Welcome to the Team of the Week for Round 13 in the AFL.
The team
Back
Back Pocket
Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs)
As far as defenders go, arguably no one has been better than Easton Wood in 2015. The gutsy Dog continued his outstanding year with a best on ground performance against St Kilda on Saturday night. Had 22 disposals and took 13 marks, helping his side to victory with his brave intercept grabs. An All-Australian lock.
Easton Wood was inspirational with his marking on Saturday
Full Back
Daniel Talia (Adelaide)
The gun defender kept young Brisbane forward Dan McStay in check, restricting him to just four touches, no marks and just one behind. Talia had it 11 times, taking three marks and laying four tackles.
Back Pocket
Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle)
Another player having a career-best season, Ibbotson was a key factor in Fremantle’s tight win over Collingwood on Thursday night. Amassed 23 touches as a loose man in the backline, taking nine marks and using it at 93% efficiency.
Garrick Ibbotson played well against Collingwood on Thursday night
Half Back
Zach Tuohy (Carlton)
The Irishman was one of Carlton’s best in their win over Gold Coast on Sunday, collecting 27 disposals at 81% efficiency, taking seven marks and booting a nice goal in the second quarter.
Centre Half Back
Alex Rance (Richmond)
At half time at the SCG on Friday night, things were looking a bit grim for the Richmond Football Club. Enter Alex Rance (and a number of other players). In a sensational second half of football, Rance propelled his side to a come-from-behind victory on the road against a premiership favourite. Playing on the dangerous Lance Franklin, who had two goals in the first two quarters, Rance had plenty of the ball, collecting it 22 times and taking eight marks, keeping Buddy to just one touch in the second half. Worth the money.
Alex Rance put a blanket on Lance Franklin in the second half
Half Back
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs)
The Bulldogs’ skipper was a driving force from defence on Saturday night against St Kilda, amassing 25 possessions and taking eight marks. Remarkably, he used it at a perfect 100% efficiency.
Middle
Wing
Jack Newnes (St Kilda)
The young gun played perhaps his best game in St Kilda colours against the Bulldogs on Saturday night, picking up 23 touches, 13 of them contested, taking eight marks, laying seven tackles and using the ball at 87% efficiency. Worked the wings all night.
Jack Newnes played arguably a career-best game on Saturday night
Centre
Anthony Miles (Richmond)
The hard-nut from the Tigers was a standout in Richmond’s sensational win over Sydney on Friday night, collecting 29 disposals, 12 contested, winning six clearances, taking five marks, laying seven tackles and booting a goal in the final seconds of the match.
Wing
Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
The 2015 Brownlow Medallist continued his excellent form on Thursday night against Collingwood, picking up 32 possessions, 19 of those contested, nine clearances, two marks, two tackles and two majors. When will he have a bad game?
Nathan Fyfe: the best
Forward
Half Forward
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
The star Hawk didn’t have a huge impact on the scoreboard, booting 1.3, but made an impact in the middle and across the half forward line. Picked up 29 touches, 16 of those contested, taking eight marks and laying seven tackles.
Centre Half Forward
Jake Carlisle (Essendon)
Liked Carlisle’s game on Saturday at the MCG, playing on the experienced Brian Lake. Had it 16 times, taking eight marks and kicking three goals. Looking like Essendon’s most dangerous forward with Joe Daniher’s radar severely off at the moment.
Jake Carlisle was lively up forward for Essendon
Half Forward
Andrejs Everitt (Carlton)
On exposed form, even the Western Bulldogs would be regretting letting him go, let alone Sydney. Has become an incredibly valuable third-tall forward behind Casboult and Henderson, and showed again how important he is to the Carlton line-up against Gold Coast on Sunday. Had 14 possessions, took seven marks and kicked 3.3. Could’ve been a big day out, but alas.
Forward Pocket
Michael Walters (Fremantle)
The dangerous forward was exactly that on Thursday against Collingwood, amassing 13 disposals, taking two marks, laying two tackles and slotting four goals. Needs to stand up while the likes of Pavlich and Ballantyne are out of goalkicking form.
