Welcome to the final Team of the Week for the Home and Away Season in 2014! Thanks for your continual feedback throughout the year.
The team
DEFENCE
Back Pocket
Josh Gibson (Hawthorn)
Was at his patrolling best in the backline on Friday night against Collingwood, taking on the resting ruckman in Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts. Both big guys failed to trouble the scoreboard, while Gibson accumulated 36 possessions and took 11 marks. Primed for a big September.
Full Back
Alex Rance (Richmond)
His inclusion to the team on the back of injury has, along with Ivan Maric, kickstarted this incredible run to an unlikely finals berth in 2014. Was immense on Saturday evening and was a major reason why Richmond will play this weekend. Kept Kurt Tippett to six touches and one goal while racking up 16 disposals, taking seven marks and laying three tackles. So desperate in the contest.
Back Pocket
Heath Shaw (Greater Western Sydney)
Can only call his move to Greater Western Sydney a resounding success. Finished the year with a superb game, tallying 29 touches from 12 marks against the Bulldogs. Has given a lot of his younger teammates, especially in the backline, confidence to take the game on.
Half Back
Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
Might have sewn up a spot in the All Australian team with another sensational performance on the weekend. Gathered 34 disposals, took five marks and slotted a goal. In terms of metres gained, he's the most valuable player in the league.
Centre Half Back
Daniel Talia (Adelaide)
Like his teammate Smith, another strong game from Talia against St Kilda could cement his first All Australian berth. Kept fellow Rising Star winner Nick Riewoldt to 10 touches and no score, just the second time this season he hasn't kicked a goal. Talia grabbed eight marks and collected 15 touches.
Half Back
Shaun Atley (North Melbourne)
Finished the year strongly with a top performance against Melbourne on Saturday night, collecting 21 possessions, taking five marks, laying three tackles and showing his trademark burst to get forward and slot a goal.
MIDFIELD
Wing
Brett Deledio (Richmond)
Has been maligned in the past for not standing up in the big games, but put those claims to bed with an outstanding game against Sydney. Won 29 disposals, took five marks, laid five tackles and kicked three goals, willing his side into the finals.
Centre
Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
Did everything he could in the final game of the season to get his side one more win, but alas it wasn't enough. Amassed 38 touches, took six marks, laid five tackles and kicked a goal on rising star Dylan Shiel. Will be even better next year with a proper pre-season.
Wing
Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
Like Griffen, he tried his hardest in what was a dead-rubber for the Swans. Gathered 33 possessions, took five marks, laid 10 tackles and booted a goal. Loves the big stage, so watch out for him in the next month of footy.
FORWARD
Half Forward
Josh Caddy (Geelong)
His past month could be viewed as a bit of a breakout period for Caddy, who has well and truly cemented his spot in Geelong's best 21. Was great against Brisbane on Saturday night, collecting 24 touches, taking five marks, laying three tackles and booting three majors.
Centre Half Forward
Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
Finished what could be viewed as a disappointing year strongly, beating up on the Gold Coast Suns with 12 disposals, seven marks, three tackles and eight goals on Rory Thompson. Has 26.2 from three matches against the Giants and Suns in 2014.
Half Forward
Mark LeCras (West Coast)
His rise in form has coincided with West Coast's strong finish to the year, and was great again against the Suns. Collected 20 touches, took four marks, laid three tackles and slotted four majors. If he kicks 50 or more next year, Eagles are pushing the top four.
Forward Pocket
Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
Brought up the half century on Friday night with five majors on Lachie Keeffe, picking up 23 disposals from nine marks. He, Roughead and Breust have made a mockery of the claims that the goalkicking would dry up with no Buddy.
Full Forward
Jay Schulz (Port Adelaide)
Finished the year strongly after a lean patch recently, kicking six majors on Zac Dawson from 15 touches, eight marks and two tackles. If he keeps games like this up in the finals, Port could push deep.
Forward Pocket
Will Hoskin-Elliott (Greater Western Sydney)
Ended a promising season on a high note with an equal career-high five majors against the Western Bulldogs from 15 disposals and six marks on Dale Morris. Is fast, agile and can leap. He could be the one the Giants are most excited about.
FOLLOWERS
Ruckman
Nic Naitanui (West Coast)
Showed on Sunday what the tandem of Naitanui and Lycett could bring in the post-Cox generation. Naitanui had 12 touches, took three marks, laid six tackles, won 28 hitouts, 12 of them to advantage, and kicked three goals. West Coast's ruck stocks are perhaps the healthiest in the competition.
Ruck Rover
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Amazingly, is gearing up for an eighth finals campaign since his debut in 2007. Was arguably best afield on Saturday night, amassing 29 possessions against the Lions, taking six marks, laying nine tackles and booting two goals.
Rover
Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
Two of the most likeable players in the league went head-to-head on Sunday afternoon at the Adelaide Oval, with Rory Sloane and Jack Steven going against each other. Both collected 30 disposals, with Sloane laying nine tackles and kicking three goals to lay claims for best on ground honours.
