Team of the Week: Round 20

Defenders Back Pocket - Dylan Roberton (St Kilda) With their finals chances hanging by a thread, Roberton held firm in defence by racking up 20 touches with six intercept possessions to go along with eight marks, four of which were contested. Thwarted numerous West Coast attacks as the Saints stole the four points in a thriller. Full Back - Liam Jones (Carlton) Beaten early, Jones responded in emphatic fashion keeping Essendon spearhead Joe Daniher relatively quiet for the rest of the game. He continues to impress in the back half, taking eight marks (five contested), picking up 13 intercept possessions while also registering eight one percenters. Back Pocket - James Sicily (Hawthorn) For the second week in a row, Sicily was Hawthorn's best in his new defensive role. He chalked up an impressive 29 touches (nine intercept possessions) across half back while taking 10 marks along the way. Showing the potential to be Hawthorn's back-half leader for the next decade. Half Back - Luke Ryan (Fremantle) 28 disposals (85.7% efficiency) and a whopping 16 marks (nine intercepts) isn't a bad return in your eighth senior game of football. His performance earned him the rising star nomination for round 20. [caption id="attachment_14579" align="alignnone" width="450"] during the round 20 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Gold Coast Suns at Domain Stadium on August 5, 2017 in Perth, Australia.[/caption] Centre Half Back - Tom Lonergan (Geelong) One of the few Cats who could hold their head high, Lonergan held Buddy to just one goal as the Swans piled on the pain. Franklin just managed the eight disposals and one mark despite the Swans creating more chances on goal. Half Back - Matt Crouch (Adelaide) Crouch was a big reason why the Crows dominated Showdown 43, gathering 34 disposals at 79% efficiency, laying eight tackles and picking up eight clearances as the Crows took control from the get-go. Centre Wing - Josh Kelly (Greater Western Sydney) Kelly continues to add another string to his bow after booting three goals in the Giants' win over Melbourne. 27 touches and nine tackles rounded out another best on ground performance for the games hottest young player in 2017. Centre - Jack Steele (St Kilda) Steele put in a best on ground performance with 26 possessions (20 contested), 12 tackles, 10 clearances and two goals, including this one which gave the Saints the lead in the final term. They wouldn't look back from here term as they took home the four points. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/894067890256699392 Wing - Luke Parker (Sydney) Parker was as instrumental as any Swan on Friday night, leading the way with 13 tackles and eight clearances to go along with his 23 touches (13 contested). He also kicked a major to add some icing on the cake. Forwards Half Forward - Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon) Lit up the MCG on several occasions on Saturday but proved a genuine match winner with his fourth-quarter heroics. Booted three goals from his 16 possessions as he continues to endear himself to fans around the league. Centre Half Forward - Taylor Walker (Adelaide) The Crows skipper was everywhere, imposing himself at each contest as his side sent a message to the rest of the competition. Walker had 23 disposals including an impressive 16 contested touches while taking eight marks (five contested) and kicking three goals in the wet conditions. Half Forward - Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne) No North fan will want to see that game again however their skipper's performance was one to be proud of. He managed a bag of five goals (out of his side's seven) which came from 22 disposals including seven marks and five tackles. Forward Pocket - Eddie Betts (Adelaide) Eddie was at his mercurial best on Sunday, returning from injury to put on a show in front of his adoring fans. He kicked 4.4 in the slippery conditions including this pearler from the boundary line that was as good a goal as he's kicked in his career. https://twitter.com/AFL/status/894111216544563200 Full Forward - Josh Kennedy (West Coast) Another bag of five for Kennedy keeps the race for the Coleman wide open however it wasn't enough to lift his side over the line at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Forward Pocket - Josh Caddy (Richmond) Playing his best game in Richmond colours, Caddy put on a performance that will have Tiger fans asking "where has this been?" 28 touches, nine marks, six inside 50s and four goals (four behinds) saw the Tigers score a comfortable victory over the Hawks. He also registered a round-high 17 score involvements in a best on ground performance. Followers Ruck - Sam Jacobs (Adelaide) Jacobs controlled his ruck duel with the inform Paddy Ryder as the Crows won the clearance battle by 20. He also managed to push forward and kick two goals of his own as he became just the third player to win the Showdown Medal for a third time (Mark Ricciuto and Josh Francou). Ruck Rover - Dyson Heppell (Essendon) A true captain's performance from Heppell on the weekend ensured Essendon's finals chances would stay alive. Kicked a team-lifting goal from outside 50 in the third quarter on his way to 34 touches, 10 marks, six clearances and six tackles in a best on ground performance. [caption id="attachment_14580" align="alignnone" width="520"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Dyson Heppell of the Bombers celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 5, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Rover - Rory Sloane (Adelaide) Sloane wasn't phased by the talk of being tagged during the week, going about his business as usual, registering 30 touches, nine clearances, seven tackles, 10 inside 50s and a goal in a classy display. Interchange Taylor Adams (Collingwood) Earned best on ground honours in a scrappy game of football by earning 30 disposals, eight clearances, nine tackles and two goals. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) While his goal-kicking was astray at times, as all great players do, The Bont delivered when the game was on the line. 23 touches, seven marks, six clearances, five tackles and two goals came from his night as the Dogs snuck home with the win. Dion Prestia (Richmond) One of the Tiges' best in their win after applying a strong tag on Tom Mitchell while collecting 31 touches of his own. He also managed seven clearances and a goal in a good sign for the yellow and black faithful heading into September. [caption id="attachment_14581" align="alignnone" width="513"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Dion Prestia of the Tigers celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 6, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Lachie Neale (Fremantle) Neale continued his impressive 2017 season with 32 touches, 11 clearances and 10 tackles in Freo's win over Gold Coast. He also had an impressive 14 score involvements and kicked a goal of his own.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	23	17	6	68	126.7
2	PORT	23	16	7	64	114.8
3	GEEL	23	15	8	60	112.2
4	GWS	23	15	8	60	109.1
5	BL	23	14	8	58	121.9
6	WB	23	14	9	56	125.1
7	HAW	23	14	9	56	118.5
8	CARL	23	13	10	52	110.2

Team of the Week: Round 20

Centre

Latest News

‘Keep pumping out AFL players’: Richmond “proud” of VFL program as...

Injury to see star Bulldog miss opening games of 2025 season

Richmond provide update on Noah Balta as left-field replacement emerges

New setback for star Richmond forward

Kangaroos offer monster deal to out-of-contract star

FOLLOW US