Tiger and Pie move into the top 10 as Demon slides: 2023 AFL MVP – Round 11

In the week before the bye rounds begin, upsets were the name of Round 11 as the top 10 in our leaderboard takes shape.

There were unanimous votes all weekend with seven out of nine games providing one player who stood above the rest.

Clayton Oliver dropped out of the top three after being out with injury, with Nick Daicos taking his spot. Marcus Bontempelli and Christian Petracca maintain their place among the top whilst Tim Taranto and Jordan De Goey move into the top 10 after dominant displays.

Sydney vs Carlton

In yet another disappointing performance for the Blues, it was Sydney who found their mojo in defeating Carlton. Swans defender Nick Blakey (26 disposals) was instrumental in the win, racking up plenty of the footy and launching forward.

Chad Warner had 29 disposals along with a couple of goals, whilst the decision to move Heeney into the midfield paid off.

There wasn't much to like about Carlton's performance but Sam Walsh (31 touches and a goal) and Jacob Weitering put in a decent effort in a static Blues side.

St Kilda vs Hawthorn

In a round full of surprises, none were bigger than the Hawks defeating the Saints. Despite dominance in the midfield from the likes of young guns Jai Newcombe and Dylan Moore, all eyes were on skipper James Sicily.

Sicily's 43 touches and 16 marks were arguably one of the best games any player had this season against a very slow St Kilda side.

Mitch Lewis was solid booting three against what has been a brick wall in the Saints' backline. The best for the Saints were Brad Crouch and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (26 and 25 disposals respectively) in a poor display at Marvel Stadium.

Naarm vs Walyalup

The Dockers continue to rise after a poor start to season 2023, defeating the Dees at the MCG. Luke Jackson had to play as the sole ruckman after an injury to Sean Darcy in the second term. He lived up to expectations and was unanimously voted best afield in his return against his old side.

In the battle of the Brayshaws, it was Andrew who shone with another dazzling display through the midfield along with teammate Caleb Serong.

Christian Petracca was amongst the best for the Demons through the middle after taking more responsibility due to the injury of Clayton Oliver.

Geelong vs GWS

It was the Toby Greene show in a shock win against the Cats down at GMHBA Stadium. In his 200th game, Greene booted four to take the Giants over the line.

Lachie Whitfield wound back the clock racking up 31 touches in a season-best performance against a depleted Cats side. Brent Daniels was monumental up forward whilst Connor Idun kept the Cats' tall forwards under wraps.

Despite the Cats' poor performance, defender Tom Stewart gathered 31 disposals across half-back whilst being constantly under pressure from the Giants.

Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs

Up in Darwin, the Suns stunned the Dogs as they won on the back of a unanimously voted game from Matt Rowell.

Jack Lukosius showed his class up forward booting five despite the best efforts of Bulldog defender Liam Jones. Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli did all he could but it was the Suns midfield in Jarrod Witts and Noah Anderson that stood tall.

The Suns' backline was under siege, however Suns defender Charlie Ballard and fiery forward Nick Holman stood up when it mattered.

West Coast vs Essendon

In a result that always seemed destined to happen, the Bombers defeated the Eagles at Optus Stadium. Dons defender Mason Redman was voted unanimously as best on ground with 31 touches and a goal against a poor Eagles outfit.

The usual suspects for Essendon shone as Zach Merrett (32 disposals) and Nic Martin (31 disposals) won the midfield battle against the injury-riddled West Coast.

Dons forward Kyle Langford produced another great goal-scoring effort in kicking three, whilst at the other end of the ground Jordan Ridley defended well.

Richmond vs Yartapuulti

Despite the best efforts from Tigers' new recruit Tim Taranto, the Power defeated Richmond at the MCG. Taranto kicked four along with 33 touches but it wasn't enough.

Zak Butters continued his impressive 2023 campaign through the midfield, aided by another young gun in Connor Rozee.

The backline for Port kept the Tigers' tall targets relatively quiet with Aliir Aliir and Dan Houston proving crucial.

Collingwood vs North Melbourne

Although the milestone man in Steele Sidebotoom was subbed off early due to an MCL injury, the Pies still got the job done. Jordan De Goey was dominant with 35 and a goal through midfield, earning another unanimously voted performance.

The Daicos brothers again proved their class along with veteran Scott Pendlebury. Josh Daicos booted three whilst his younger brother Nick was crafty with 32 disposals off half-back.

It wasn't all bad for North as Nick Larkey proved to be a genuine threat up forward as he booted five, getting the best of the Pies' back six. Inside midfielder Hugh Greenwood provided some spark in the middle (25 disposals) as the Roos reduced the margin to six goals in the final term.

Adelaide vs Brisbane

The Crows once again showed that they are the real deal on the back of Izak Rankine's 23 disposals and Rory Laird's 27 touches along with 16 tackles.

The Brisbane midfield had some key performers with Lachie Neale (26 disposals) and Josh Dunkley (29 disposals) providing great runs but it was Crows skipper Jordan Dawson who kept his side ahead.

Crows' young star Josh Rachele was crucial in moving the ball forward whilst Brisbane small forward Charlie Cameron did all he could booting four.

Leaderboard

RANK			LAST ROUND	TOTAL
1		Marcus Bontempelli	8	116
2		Christian Petracca	13	108
3		Nick Daicos	10	103
4		Jordan Dawson	13	101
5		Clayton Oliver	0	97
6		Zak Butters	14	94
6		Tim Taranto	20	94
8		Jack Sinclair	0	90
9		Lachie Neale	5	88
9		Jordan De Goey	20	88

View the full 2023 leaderboard here.