Welcome to the Team of the Week for Round 3 in the 2015 AFL Season.
The team
Back
Back Pocket
Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide)
Went toe-to-toe with seven-goal hero Jarrad Waite on Saturday night, and rendered him useless. Only had the seven touches and four marks, but stayed in the right positions all night to ensure North got no input from the former Blue.
Full Back
Michael Hurley (Essendon)
After an outstanding first fortnight in which he stopped star forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead, Michael Hurley cemented his position as one of the game’s premier key forwards by putting a blanket over Carlton goalkicker Lachie Henderson. Not only does he keep his opponent out of the game, but Hurley gets plenty of the ball and provides attack for his team up the field. Finished with 23 possessions and 11 marks.
Back Pocket
Taylor Duryea (Hawthorn)
Had an enjoyable day in Launceston on Sunday for the Hawks, compiling 29 disposals from 11 marks in their 70 point victory over the Western Bulldogs. The gutsy defender spent some time on the dangerous Jake Stringer, who failed to trouble the scoreboard.
Taylor Duryea had the better of Jake Stringer on Sunday
Half Back
Bachar Houli (Richmond)
Was a key player in driving Richmond’s attacks from the back half on Saturday night against Brisbane, amassing 32 possessions, taking four marks and laying two tackles in a polished display. Tigers need more of this regularly.
Centre Half Back
Tom McDonald (Melbourne)
With arguably the toughest job in footy at the moment, Tom McDonald performed admirably on Saturday against Taylor Walker, albeit in tough conditions for key forwards. Walker still managed three goals, but only gathered nine touches and took one mark. McDonald was on his hammer all the time, ending the game with 16 possessions and four marks. In the best form of his career.
Tom McDonald lowered Taylor Walker’s colours significantly on the weekend
Half Back
Matthew Broadbent (Port Adelaide)
Like Houli, Broadbent used his long kicking to break the lines against North Melbourne on Saturday at Etihad Stadium. Finished with 24 touches, eight marks, three tackles and a trademark goal from outside 50 in the final quarter.
Middle
Wing
Dane Swan (Collingwood)
Time turned backwards on Friday night when Collingwood smashed St Kilda at the MCG, with Brownlow Medal winner Dane Swan showing his best form for quite some time. Swan collected 39 disposals, took four marks, laid five tackles and snapped a classy goal in a best on ground performance.
Centre
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
Like a fine wine, Hodge continues to get better with age. In a sparkling performance, the Hawthorn skipper collected a career-high 44 possessions against the Bulldogs, also taking seven marks and kicking two majors. Legend.
Wing
Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
After a poor high-possession game against the Western Bulldogs, the Richmond captain responded in impressive fashion on Saturday against the Lions. Picked up 37 disposals, took four marks, laid two tackles and slotted a goal as the Tigers ran rampant.
Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin was fantastic against Brisbane
Forward
Half Forward
Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
For the second week in a row, Stephen Hill showed his immense class, cutting the West Coast midfield to ribbons with 30 touches, eight marks, seven tackles and three goals. If he keeps this form up, Fremantle might be Hawthorn’s most genuine contender.
Centre Half Forward
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
Did as he liked on Sunday against the Bulldogs in Tasmania, picking up an impressive 28 touches, taking eight marks and kicking 7.3. Looking as good as ever.
Half Forward
Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
Returned to some of his best form on Friday night against the Saints, winning 15 touches, taking seven marks, including one of the best we’ll see this season, and booting four majors in a Magpie rout.
Jamie Elliott was at his high-flying best on Friday night against St Kilda
Forward Pocket
Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)
A relatively quiet night came alive in the final quarter for Thomas, booting three majors in the fourth quarter to spark his side. Ended with 11 possessions, two marks, three tackles and four goals.
Full Forward
Lance Franklin (Sydney)
Beat up his little brothers on Saturday evening at the SCG, amassing 10 scoring shots against Greater Western Sydney. Luckily for Giants’ fans, Buddy had a 5.5 split, but he was still the difference in the end with 18 disposals, seven marks and three tackles on former Lion Joel Patfull.
