Welcome to the Team of the Week for Round 14 in the AFL.
The team
Back
Back Pocket
Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast)
The highly-rated youngster was superb on Saturday evening against North Melbourne, amassing 28 possessions from the backline, 14 of those contested, taking four marks, laying two tackles and booting a goal. Also defended well, with his direct opponent Lindsay Thomas failing to score a major.
Full Back
Will Schofield (West Coast)
The ever-improving Schofield put forward another strong performance on Saturday night in Darwin against the Dees. Playing on ruck/forward revelation Max Gawn, Schofield picked up 20 disposals from eight marks, with Gawn failing to hit the scoreboard.
Will Schofield kept Max Gawn quiet
Back Pocket
Jake Batchelor (Richmond)
An unsung defender in Richmond’s line-up, Batchelor was a key factor in the Tigers’ comeback victory against GWS on Saturday. Playing on boom youngster Cam McCarthy, Batchelor held his opponent to just two kicks and one behind, and was able to win crucial one-on-one battles in defence in the last quarter.
Half Back
Marley Williams (Collingwood)
Continued his fantastic season as a key driver from Collingwood’s defence on Friday night against Hawthorn. Collected 27 touches, using it at 77% efficiency, took five marks, laid two tackles and kicked a goal.
Marley Williams continued his good form against Hawthorn
Centre Half Back
Steven May (Gold Coast)
Doesn’t get this spot for purely keeping his opponent quiet, more for his brute force and the way he attacks the contest, setting the play for his teammates up the field. Had 10 touches and took four marks, and was crucial early, not allowing North’s tall timber to get their hands on the ball.
Half Back
Ryan Griffen (Greater Western Sydney)
Has been horribly out of form at times in his first year in western Sydney, but a move to defence on the weekend saw him produce his best footy of 2015. Took 10 grabs as he racked up 24 possessions, using it at a deadly 91%, while also laying three tackles.
Ryan Griffen played arguably his best game for GWS
Middle
Wing
David Armitage (St Kilda)
On a weekend in which the unbackable favourite for the Brownlow Medal had a rare quiet game, David Armitage emerged as one of the most likely to challenge Nat Fyfe for the game’s highest individual honour. Against a hapless Essendon outfit, Armitage gathered 38 disposals, 18 of those contested, won seven clearance, took seven marks, laid three tackles and hit the scoreboard with two goals.
Centre
Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
Way back on Thursday night, which feels like an eternity ago, Josh Kennedy dominated in the middle against Port Adelaide. The former Hawk picked up 33 possessions, 17 contested, won 11 clearances, took seven marks, laid eight tackles and booted 2.3.
Josh Kennedy starred on Thursday night
Wing
Liam Shiels (Hawthorn)
The quiet midfielder continues to fly under the radar, but it won’t be long until the wider football community recognise him as one of the league’s most reliable midfielders. Had 29 touches on Friday night against Collingwood, using it at 75% efficiency, took four marks, laid six tackles and booted two majors.
Forward
Half Forward
Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
The little champion made his long-awaited return to footy for the first time since Round 2, having an instant impact on his side severely lacking in confidence. Took a while to get into the game, but once the realisation sunk in that his shoulder was almost back to full strength, he went to another level. Finished with 31 disposals, 14 of those contested, 11 clearances, three tackles and three majors. He’s back.
Centre Half Forward
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
No one would be prouder of St Kilda’s efforts not only today, but this season as a whole, than Saints’ champion Nick Riewoldt. But the key behind their on-field revival has been the blond-haired number 12, who was huge again against the Bombers. Ran Michael Hurley ragged, amassing 21 possessions, taking 12 marks and booting four goals.
Nick Riewoldt led the Saints to a record-breaking win over Essendon
Half Forward
Jack Darling (West Coast)
Another player who has returned from injury and is now hitting his best form. Was matched up on the much-improved Tom McDonald on Saturday night at TIO Stadium, blitzing him with 16 touches, 10 marks, three tackles and, for the fifth time in his career, five goals.
