Gold Coast’s Rory Atkins is jubilant during the Suns’ impressive win over St Kilda on Saturday. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Nic Newman (Carlton)
A really reliable performer for the Blues over a long period of time now, Newman was one of their best in the terrific win over Port Adelaide. He showed his willingness to work both ways in gathering 23 possessions and nine tackles, and in a testament to his effectiveness, nine of his touches resulted in scores for the Blues.

Noah Balta (Richmond)
This was another strong performance from Balta, and a best-on-ground turn in a game with few highpoints. Not only was he a constant vigorous presence in the air against West Coast, he also mopped up at ground level with great effect. The captivating defender was disappointed to concede a few second-half goals, but still well and truly took the points against Oscar Allen.

Wil Powell (Gold Coast)
Known more for his run and dash from the back half, Powell demonstrated that he can also be a rock-solid intercepting defender with a telling performance against St Kilda. Half of his 26 possessions came from the boot of an opponent, and he didn’t waste it going forward either, with a kicking efficiency of 90 per cent.

HALF-BACKS

Rory Atkins (Gold Coast)
Atkins’ form over the last two months has been his best at the Gold Coast, and his outing on Saturday may well have been the best of his career. Stationed across half-back by interim coach Steven King, Atkins racked up 716 metres with his 32 disposals, also booting two tremendous goals.

Sam Taylor (GWS)
A defender just completely and utterly at the top of his game, Taylor is emerging as not only one of the best backmen in the AFL, but one of the best players in general. Blanketing Adelaide star Taylor Walker after half-time, the gun Giant also contributed to the win by clocking up 16 intercept possessions and a stack of contest wins.

Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
Standing out for Port Adelaide in a poor overall performance, Houston further enhanced his All-Australian credentials via a prominent display against the Blues. With a round-high 41 disposals, including nine intercepts and six inside 50s, the skilled half-back was constantly involved in the play both on the outside and in the contest.

CENTRES

Errol Gulden (Sydney)
The consistency of Gulden’s performances this season have really stood out among Sydney’s up-and-down campaign, with the third-year Swan managing 20 disposals or more in all but one match since Round 6. It was another impressive effort on Thursday night against the Bulldogs, as his precise kicking repeatedly opened up scoring opportunities.

Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
Port Adelaide’s midfield has hardly been beaten all year, but Carlton’s unit – led by skipper Patrick Cripps – had a big win at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. After a quiet first term, Cripps sprang to life and dominated the final three quarters to finish with 10 clearances, seven tackles and 11 score involvements.

Josh Daicos (Collingwood)
No one has owned the MCG wings like Josh Daicos for quite some time. In another vibrant display, the potent Magpie ran Fremantle off its collective feet with an eye-catching four-quarter performance. Gathering plenty of ball on the outside and the periphery of stoppages, he also managed an equal team-high 12 contested possessions.

HALF-FORWARDS

Toby Greene (GWS)
A game of big moments from the GWS skipper saw his side clinch a decisive victory against a fellow finals aspirant in the Crows. His brilliant third goal kicked off the fightback early in the last quarter, and his involvement in the last 10 minutes to ensure that his side got over the line was significant.

Joe Daniher (Brisbane)
Daniher is putting together an excellent season without needing to kick big bags of goals every week. His efforts in front of goal on Friday night were patchy, but he still managed to finish the match as Brisbane’s best player after 24 disposals, eight marks and the Lions’ only goal of the final quarter.

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
Another big game in the forward half from Petracca helped the Demons to victory on Friday night, with the Brownlow Medal fancy booting four goals for the second week in a row. Starting strongly with back-to-back goals in the opening quarter, he also hit the scoreboard late in the second and third terms to give Melbourne an advantage.

PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.

FORWARDS

Jack Silvagni (Carlton)
In and out of the side and with his name emerging in trade talk, Silvagni showed his worth to Carlton in what was quite possibly the best performance of his career. Required to play as a key forward after Harry McKay’s injury, Silvagni delivered in spades with four goals, some great contested grabs and a good contribution as a second ruck.

Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
Hawkins’ torment of the Bombers continued on Saturday night, with the champion Cat capitalising on Geelong’s territory domination to finish with five goals. Somewhat wasteful in the first half with 1.3, Hawkins turned it on in the third quarter to produce an excellent exhibition of set-shot goalkicking.

Tom Papley (Sydney)
With four goals for the match, including Sydney’s last two in a tense final quarter, Papley proved to be the match winner against the Western Bulldogs. Up and about on his 27th birthday, the brilliant forward’s trademark tongue-dangling celebrations were out in full force as he cleaned up in the forward 50.

FOLLOWERS

Max Gawn (Melbourne)
Playing as a solo recognised ruckman, the Melbourne captain produced one of his best performances on Friday night. Featuring 29 possessions (21 contested), 10 clearances, seven tackles and some vintage contested marking, Gawn dragged the Demons over the line for an important victory with an enormous second half.

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
When Bontempelli gets in a particular mood, the outcomes he produces are comprehensive, dominant and usually result in a Bulldogs victory. He didn’t quite get the side over the line on Thursday night, but his contribution of 31 disposals, nine inside 50s, eight tackles and two goals was one that few other players in the game could assemble.

Josh Kelly (GWS)
After having had his colours lowered the previous week against a close-checking Hawthorn, Kelly bounced back in the strongest possible way against Adelaide. Backed by coach Adam Kingsley in a predominantly inside role, the classy midfielder managed 21 contested possessions and nine clearances, as well as a fantastic long goal in the last term.

INTERCHANGE

Karl Amon (Hawthorn)
In what was his best game in the brown and gold, Amon provided maximum impact running off a wing against North Melbourne. Working back hard to help out the defence, he also managed eight inside 50s and more than 800 metres gained, with his slick ball use standing out in a somewhat unwieldy game.

Daniel Rioli (Richmond)
Along with Balta, Richmond half-back Daniel Rioli was one of very few who provided consistently effective ball movement in the win over West Coast on Sunday. Clocking up 31 disposals at an incredible 97 per cent efficiency, Rioli was the go-to man for the Tigers through the middle of the ground as the side looked to utilise his pace and ball use.

Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Another week, another best-on-ground outing for Nick Daicos. Gathering 12 disposals, a goal and two assists as the Magpies ran riot in the second term, he again worked harder and more effectively than most others out there. It may depend on how he votes in his half-back era, but if recognised properly, he will win the Brownlow in an absolute canter.

Tom Atkins (Geelong)
Essendon’s midfield, and especially Zach Merrett, had enjoyed the run of things in recent weeks, but Geelong’s hardened brigade put a stop to that in emphatic fashion on Saturday night. Leading the way with nine clearances and 12 tackles was Atkins, who contributed some fearsome defensive work in the centre square to win the ball the Cats’ way.

STIFF TO MISS
Sam Flanders (Gold Coast), Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs), Tim English (Western Bulldogs), Max Holmes (Geelong), Nick Murray (Adelaide), Connor Idun (GWS), James Worpel (Hawthorn), Charlie Curnow (Carlton), Jesse Motlop (Carlton), Darcy Moore (Collingwood).