INTERCHANGE
Dean Kent (Melbourne)
A small shining light for the Demons in 2014 has been Kent's form. At times has shown he is a bundle of energy, zipping around the field and providing plenty of scoring options while being able to slot fantastic, classy goals. On Saturday night against the Roos, Kent collected 14 touches, took five marks, laid three tackles and kicked three majors, setting up two in the last quarter to defender Tom McDonald. Dees would have lost by 10 goals without him.
Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
Stood up in the absence of Nathan Fyfe, winning 34 disposals, taking seven marks and laying five tackles. Does he perform better without his champion teammate in the same side?
Brock McLean (Carlton)
A major reason why the Blues got off to a brilliant start against the Bombers on Saturday, collecting 11 touches in the first quarter. Ended with 32 possessions, seven marks, five tackles and a goal.
Substitute
Reece Conca (Richmond)
Started with the subs vest and was into the action late in the third quarter for Ricky Petterd. Did well to find plenty of the ball in his game time, collecting 12 possessions and taking two marks. Probably earns his spot in the best 21 on the back of this next week.
On paper
FB: Josh Gibson (Hawthorn), Alex Rance (Richmond), Heath Shaw (Greater Western Sydney)
HB: Brodie Smith (Adelaide), Daniel Talia (Adelaide), Shaun Atley (North Melbourne)
C: Brett Deledio (Richmond), Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs), Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
HF: Josh Caddy (Geelong), Josh Kennedy (West Coast), Mark LeCras (West Coast)
FF: Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Jay Schulz (Port Adelaide), Will Hoskin-Elliott (Greater Western Sydney)
R: Nic Naitanui (West Coast), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
I/C: Dean Kent (Melbourne), Lachie Neale (Fremantle), Brock McLean (Carlton)
SUB: Reece Conca (Richmond)
By team
Adelaide: Smith, Talia, Sloane (3)
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: McLean (1)
Collingwood: Nil (0)
Essendon: Nil (0)
Fremantle: Neale (1)
Geelong: Caddy, Selwood (2)
Gold Coast: Nil (0)
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw, Hoskin-Elliott (2)
Hawthorn: Gibson, Gunston (2)
Melbourne: Kent (1)
North Melbourne: Atley (1)
Port Adelaide: Schulz (1)
Richmond: Rance, Deledio, Conca (3)
St Kilda: Nil (0)
Sydney: Hannebery (1)
West Coast: Kennedy, LeCras, Naitanui (3)
Western Bulldogs: Griffen (1)
The team
DEFENCE
Back Pocket
Josh Gibson (Hawthorn)
Was at his patrolling best in the backline on Friday night against Collingwood, taking on the resting ruckman in Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts. Both big guys failed to trouble the scoreboard, while Gibson accumulated 36 possessions and took 11 marks. Primed for a big September.
Full Back
Alex Rance (Richmond)
His inclusion to the team on the back of injury has, along with Ivan Maric, kickstarted this incredible run to an unlikely finals berth in 2014. Was immense on Saturday evening and was a major reason why Richmond will play this weekend. Kept Kurt Tippett to six touches and one goal while racking up 16 disposals, taking seven marks and laying three tackles. So desperate in the contest.
Back Pocket
Heath Shaw (Greater Western Sydney)
Can only call his move to Greater Western Sydney a resounding success. Finished the year with a superb game, tallying 29 touches from 12 marks against the Bulldogs. Has given a lot of his younger teammates, especially in the backline, confidence to take the game on.
Half Back
Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
Might have sewn up a spot in the All Australian team with another sensational performance on the weekend. Gathered 34 disposals, took five marks and slotted a goal. In terms of metres gained, he's the most valuable player in the league.
Centre Half Back
Daniel Talia (Adelaide)
Like his teammate Smith, another strong game from Talia against St Kilda could cement his first All Australian berth. Kept fellow Rising Star winner Nick Riewoldt to 10 touches and no score, just the second time this season he hasn't kicked a goal. Talia grabbed eight marks and collected 15 touches.
Half Back
Shaun Atley (North Melbourne)
Finished the year strongly with a top performance against Melbourne on Saturday night, collecting 21 possessions, taking five marks, laying three tackles and showing his trademark burst to get forward and slot a goal.
MIDFIELD
Wing
Brett Deledio (Richmond)
Has been maligned in the past for not standing up in the big games, but put those claims to bed with an outstanding game against Sydney. Won 29 disposals, took five marks, laid five tackles and kicked three goals, willing his side into the finals.
Centre
Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
Did everything he could in the final game of the season to get his side one more win, but alas it wasn't enough. Amassed 38 touches, took six marks, laid five tackles and kicked a goal on rising star Dylan Shiel. Will be even better next year with a proper pre-season.
Wing
Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
Like Griffen, he tried his hardest in what was a dead-rubber for the Swans. Gathered 33 possessions, took five marks, laid 10 tackles and booted a goal. Loves the big stage, so watch out for him in the next month of footy.
