How good is having footy back? The opening round has come and gone and we've identified the standout performers from the weekend in our Zero Hanger Team of the Week.
Check out our Team of the Week below!
Backline
Jake Lever (Melbourne)
Lever dominated the airways in tandem with Steven May. The Demons duo kept Fremantle at bay all afternoon and helped launch attacks for Melbourne from defence. Lever had four contested marks and gained 496 metres which is huge for a key back. He also collected 12 intercept possessions.
Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
Moore single handily kept Collingwood as close to the Western Bulldogs as they were on Friday nigh. He repelled as much as he could and was good with ball in hand and racked up six contested marks and four score involvements. He was simply immense.
Steven May (Melbourne)
May was the immoveable object in Fremantle's way on Saturday - as the Dockers butchered the footy, May was the main beneficiary of their poor ball use. Eight marks was supported by a massive 578 metres gained as May paired with Lever to lead Melbourne to a 1-0 start.
Harry Perryman (GWS)
Perryman was great in defence on the weekend, showing his versatility after he opened last season with four goals. Perryman collected 26 disposals and had three score involvements from half back. He had a massive 12 intercept possessions and showed his ability to defend a man as well.
Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
Weitering shut down Tom Lynch completely. Lynch bagged just one goal and it was Weitering wasn't playing on him. The Carlton best and fairest for last season racked up 14 disposals in a great lockdown display, managing 409 metres gained as well and went at 85% for disposal efficiency.
Jack Bowes (Gold Coast)
Games don't come much more efficient then this - Bowes had 30 disposals at 100%! He gained 607 metres as well and was clinical with ball in hand. It's fair to say teams will be paying him more attention going forward but he had the coolest head at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
