Trio record perfect week, slow start for reigning champ: 2022 AFL MVP

Each round this season, the Zero Hanger team - consisting of editor Mitch Keating, senior reporter Jack Fitzpatrick, general manager Nick Splitter, and deputy editor Ed Carmine - will vote on every game to establish our AFL MVP for 2022.

Votes will be given out on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system for each game, meaning the maximum score any player can record in any game is 20.

Port Adelaide star Ollie Wines claimed the 2021 MVP honours after polling 255 votes for the season.

VIEW: FULL 2022 ZERO HANGER MVP LEADERBOARD

Here are the Round 1 MVP votes for each game.

Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs

In what was a highly-anticipated season opener - and grand final rematch - the Demons picked up where they left off in a momentum-swinging victory over the Western Bulldogs. Christian Petracca was quick to stake his claim as the game's premier onballer.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Christian Petracca	Christian Petracca	Christian Petracca	Christian Petracca
4	Bailey Smith	Clayton Oliver	Clayton Oliver	Clayton Oliver
3	Ben Brown	Bailey Smith	Bailey Smith	Bailey Smith
2	Aaron Naughton	Ben Brown	Aaron Naughton	Max Gawn
1	Alex Neal-Bullen	Aaron Naughton	Jack Macrae	Aaron Naughton

Carlton vs Richmond

After a decade of Round 1 defeats, the Blues have finally opened their account 1-0, snapping an 11-game losing streak over the Tigers. Carlton's midfield was humming, led by skipper Patrick Cripps, who booted three majors to earn best-afield honours.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Patrick Cripps	Patrick Cripps	Patrick Cripps	Patrick Cripps
4	Matthew Kennedy	Matthew Kennedy	Matthew Kennedy	Matthew Kennedy
3	Adam Saad	Adam Cerra	Sam Docherty	Shai Bolton
2	Adam Cerra	Shai Bolton	Shai Bolton	Adam Saad
1	Shai Bolton	Sam Docherty	Adam Cerra	Sam Docherty

St Kilda vs Collingwood

The Craig McRae era at Collingwood got off to a flying start with a Round 1 win over St Kilda in stunning fashion. While a number of emerging Magpies impressed, it was Saints debutant Jack Hayes who stole the show, recording three goals.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Patrick Lipinski	Patrick Lipinski	Jack Hayes	Jack Hayes
4	Jack Hayes	Jordan De Goey	Patrick Lipinski	Patrick Lipinski
3	Jordan De Goey	Jack Hayes	Scott Pendlebury	Jordan De Goey
2	Jack Sinclair	Jack Sinclair	Jordan De Goey	Jack Sinclair
1	Nick Daicos	Nick Daicos	Nick Daicos	Jeremy Howe

Geelong vs Essendon

In what was seemingly the only encounter of the round that didn't leave fans on the edge of their seats, there was still plenty to take away from Geelong thrashing over Essendon. Bombers debutant Nic Martin enjoyed one of the best debut games we've seen for some time, while Cats pair Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Hawkins were at their devastating best.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Patrick Dangerfield	Tom Hawkins	Nic Martin	Patrick Dangerfield
4	Tom Hawkins	Nic Martin	Patrick Dangerfield	Tom Hawkins
3	Nic Martin	Patrick Dangerfield	Tom Hawkins	Nic Martin
2	Brandan Parfitt	Brandan Parfitt	Tyson Stengle	Tyson Stengle
1	Rhys Stanley	Tyson Stengle	Darcy Parish	Jye Caldwell

GWS Giants vs Sydney

While we didn't get the goal display we were hoping for from Buddy Franklin, co-captain Luke Parker stood up in his place to lead the Swans to a memorable win over their cross-town rivals. Isaac Heeney was dominant for the Swans, while young Giants bull Tom Green took another major step in his development.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Luke Parker	Luke Parker	Luke Parker	Luke Parker
4	Isaac Heeney	Tom Green	Phil Davis	Isaac Heeney
3	Tom Green	Isaac Heeney	Isaac Heeney	Tom Green
2	Oliver Florent	Phil Davis	Tom Green	Oliver Florent
1	Josh Kelly	Oliver Florent	Oliver Florent	Phil Davis

Brisbane vs Port Adelaide

While it was a scrappy affair for the opening three quarters, both the Lions and Power delivered a tantalising finale to Saturday night's clash. Port Adelaide's Dan Houston had the ball on a string, albeit in a loss, while Marcus Adams and Lachie Neale were among the best for Brisbane.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Marcus Adams	Dan Houston	Dan Houston	Dan Houston
4	Lachie Neale	Joe Daniher	Lachie Neale	Marcus Adams
3	Dan Houston	Travis Boak	Joe Daniher	Joe Daniher
2	Zac Bailey	Lachie Neale	Travis Boak	Travis Boak
1	Travis Boak	Ryan Burton	Ollie Wines	Lachie Neale

Hawthorn vs North Melbourne

Both sides stood a strong chance to start their seasons 1-0, with new Hawks coach Sam Mitchell emerging victorious in his first game in charge. Roos defender Luke McDonald gave great service for his side, while similar can be said for Hawthorn's emerging star Changkuoth Jiath.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Changkuoth Jiath	Changkuoth Jiath	Luke McDonald	Changkuoth Jiath
4	Luke McDonald	Tom Mitchell	Changkuoth Jiath	Jy Simpkin
3	James Sicily	Luke Davies-Uniacke	Luke Davies-Uniacke	Luke Davies-Uniacke
2	Jy Simpkin	Luke McDonald	Jy Simpkin	James Sicily
1	Dylan Moore	Jy Simpkin	Tom Mitchell	Jack Gunston

Adelaide vs Fremantle

A thrilling affair between the Dockers and Crows was settled by just a solitary point as Fremantle defender Heath Chapman delivered a match-winning spoil on the goal line with just seconds left. The Crows will come away from the game with plenty of positives, however, with rookie forward Josh Rachele the major talking point after his five-goal outing on debut.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Andrew Brayshaw	Ben Keays	Josh Rachele	Ben Keays
4	Ben Keays	Josh Rachele	Ben Keays	Andrew Brayshaw
3	Josh Rachele	Andrew Brayshaw	Andrew Brayshaw	Josh Rachele
2	Lachlan Schultz	Lachlan Schultz	Lachlan Schultz	Lachlan Schultz
1	Hayden Young	Matt Crouch	Harry Schoenberg	Sam Switkowski

West Coast vs Gold Coast

The Suns put their foot to the floor with the game on the line to return a 27-point victory over the Eagles. Co-captain Touk Miller was once again among the leading ball-winners, while young gun Matt Rowell returned in style.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Matthew Rowell	Matthew Rowell	Touk Miller	Touk Miller
4	Touk Miller	Touk Miller	Matthew Rowell	Matthew Rowell
3	Izak Rankine	Izak Rankine	Izak Rankine	Jamaine Jones
2	Jamaine Jones	Andrew Gaff	Andrew Gaff	Izak Rankine
1	Andrew Gaff	Jamaine Jones	Jamaine Jones	Jeremy McGovern

 

2022 ZERO HANGER MVP LEADERBOARD

RANK			LAST ROUND	TOTAL
1		Patrick Cripps	20	20
2		Christian Petracca	20	20
3		Luke Parker	20	20
4		Changkuoth Jiath	19	19
5		Ben Keays	18	18
6		Patrick Lipinski	18	18
7		Matthew Rowell	18	18
8		Touk Miller	18	18
9		Dan Houston	18	18
10		Patrick Dangerfield	17	17