Fremantle backman Alex Pearce produced one of the round’s feelgood stories in his return. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Dane Rampe (Sydney)
In a dirty night for the Swans, the Sydney co-captain was one of few who would be proud of his own individual performance. Rampe had 29 disposals, nine marks, 11 intercept possessions and a round-high 10 rebound 50s, making life difficult for the Hawks going forward and trying his guts out as always.

Alex Pearce (Fremantle)
The talented but luckless defender returned to the side and had a fantastic influence, keeping Ben King goalless for the first time this season and thus eliminating the Suns’ most reliable avenue to goal. His defensive contested work was a standout, and he combined well with the likes of Luke Ryan and James Aish moving the ball out of defence.

Tom Stewart (Geelong)
Is there a player who fits the “just gets the job done every week” billing better than Stewart in 2021? The versatile defender patrolled the Geelong back half with the confidence and assuredness of a man at the absolute top of his game, picking up 23 disposals, seven rebound 50s, and more than 700 metres gained.

HALF BACKS

Brayden Maynard (Collingwood)
Maynard has played good footy this year, but it certainly seemed as though he lifted for coach Nathan Buckely’s last game, putting in one of his best performances. His long kicking, excellent body-work and explosive run were all on show, and his important, late contested mark in defence capped off a great day.

Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn)
Bounced back to the form he showed at the beginning of the year after a bit of a quiet month and played possibly the best game of his career. He displayed the run and flair from half back that we’ve come to expect, but his defensive one-on-one work and ability to collect the footy cleanly and burst through traffic was seriously impressive.

Sam Frost (Hawthorn)
Whilst he has become somewhat of a journeyman defender, Frost has enjoyed the challenge of playing against Lance Franklin over the years. This occasion was absolutely no exception, as he kept the Swans champ to just one goal, three marks and virtually zero influence after the opening 10 minutes.

CENTRES

Paul Seedsman (Adelaide)
Continued his fine form as one of the best wingmen of 2021 with 31 disposals and another 717 metres gained against the Saints. He continually outworked the St Kilda midfield to get the ball going Adelaide’s way, and was one of the few Crows players to put in a solid four-quarter performance.

Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn)
It might have “only” been a 34-disposal game from Mitchell, but it was one of his most influential matches of the last 12 months, kicking a goal and producing higher numbers in tackles, kicks and metres gained than he has in much of that time. A prolific first half meant he was tagged after half-time, but he was still the dominant midfielder on the ground.

Jack Redden (West Coast)
Redden has always been a good contested player, but has had to adapt to different jobs as part of the transitioning West Coast midfield, and has played some excellent footy in a more outside role in the last month. He worked hard up and down the ground against the Tigers, finishing with 32 touches and 12 marks in a diligent display.

HALF FORWARDS

Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
After a slow first half of the season affected by injury and form, Rozee put in one of the most blistering quarters of footy of the year with four goals in the opening term on Thursday night. He had a dangerous and lively energy about him for the first time this season, and his fifth goal, scored midway through the last, gave Port a handy lead.

Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
If Rozee’s first quarter set the game up for Port, it was Cameron’s final quarter that won it for Geelong. “Jezza” showcased his diverse array of strengths with strong marking and skill at ground level all night, but turned it on with three goals in 11 minutes to take the game away from the Power and seal a thrilling win.

Kane Lambert (Richmond)
Came back after a six-week absence and showed his importance to the side, contributing in the middle and as a high half forward. The defence-first mentality of players like Lambert is a big reason for the Tigers’ success, but he can also hurt you the other way, as evidenced by his 27 touches and two classy goals.

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FORWARDS

Cameron Zurhaar (North Melbourne)
Zurhaar started the season a bit behind the pace, but certainly looks to have caught up. He was enormous against the Giants, particularly in the last quarter when he kicked a fantastic crumbing goal right when the Roos needed a settler, and worked incredibly hard to provide an option all over the ground. He is playing with supreme confidence.

Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
Kennedy’s strong marking and accurate kicking from all over the forward 50 proved the decisive factor in this game – no more so than in the final minute when he slotted the matchwinner from the boundary. He was far too quick on the lead for the normally-agile Noah Balta, and added three goal assists to his own bag of four.

Gary Rohan (Geelong)
Continued his great form since joining the Cats, playing his role as the third tall forward with speed and strength overhead. He took 10 marks and booted three goals, including two late in the third quarter when the game was at a stalemate, and bobbed up again at the death to ensure victory for the Cats.

FOLLOWERS

Nic Naitanui (West Coast)
A commanding centre-square display from the West Coast ruckman, who reacted to Mabior Chol’s good work early to flex his sizeable muscle and quickly get on top. His palm and clearance work was influential as always, but it was also a rare 20-plus disposal game for Naitanui, and his snap goal in the first quarter was one of the round’s highlights.

Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
Pendlebury has played plenty of influential quarters over the years, but his final term on Monday was right up there. With the game very much on the line, the skipper gathered 10 disposals (seven contested), two clearances, one goal and one direct assist to send his coach off in style. His best all-round midfield display this season.

Josh Kelly (GWS)
This was Kelly’s best performance for the season, and, despite the fact his side was unable to secure the win, was one of the overall most complete performances of the season. Kelly had 29 disposals, 12 score involvements, eight inside 50s and two goals, winning the ball in the clinches and working to receive on the outside.

INTERCHANGE

Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)
With David Astbury out injured, Vlastuin was required to spend significant minutes matched up against Jack Darling and performed the job very effectively, keeping the gun Eagle goalless while also picking up 11 intercepts. A late miskick from full back will haunt him, but shouldn’t offset what was an outstanding performance.

Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
Wines is clearly playing at a higher, more dynamic level than he ever has before, and with his comrade Travis Boak well held in the first half, it was up to him to hold the Port midfield together and keep them in the game. He had plenty of touches and clearances as always, but his 11 score involvements demonstrate the changing nature of his output.

Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
It was a typically elite inside game from Cunnington, who has been one of the best performed pure inside midfielders over the first half of the season. Against the strong GWS centre-square combination, the North veteran won more clearances than anyone else (nine) and also got forward to slot two goals.

Jon Ceglar (Hawthorn)
Came in to the side with youngster Ned Reeves a late out, and absolutely made the most of his opportunity. Ceglar clearly outplayed the red-hot Tom Hickey, getting 20 disposals, with a whopping 19 of those contested, as well as 35 hitouts, a game-high 11 clearances, and a goal in what was one of his best ever games.

STIFF TO MISS
Sean Darcy (Fremantle), David Mundy (Fremantle), Tom Hawkins (Geelong), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Jordan De Goey (Collingwood), Tom Barrass (West Coast), Aaron Hall (North Melbourne), Nick Haynes (GWS), Ben Keays (Adelaide), Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide).