Adelaide defender Josh Worrell takes a towering mark against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday evening. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Nic Newman (Carlton)
This was another outstanding game from a player who has been one of Carlton’s best over the course of their dramatic resurgence. Clocking up 11 intercepts from 33 possessions in total, Newman was a particularly big contributor in the last quarter as the Blues held off Melbourne in impressive fashion.

Harris Andrews (Brisbane)
The Lions co-captain enjoyed a day out against the Crows on Saturday. Returning to form after a few subdued weeks, Andrews cleaned up in the back half with 11 intercept possessions, took some strong contested marks, and even drifted forward to boot a nice long goal in the first term.

Nick Blakey (Sydney)
Blakey was outstanding in the backline on Saturday, sweeping up the ball and delivering it with trademark pace from defence at a disposal efficiency of 92 per cent. So often the Swans’ saviour on the last line of defence, his blend of one-on-one contest ability and elite distribution skills makes him a nightmare opponent when on song.

HALF-BACKS

Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)
A contender to go back-to-back in the All-Australian team, Sinclair was one of the most influential players on the ground in a comfortable win over Richmond. Although he played almost entirely in the back half, the attacking defender managed seven score involvements and gained 639 metres for the Saints.

Josh Worrell (Adelaide)
It’s been somewhat of a staggered start for Worrell since being drafted as a versatile tall at the end of 2019, but due to a raft of injuries he now finds himself the Crows’ most experienced key defender with just 15 games to his name. He led the Adelaide backline brilliantly on Saturday, as they kept Brisbane’s dangerous talls relatively quiet.

Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
Houston has been the most outstanding player in his position across the 2023 season, and performances like the one he put up on Sunday against GWS suggest he plans to have a big say in Port Adelaide’s finals fortunes. The midfield was impressive, but with 30 disposals, 10 marks, a goal, two assists, and nearly 700 metres gained, he was clearly one of the best afield.

CENTRES

Josh Daicos (Collingwood)
A really important performance from Daicos, who essentially led the Collingwood midfield from a wing on Friday night against Geelong. Racking up a career-high 38 disposals, his ball use going inside 50 led to numerous scoring opportunities for the Magpies, and his ability to contribute defensively was also an important factor in the hard-fought win.

Jai Newcombe (Hawthorn)
This was a career-best game for Newcombe, as he absolutely dominated in just his 50th match. Against the lauded Western Bulldogs midfield, the emerging star on-baller had 40 disposals, a goal and two further assists to once again demonstrate that he is far from just a stop-gap centreman for the Hawks.

Nic Martin (Essendon)
The brilliant season of Nic Martin continued on Saturday afternoon against North Melbourne, as he produced what may well be the best performance of his short career. Opening strongly with a 13-disposal first term, the gun wingman continued on providing run and attacking flair to finish with three goals and 32 disposals.

HALF-FORWARDS

Bobby Hill (Collingwood)
The stats don’t look overly compelling (although his haul of 16 disposals was the second biggest of his career), but Hill’s impact on Friday night, particularly in the third quarter when the Magpies made their move, was massive. Working hard up the field and sending it inside 50 on seven occasions, he was involved in everything as Collingwood ran over the top of Geelong.

Jeremy Cameron (Geelong)
Some of his goals arose from means that straddled the boundary line of fairness, but in the end Cameron’s output against Collingwood was busy, brilliant, and highly influential. At times standing out in his side like a 17-year-old playing in the under-12s, Cameron was prominent early and late with his seven goals from 11 shots.

Will Hayward (Sydney)
With the Suns taking a slim lead into quarter-time, Hayward sprang to life in the second term and handed Sydney a break with two goals in less than two minutes. Adding another (and an assist in the goal square) to make it three for the quarter, among a flurry of goals in both directions, he was the most influential player on the ground in Sydney’s win.

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FORWARDS

Lachie Schultz (Fremantle)
The usually-reliable Schultz has been somewhat inconspicuous in recent weeks, but a big outing in the Western Derby should help redeem him in Fremantle supporters’ eyes. In an absolute trouncing of their local rivals, Schultz booted a career-high five goals, taking home his first Glendinning-Allan Medal for best afield.

Max King (St Kilda)
In just his second game back following what initially appeared to be a season-ending shoulder injury, King dominated up forward against Richmond to land his biggest haul of the season. Giving the Saints a handy buffer with two nice goals in the opening quarter, he had six midway through the third term before the game petered out.

Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)
One of several Lions who needed a big game in the lead-up to the finals, Cameron turned it on in the third quarter to effectively hand Brisbane a crucial win over a highly competitive Crows side. Booting three goals and handing off three others throughout the match, he had a direct hand in most of Brisbane’s goals through the middle part of the game.

FOLLOWERS

Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
The Saints big man delivered the All-Australian selectors a timely reminder with a commanding performance in the ruck on Sunday. Going largely solo against the combination of Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo, Marshall competed well in the ruck and clearly won the around-the-ground contest with 23 touches, nine marks and a goal.

Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
A classic Patrick Cripps display helped Carlton record its eighth consecutive victory, and against a full-strength Melbourne midfield. Leading what is nominally the Blues’ second-string on-ball unit, the reigning Brownlow Medalist had 29 disposals, nine tackles and kicked an important third-quarter goal in what was a gritty victory.

Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
For a good portion of the final term on Friday night, it looked as though Dangerfield was set to win the game for Geelong. Pulling out some of his vintage moves at the ripe old age of 33, the champion Cat had 12 score involvements from his 26 touches, 11 inside-50s, nine clearances, and the opening goal of a lively fourth quarter.

INTERCHANGE

Luke Jackson (Fremantle)
Jackson’s awesome form continued in the Saturday night shellacking of West Coast, with the uniquely talented ruckman tying with Lachie Schultz in the Glendinning-Allan Medal voting, but just being pipped on countback. Roaming the field with confidence, he displayed prowess both in the air and at ground level.

Darcy Parish (Essendon)
In what was one of his best games in another strong season in the guts for Essendon, Parish went up against an impassioned North Melbourne midfield at Docklands and came out on top. With Zach Merrett subdued by tagger Curtis Taylor, Parish stepped up to finish with nine clearances and 16 contested possessions.

Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
The footy world got used to Sheezel producing big performances so quickly that his remarkable debut season has perhaps flown under the radar over the last few months. He provided a strong reminder against Essendon on Saturday, delivering the footy with a 94 per cent efficiency rating for his 32 disposals.

Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide)
Continuing what has been a tantalising and highly-successful first season at Port Adelaide, Horne-Francis showed his potential as a damaging, goal-kicking midfielder in the big win over the Giants. Three goals in the second half helped the Power build their lead, and his burst from stoppage was at times thrilling to watch.

STIFF TO MISS
Brody Mihocek (Collingwood), Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane), Nick Larkey (North Melbourne), Karl Amon (Hawthorn), Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide), Matt Rowell (Gold Coast), Chad Warner (Sydney), George Hewett (Carlton), Sam Sturt (Fremantle), Jordan Clark (Fremantle).