Hawthorn youngster Josh Weddle in action during his Rising Star nomination performance against West Coast. Photo: AFL MEDIA

FULL BACKS

Jordan Ridley (Essendon)
The long arms of Jordan Ridley were busy at Dreamtime at the ‘G, with the steady defender leading the way for intercepts in a game that was full of them. Starting the match on fire with six grabs in the first term alone, he continued to be a pain in Richmond’s collective neck with some telling aerial work throughout.

Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
With 10 intercept marks, Moore equals the record (since the stat has been recorded) of most taken in a single game. That he was up against the two most recent Coleman Medalists, as the only Collingwood defender over 6’3”, further highlights just how impressive this performance was. He is perhaps emerging as the brightest star of season 2023.

Josh Weddle (Hawthorn)
All matches featuring West Coast are difficult to judge at the moment, but a performance like this from a fourth-gamer is worthy of celebration under any circumstances. Stationed in the backline but winning the ball all over the field, the highly-rated Weddle notched 28 touches and also booted two first-quarter goals in an exciting display.

HALF-BACKS

Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
Houston’s terrific month of footy was capped off with his first 30-disposal match of the season. Among his touches were 10 intercepts, seven inside 50s and five rebound 50s while he also racked up 815 metres gained. Often good for a goal, his second-quarter major gave the Power their biggest lead of the game against Melbourne.

Charlie Ballard (Gold Coast)
There are quite a number of excellent intercept defenders in this era of footy, but what separates Ballard is his ability to consistently take contested marks in the back half. Six of his nine grabs against Brisbane were contested, and his ability to also meet the footy first was crucial in limiting the impact of Eric Hipwood.

Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)
Sinclair has shown in the last 18 months that he is capable of really massive games, and his display against the Giants was one of them. Starting strongly at half-back, the reigning All-Australian starred in the midfield during the second half and finished with two goals, as well as an equal-career-high 37 disposals.

CENTRES

Bailey Scott (North Melbourne)
He has been a pretty consistent performer for North Melbourne through the challenges of the last couple of years, but Scott hasn’t played a better game than he produced on Saturday. With 33 touches, 12 inside 50s, 821 metres gained and seven clearances, he was the Kangaroos’ main driver all afternoon.

Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
At the end of the season, this performance from Butters will be acknowledged as one of the best individual displays of 2023. He is one of those players for whom statistics don’t always do justice, however 41 disposals, 10 clearances and two goals – against the Demons no less – starts to paint the picture. He was simply everywhere and in everything, shaking the contest in the Power’s favour.

Josh Daicos (Collingwood)
Collingwood’s midfield is so even, varied and deep, but it feels as though Josh Daicos is somehow the centrepiece of it from the wing. He plays the way the team plays, and while he has always played like this (though not quite this well), the side is now matching his approach. No one was as good as Moore in this game, but Daicos taught the Blues the biggest lesson.

HALF-FORWARDS

Dustin Martin (Richmond)
In a game that was seriously lacking in polish, Martin’s ability to hit targets with precision was notable in Saturday night’s Dreamtime match. A long final-quarter goal looked to have sealed the game for the Tigers, and while it wasn’t to be, Martin’s influence was big with nine score involvements from 24 touches playing across half-forward.

Brody Mihocek (Collingwood)
Twice when Carlton had ground the margin back to a manageable number on Sunday, Mihocek hit back with goals that reasserted the Magpies’ dominance. Whether leading into space, creating a contest, or when the ball hits the deck, he just consistently finds a way to impact the game.

Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
Nothing appears too challenging for the North Melbourne young gun, with Sheezel demonstrating his adaptability by influencing the contest at half-back, half-forward and in the guts against Sydney. It was in the front half that he did his best work, with a couple of second-half goals that got ‘Roos fans up and about.

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FORWARDS

Michael Walters (Fremantle)
Walters’ excellent renaissance season continues, with the brilliant Docker on track for his highest goal tally since his All-Australian year of 2019. He starred in the win against Geelong, booting two of his three goals and dishing off another in a tense and highly-competitive third quarter.

Mitch Lewis (Hawthorn)
Hawthorn just looks so much more appealing, both in the short and long term, with Mitch Lewis in the side. It hasn’t taken long for the big forward to hit his straps on return from an ACL injury, with a career-best six goals (including four in a row at one point) and 24 touches in the obliteration of the Eagles.

Brent Daniels (GWS)
With the opening goal of the game, and the crucial final one of the third quarter, Daniels kept the Giants’ spirits up in a hard-fought contest against St Kilda. His contest work up the ground was also decisive, with his 24 disposals including nine score involvements. An underrated, yet highly-valued, part of the GWS side.

FOLLOWERS

Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
While the Bulldogs’ Tim English has garnered a lot of praise this season, St Kilda’s star ruck has been producing similar numbers as a genuine midfield contributor. Clearly beating the inexperienced Kieran Briggs in the centre square battle, Marshall also got it done around the ground with 24 disposals and five clearances.

Zach Merrett (Essendon)
This was one of Zach Merrett’s best-ever games, and he’s played his fair share of beauties. Like Martin, Merrett’s ball use stood out in a fairly scrappy game, only the Essendon captain had nearly twice as many kicks as he sliced through the Richmond midfield and set up repeated (and, importantly, gettable) scoring shots for the Bombers.

Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)
Coach Luke Beveridge’s midfield combo seems to change regularly, but whenever Smith is in there he inflicts damage on the opposition. Up against a much-improved Adelaide on-ball unit, he started with a bang to have 15 touches at the first break. Impactful as ever with ball in hand, his 37 disposals included nine score involvements.

INTERCHANGE

Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
Now well and truly back to his elite form of last season, Brayshaw was the best player afield with 33 touches and 10 tackles in Fremantle’s important win over Geelong. On the occasions that he didn’t snare the footy from the centre, Brayshaw’s ability to beat opposition to the fall of the ball and win it anyway was instrumental in the Dockers’ victory.

Bailey Dale (Western Bulldogs)
The Bulldogs tend to play well when Dale gets a tonne of the ball, and so it was in Ballarat against the Crows. The rangy backman racked up 36 touches, of which 89 per cent found a target, also winning the ball back on eight occasions. His output after half-time with Jason Johannisen off injured was even more crucial to the Dogs’ method.

Luke Parker (Sydney)
A classic performance from Parker, with 28 touches, six clearances, a goal and two short recesses due to the blood rule. The Swans’ co-captain was especially influential in the second term with 12 disposals as Sydney held off a spirited North Melbourne. With his side continuing to look tenuous, he’s as important as he’s ever been.

Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
The centre square battle was always going to be significant in the first Q-Clash of the season, with both sides boasting a strong tap ruckman and in-form ball winners. Clearly, Neale won the day with an enormous eight centre clearances and 10 in total. Not only does he win the ball, but he frequently gets it to a teammate who most haven’t even spotted yet.

STIFF TO MISS
Conor Nash (Hawthorn), Chad Warner (Sydney), Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide), Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs), Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast), Steven May (Melbourne), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda), Shai Bolton (Richmond), Josh Dunkley (Brisbane), Joe Daniher (Brisbane).