Lance Franklin was dominant in attack against GWS
Forward Pocket
Rhys Palmer (Greater Western Sydney)
It has been a gutsy career revival from Rhys Palmer. From winning the NAB Rising Star award in 2008 with Fremantle, to seemingly on the scrapheap, to one of the Greater Western Sydney Giants’ foundation signings. Has carved a niche in the forward line, and was effective again on Saturday against the Swans, kicking three goals from 19 touches, four marks and four tackles. Watch the Round 3 highlights reel for how good he was.
Followers
Ruck
Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
After falling slightly into the nadir in his second season, Brodie Grundy looks to have re-emerged as one of the competition’s young gun ruck prospects. On Friday night, he battled with fellow youngster Billy Longer, finishing with 23 possessions, three marks, two tackles, 30 hitouts and a goal. Very promising signs.
Ruck Rover
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
The inspirational Geelong skipper led from the front on Sunday against Gold Coast, paving the way for his side’s first victory of 2015. Finished with 38 disposals, 23 of those contested, four marks and six tackles. Also led the way for clearances, finishing with 12.
Joel Selwood couldn’t be stopped on Sunday against Gold Coast
Rover
Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
Possibly the most underrated player in the league. Is a genuine star of the competition and his performance against the West Coast suggests he’s only going to get better. Finished the match with 42 possessions, 10 marks, three tackles and three goals. Used the ball incredibly well all afternoon, claiming his second Ross Glendinning Medal.
Interchange
Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide)
In his 150th game, Ebert continued his good form with a sensational two-way effort against the Kangaroos. Amassed 22 touches, took seven marks, laid three tackles and hurt the opposition on the scoreboard with three goals. Arguably the most honest player in the competition.
David Mackay (Adelaide)
In wet, wintry conditions at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine speedster David Mackay winning best on ground honours against Melbourne, but that was the case in Adelaide’s 25 point win. Mackay tallied 23 touches, took three marks, laid an incredibly 13 tackles, and kicked a terrific goal on the run. Crows’ fans will be wanting to see more of this.
Jobe Watson (Essendon)
With the shackles gone form his shoulders, Jobe Watson’s form looks ominous for the rest of the competition. The Essendon skipper was sublime against Carlton on Saturday, collecting 36 disposals, taking eight marks, laying five tackles and kicking a goal.
Jobe Watson starred for Essendon on Saturday against Carlton
Substitute
Matt Shaw (Gold Coast)
After a suspension from Gold Coast’s first game of the year forced him out of their Round 2 clash with St Kilda, Matt Shaw returned in style for the Suns, albeit from the green vest. Subbed into the game in the third quarter for Daniel Gorringe, Shaw used his run and pace to energise his teammates. Finished with a respectable 15 possessions and eight marks from not much game-time.
On paper
FB: Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide), Michael Hurley (Essendon), Taylor Duryea (Hawthorn)
HB: Bachar Houli (Richmond), Tom McDonald (Melbourne), Matthew Broadbent (Port Adelaide)
C: Dane Swan (Collingwood), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
HF: Stephen Hill (Fremantle), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
FF: Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne), Lance Franklin (Sydney), Rhys Palmer (Greater Western Sydney)
R: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
I/C: Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide), David Mackay (Adelaide), Jobe Watson (Essendon)
SUB: Matt Shaw (Gold Coast)
By team
Adelaide: Mackay (1)
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: Nil (0)
Collingwood: Swan, Elliott, Grundy (3)
Essendon: Hurley, Watson (2)
Fremantle: Hill, Neale (2)
Geelong: Selwood (1)
Gold Coast: Shaw (1)
Greater Western Sydney: Palmer (1)
Hawthorn: Duryea, Hodge, Roughead (3)
Melbourne: McDonald (1)
North Melbourne: Thomas (1)
Port Adelaide: Hombsch, Broadbent, Ebert (3)
Richmond: Houli, Cotchin (2)
St Kilda: Nil (0)
Sydney: Franklin (1)
West Coast: Nil (0)
Western Bulldogs: Nil (0)
The team
Back
Back Pocket
Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide)
Went toe-to-toe with seven-goal hero Jarrad Waite on Saturday night, and rendered him useless. Only had the seven touches and four marks, but stayed in the right positions all night to ensure North got no input from the former Blue.