Full Forward
Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)
It was largely Richmond’s two bookends that led the side to a memorable win over the Swans at the SCG on Friday, with Riewoldt stepping up to play his best game of the season. Had the ball 13 times, took nine marks, laid three tackles and kicked six majors. Looking incredibly dangerous. Look out, GWS.
Jack Riewoldt kicked six goals on Friday night
Forward Pocket
Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn)
It was a surprise leading goalscorer for the Hawks on Saturday against Essendon. With his teammates in Roughead and Gunston kicking an inaccurate 4.6 between them, Paul Puopolo made his shots count, booting four majors, including three in the third quarter. Also had 13 possessions, three marks and three tackles.
Paul Puopolo bobbed up with four majors against Essendon
Followers
Ruckman
Aaron Sandliands (Fremantle)
Was the difference between Fremantle notching an 11th win of the season, or slumping to their second-consecutive loss at home, against the Magpies at Subiaco on Thursday. Had 17 possessions, all of them handballs, took four marks, laid three tackles and won 50 hitouts. Was a dominant force in a tense final quarter, giving his midfielders first use time and time again.
Ruck Rover
Jack Redden (Brisbane)Is standing up in the absence of his captain Tom Rockliff, and was good against the Crows on the weekend. Collected 26 touches, half of those contested, took five marks, laid seven tackles and booted a classy goal in the first quarter.
Jack Redden was a solid performer for Brisbane against the Crows
Rover
Scott Thompson (Adelaide)
The Adelaide veteran was a key architect of the Crows’ come-from-behind win over Brisbane on Saturday at the Gabba, picking up 28 disposals, 15 contested, winning 10 clearances, taking four marks, laying six tackles and booting a fantastic goal from the boundary line. Not bad for a 32 year old.
Interchange
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
The Magpies’ skipper continued his fine form against the Dockers on Thursday night, amassing 25 possessions, 13 contested, winning eight clearances, taking three marks, laying six tackles and kicking a goal. Was the best of a very even Collingwood outfit.
Scott Pendlebury stood tall for Collingwood against Fremantle
Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
Just gets the nod over his teammate Michael Barlow for this position. From his 24 touches, he used it at an impressive 79% efficiency, and also had a scoreboard impact with two goals. Needs to continue this form which has been lacking recently.
Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
Another having a terrific season, the ball-magnet from the Bulldogs was exactly that on Saturday night against St Kilda. Had 27 disposals, five marks and nine tackles in a polished performance.
Jack Macrae is having a great season for the Bulldogs
Substitute
Seb Ross (St Kilda)
With 29 games to his name and in his fourth year on the list, Seb Ross is looking to make up for lost time after missing the start of the season due to a serious hamstring injury. Was the starting substitute on Saturday night against the Bulldogs, entering the game in the last quarter for Darren Minchington. Was a driving force in St Kilda’s fightback, winning 11 possessions and laying two tackles.
On paper
FB: Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs), Daniel Talia (Adelaide), Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle)
HB: Zach Tuohy (Carlton), Alex Rance (Richmond), Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs)
C: Jack Newnes (St Kilda), Anthony Miles (Richmond), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
HF: Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Jake Carlisle (Essendon), Andrejs Everitt (Carlton)
FF: Michael Walters (Fremantle), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond), Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn)
R: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Scott Thompson (Adelaide), Jack Redden (Brisbane)
I/C: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs), Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
SUB: Seb Ross (St Kilda)
By team
Adelaide: Talia, Thompson (2)
Brisbane: Redden (1)
Carlton: Tuohy, Everitt (2)
Collingwood: Pendlebury (1)
Essendon: Carlisle (1)
Fremantle: Ibbotson, Fyfe, Walters, Sandilands, Hill (5)
Gold Coast: Nil (0)
Hawthorn: Roughead, Puopolo (2)
Richmond: Rance, Miles, Riewoldt (3)
St Kilda: Newnes, Ross (2)
Sydney: Nil (0)
Western Bulldogs: Wood, Murphy, Macrae (3)
BYE: Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, West Coast
The team
Back
Back Pocket
Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs)
As far as defenders go, arguably no one has been better than Easton Wood in 2015. The gutsy Dog continued his outstanding year with a best on ground performance against St Kilda on Saturday night. Had 22 disposals and took 13 marks, helping his side to victory with his brave intercept grabs. An All-Australian lock.
