Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan celebrates a goal against Essendon on Friday night at the MCG. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
FULL BACKS
Callum Wilkie (St Kilda)
The ever-reliable St Kilda backman was one of the best players on the ground in the stodgy affair against Brisbane, with his intercept work frustrating the Lions as he so often cleaned up in defensive 50. Finishing with 12 intercepts from 21 disposals (at 95 per cent efficiency), he capped off what will surely be a maiden All-Australian home-and-away campaign.
Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
We may never know the details of the tough conversations that occurred at Ed Curnow’s Torquay pad in late June, but whatever happened must have contributed to Weitering’s remarkable resurgence. Matched up against a red-hot Jesse Hogan in a must-win game, Weitering held him to one goal while managing 13 intercepts and nine rebound 50s.
Tom Stewart (Geelong)
Helping steer an unusually inexperienced Geelong outfit in its first dead-rubber game since 2015, Stewart was perhaps the main reason that the Cats took a 14-point lead into half-time. Dining out on the Bulldogs’ harried forward-50 entries, the star defender helped himself to 15 intercept possessions and 14 marks.
HALF-BACKS
Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne)
Finishing the season on fire is just the latest way in which Sheezel has bucked the trend when it comes to debut campaigns. Racking up 29 touches in the win over Gold Coast (his 16th game with 25 disposals or more), it was his disposal efficiency of 93 per cent that set him apart in the match.
Harris Andrews (Brisbane)
Although Max King didn’t line up for the Saints, Andrews still had his hands full with Tim Membrey in good shape and Mitch Owens always dangerous in the pack. The Brisbane co-captain more than held up his end, spoiling strongly in defence and winning or halving each of his one-on-one contests.
Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
A highly-effective four-quarter effort was what Whitfield provided in the season-defining win over Carlton. A player who thrives with ball in hand, the busy half-back had 20 kicks among his 32 disposals, with nine touches and three intercepts in the last quarter as the Giants ran over the top of the Blues.
CENTRES
Jarrod Berry (Brisbane)
Berry’s preparedness to play a role for Brisbane on the wing, when he could probably thrive as an inside midfielder, makes him a much-loved figure at the club. Performances such as the one he produced on Saturday with zero time on-ball are a significant bonus, with seven tackles and eight inside 50s a good indication of his two-way play.
Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
An inspiring performance from the inaugural Giant in his 200th game. Coniglio, who has re-emerged as one of the top-line midfielders in the AFL this season, was prolific in the guts with 28 disposals and eight inside 50s. A brilliant third-quarter goal from the pocket, his second of the match, was a highlight in a game full of big moments.
Errol Gulden (Sydney)
What a season Gulden has enjoyed, surely exceeding the expectations of even the most optimistic Swans fan in just his third season. On Sunday he blitzed the Demons both on the outside and in at centre bounces, clocking up more than 40 disposals for the first time and kicking two goals. Forget All-Australian – Gulden is a genuine Brownlow chance.
HALF-FORWARDS
Toby Greene (GWS)
That Toby Greene will appear in this year’s finals series is a win for all football fans. Making sure of it in the final game of Round 24, Greene gave the Giants their first lead with his second goal in the second term, before handing them an unassailable 45-point lead with his fourth later in the match. A brilliant end to his best home-and-away campaign.
Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
This Round 24 match-up against West Coast was circled in the calendar from a long way out, with a repeat of his 10-goal performance against the Eagles in Round 13 likely to give him a shot at the Coleman Medal. He may have fallen short on that front, but a huge bag of nine – with four in the last term – capped off a brilliant renaissance season.
Jack Ginnivan (Collingwood)
Fighting for his spot in the side as the finals series arrives, Ginnivan thrived against the Bombers on Friday night, particularly in the first period of the match when the damage was done. Booting three goals but also giving off three others, he was the most influential forward on the ground and will be hard to drop for the first final.
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FORWARDS
Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne)
The Demons relished the triumphant return of their leading goalkicker, and the timing couldn’t have been better as Fritsch booted five against a competitive Swans side to steer Melbourne home. Trailing at three-quarter time, it was Fritsch’s three final-term goals that largely sealed the deal, giving their depleted forward mix a spark heading into finals.
Nick Larkey (North Melbourne)
Larkey has finished an already impressive season in spectacular fashion, booting 20 goals in his final three matches for a season total of 71. Eating up his opportunities with the Roos enjoying the share of the inside 50s, the North Melbourne spearhead booted nine goals against solid opposition, even finding time to dish off two assists.
Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs)
There’s been plenty of reasons to question the Bulldogs’ recruitment of Rory Lobb, but when the season was quite literally on the line against Geelong at Kardinia Park on Saturday night, it was Lobb who proved to be the difference. Unleashed more prominently in the ruck to a pronounced effect, he managed season highs in disposals, marks and goals.
FOLLOWERS
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
An away match-up against Oscar McInerney is one of the toughest assignments in the rucking world, but Marshall illustrated again that he’s a match for any opponent with another standout game. Not only did Marshall match McInerney in getting first hit to advantage (seven each), he also claimed nine clearances and won plenty of ball in the back half.
Tim Kelly (West Coast)
Kelly finished off his season with another outstanding performance leading the Eagles midfield. At times exposing the Adelaide side with his short-distance burst from stoppage, he gathered 35 disposals, eight clearances, 12 inside 50s and three goal assists. He’s had more decorated seasons playing in top sides, but this campaign is his most impressive.
Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
Rozee is hitting the finals in absolute peak condition, with his huge performance against Richmond in Round 24 capping off a highly consistent and damaging few months. One of only a handful of midfielders totally adept on the outside as he is at the coalface, he offered a balanced contribution consisting of 33 touches and 11 score involvements.
INTERCHANGE
Matt Rowell (Gold Coast)
Rowell is judged to a high standard. Despite finishing the season first for tackles, and second for total clearances and contested possessions, he failed to crack the AFLPA’s 22under22 side, and few would have him in All-Australian contention. His inside game was again immaculate against North Melbourne, with 12 clearances and nine tackles.
Dustin Martin (Richmond)
Martin’s best friends have headed home, but he’s still at the party guiding his new mates into the next phase of the evening. His ability to win the ball and turn his disposals into scores is unmatched in the game, and it’s a shame that he won’t partake in finals, as it feels like he’s hit his absolute best just as the season closes.
Adam Treloar (Western Bulldogs)
Unlike most of his side, Treloar has actually finished off his season in incredibly strong fashion. Playing as a full-time onballer at Kardinia Park on Saturday night, he had more disposals than any other Bulldog, making the most of his opportunities with two majors, including the go-ahead goal early in the last quarter.
Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
A disappointing season for Fremantle closes with some hope moving forward, led by Brayshaw who has again been excellent. Hawthorn’s midfield has been tough to play against in recent weeks, particularly at home, but Brayshaw and his comrade Caleb Serong stood above the rest, with the former adding eight tackles to his 33 possessions.
STIFF TO MISS
Callum Mills (Sydney), Christian Petracca (Melbourne), Isaac Smith (Geelong), Lachie Neale (Brisbane), Jordan De Goey (Collingwood), Dan Houston (Port Adelaide), Sam Flanders (Gold Coast), Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs), Caleb Serong (Fremantle), Jack Sinclair (St Kilda).