Full Back
Michael Hurley (Essendon)
After an outstanding first fortnight in which he stopped star forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead, Michael Hurley cemented his position as one of the game’s premier key forwards by putting a blanket over Carlton goalkicker Lachie Henderson. Not only does he keep his opponent out of the game, but Hurley gets plenty of the ball and provides attack for his team up the field. Finished with 23 possessions and 11 marks.
Back Pocket
Taylor Duryea (Hawthorn)
Had an enjoyable day in Launceston on Sunday for the Hawks, compiling 29 disposals from 11 marks in their 70 point victory over the Western Bulldogs. The gutsy defender spent some time on the dangerous Jake Stringer, who failed to trouble the scoreboard.
Taylor Duryea had the better of Jake Stringer on Sunday
Half Back
Bachar Houli (Richmond)
Was a key player in driving Richmond’s attacks from the back half on Saturday night against Brisbane, amassing 32 possessions, taking four marks and laying two tackles in a polished display. Tigers need more of this regularly.
Centre Half Back
Tom McDonald (Melbourne)
With arguably the toughest job in footy at the moment, Tom McDonald performed admirably on Saturday against Taylor Walker, albeit in tough conditions for key forwards. Walker still managed three goals, but only gathered nine touches and took one mark. McDonald was on his hammer all the time, ending the game with 16 possessions and four marks. In the best form of his career.
Tom McDonald lowered Taylor Walker’s colours significantly on the weekend
Half Back
Matthew Broadbent (Port Adelaide)
Like Houli, Broadbent used his long kicking to break the lines against North Melbourne on Saturday at Etihad Stadium. Finished with 24 touches, eight marks, three tackles and a trademark goal from outside 50 in the final quarter.
Middle
Wing
Dane Swan (Collingwood)
Time turned backwards on Friday night when Collingwood smashed St Kilda at the MCG, with Brownlow Medal winner Dane Swan showing his best form for quite some time. Swan collected 39 disposals, took four marks, laid five tackles and snapped a classy goal in a best on ground performance.
Centre
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
Like a fine wine, Hodge continues to get better with age. In a sparkling performance, the Hawthorn skipper collected a career-high 44 possessions against the Bulldogs, also taking seven marks and kicking two majors. Legend.
Wing
Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
After a poor high-possession game against the Western Bulldogs, the Richmond captain responded in impressive fashion on Saturday against the Lions. Picked up 37 disposals, took four marks, laid two tackles and slotted a goal as the Tigers ran rampant.
Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin was fantastic against Brisbane
Forward
Half Forward
Stephen Hill (Fremantle)
For the second week in a row, Stephen Hill showed his immense class, cutting the West Coast midfield to ribbons with 30 touches, eight marks, seven tackles and three goals. If he keeps this form up, Fremantle might be Hawthorn’s most genuine contender.
Centre Half Forward
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
Did as he liked on Sunday against the Bulldogs in Tasmania, picking up an impressive 28 touches, taking eight marks and kicking 7.3. Looking as good as ever.
Half Forward
Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
Returned to some of his best form on Friday night against the Saints, winning 15 touches, taking seven marks, including one of the best we’ll see this season, and booting four majors in a Magpie rout.
Jamie Elliott was at his high-flying best on Friday night against St Kilda
Forward Pocket
Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)
A relatively quiet night came alive in the final quarter for Thomas, booting three majors in the fourth quarter to spark his side. Ended with 11 possessions, two marks, three tackles and four goals.
Full Forward
Lance Franklin (Sydney)
Beat up his little brothers on Saturday evening at the SCG, amassing 10 scoring shots against Greater Western Sydney. Luckily for Giants’ fans, Buddy had a 5.5 split, but he was still the difference in the end with 18 disposals, seven marks and three tackles on former Lion Joel Patfull.
