Luke Dunstan played one of his best games as he inspired St Kilda to an upset win over Richmond. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Marcus Adams (Brisbane)
An excellent performance from Adams, who is enjoying a fantastic patch of form and fitness. He did a defensive number on Cats champion Tom Hawkins, keeping him to one goal and just three marks, and using his impressive strength in the contest to win a number of one-on-one battles.

Steven May (Melbourne)
There were times in the game on Saturday night where it seemed as though Steven May was the only thing keeping Melbourne in it. Late in the first quarter and early in the second as Essendon got on top, May consistently chopped off their forward entries either with an intercept mark or a timely spoil. He is having an outstanding year.

Brayden Maynard (Collingwood)
A costly brain fade aside, Maynard was right up among his side’s best once again with a typically-energetic performance. Showed his versatility by starting in a tall defensive role in the absence of Darcy Moore, but returned to his customary position after Matt Taberner went off injured and racked up 27 disposals and 661 metres gained.

HALF BACKS

Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
Whitfield has slowly worked his way into the season after a pretty dreadful pre-season malady, and his last few weeks have been outstanding. He was prolific early as the Giants made a strong start to the game, and his run in the third quarter essentially got GWS back into it after the Hawks had shot out to a 22-point lead.

Liam Jones (Carlton)
A huge game from Jones, who played with vigour all afternoon, winning contests and intercepting in equal measure. Two crucial moments in the last 30 seconds, including a flying spoil to knock the footy through for a rushed behind, and a contested intercept mark at full pace, capped off what was an excellent day for the important defender.

Will Day (Hawthorn)
Any suggestion that Hawthorn are completely bereft of young, impressive talent has been put paid to since Day has returned to the side, with the rangy half back putting in a career-best outing against the Giants following on from an excellent comeback last week. He clearly has the tools to win the footy back, run hard and use it well going the other way.

CENTRES

Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)
Responded well after a quiet few weeks, with 31 disposals, nine score involvements, six clearances, and two goals as the Bulldogs midfield utterly dominated the similarly-ranked Eagles unit. Was used both on the inside and outside at various stages, reminding the footy world of his versatility and immense talent.

Sam Walsh (Carlton)
Walsh has been lauded for his ability to do most things to a high standard, and we have seen his ball-winning, decision making and clearance work all excel. On Sunday he showcased a burst of pure pace that could take his game to an even further level, surging through the middle of the ground and brushing aside more experienced opponents in what was a thrilling, thorough performance.

Zach Merrett (Essendon)
The two-time Essendon best-and-fairest continued his tremendous season on Saturday night, gathering an equal career-high 41 disposals along with eight tackles and two goal assists. His first half was abundant, but he did well to work his way back into the game and have a big final term after being well held in the third.

HALF FORWARDS

Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
Came back from suspension after what was a pretty undisciplined act, and immediately made up for his transgression with a best-on-ground performance. He led the Lions fearlessly in standing up to the Cats, and the fact that he topped the round in both tackles (12) and score involvements (12) shows you how hard he works both ways.

Lance Franklin (Sydney)
Had an interesting battle with the reformed Trent McKenzie for the bulk of the game, starting strong early before being well held for the middle two quarters. However, with his opponent off injured in the last, Franklin switched on for a vintage 30 minutes of football in which he nearly singlehandedly won the Swans the game. Still as dangerous as ever.

Cameron Zurhaar (North Melbourne)
Another who is enjoying a strong patch of form after an indifferent start to the year, Zurhaar’s output over the last month is reflecting the Kangaroos’ increased competitiveness. Fought hard all game, as he so often does, and picked up a career-high 24 disposals along with two goals and nine score involvements.

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FORWARDS

Dylan Moore (Hawthorn)
A really solid game from Moore, who is having a good year making the most of his opportunities in a forward line that hasn’t seen a whole lot of action. He was great all day with four goals and 20 disposals, but his two in 90 seconds late in the game after the Giants got back within a goal essentially sealed the win.

Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)
Yet another supreme aerial display from Naughton, who took five contested marks from nine in total, and is fast establishing himself as one of the best at that particular skill in the modern era. He looked dangerous throughout the game as the Bulldogs’ midfield triumphed, but finally capitalised in the last with three goals to come away with four for the match.

Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)
A fiery battle with one of the form players of the competition in Tom Stewart ended in clear victory for Charlie Cameron, who ran rings around the Geelong defence to be among the best players on the ground. Beat his opponent with both pace and agility at ground level, coming away with 3.3 and eventually seeing Stewart moved off him.

FOLLOWERS

Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne)
Goldstein just keeps on plugging away for North, and was an important figure for his side around the ground and in the ruck on Saturday. The ageless veteran had a round-high 13 hitouts to advantage, assisting the improved North Melbourne on-ball unit in winning the midfield battle, and also had 21 disposals and six clearances of his own.

Luke Dunstan (St Kilda)
Dunstan’s papers appeared stamped five weeks ago, but having fallen back into the side, he’s played the best month of footy of his career. Against the reigning premiers, Dunstan dominated with a best-on-ground display, bullying the hapless Richmond midfield to win 32 disposals, 11 clearances and send the ball inside 50 on nine occasions.

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
There’s little more to say about how outstanding Bontempelli is, because he’s just performing at an extremely high level every single week. He hit his marks again on Sunday, winning clearances, dropping back into defence when required, and kicking goals. His 2021 is at least the equal of Lachie Neale’s Brownlow season last year, and maybe as good as we’ve seen in a while.

INTERCHANGE

David Mundy (Fremantle)
Mundy’s All-Australian chances look more assured by the week, and he played an outstanding game as Fremantle’s only experienced midfielder against the Magpies. Despite a skewed kick-to-handball ratio, Mundy was the most influential midfielder on the ground, with his serenity in traffic enabling Fremantle to gain more opportunities forward of centre.

Adam Saad (Carlton)
The much-discussed Carlton recruit was at his lively and influential best on Sunday, delivering the ball as well as he has all year and demonstrating a vastly-improved defensive mindset. His long-running goal just before quarter-time shocked the Blues into action, and a desperate chase in the last saved a certain Adelaide goal. A very well-balanced game.

Luke Parker (Sydney)
Parker fought brilliantly against Port Adelaide, leading a relatively inexperienced midfield as he has done all season. He was creative and industrious though the middle, picking up 34 touches and seven clearances, and his important contested mark and goal in the third quarter kept Sydney in touch when it looked like Port might run away with it.

Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
Extremely well-held before half-time, the Port Adelaide great broke the shackles with 22 disposals and six tackles in the second half to well and truly throw his hat in the ring for best-on-ground honours. Some of the targets he picked off in the last quarter were absolutely crucial, and kept the Power in possession as Sydney surged hard.

STIFF TO MISS
Jack Steele (St Kilda), Paddy Ryder (St Kilda), Dan Houston (Port Adelaide), Willem Drew (Port Adelaide), Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide), Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne), Jack Scrimshaw (Hawthorn), Liam Henry (Fremantle), Christian Petracca (Melbourne), Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)