Welcome to the Team of the Week for Round 18 in the AFL!
The team
DEFENCE
Back Pocket
Joel Patfull (Brisbane)
The two-time reigning Merrett-Murray Medallist was a class above in the torrent conditions on Saturday evening at the Gabba, restricting small Gold Coast forward Luke Russell while racking up 18 touches of his own along with seven marks and a couple of tackles.
Full Back
Sam Rowe (Carlton)
Has made a name for himself at AFL level by carving out a position in the Carlton backline. The gutsy tall defender played a starring role on North Melbourne's Drew Petrie, keeping him to just 1.1 while getting 13 possessions and taking six marks.
Back Pocket
Kade Simpson (Carlton)
Patrolled the North Melbourne forward line without an opponent all night, amassing 28 disposals from 10 marks while also laying four tackles in a superb display.
Half Back
Pearce Hanley (Brisbane)
The Irishman staked his claim as the best overseas product to play the game with an amazing display against the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday. The smooth-mover picked up a career-high 45 touches, took nine marks, laid five tackles and kicked 2.1. Gains so much territory with his disposal.
Centre Half Back
Harry Taylor (Geelong)
Continued his good year with a strong offensive game against Greater Western Sydney last weekend. Playing on Jon Patton, Taylor hauled in nine marks and collected 30 disposals as the Cats got over the Giants.
Half Back
Shane Savage (St Kilda)
Has turned his season around with a move to half back, giving him a chance to attack the play and set things up for his teammates. Had 30 highly-efficient possessions along with eight marks last Saturday in the shock win over Fremantle.
MIDFIELD
Wing
Dom Tyson (Melbourne)
Tried his hardest to get his team over the line against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, notching up 32 disposals, taking five marks, laying seven tackles and kicking two goals. Has had a terrific year.
Centre
Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
The future skipper of the Hawks played a blinder on Saturday night against the premiership favourites, amassing 35 touches and taking six marks. Big-game player.
Wing
Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
Continued his fine season with another top display against Collingwood. Got 24 possessions, took five marks and hammered home two goals. A chance to go home with a gold jacket at the end of the season.
FORWARD
Half Forward
Steve Johnson (Geelong)
Has returned to some great form of late and it continued against the Giants, amassing 30 disposals, taking 12 marks, laying four tackles and kicking three goals, arguably getting his side over the lines.
Centre Half Forward
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
The St Kilda captain turned the clock back with one of his best ever performances against Fremantle, picking up 30 touches, taking 16 marks and kicking four majors on former teammate Zac Dawson. Has a big chance to finish the season strongly and help his side notch another win or two.
Half Forward
Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
The magician feasted on the hapless Suns with a fine display on Saturday at the Gabba, proving a class above despite the wet weather. Amassed 32 possessions, took four marks, laid seven tackles and kicked a rather wasteful 2.4.
Forward Pocket
Ben McGlynn (Sydney)
Performed admirably for the Swans against his old side, proving a valuable forward target. Picked up 23 touches, took seven marks, laid nine tackles and booted three majors despite his side falling short.
Full Forward
Jake Carlisle (Essendon)
Despite Riewoldt's heroics, it wasn't enough to be billed the best performing forward of the round. This honour goes to Carlisle after his brilliant display against the Western Bulldogs last weekend. The versatile Carlisle was too strong and too mobile for the Bulldogs' defence, collecting 19 touches, taking 12 marks, laying seven tackles and booting a career-high eight goals.
Forward Pocket
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
In game 200 for the popular Hawk, the Coleman Medalist was a focal point in helping his side upset the Swans. Had 18 disposals, took seven marks, laid three tackles and finished with 4.4. Could've kicked a real bag, but was still terrific nonetheless.
FOLLOWERS
Ruckman
Paddy Ryder (Essendon)
Was a major factor in why the Bombers could rise over the top of the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter of their match last weekend. Ryder ended with 18 possessions, took five marks, laid three tackles, won 35 hitouts and booted two goals in a top game.
Ruck Rover
Tom Rockliff (Brisbane)
Continued his amazing year for the Lions with a career-high 47 touches, five marks, 10 tackles and a goal whilst being shown close attention by Gold Coast midfielder Danny Stanley. Will feature in the Brownlow Medal final leaderboard.
Rover
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Like Johnson, Selwood has started to display some of his best form at the right end of the season. Was in great touch against the Giants, amassing 39 possessions, taking eight marks, laying two tackles and kicking 1.3 despite a Toby Greene tag. He and Johnson could determine how far Geelong go in September.