Lance Franklin was dominant in attack against GWS
Forward Pocket
Rhys Palmer (Greater Western Sydney)
It has been a gutsy career revival from Rhys Palmer. From winning the NAB Rising Star award in 2008 with Fremantle, to seemingly on the scrapheap, to one of the Greater Western Sydney Giants’ foundation signings. Has carved a niche in the forward line, and was effective again on Saturday against the Swans, kicking three goals from 19 touches, four marks and four tackles. Watch the Round 3 highlights reel for how good he was.
Followers
Ruck
Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
After falling slightly into the nadir in his second season, Brodie Grundy looks to have re-emerged as one of the competition’s young gun ruck prospects. On Friday night, he battled with fellow youngster Billy Longer, finishing with 23 possessions, three marks, two tackles, 30 hitouts and a goal. Very promising signs.
Ruck Rover
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
The inspirational Geelong skipper led from the front on Sunday against Gold Coast, paving the way for his side’s first victory of 2015. Finished with 38 disposals, 23 of those contested, four marks and six tackles. Also led the way for clearances, finishing with 12.
Joel Selwood couldn’t be stopped on Sunday against Gold Coast
Rover
Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
Possibly the most underrated player in the league. Is a genuine star of the competition and his performance against the West Coast suggests he’s only going to get better. Finished the match with 42 possessions, 10 marks, three tackles and three goals. Used the ball incredibly well all afternoon, claiming his second Ross Glendinning Medal.
Interchange
Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide)
In his 150th game, Ebert continued his good form with a sensational two-way effort against the Kangaroos. Amassed 22 touches, took seven marks, laid three tackles and hurt the opposition on the scoreboard with three goals. Arguably the most honest player in the competition.
David Mackay (Adelaide)
In wet, wintry conditions at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, it’s hard to imagine speedster David Mackay winning best on ground honours against Melbourne, but that was the case in Adelaide’s 25 point win. Mackay tallied 23 touches, took three marks, laid an incredibly 13 tackles, and kicked a terrific goal on the run. Crows’ fans will be wanting to see more of this.
Jobe Watson (Essendon)
With the shackles gone form his shoulders, Jobe Watson’s form looks ominous for the rest of the competition. The Essendon skipper was sublime against Carlton on Saturday, collecting 36 disposals, taking eight marks, laying five tackles and kicking a goal.
Jobe Watson starred for Essendon on Saturday against Carlton
Substitute
Matt Shaw (Gold Coast)
After a suspension from Gold Coast’s first game of the year forced him out of their Round 2 clash with St Kilda, Matt Shaw returned in style for the Suns, albeit from the green vest. Subbed into the game in the third quarter for Daniel Gorringe, Shaw used his run and pace to energise his teammates. Finished with a respectable 15 possessions and eight marks from not much game-time.
On paper
FB: Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide), Michael Hurley (Essendon), Taylor Duryea (Hawthorn)
HB: Bachar Houli (Richmond), Tom McDonald (Melbourne), Matthew Broadbent (Port Adelaide)
C: Dane Swan (Collingwood), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
HF: Stephen Hill (Fremantle), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
FF: Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne), Lance Franklin (Sydney), Rhys Palmer (Greater Western Sydney)
R: Brodie Grundy (Collingwood), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
I/C: Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide), David Mackay (Adelaide), Jobe Watson (Essendon)
SUB: Matt Shaw (Gold Coast)
By team
Adelaide: Mackay (1)
Brisbane: Nil (0)
Carlton: Nil (0)
Collingwood: Swan, Elliott, Grundy (3)
Essendon: Hurley, Watson (2)
Fremantle: Hill, Neale (2)
Geelong: Selwood (1)
Gold Coast: Shaw (1)
Greater Western Sydney: Palmer (1)
Hawthorn: Duryea, Hodge, Roughead (3)
Melbourne: McDonald (1)
North Melbourne: Thomas (1)
Port Adelaide: Hombsch, Broadbent, Ebert (3)
Richmond: Houli, Cotchin (2)
St Kilda: Nil (0)
Sydney: Franklin (1)
West Coast: Nil (0)
Western Bulldogs: Nil (0)