Forward Pocket
Michael Walters (Fremantle)
In conditions not conducive to clean football, Michael Walters provided a spark for the Dockers, booting four goals in a dynamic display to continue his recent good form. Also had 16 touches, three marks and seven tackles.
Michael Walters was classy against Brisbane
Full Forward
Charlie Dixon (Gold Coast)
For those wondering if Charlie Dixon deserves the fanfare surrounding his much sought-after signature, watch his performance against North Melbourne. Playing on Scott Thompson and Robbie Tarrant, Dixon monstered both, amassing 15 touches, taking five marks, laying three tackles and kicking a career-high seven goals without a miss. A player you can build a forward line around, and the Suns have two of them.
Forward Pocket
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
Made the maximum impact from little opportunities on Friday night against the Magpies, amassing just the 10 touches. His brilliance was captured by his 100% disposal efficiency, his five marks, his four tackles, and his five goals.
Cyril Rioli was at his damaging best on Friday night
Followers
Ruckman
Billy Longer (St Kilda)
In his 37th game, Billy Longer played arguably his best ever at the professional level. Covered the ground well, amassing 18 touches at 94% efficiency, taking eight marks, laying four tackles and winning 35 hitouts. Very impressed with his defensive capabilities.
Billy Longer was impressive against the Bombers
Ruck Rover
Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
Like Pendlebury, Jordan Lewis was the star of the show on Friday night, dominating in the midfield with 36 disposals, 12 contested, six clearances and 10 marks. Used it well, going at 77% efficiency.
Rover
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
This man has played many outstanding games in his time, but Friday night was something else. The Collingwood skipper could not be contained, gathering 37 possessions, 20 contested, winning 10 clearances, taking six marks and laying 10 tackles. If he keeps this up, the Pies are a genuine top-four contender.
Scott Pendlebury was a class above on Friday night
Interchange
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
The star Power midfielder was his team’s best on Thursday night against Sydney at the SCG, amassing 32 touches, 14 contested, winning seven clearances, laying six tackles and kicking an inaccurate 1.3.
Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
For the second week in a row, Richmond’s skipper stood up and dragged his team across the line. Collected 33 disposals, 11 contested, won six clearances, took six marks, laid seven tackles and kicked two goals in a fine display.
Trent Cotchin was massive for Richmond
Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
In his 250th game, the former Bulldogs’ captain performed extremely well, keeping up the high standard he has set in 2015. Boyd had 31 possessions, using it at an incredible 93% efficiency. Also took 14 marks, laid three tackles and kicked a goal.
Substitute
Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
In his debut appearance, the 167cm midfielder, who was one of the highest-rated players from last year’s draft, started as the substitute, appearing after half time due to an injury to Jordan Roughead. Daniel quickly made his mark on the game, racking up 14 disposals, taking five marks and booting a goal. How impressive is the Bulldogs’ draft class of 2015 looking?
Caleb Daniel made an electric start to his AFL career from the subs vest
On paper
FB: Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast), Will Schofield (West Coast), Jake Batchelor (Richmond)
HB: Marley Williams (Collingwood), Steven May (Gold Coast), Ryan Griffen (Greater Western Sydney)
C: David Armitage (St Kilda), Josh Kennedy (Sydney), Liam Shiels (Hawthorn)
HF: Gary Ablett (Gold Coast), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Jack Darling (West Coast)
FF: Michael Walters (Fremantle), Charlie Dixon (Gold Coast), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
R: Billy Longer (St Kilda), Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
I/C: Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Trent Cotchin (Richmond), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
SUB: Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
By team
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: Nil (0)
Collingwood: Williams, Pendlebury (2)
Essendon: Nil (0)
Fremantle: Walters (1)
Gold Coast: Kolodjashnij, May, Ablett, Dixon (4)
Greater Western Sydney: Griffen (1)
Hawthorn: Shiels, Rioli, Lewis (3)
Melbourne: Nil (0)
North Melbourne: Nil (0)
Port Adelaide: Gray (1)
Richmond: Batchelor, Cotchin (2)
St Kilda: Armitage, Riewoldt, Longer (3)
Sydney: Kennedy (1)
West Coast: Schofield, Darling (2)
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Daniel (2)
CANCELLED: Adelaide, Geelong
The team
Back
Back Pocket
Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast)
The highly-rated youngster was superb on Saturday evening against North Melbourne, amassing 28 possessions from the backline, 14 of those contested, taking four marks, laying two tackles and booting a goal. Also defended well, with his direct opponent Lindsay Thomas failing to score a major.
