Welcome to the Team of the Week for Round 18 in the AFL.
The team
Back
Back Pocket
Luke McPharlin (Fremantle)
The Docker veteran took advantage of an inexperienced GWS forward line, amassing 27 possessions from 13 marks playing mostly on the young ruckman Rory Lobb.
Luke McPharlin found plenty of the ball in the back half
Full Back
Alex Rance (Richmond)
Richmond’s superstar defender took on Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughead on Friday night, restricting him to no score for the first time since Round 4, 2012. Rance helped himself to 18 touches and took six grabs.
Alex Rance put a blanket over Jarryd Roughead on Friday night
Back Pocket
Dane Rampe (Sydney)
Playing without an opponent for most of the evening, Dane Rampe was able to get plenty of the pill and provide a lot of rebound from the back half. Amassed 32 possessions at 84% efficiency, taking 12 marks.
Half Back
Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs)
The South African-born speedster was dynamic off the half-back line on Sunday against Essendon, collecting 26 disposals at 73% efficiency, also taking six grabs and booting a goal.
Jason Johannisen provided plenty of run for the Bulldogs
Centre Half Back
Steven May (Gold Coast)
The bullocking key defender put in a terrific performance on the Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy on Saturday night, restricting him to just two majors. May picked up 16 disposals and took five marks in doing so.
Steven May was great in defence for Gold Coast on Saturday night
Half Back
Heath Shaw (Greater Western Sydney)
The former Magpie continued his fantastic form with another strong showing on Sunday against Fremantle. Collected 31 disposals at 90% efficiency, while taking 13 marks and laying six tackles.
Middle
Wing
Cameron Guthrie (Geelong)
The humble Cat produced one of his best ever games on Saturday against the Brisbane Lions, collecting 28 disposals, 12 of those contested, at 82% efficiency, taking four marks, laying seven tackles and kicking two goals.
Cam Guthrie was sensational for Geelong against the Lions
Centre
Anthony Miles (Richmond)
The Tiger hard-nut was just that on Friday night against the Hawks, dominating the midfield with 30 touches, 18 contested, seven clearances, three marks and three tackles.
Wing
Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
The superstar midfielder was incredible on Saturday evening against Adelaide, collecting 40 disposals, 10 contested, taking 10 marks and kicking three goals in a best on ground display.
Dan Hannebery was best on ground against Adelaide
Forward
Half Forward
Brett Deledio (Richmond)
The smooth-moving midfielder was in full-flight on Friday night against Hawthorn, booting the first three majors of the game to get his side off to the best possible start. Ended up with four goals, as well as 18 touches and six grabs.
Richmond superstar Brett Deledio kicked four goals against Hawthorn
Centre Half Forward
Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
The stand-in skipper for the Suns stood tall for his side in the forward line on Saturday night, kicking four goals from five marks. Was the hero in the final minute, taking a pack mark and drawing scores level.
Half Forward
Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
Continued his remarkable form in front of the big sticks, booting four majors against St Kilda to make it 28 goals from his past eight games. Will gain All-Australian selection for the second time in his four-year career, which is an amazing achievement.
Chad Wingard continued his outstanding goalkicking form
Forward Pocket
Michael Walters (Fremantle)
The exciting forward made up for his quiet performance last week with four majors from 14 touches and four marks. An incredibly crucial player to Fremantle’s premiership hopes with the loss of Hayden Ballantyne.
Full Forward
Kurt Tippett (Sydney)
For the first time since he left West Lakes, Kurt Tippett faced up to his old teammates, still recovering from a broken hand. With a lot of pressure on his shoulders to perform, Tippett fired, picking up 19 possessions, taking three marks, laying four tackles, winning 25 hitouts and booting three majors. Must keep this up.
Kurt Tippett starred against Adelaide
Forward Pocket
Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs)
Another player facing up to his old side was Stewart Crameri against the Bombers, where he managed to pull out career-best numbers with seven goals from 19 possessions, five marks and three tackles.
Stewart Crameri starred for the Bulldogs with seven majors
Followers
Ruckman
Ivan Maric (Richmond)
The big Croatian was massive for the Tigers on Friday night, taking important marks at all stages of the game and getting the best of the in-form Ben McEvoy. Maric had 14 touches, seven grabs and 31 hitouts.
Ruck Rover
Bernie Vince (Melbourne)
The former Crow recaptured some of his best form on Saturday afternoon against Collingwood, picking up 30 disposals at 83% efficiency, taking four marks and booting three goals. Spent a lot of time on Scott Pendlebury who didn’t have a great impact.
Bernie Vince was outstanding for the Demons
Rover
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
The Power superstar had a terrific game in the clinches on Sunday against St Kilda, collecting 37 possessions, 18 contested, winning 12 clearances, taking three marks, laying five tackles and kicking a goal.
