Young Docker, early Crow lead as forwards run riot: 2022 AFL MVP – Round 5

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.

Numerous big-name forwards had inspiring outings in Round 5, with goals galore coming from the likes of Joe Daniher (four), Aaron Naughton (five), Cody Weightman (five), Jack Higgins (five), Taylor Walker (five), Charlie Curnow (five) and Matt Taberner (seven) all having large helping hands for their respective sides.

We were also treated to a number of thrilling contests throughout the weekend, including two at the MCG between Carlton and Port Adelaide on Easter Sunday, and Hawthorn and Geelong the following day.

Brisbane vs Collingwood

The Lions were able to stave off a surging Collingwood outfit late to land their fourth win of the season. Their star midfield pairing of Hugh McCluggage and Lachie Neale were at their prolific best, while Dayne Zorko has continued to shine in his switch to defence. Magpie Jordan De Goey is enjoying a strong campaign, having booted four goals in Thursday night's loss.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Hugh McCluggage	Hugh McCluggage	Lachie Neale	Hugh McCluggage
4	Lachie Neale	Jack Crisp	Hugh McCluggage	Dayne Zorko
3	Dayne Zorko	Lachie Neale	Dayne Zorko	Jordan De Goey
2	Jordan De Goey	Jordan De Goey	Jordan De Goey	Jack Crisp
1	Jack Crisp	Dayne Zorko	Jack Crisp	Lachie Neale

Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne

The Bulldogs, once again, handled the Kangaroos with ease on Good Friday, this year winning by a whopping 68 points. The Dogs' midfield ran rampant, with Bailey Smith (43 disposals), Jack Macrae (29) and ruckman Tim English (22) all proving influential, while the Aaron Naughton-led forward-line was too much for North Melbourne's back six to handle, with the headbanded key forward and Cody Weightman combining for 10 majors.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Bailey Smith	Bailey Smith	Bailey Smith	Bailey Smith
4	Jack Macrae	Aaron Naughton	Aaron Naughton	Jack Macrae
3	Aaron Naughton	Tim English	Cody Weightman	Marcus Bontempelli
2	Bailey Dale	Bailey Dale	Jack Macrae	Tim English
1	Tim English	Cody Weightman	Taylor Duryea	Aaron Naughton

Sydney vs West Coast

The Good Friday evening showdown at Optus Stadium was another non-contest, as the young Swans had their way with the second-rate Eagles. We witnessed a vintage Luke Parker performance, while co-captain Callum Mills (28 possessions) and gun forward Isaac Heeney (three goals) were brilliant again. Peter Ladhams (24 disposals, 25 hit-outs and a goal) was also dominant in just his second game as a Swan.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Callum Mills	Callum Mills	Peter Ladhams	Callum Mills
4	Peter Ladhams	Luke Parker	Luke Parker	Isaac Heeney
3	Luke Parker	Peter Ladhams	Isaac Heeney	Peter Ladhams
2	Isaac Heeney	Isaac Heeney	Callum Mills	Luke Parker
1	Justin McInerney	Justin McInerney	Justin McInerney	Hayden McLean

St Kilda vs Gold Coast

The Saints broke away from the Suns in the second half to claim their fourth win on the trot. Jack Higgins (five goals) was stellar, while skipper Jack Steele (27 disposals) and midfielder-forward Jade Gresham (25 and two goals) also put their stamp on the game. The Suns were gallant in defeat, led by Touk Miller's 32 possessions.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Jack Higgins	Jack Higgins	Jack Higgins	Jack Higgins
4	Jack Steele	Jack Steele	Jade Gresham	Jade Gresham
3	Touk Miller	Touk Miller	Jack Sinclair	Touk Miller
2	Jade Gresham	Jack Sinclair	Touk Miller	Jack Steele
1	Sebastian Ross	Jade Gresham	Jack Steele	Jack Sinclair