Full Back
Will Schofield (West Coast)
The ever-improving Schofield put forward another strong performance on Saturday night in Darwin against the Dees. Playing on ruck/forward revelation Max Gawn, Schofield picked up 20 disposals from eight marks, with Gawn failing to hit the scoreboard.
Will Schofield kept Max Gawn quiet
Back Pocket
Jake Batchelor (Richmond)
An unsung defender in Richmond’s line-up, Batchelor was a key factor in the Tigers’ comeback victory against GWS on Saturday. Playing on boom youngster Cam McCarthy, Batchelor held his opponent to just two kicks and one behind, and was able to win crucial one-on-one battles in defence in the last quarter.
Half Back
Marley Williams (Collingwood)
Continued his fantastic season as a key driver from Collingwood’s defence on Friday night against Hawthorn. Collected 27 touches, using it at 77% efficiency, took five marks, laid two tackles and kicked a goal.
Marley Williams continued his good form against Hawthorn
Centre Half Back
Steven May (Gold Coast)
Doesn’t get this spot for purely keeping his opponent quiet, more for his brute force and the way he attacks the contest, setting the play for his teammates up the field. Had 10 touches and took four marks, and was crucial early, not allowing North’s tall timber to get their hands on the ball.
Half Back
Ryan Griffen (Greater Western Sydney)
Has been horribly out of form at times in his first year in western Sydney, but a move to defence on the weekend saw him produce his best footy of 2015. Took 10 grabs as he racked up 24 possessions, using it at a deadly 91%, while also laying three tackles.
Ryan Griffen played arguably his best game for GWS
Middle
Wing
David Armitage (St Kilda)
On a weekend in which the unbackable favourite for the Brownlow Medal had a rare quiet game, David Armitage emerged as one of the most likely to challenge Nat Fyfe for the game’s highest individual honour. Against a hapless Essendon outfit, Armitage gathered 38 disposals, 18 of those contested, won seven clearance, took seven marks, laid three tackles and hit the scoreboard with two goals.
Centre
Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
Way back on Thursday night, which feels like an eternity ago, Josh Kennedy dominated in the middle against Port Adelaide. The former Hawk picked up 33 possessions, 17 contested, won 11 clearances, took seven marks, laid eight tackles and booted 2.3.
Josh Kennedy starred on Thursday night
Wing
Liam Shiels (Hawthorn)
The quiet midfielder continues to fly under the radar, but it won’t be long until the wider football community recognise him as one of the league’s most reliable midfielders. Had 29 touches on Friday night against Collingwood, using it at 75% efficiency, took four marks, laid six tackles and booted two majors.
Forward
Half Forward
Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
The little champion made his long-awaited return to footy for the first time since Round 2, having an instant impact on his side severely lacking in confidence. Took a while to get into the game, but once the realisation sunk in that his shoulder was almost back to full strength, he went to another level. Finished with 31 disposals, 14 of those contested, 11 clearances, three tackles and three majors. He’s back.
Centre Half Forward
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
No one would be prouder of St Kilda’s efforts not only today, but this season as a whole, than Saints’ champion Nick Riewoldt. But the key behind their on-field revival has been the blond-haired number 12, who was huge again against the Bombers. Ran Michael Hurley ragged, amassing 21 possessions, taking 12 marks and booting four goals.
Nick Riewoldt led the Saints to a record-breaking win over Essendon
Half Forward
Jack Darling (West Coast)
Another player who has returned from injury and is now hitting his best form. Was matched up on the much-improved Tom McDonald on Saturday night at TIO Stadium, blitzing him with 16 touches, 10 marks, three tackles and, for the fifth time in his career, five goals.
Forward Pocket
Michael Walters (Fremantle)
In conditions not conducive to clean football, Michael Walters provided a spark for the Dockers, booting four goals in a dynamic display to continue his recent good form. Also had 16 touches, three marks and seven tackles.