Interchange
Harley Bennell (Gold Coast)
The Suns’ bad boy has come back into the side in the past two weeks and has been nothing short of sensational. On the weekend against West Coast, the number two draft pick had 28 possessions, taking six marks and kicking a goal. Also showed a hard-edge to his game, winning 13 contested touches, seven clearances and laying seven tackles.
Harley Bennell has been terrific in the past fortnight
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
The Cats’ skipper returned to some of his best form on the weekend against the Lions, amassing 27 touches at 85% efficiency, taking five grabs, laying 11 tackles and booting two goals. Geelong are a big chance for finals if Selwood’s form continues.
Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne)
The future Kangaroos’ skipper was vital in the midfield on Saturday night against Carlton, picking up 26 disposals, 13 of those contested, winning six clearances, taking eight marks and kicking two goals, including the goal of the night from a centre clearance.
Jack Ziebell dominated in the middle against Carlton
Substitute
James Harmes (Melbourne)
Playing just his fourth game, the teenage rookie came on for Viv Michie halfway through the third quarter, and provided a spark for his side, especially in the last term. Had eight disposals, three marks, two tackles and managed to kick the first goal of his career, before missing another set-shot.
On paper
FB: Dane Rampe (Sydney), Alex Rance (Richmond), Luke McPharlin (Fremantle)
HB: Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs), Steven May (Gold Coast), Heath Shaw (Greater Western Sydney)
C: Cameron Guthrie (Geelong), Anthony Miles (Richmond), Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
HF: Brett Deledio (Richmond), Tom Lynch (Gold Coast), Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
FF: Michael Walters (Fremantle), Kurt Tippett (Sydney), Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs)
R: Ivan Maric (Richmond), Bernie Vince (Melbourne), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
I/C: Joel Selwood (Geelong), Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne), Harley Bennell (Gold Coast)
SUB: James Harmes (Melbourne)
By team
Adelaide: Nil (0)
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: Nil (0)
Collingwood: Nil (0)
Essendon: Nil (0)
Fremantle: McPharlin, Walters (2)
Geelong: Guthrie, Selwood (2)
Gold Coast: May, Lynch, Bennell (3)
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw (1)
Hawthorn: Nil (0)
Melbourne: Vince, Harmes (2)
North Melbourne: Ziebell (1)
Port Adelaide: Wingard, Gray (2)
Richmond: Rance, Miles, Deledio, Maric (4)
St Kilda: Nil (0)
Sydney: Rampe, Hannebery, Tippett (3)
West Coast: Nil (0)
Western Bulldogs: Johannisen, Crameri (2)
The team
Back
Back Pocket
Luke McPharlin (Fremantle)
The Docker veteran took advantage of an inexperienced GWS forward line, amassing 27 possessions from 13 marks playing mostly on the young ruckman Rory Lobb.
Luke McPharlin found plenty of the ball in the back half
Full Back
Alex Rance (Richmond)
Richmond’s superstar defender took on Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughead on Friday night, restricting him to no score for the first time since Round 4, 2012. Rance helped himself to 18 touches and took six grabs.
Alex Rance put a blanket over Jarryd Roughead on Friday night
Back Pocket
Dane Rampe (Sydney)
Playing without an opponent for most of the evening, Dane Rampe was able to get plenty of the pill and provide a lot of rebound from the back half. Amassed 32 possessions at 84% efficiency, taking 12 marks.
Half Back
Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs)
The South African-born speedster was dynamic off the half-back line on Sunday against Essendon, collecting 26 disposals at 73% efficiency, also taking six grabs and booting a goal.
Jason Johannisen provided plenty of run for the Bulldogs
Centre Half Back
Steven May (Gold Coast)
The bullocking key defender put in a terrific performance on the Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy on Saturday night, restricting him to just two majors. May picked up 16 disposals and took five marks in doing so.
Steven May was great in defence for Gold Coast on Saturday night
Half Back
Heath Shaw (Greater Western Sydney)
The former Magpie continued his fantastic form with another strong showing on Sunday against Fremantle. Collected 31 disposals at 90% efficiency, while taking 13 marks and laying six tackles.
Middle
Wing
Cameron Guthrie (Geelong)
The humble Cat produced one of his best ever games on Saturday against the Brisbane Lions, collecting 28 disposals, 12 of those contested, at 82% efficiency, taking four marks, laying seven tackles and kicking two goals.
Cam Guthrie was sensational for Geelong against the Lions
Centre
Anthony Miles (Richmond)
The Tiger hard-nut was just that on Friday night against the Hawks, dominating the midfield with 30 touches, 18 contested, seven clearances, three marks and three tackles.
Wing
Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
The superstar midfielder was incredible on Saturday evening against Adelaide, collecting 40 disposals, 10 contested, taking 10 marks and kicking three goals in a best on ground display.
Dan Hannebery was best on ground against Adelaide
Forward
Half Forward
Brett Deledio (Richmond)
The smooth-moving midfielder was in full-flight on Friday night against Hawthorn, booting the first three majors of the game to get his side off to the best possible start. Ended up with four goals, as well as 18 touches and six grabs.