Adelaide vs Richmond

The Crows were victorious over the Tigers in a game that contained multiple momentum swings throughout. Adelaide's key forwards 'Tex' Walker (five goals) and Elliott Himmelberg (four) were hugely impactful for the Crows, while criminally-underrated midfielder Ben Keays (31 disposals and six tackles) was again superb as he continues to mount an MVP case.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Taylor Walker	Taylor Walker	Taylor Walker	Taylor Walker
4	Ben Keays	Ben Keays	Ben Keays	Rory Laird
3	Rory Laird	Brodie Smith	Rory Laird	Ben Keays
2	Brodie Smith	Rory Laird	Elliott Himmelberg	Elliott Himmelberg
1	Elliott Himmelberg	Elliott Himmelberg	Brodie Smith	Brodie Smith

Melbourne vs GWS Giants

Despite a narrow half-time margin, the Giants were no match for the devastating Demons in the second half, slumping to 1-4 on the season. Dees duo Max Gawn (21 disposals, 25 hit-outs and two goals) and Christian Petracca (30 possessions and two goals) were monstrous, while Steven May was sturdy as ever in defence. GWS' Tom Green (34 disposals) continued his breakout 2022 campaign.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Christian Petracca	Christian Petracca	Max Gawn	Christian Petracca
4	Steven May	Steven May	Christian Petracca	Max Gawn
3	Max Gawn	Clayton Oliver	Steven May	Steven May
2	Clayton Oliver	Max Gawn	Clayton Oliver	Tom Green
1	Tom Green	Callan Ward	Tom Green	Clayton Oliver

Carlton vs Port Adelaide

The Blues survived an almighty second-half Power surge to improve to 4-1 on the season. In the absence of skipper Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh (38 disposals) was prominent, as was key forward Charlie Curnow, who booted five majors. Ryan Burton (29 possessions and two goals) and Connor Rozee (24 disposals and a goal) were influential in dragging Port Adelaide back into the game.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	George Hewett	George Hewett	Charlie Curnow	Charlie Curnow
4	Charlie Curnow	Charlie Curnow	Sam Walsh	George Hewett
3	Sam Walsh	Sam Walsh	George Hewett	Sam Walsh
2	Ryan Burton	Ryan Burton	Ryan Burton	Zak Butters
1	Connor Rozee	Harry McKay	Darcy Byrne-Jones	Ryan Burton

Essendon vs Fremantle

The Dockers left Marvel Stadium with a statement victory on Sunday evening, toppling the disappointing Bombers by 48 points. Fremantle midfielder and MVP candidate Andy Brayshaw (34 disposals, five marks and a goal) was unstoppable again, as was key forward Matt Taberner (seven goals and six marks) and ruckman Sean Darcy (18 possessions, 23 hit-outs and two goals).

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Matt Taberner	Matt Taberner	Matt Taberner	Matt Taberner
4	Andrew Brayshaw	Andrew Brayshaw	Andrew Brayshaw	Andrew Brayshaw
3	Will Brodie	Will Brodie	Sean Darcy	Sean Darcy
2	Hayden Young	Sean Darcy	Caleb Serong	Will Brodie
1	Sean Darcy	Hayden Young	Will Brodie	Caleb Serong

Hawthorn vs Geelong

The Hawks and Cats added another chapter to their storied rivalry, as we witnessed another thrilling contest at the MCG on Easter Monday. James Sicily (26 disposals and 15 marks), Jai Newcombe (31 possessions and seven marks) and Dylan Moore (four goals and six tackles) are in large part responsible for Hawthorn's stirring win, while Cats skipper Joel Selwood (26 disposals and ten tackles) had a trademark outing.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	James Sicily	Tom Mitchell	James Sicily	James Sicily
4	Jai Newcombe	Jai Newcombe	Jai Newcombe	Jai Newcombe
3	Joel Selwood	James Sicily	Tom Mitchell	Dylan Moore
2	Tom Mitchell	Joel Selwood	Dylan Moore	Joel Selwood
1	Dylan Moore	Dylan Moore	Joel Selwood	Tom Mitchell

 

2022 Zero Hanger Leaderboard

RANK			LAST ROUND	TOTAL
1		Andrew Brayshaw	16	63
2		Ben Keays	15	60
3		Christian Petracca	19	59
4		Patrick Cripps	0	57
5		Isaac Heeney	11	54
6		Tom Green	4	44
7		Clayton Oliver	8	44
8		Lachie Neale	13	44
9		Callum Mills	17	44
10		Touk Miller	11	42

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