Michael Walters was classy against Brisbane
Full Forward
Charlie Dixon (Gold Coast)
For those wondering if Charlie Dixon deserves the fanfare surrounding his much sought-after signature, watch his performance against North Melbourne. Playing on Scott Thompson and Robbie Tarrant, Dixon monstered both, amassing 15 touches, taking five marks, laying three tackles and kicking a career-high seven goals without a miss. A player you can build a forward line around, and the Suns have two of them.
Forward Pocket
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
Made the maximum impact from little opportunities on Friday night against the Magpies, amassing just the 10 touches. His brilliance was captured by his 100% disposal efficiency, his five marks, his four tackles, and his five goals.
Cyril Rioli was at his damaging best on Friday night
Followers
Ruckman
Billy Longer (St Kilda)
In his 37th game, Billy Longer played arguably his best ever at the professional level. Covered the ground well, amassing 18 touches at 94% efficiency, taking eight marks, laying four tackles and winning 35 hitouts. Very impressed with his defensive capabilities.
Billy Longer was impressive against the Bombers
Ruck Rover
Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
Like Pendlebury, Jordan Lewis was the star of the show on Friday night, dominating in the midfield with 36 disposals, 12 contested, six clearances and 10 marks. Used it well, going at 77% efficiency.
Rover
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
This man has played many outstanding games in his time, but Friday night was something else. The Collingwood skipper could not be contained, gathering 37 possessions, 20 contested, winning 10 clearances, taking six marks and laying 10 tackles. If he keeps this up, the Pies are a genuine top-four contender.
Scott Pendlebury was a class above on Friday night
Interchange
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
The star Power midfielder was his team’s best on Thursday night against Sydney at the SCG, amassing 32 touches, 14 contested, winning seven clearances, laying six tackles and kicking an inaccurate 1.3.
Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
For the second week in a row, Richmond’s skipper stood up and dragged his team across the line. Collected 33 disposals, 11 contested, won six clearances, took six marks, laid seven tackles and kicked two goals in a fine display.
Trent Cotchin was massive for Richmond
Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
In his 250th game, the former Bulldogs’ captain performed extremely well, keeping up the high standard he has set in 2015. Boyd had 31 possessions, using it at an incredible 93% efficiency. Also took 14 marks, laid three tackles and kicked a goal.
Substitute
Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
In his debut appearance, the 167cm midfielder, who was one of the highest-rated players from last year’s draft, started as the substitute, appearing after half time due to an injury to Jordan Roughead. Daniel quickly made his mark on the game, racking up 14 disposals, taking five marks and booting a goal. How impressive is the Bulldogs’ draft class of 2015 looking?
Caleb Daniel made an electric start to his AFL career from the subs vest
On paper
FB: Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast), Will Schofield (West Coast), Jake Batchelor (Richmond)
HB: Marley Williams (Collingwood), Steven May (Gold Coast), Ryan Griffen (Greater Western Sydney)
C: David Armitage (St Kilda), Josh Kennedy (Sydney), Liam Shiels (Hawthorn)
HF: Gary Ablett (Gold Coast), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Jack Darling (West Coast)
FF: Michael Walters (Fremantle), Charlie Dixon (Gold Coast), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
R: Billy Longer (St Kilda), Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
I/C: Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Trent Cotchin (Richmond), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
SUB: Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
By team
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: Nil (0)
Collingwood: Williams, Pendlebury (2)
Essendon: Nil (0)
Fremantle: Walters (1)
Gold Coast: Kolodjashnij, May, Ablett, Dixon (4)
Greater Western Sydney: Griffen (1)
Hawthorn: Shiels, Rioli, Lewis (3)
Melbourne: Nil (0)
North Melbourne: Nil (0)
Port Adelaide: Gray (1)
Richmond: Batchelor, Cotchin (2)
St Kilda: Armitage, Riewoldt, Longer (3)
Sydney: Kennedy (1)
West Coast: Schofield, Darling (2)
Western Bulldogs: Boyd, Daniel (2)
CANCELLED: Adelaide, Geelong