Richmond superstar Brett Deledio kicked four goals against Hawthorn
Centre Half Forward
Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
The stand-in skipper for the Suns stood tall for his side in the forward line on Saturday night, kicking four goals from five marks. Was the hero in the final minute, taking a pack mark and drawing scores level.
Half Forward
Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
Continued his remarkable form in front of the big sticks, booting four majors against St Kilda to make it 28 goals from his past eight games. Will gain All-Australian selection for the second time in his four-year career, which is an amazing achievement.
Chad Wingard continued his outstanding goalkicking form
Forward Pocket
Michael Walters (Fremantle)
The exciting forward made up for his quiet performance last week with four majors from 14 touches and four marks. An incredibly crucial player to Fremantle’s premiership hopes with the loss of Hayden Ballantyne.
Full Forward
Kurt Tippett (Sydney)
For the first time since he left West Lakes, Kurt Tippett faced up to his old teammates, still recovering from a broken hand. With a lot of pressure on his shoulders to perform, Tippett fired, picking up 19 possessions, taking three marks, laying four tackles, winning 25 hitouts and booting three majors. Must keep this up.
Kurt Tippett starred against Adelaide
Forward Pocket
Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs)
Another player facing up to his old side was Stewart Crameri against the Bombers, where he managed to pull out career-best numbers with seven goals from 19 possessions, five marks and three tackles.
Stewart Crameri starred for the Bulldogs with seven majors
Followers
Ruckman
Ivan Maric (Richmond)
The big Croatian was massive for the Tigers on Friday night, taking important marks at all stages of the game and getting the best of the in-form Ben McEvoy. Maric had 14 touches, seven grabs and 31 hitouts.
Ruck Rover
Bernie Vince (Melbourne)
The former Crow recaptured some of his best form on Saturday afternoon against Collingwood, picking up 30 disposals at 83% efficiency, taking four marks and booting three goals. Spent a lot of time on Scott Pendlebury who didn’t have a great impact.
Bernie Vince was outstanding for the Demons
Rover
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
The Power superstar had a terrific game in the clinches on Sunday against St Kilda, collecting 37 possessions, 18 contested, winning 12 clearances, taking three marks, laying five tackles and kicking a goal.
Interchange
Harley Bennell (Gold Coast)
The Suns’ bad boy has come back into the side in the past two weeks and has been nothing short of sensational. On the weekend against West Coast, the number two draft pick had 28 possessions, taking six marks and kicking a goal. Also showed a hard-edge to his game, winning 13 contested touches, seven clearances and laying seven tackles.
Harley Bennell has been terrific in the past fortnight
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
The Cats’ skipper returned to some of his best form on the weekend against the Lions, amassing 27 touches at 85% efficiency, taking five grabs, laying 11 tackles and booting two goals. Geelong are a big chance for finals if Selwood’s form continues.
Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne)
The future Kangaroos’ skipper was vital in the midfield on Saturday night against Carlton, picking up 26 disposals, 13 of those contested, winning six clearances, taking eight marks and kicking two goals, including the goal of the night from a centre clearance.
Jack Ziebell dominated in the middle against Carlton
Substitute
James Harmes (Melbourne)
Playing just his fourth game, the teenage rookie came on for Viv Michie halfway through the third quarter, and provided a spark for his side, especially in the last term. Had eight disposals, three marks, two tackles and managed to kick the first goal of his career, before missing another set-shot.
On paper
FB: Dane Rampe (Sydney), Alex Rance (Richmond), Luke McPharlin (Fremantle)
HB: Jason Johannisen (Western Bulldogs), Steven May (Gold Coast), Heath Shaw (Greater Western Sydney)
C: Cameron Guthrie (Geelong), Anthony Miles (Richmond), Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
HF: Brett Deledio (Richmond), Tom Lynch (Gold Coast), Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
FF: Michael Walters (Fremantle), Kurt Tippett (Sydney), Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs)
R: Ivan Maric (Richmond), Bernie Vince (Melbourne), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
I/C: Joel Selwood (Geelong), Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne), Harley Bennell (Gold Coast)
SUB: James Harmes (Melbourne)
By team
Adelaide: Nil (0)
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: Nil (0)
Collingwood: Nil (0)
Essendon: Nil (0)
Fremantle: McPharlin, Walters (2)
Geelong: Guthrie, Selwood (2)
Gold Coast: May, Lynch, Bennell (3)
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw (1)
Hawthorn: Nil (0)
Melbourne: Vince, Harmes (2)
North Melbourne: Ziebell (1)
Port Adelaide: Wingard, Gray (2)
Richmond: Rance, Miles, Deledio, Maric (4)
St Kilda: Nil (0)
Sydney: Rampe, Hannebery, Tippett (3)
West Coast: Nil (0)
Western Bulldogs: Johannisen, Crameri (2)