INTERCHANGE
Dayne Beams (Collingwood)
Stood tall for the Magpies in Dane Swan and Luke Ball's absence, getting the pill 29 times, taking four marks, laying four tackles and kicking two goals. Gonna need help from his teammates if the Pies are going to feature in the finals.
Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
Led the onslaught on North Melbourne's midfield with 27 disposals, three marks, five tackles and two brilliant stoppage goals.
Nathan Foley (Richmond)
Conditions weren't conducive to dominant midfield performances last Friday night at Patersons Stadium, but Foley, with 25 possessions, 13 contested, 10 tackles and seven clearances, could safely say he was best on ground against the Eagles.
Substitute
Nick Graham (Carlton)
The small tyro for the Blues played one of the best games of his short career against North Melbourne, coming on for the injured Andrejs Everitt in the second quarter. Racked up 12 touches, took five marks, laid two tackles and kicked a brilliant goal where he knocked Todd Goldstein over to provide a shepherd for his teammate, received the ball and then slotted it on the run from a tight angle in the forward pocket.
On paper
FB: Joel Patfull (Brisbane), Sam Rowe (Carlton), Kade Simpson (Carlton)
HB: Pearce Hanley (Brisbane), Harry Taylor (Geelong), Shane Savage (St Kilda)
C: Dom Tyson (Melbourne), Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn), Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
HF: Steve Johnson (Geelong), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
FF: Ben McGlynn (Sydney), Jake Carlisle (Essendon), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
R: Paddy Ryder (Essendon), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane), Joel Selwood (Geelong)
I/C: Dayne Beams (Collingwood), Nathan Foley (Richmond), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
SUB: Nick Graham (Carlton)
By team
Adelaide: Smith (1)
Brisbane: Patfull, Hanley, Zorko, Rockliff (4)
Carlton: Rowe, Simpson, Gibbs, Graham (4)
Collingwood: Beams (1)
Essendon: Carlisle, Ryder (2)
Fremantle: Nil (0)
Geelong: Taylor, Johnson, Selwood (3)
Gold Coast: Nil (0)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil (0)
Hawthorn: Lewis, Roughead (2)
Melbourne: Tyson (1)
North Melbourne: Nil (0)
Port Adelaide: Nil (0)
Richmond: Foley (1)
St Kilda: Savage, Riewoldt (2)
Sydney: McGlynn (1)
West Coast: Nil (0)
Western Bulldogs: Nil (0)
The team
DEFENCE
Back Pocket
Joel Patfull (Brisbane)
The two-time reigning Merrett-Murray Medallist was a class above in the torrent conditions on Saturday evening at the Gabba, restricting small Gold Coast forward Luke Russell while racking up 18 touches of his own along with seven marks and a couple of tackles.
Full Back
Sam Rowe (Carlton)
Has made a name for himself at AFL level by carving out a position in the Carlton backline. The gutsy tall defender played a starring role on North Melbourne's Drew Petrie, keeping him to just 1.1 while getting 13 possessions and taking six marks.
Back Pocket
Kade Simpson (Carlton)
Patrolled the North Melbourne forward line without an opponent all night, amassing 28 disposals from 10 marks while also laying four tackles in a superb display.
Half Back
Pearce Hanley (Brisbane)
The Irishman staked his claim as the best overseas product to play the game with an amazing display against the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday. The smooth-mover picked up a career-high 45 touches, took nine marks, laid five tackles and kicked 2.1. Gains so much territory with his disposal.
Centre Half Back
Harry Taylor (Geelong)
Continued his good year with a strong offensive game against Greater Western Sydney last weekend. Playing on Jon Patton, Taylor hauled in nine marks and collected 30 disposals as the Cats got over the Giants.
Half Back
Shane Savage (St Kilda)
Has turned his season around with a move to half back, giving him a chance to attack the play and set things up for his teammates. Had 30 highly-efficient possessions along with eight marks last Saturday in the shock win over Fremantle.
MIDFIELD
Wing
Dom Tyson (Melbourne)
Tried his hardest to get his team over the line against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, notching up 32 disposals, taking five marks, laying seven tackles and kicking two goals. Has had a terrific year.
Centre
Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
The future skipper of the Hawks played a blinder on Saturday night against the premiership favourites, amassing 35 touches and taking six marks. Big-game player.
Wing
Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
Continued his fine season with another top display against Collingwood. Got 24 possessions, took five marks and hammered home two goals. A chance to go home with a gold jacket at the end of the season.
FORWARD
Half Forward
Steve Johnson (Geelong)
Has returned to some great form of late and it continued against the Giants, amassing 30 disposals, taking 12 marks, laying four tackles and kicking three goals, arguably getting his side over the lines.
