Robbie Fox (right) was outstanding as the Swans broke Collingwood’s 11-game winning streak on Sunday. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Robbie Fox (Sydney)
Fox looked to have lost his spot in the side due to the success of Paddy McCartin’s recruitment, however since the bye he has slotted in alongside him and showed fantastic form. He was the standout in a fantastic performance from Sydney’s backline group, taking 10 marks and helping negate Collingwood’s forward-50 entries.

Lewis Young (Carlton)
A strong return to form for Young, who has enjoyed a pretty successful first season at Carlton after being a bargain pick-up in the 2021 trade period. He battled well against Ben Brown, winning or halving all bar one of his one-on-one contests, and he managed a huge 25 spoils to equal the all-time record (since records began).

Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs)
Richards’ outstanding breakout season continued on Saturday at Docklands where he was rock solid in defence against the Giants. His strong ability in defensive contested work, intercept marking and ball use when rebounding from back 50 make him a high-quality all-round defender and a huge chance for the Charlie Sutton Medal.

HALF-BACKS

Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)
The recruitment of Jordan Dawson to the Crows has been a huge success, with the former Swan carrying on his strong form to more than live up to expectations at West Lakes. He was strong all game against North Melbourne, but particularly in the second half where his class coming off half-back really came to the fore.

Tom Barrass (West Coast)
Another completely dominant game from Barrass, who is in rare form at the moment. He had nine intercept marks against the Dockers, blanketed Rory Lobb and went at 95 per cent efficiency with his 20 disposals. Coach Adam Simpson began the public push for Barrass to be named All-Australian, and with the key defender spots pretty open this year, he’s every chance.

Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
Houston has enjoyed a very consistent season have settled into a half-back role after some forays further up the field, and even in at centre bounces. He cleaned up on the Bombers’ timid ball movement going forward to collect 13 intercept possessions from 32 in total, rebounding from defensive 50 with class and also hitting the scoreboard.

CENTRES

Blake Acres (Fremantle)
Reclaiming his strong early-season form after an interrupted middle part of the year, Acres played an excellent Western Derby on Saturday night. He kicked an important goal to give the Dockers the lead heading into half-time, and had a huge last quarter as Fremantle ground West Coast down to enjoy a solid win.

Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)
Undoubtedly one of the shining lights of a dismal season at North Melbourne has been the emergence of Davies-Uniacke as a genuine top-line midfielder. He was the dominant midfielder on the ground in the match against Adelaide, with 37 touches and 11 clearances (including eight out of the middle) as well as 10 inside 50s and a goal.

Josh Kelly (GWS)
Kelly has struggled for impact since being edged out of the centre-square rotation several weeks ago, however he flipped that script with a highly impactful running display against the Bulldogs. The smooth Giant had a huge influence in the second half especially, helping get GWS back into the contest with some sharp ball use and industrious link-up play.

HALF-FORWARDS

Mason Wood (St Kilda)
A brilliant performance looked for all intents and purposes like a match-winning one when Wood put St Kilda in front with his fourth goal just before three-quarter time against Brisbane. Unfortunately for St Kilda it wasn’t to be, but Wood was outstanding, with his accurate, long left-foot kicking in full flight.

Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
Cameron is playing some seriously high-level footy at the moment and has genuine claims as the No.1 player in the league this season. He managed three goals against Gold Coast, but also had more score involvements than anyone on the ground with 10, an indication of his work rate and involvement up the field.

Cameron Rayner (Brisbane)
The mercurial Lion stole the show on Friday night with a thrilling four-goal performance, including three of the only four majors scored in the final term. Rayner’s prodigious talent was clearly on show, as he booted the Lions to victory with a couple of clever goals in traffic and a skilful snap from the boundary.

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FORWARDS

Jeremy Finlayson (Port Adelaide)
It didn’t seem advisable at the time, but Port Adelaide’s decision to use only Finlayson and Charlie Dixon as hybrid ruck-forwards in their midfield make-up has worked more often than not. Finlayson was outstanding in centre-square contests against Essendon, but also up forward where he had two goals, two direct assists and six inside 50s.

Tom Lynch (Richmond)
In what was one of the best individual performances of the season, Lynch rocketed up the Coleman Medal leaderboard with an authoritative eight-goal display that featured flawless set-shot kicking and some powerful contested marking. Lynch now has the highest goal-per-game average in the competition, and has taken six more contested marks than any other player.

Jake Melksham (Melbourne)
Not only has Melksham managed the tough task of forcing his way back into a premiership side, but he now looks like an indispensable part of their forward set-up. While Kysaiah Pickett kicked the winning goal, Melksham was the match winner with a four-quarter performance that included four goals, 10 score involvements and some important contested marks.

FOLLOWERS

Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
Best on ground in the Western Derby, Darcy completely controlled the stoppages both in the centre and around the ground against West Coast. Up against a serious opponent in Nic Naitanui, the Fremantle ruck gave his midfielders first use with an enormous 20 hitouts to advantage, also marking well on what was a slippery night.

Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)
As if just to illustrate the embarrassment of midfield riches on Melbourne’s list, Brayshaw has been the Demons’ best since moving into a permanent on-ball role several weeks ago. With Clayton Oliver copping attention at stoppages, Brayshaw took charge and won 12 clearances against the Blues midfield, easily a career-best number.

Dion Prestia (Richmond)
Along with Trent Cotchin, Prestia’s outstanding form in the contested possession department has been the main driver for Richmond’s turnaround in fortunes since half-time against Brisbane three weeks ago. He continued this on Sunday at the MCG, with some slick work in the middle to win 11 clearances, and also added a couple of crafty goals on the run.

INTERCHANGE

Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
Butters capped off a terrific month of footy with a comprehensive effort, both in the middle and up forward, against the hapless Bombers. He had 10 score involvements, including three goals, and looked to have fully recovered from some lingering injuries with a sharp and energetic display.

James Rowbottom (Sydney)
Rowbottom’s form as a grunt midfielder continues to be a really important part of Sydney’s rise. Against an adept Collingwood midfield, Rowbottom had a strong influence around the contest, enabling Sydney to win the battle on the outside with his tackling efforts and work in at stoppage clearances. His great goal early in the last quarter put the game beyond doubt.

Mark Blicavs (Geelong)
Already playing a fantastic game in whatever position it is he plays, Blicavs’ versatility and adaptability again proved highly valuable for Geelong when he held down first ruck after Rhys Stanley’s injury. He managed an equal career-high 27 touches in the role, also kicking two goals and winning plenty of contested ball.

Josh Daicos (Collingwood)
With Jordan De Goey joining regular centre-bounce starter Taylor Adams on the sidelines, Daicos went into the midfield against the Swans and won seven centre clearances, behind only usual round-leaders Davies-Uniacke and Dylan Shiel. He clearly thrived as Collingwood’s prime driver, and also slotted a nice first-quarter goal to keep Collingwood in touch.

STIFF TO MISS
Luke Parker (Sydney), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Harrison Petty (Melbourne), Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast), Touk Miller (Gold Coast), Darcy Fogarty (Adelaide), Cameron Guthrie (Geelong), Dylan Shiel (Essendon), Maurice Rioli (Richmond), Marcus Windhager (St Kilda).