles and even chimed in with a goal. You can’t expect any more from a player playing in an 109-point loss.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Patrick Cripps of the Blues kicks whilst being tackled by Christian Petracca of the Demons during the round nine AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 20, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Interchange

Bench: Dayne Beams 

Along with Zorko, Beams was the other major ball winner for the Lions on Sunday. Beams managed to hit the score board with two goals as well as collecting 28 disposals, five inside 50's and eight score involvements.

Bench: Jarrad Waite

At the ripe age of 35, Jarrad Waite continues to find the goals and form. Waite kicked a lazy four goals off 22 disposals on the weekend with his ability to get up the ground the highlight. Waite also registered eight marks and managed to win five free kicks.

Bench: Ben Brown 

Kept quiet for the whole first half, Brown tore the game apart in the third quarter. Probably not at his usual best, Brown still kicked five goals, had four contested marks as well as nine score involvements.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - MAY 19: Ben Brown of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round nine match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the GWS Giants at Blundstone Arena on May 19, 2018 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Bench: Jake Melksham

Shaping as the best recruit for the Dees in some time, Melksham's 21-disposal game was at its damaging best. He had five goals, as well as 15 score involvements, four tackles and 14 contested possessions.

Published by
Patrick Lucarelli