Team of the Round

Zero Hanger Team of the Week: Round 3

Check out who made the cut 👇

Published by
Mitch Keating

BACKLINE

Changkuoth Jiath

One of the two players that make our 22-man side despite featuring in a losing side on the weekend.

CJ offered the Hawks plenty of run and pace out of defence and was a shining light for his side in their narrow defeat to Geelong.

Would have had votes locked should the Hawks have gotten over the line.

Jordan Ridley

Continues to dominate in the Bombers' backline and is perhaps the first-choice option when selection defender from their Round 3 outings.

In what was a stellar win over the Saints, Ridley commanded from the back and once again proves to be a steal for Essendon.

Despite the difficult start for the Bombers early on this season, Ridley looks to be a leading contender to secure his place in the All-Australian side.

Liam Jones

Solid as a rock in the Blues' win over Fremantle.

With 20 touches, nine marks and over 600 metres gained, Jones played a major role in securing Carlton's first win of the season.

Callum Mills

One of the Swans' best in their emphatic win over the Tigers at the MCG on Saturday.

Played majority midfield, but his defensive efforts and go-to role on Dustin Martin lands him a place in our back six.

Beginning to stamp his mark as an elite member in the engine room and has been key to the Swans' impressive start.

Daniel Rich

Clinical in the dying minutes to aid his side to a one-point win against Collingwood on Thursday.

Once again gave plenty of run and carry out of the backline and booted a scintillating major late into the match from outside 50 on no easy angle.

Pinpoint kick to hit-up Zac Bailey for the winner after dashing through the middle of Marvel Stadium too. Was immense for the Lions late on.

Shannon Hurn

Cool, clam and collected as always. The veteran defender was at his best in the Eagles' dominance over Port Adelaide in Perth.

26 disposals - 21 of which were kicks - at 92.3% disposal efficiency once again had Hurn amongst the best.

Seem unaccounted for from the Power's point of view, with the 33-year-old gaining over 500 metres of ground with his ball use.

CENTRE

Cameron Guthrie

A ball magnet against the Hawks, collecting the ball on 43 occasions to go along with 10 clearances and 11 marks.

Was almost always first to shark a loose hit-out and assist the clearance, being part of Geelong's clean ball movement and control.

Can hopefully continue his hot start to the season when Patrick Dangerfield and Sam Menegola return.

Patrick Cripps

Led by example in the Blues' first win of the season, collecting the pill 34 times and booting two goals in the victory.

18 contested possessions and 11 clearances had the Carlton captain dominant in the engine room alongside partner-in-crime Sam Walsh - who firms as an unlucky player to miss out on our Team of the Week.

Hugh McCluggage

Might have been the difference maker for the Lions in that last quart (Bailey's goal aside).

McCluggage came up BIG for Brisbane in their fight back and perhaps edges out the aforementioned Daniel Rich to earn best-on-ground honours.

With Lachie Neale currently playing below his pay-grade, McCluggage and Jarryd Lyons look to be stepping up in his fractioned absence.

FORWARD LINE

Taylor Walker

For the third week in a row, Walker has cemented his place in our forward line following another impressive haul.

6.3 against the Suns in another stellar showing for the Crows, with the big Texan also amassing 24 disposals, nine marks and a stunning 504 metres gained.

Now has 17 goals for the season - two more than his 2020 tally - and is the early leader for the Coleman Medal.

Harry McKay

12 scoring shots split 7.5 for the Blues spearhead, who was once again a formidable focal point for Carlton moving forward.

Add in 10 marks, 13 score involvements and 17 possessions to McKay's tally for the day to earn him BOG honours against the Dockers.

Currently third in the Coleman Medal and will be in the top echelon of forwards by the end of the season if he isn't already.

Josh Bruce

10 goals. Enough said.

Jake Stringer

'The Package' returned in dazzling fashion to aid the Bombers to a monstrous 75-point victory over a top-eight contender in St Kilda.

Four goals and three clearances from his 12 touches for the day had Stringer looking back to his best and is sure to have given Essendon fans something else to be excited about heading into Round 4.

Sam Wicks

To defeat the Tigers at the MCG you need role payers to step up to the occasion, and Wicks looks to have been that player.

In what was his 10th game at AFL level, the 21-year-old offered plenty of threat in a partnership with Tom Papley as the pair booted seven goals between them.

13 marks and 21 disposals for Wicks earns him the honours of making our Team of the Week over his fellow Bloods forward.

Josh Dunkley

Once again a stellar showing in his rotation between midfield and forward in the Doggies' Good Friday demolition over the Kangaroos.

Dunkley ended the day with a game-high 33 disposals at 84.8% efficiency to go along with five clearances, five marks, eight score involvements and a goal.

Once again the Bulldogs midfielders made their mark on the competition and don't look like slowing down anytime soon.

FOLLOWERS

Max Gawn

Dominant.

The Melbourne giant looks to be flexing his versatility this year, moving forward and being able to impact the scoreboard with a two-goal effort against the Giants.

Add in his 24 touches, seven clearances, nine marks and 28 hitouts, and Gawn takes home the BOG honours in Sunday's win.

Darcy Parish

In what was a glorious outing for a majority of the Bombers on Saturday, Parish stood above the rest.

Handed further minutes in the midfield, the dashing Bomber was able to prove his worth in the engine room - amassing 34 possessions, 10 clearances, nine marks and 10 score involvements.

Following his Round 3 performance, Parish looks to have given coach Ben Rutten a very handy problem to have.

Andrew Gaff

Exceptional in his side's victory over Port Adelaide thanks to his enormous tank and endurance.

Gaff put on a stellar four-quarter effort to amass 36 disposals at 88.9% efficiency to go along with his 13 marks and five score involvements.

The Eagles' midfield had the upper-had over their Power counterparts thanks to the likes of Gaff, Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly and Jack Redden.

INTERCHANGE

Adam Treloar

Could state a case for the Bulldogs gun to land a starting role in our side, but teammate and close mate Josh Dunkley narrowly lands a spot in the first-named 18.

Treloar had his best game in the blue, red and white on Good Friday, collecting the ball on 27 occasions whilst also moving forward and booting three goals.

Over 550 metres gained saw Treloar have great impact on the game moving forward to land 12 score involvements.

Brodie Grundy

Could be a great chance to snatch three Brownlow votes from Thursday's game despite the loss.

Grundy was dominant against an undermanned Lions ruck group, with 54 hit-outs to go along with 28 possessions, 18 contested touches, five clearances and six tackles.

Rory Sloane

Like Cripps, Sloane led by example in his side's victory over the weekend and rightfully claims a spot in our side.

A game-high 34 touches added to his seven clearances, seven marks and 10 score involvements for the day.

Was also strong defensively, amassing 11 intercepts against the Suns.

Luke Shuey

Perhaps as strong as Gaff on Saturday night, offering plenty of run and chase for the Eagles in their impressive win.

Shuey ended the night with 22 kicks and six handballs at almost 80% disposal efficiency to aid his side to a valuable four points.

Published by
Mitch Keating