Easton Wood was inspirational with his marking on Saturday
Full Back
Daniel Talia (Adelaide)
The gun defender kept young Brisbane forward Dan McStay in check, restricting him to just four touches, no marks and just one behind. Talia had it 11 times, taking three marks and laying four tackles.
Back Pocket
Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle)
Another player having a career-best season, Ibbotson was a key factor in Fremantle’s tight win over Collingwood on Thursday night. Amassed 23 touches as a loose man in the backline, taking nine marks and using it at 93% efficiency.
Garrick Ibbotson played well against Collingwood on Thursday night
Half Back
Zach Tuohy (Carlton)
The Irishman was one of Carlton’s best in their win over Gold Coast on Sunday, collecting 27 disposals at 81% efficiency, taking seven marks and booting a nice goal in the second quarter.
Centre Half Back
Alex Rance (Richmond)
At half time at the SCG on Friday night, things were looking a bit grim for the Richmond Football Club. Enter Alex Rance (and a number of other players). In a sensational second half of football, Rance propelled his side to a come-from-behind victory on the road against a premiership favourite. Playing on the dangerous Lance Franklin, who had two goals in the first two quarters, Rance had plenty of the ball, collecting it 22 times and taking eight marks, keeping Buddy to just one touch in the second half. Worth the money.
Alex Rance put a blanket on Lance Franklin in the second half
Half Back
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs)
The Bulldogs’ skipper was a driving force from defence on Saturday night against St Kilda, amassing 25 possessions and taking eight marks. Remarkably, he used it at a perfect 100% efficiency.
Middle
Wing
Jack Newnes (St Kilda)
The young gun played perhaps his best game in St Kilda colours against the Bulldogs on Saturday night, picking up 23 touches, 13 of them contested, taking eight marks, laying seven tackles and using the ball at 87% efficiency. Worked the wings all night.
Jack Newnes played arguably a career-best game on Saturday night
Centre
Anthony Miles (Richmond)
The hard-nut from the Tigers was a standout in Richmond’s sensational win over Sydney on Friday night, collecting 29 disposals, 12 contested, winning six clearances, taking five marks, laying seven tackles and booting a goal in the final seconds of the match.
Wing
Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
The 2015 Brownlow Medallist continued his excellent form on Thursday night against Collingwood, picking up 32 possessions, 19 of those contested, nine clearances, two marks, two tackles and two majors. When will he have a bad game?
Nathan Fyfe: the best
Forward
Half Forward
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
The star Hawk didn’t have a huge impact on the scoreboard, booting 1.3, but made an impact in the middle and across the half forward line. Picked up 29 touches, 16 of those contested, taking eight marks and laying seven tackles.
Centre Half Forward
Jake Carlisle (Essendon)
Liked Carlisle’s game on Saturday at the MCG, playing on the experienced Brian Lake. Had it 16 times, taking eight marks and kicking three goals. Looking like Essendon’s most dangerous forward with Joe Daniher’s radar severely off at the moment.
Jake Carlisle was lively up forward for Essendon
Half Forward
Andrejs Everitt (Carlton)
On exposed form, even the Western Bulldogs would be regretting letting him go, let alone Sydney. Has become an incredibly valuable third-tall forward behind Casboult and Henderson, and showed again how important he is to the Carlton line-up against Gold Coast on Sunday. Had 14 possessions, took seven marks and kicked 3.3. Could’ve been a big day out, but alas.
Forward Pocket
Michael Walters (Fremantle)
The dangerous forward was exactly that on Thursday against Collingwood, amassing 13 disposals, taking two marks, laying two tackles and slotting four goals. Needs to stand up while the likes of Pavlich and Ballantyne are out of goalkicking form.