Centre Half Forward
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
The St Kilda captain turned the clock back with one of his best ever performances against Fremantle, picking up 30 touches, taking 16 marks and kicking four majors on former teammate Zac Dawson. Has a big chance to finish the season strongly and help his side notch another win or two.
Half Forward
Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
The magician feasted on the hapless Suns with a fine display on Saturday at the Gabba, proving a class above despite the wet weather. Amassed 32 possessions, took four marks, laid seven tackles and kicked a rather wasteful 2.4.
Forward Pocket
Ben McGlynn (Sydney)
Performed admirably for the Swans against his old side, proving a valuable forward target. Picked up 23 touches, took seven marks, laid nine tackles and booted three majors despite his side falling short.
Full Forward
Jake Carlisle (Essendon)
Despite Riewoldt's heroics, it wasn't enough to be billed the best performing forward of the round. This honour goes to Carlisle after his brilliant display against the Western Bulldogs last weekend. The versatile Carlisle was too strong and too mobile for the Bulldogs' defence, collecting 19 touches, taking 12 marks, laying seven tackles and booting a career-high eight goals.
Forward Pocket
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
In game 200 for the popular Hawk, the Coleman Medalist was a focal point in helping his side upset the Swans. Had 18 disposals, took seven marks, laid three tackles and finished with 4.4. Could've kicked a real bag, but was still terrific nonetheless.
FOLLOWERS
Ruckman
Paddy Ryder (Essendon)
Was a major factor in why the Bombers could rise over the top of the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter of their match last weekend. Ryder ended with 18 possessions, took five marks, laid three tackles, won 35 hitouts and booted two goals in a top game.
Ruck Rover
Tom Rockliff (Brisbane)
Continued his amazing year for the Lions with a career-high 47 touches, five marks, 10 tackles and a goal whilst being shown close attention by Gold Coast midfielder Danny Stanley. Will feature in the Brownlow Medal final leaderboard.
Rover
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Like Johnson, Selwood has started to display some of his best form at the right end of the season. Was in great touch against the Giants, amassing 39 possessions, taking eight marks, laying two tackles and kicking 1.3 despite a Toby Greene tag. He and Johnson could determine how far Geelong go in September.
INTERCHANGE
Dayne Beams (Collingwood)
Stood tall for the Magpies in Dane Swan and Luke Ball's absence, getting the pill 29 times, taking four marks, laying four tackles and kicking two goals. Gonna need help from his teammates if the Pies are going to feature in the finals.
Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
Led the onslaught on North Melbourne's midfield with 27 disposals, three marks, five tackles and two brilliant stoppage goals.
Nathan Foley (Richmond)
Conditions weren't conducive to dominant midfield performances last Friday night at Patersons Stadium, but Foley, with 25 possessions, 13 contested, 10 tackles and seven clearances, could safely say he was best on ground against the Eagles.
Substitute
Nick Graham (Carlton)
The small tyro for the Blues played one of the best games of his short career against North Melbourne, coming on for the injured Andrejs Everitt in the second quarter. Racked up 12 touches, took five marks, laid two tackles and kicked a brilliant goal where he knocked Todd Goldstein over to provide a shepherd for his teammate, received the ball and then slotted it on the run from a tight angle in the forward pocket.
On paper
FB: Joel Patfull (Brisbane), Sam Rowe (Carlton), Kade Simpson (Carlton)
HB: Pearce Hanley (Brisbane), Harry Taylor (Geelong), Shane Savage (St Kilda)
C: Dom Tyson (Melbourne), Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn), Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
HF: Steve Johnson (Geelong), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
FF: Ben McGlynn (Sydney), Jake Carlisle (Essendon), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
R: Paddy Ryder (Essendon), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane), Joel Selwood (Geelong)
I/C: Dayne Beams (Collingwood), Nathan Foley (Richmond), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
SUB: Nick Graham (Carlton)
By team
Adelaide: Smith (1)
Brisbane: Patfull, Hanley, Zorko, Rockliff (4)
Carlton: Rowe, Simpson, Gibbs, Graham (4)
Collingwood: Beams (1)
Essendon: Carlisle, Ryder (2)
Fremantle: Nil (0)
Geelong: Taylor, Johnson, Selwood (3)
Gold Coast: Nil (0)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil (0)
Hawthorn: Lewis, Roughead (2)
Melbourne: Tyson (1)
North Melbourne: Nil (0)
Port Adelaide: Nil (0)
Richmond: Foley (1)
St Kilda: Savage, Riewoldt (2)
Sydney: McGlynn (1)
West Coast: Nil (0)
Western Bulldogs: Nil (0)