FORWARD
Half Forward
Josh Caddy (Geelong)
His past month could be viewed as a bit of a breakout period for Caddy, who has well and truly cemented his spot in Geelong's best 21. Was great against Brisbane on Saturday night, collecting 24 touches, taking five marks, laying three tackles and booting three majors.
Centre Half Forward
Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
Finished what could be viewed as a disappointing year strongly, beating up on the Gold Coast Suns with 12 disposals, seven marks, three tackles and eight goals on Rory Thompson. Has 26.2 from three matches against the Giants and Suns in 2014.
Half Forward
Mark LeCras (West Coast)
His rise in form has coincided with West Coast's strong finish to the year, and was great again against the Suns. Collected 20 touches, took four marks, laid three tackles and slotted four majors. If he kicks 50 or more next year, Eagles are pushing the top four.
Forward Pocket
Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
Brought up the half century on Friday night with five majors on Lachie Keeffe, picking up 23 disposals from nine marks. He, Roughead and Breust have made a mockery of the claims that the goalkicking would dry up with no Buddy.
Full Forward
Jay Schulz (Port Adelaide)
Finished the year strongly after a lean patch recently, kicking six majors on Zac Dawson from 15 touches, eight marks and two tackles. If he keeps games like this up in the finals, Port could push deep.
Forward Pocket
Will Hoskin-Elliott (Greater Western Sydney)
Ended a promising season on a high note with an equal career-high five majors against the Western Bulldogs from 15 disposals and six marks on Dale Morris. Is fast, agile and can leap. He could be the one the Giants are most excited about.
FOLLOWERS
Ruckman
Nic Naitanui (West Coast)
Showed on Sunday what the tandem of Naitanui and Lycett could bring in the post-Cox generation. Naitanui had 12 touches, took three marks, laid six tackles, won 28 hitouts, 12 of them to advantage, and kicked three goals. West Coast's ruck stocks are perhaps the healthiest in the competition.
Ruck Rover
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Amazingly, is gearing up for an eighth finals campaign since his debut in 2007. Was arguably best afield on Saturday night, amassing 29 possessions against the Lions, taking six marks, laying nine tackles and booting two goals.
Rover
Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
Two of the most likeable players in the league went head-to-head on Sunday afternoon at the Adelaide Oval, with Rory Sloane and Jack Steven going against each other. Both collected 30 disposals, with Sloane laying nine tackles and kicking three goals to lay claims for best on ground honours.
INTERCHANGE
Dean Kent (Melbourne)
A small shining light for the Demons in 2014 has been Kent's form. At times has shown he is a bundle of energy, zipping around the field and providing plenty of scoring options while being able to slot fantastic, classy goals. On Saturday night against the Roos, Kent collected 14 touches, took five marks, laid three tackles and kicked three majors, setting up two in the last quarter to defender Tom McDonald. Dees would have lost by 10 goals without him.
Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
Stood up in the absence of Nathan Fyfe, winning 34 disposals, taking seven marks and laying five tackles. Does he perform better without his champion teammate in the same side?
Brock McLean (Carlton)
A major reason why the Blues got off to a brilliant start against the Bombers on Saturday, collecting 11 touches in the first quarter. Ended with 32 possessions, seven marks, five tackles and a goal.
Substitute
Reece Conca (Richmond)
Started with the subs vest and was into the action late in the third quarter for Ricky Petterd. Did well to find plenty of the ball in his game time, collecting 12 possessions and taking two marks. Probably earns his spot in the best 21 on the back of this next week.
On paper
FB: Josh Gibson (Hawthorn), Alex Rance (Richmond), Heath Shaw (Greater Western Sydney)
HB: Brodie Smith (Adelaide), Daniel Talia (Adelaide), Shaun Atley (North Melbourne)
C: Brett Deledio (Richmond), Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs), Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
HF: Josh Caddy (Geelong), Josh Kennedy (West Coast), Mark LeCras (West Coast)
FF: Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Jay Schulz (Port Adelaide), Will Hoskin-Elliott (Greater Western Sydney)
R: Nic Naitanui (West Coast), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Rory Sloane (Adelaide)
I/C: Dean Kent (Melbourne), Lachie Neale (Fremantle), Brock McLean (Carlton)
SUB: Reece Conca (Richmond)
By team
Adelaide: Smith, Talia, Sloane (3)
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: McLean (1)
Collingwood: Nil (0)
Essendon: Nil (0)
Fremantle: Neale (1)
Geelong: Caddy, Selwood (2)
Gold Coast: Nil (0)
Greater Western Sydney: Shaw, Hoskin-Elliott (2)
Hawthorn: Gibson, Gunston (2)
Melbourne: Kent (1)
North Melbourne: Atley (1)
Port Adelaide: Schulz (1)
Richmond: Rance, Deledio, Conca (3)
St Kilda: Nil (0)
Sydney: Hannebery (1)
West Coast: Kennedy, LeCras, Naitanui (3)
Western Bulldogs: Griffen (1)
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