Full Forward
Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)
It was largely Richmond’s two bookends that led the side to a memorable win over the Swans at the SCG on Friday, with Riewoldt stepping up to play his best game of the season. Had the ball 13 times, took nine marks, laid three tackles and kicked six majors. Looking incredibly dangerous. Look out, GWS.
Jack Riewoldt kicked six goals on Friday night
Forward Pocket
Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn)
It was a surprise leading goalscorer for the Hawks on Saturday against Essendon. With his teammates in Roughead and Gunston kicking an inaccurate 4.6 between them, Paul Puopolo made his shots count, booting four majors, including three in the third quarter. Also had 13 possessions, three marks and three tackles.
Paul Puopolo bobbed up with four majors against Essendon
Followers
Ruckman
Aaron Sandliands (Fremantle)
Was the difference between Fremantle notching an 11th win of the season, or slumping to their second-consecutive loss at home, against the Magpies at Subiaco on Thursday. Had 17 possessions, all of them handballs, took four marks, laid three tackles and won 50 hitouts. Was a dominant force in a tense final quarter, giving his midfielders first use time and time again.
Ruck Rover
Jack Redden (Brisbane)Is standing up in the absence of his captain Tom Rockliff, and was good against the Crows on the weekend. Collected 26 touches, half of those contested, took five marks, laid seven tackles and booted a classy goal in the first quarter.
Jack Redden was a solid performer for Brisbane against the Crows
Rover
Scott Thompson (Adelaide)
The Adelaide veteran was a key architect of the Crows’ come-from-behind win over Brisbane on Saturday at the Gabba, picking up 28 disposals, 15 contested, winning 10 clearances, taking four marks, laying six tackles and booting a fantastic goal from the boundary line. Not bad for a 32 year old.
Interchange
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
The Magpies’ skipper continued his fine form against the Dockers on Thursday night, amassing 25 possessions, 13 contested, winning eight clearances, taking three marks, laying six tackles and kicking a goal. Was the best of a very even Collingwood outfit.
Scott Pendlebury stood tall for Collingwood against Fremantle
Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
Just gets the nod over his teammate Michael Barlow for this position. From his 24 touches, he used it at an impressive 79% efficiency, and also had a scoreboard impact with two goals. Needs to continue this form which has been lacking recently.
Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
Another having a terrific season, the ball-magnet from the Bulldogs was exactly that on Saturday night against St Kilda. Had 27 disposals, five marks and nine tackles in a polished performance.
Jack Macrae is having a great season for the Bulldogs
Substitute
Seb Ross (St Kilda)
With 29 games to his name and in his fourth year on the list, Seb Ross is looking to make up for lost time after missing the start of the season due to a serious hamstring injury. Was the starting substitute on Saturday night against the Bulldogs, entering the game in the last quarter for Darren Minchington. Was a driving force in St Kilda’s fightback, winning 11 possessions and laying two tackles.
On paper
FB: Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs), Daniel Talia (Adelaide), Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle)
HB: Zach Tuohy (Carlton), Alex Rance (Richmond), Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs)
C: Jack Newnes (St Kilda), Anthony Miles (Richmond), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
HF: Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Jake Carlisle (Essendon), Andrejs Everitt (Carlton)
FF: Michael Walters (Fremantle), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond), Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn)
R: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Scott Thompson (Adelaide), Jack Redden (Brisbane)
I/C: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs), Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
SUB: Seb Ross (St Kilda)
By team
Adelaide: Talia, Thompson (2)
Brisbane: Redden (1)
Carlton: Tuohy, Everitt (2)
Collingwood: Pendlebury (1)
Essendon: Carlisle (1)
Fremantle: Ibbotson, Fyfe, Walters, Sandilands, Hill (5)
Gold Coast: Nil (0)
Hawthorn: Roughead, Puopolo (2)
Richmond: Rance, Miles, Riewoldt (3)
St Kilda: Newnes, Ross (2)
Sydney: Nil (0)
Western Bulldogs: Wood, Murphy, Macrae (3)
BYE: Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, West Coast
