Fremantle defender Brennan Cox was one of the reasons behind the Dockers’ biggest ever win against Essendon in Melbourne on the weekend. Photo: AFL Media.

FULL BACKS

James Sicily (Hawthorn)
Sicily continued his remarkable return from injury with an excellent aerial performance on Easter Monday in which he controlled the air, taking 15 marks, including many on the last line of defence. He missed the chance to kick the winning goal after receiving a 50-metre penalty, but in the end it mattered not.

Steven May (Melbourne)
More commanding excellence from the premiership full back, who comfortably beat Jesse Hogan, and then zoned off to pick up 24 disposals at 92 per cent efficiency. A player who looks completely comfortable in just about any situation on field, and is clearly very aware that he’s a better player than most opponents he comes across.

Taylor Duryea (Western Bulldogs)
Duryea keeps on proving his worth as an underrated free agency pick up for the Bulldogs. He was the chief playmaker from the back half on Good Friday, and he intercepted the ball gainfully from defence in taking 13 marks. With his side down on their foot skills so far this season, his ball use off half back was exquisite.

HALF BACKS

Ryan Burton (Port Adelaide)
In his 100th game, the former Hawk racked up midfield-like numbers from half back with 29 disposals (including 23 kicks) and two goals. His first quarter, with the Port Adelaide defence under the pump, was prolific, and he pushed up to hit the scoreboard as the Power came back after half-time.

Brennan Cox (Fremantle)
A career-high 20 disposals for the versatile defender, along with nine marks, in what was an assertive display. Cox patrolled the back 50, zoning off his man at the right moments to intercept, and to assist teammate Alex Pearce in shutting down the in-form Peter Wright. That he’s also trusted to take kick-ins, among a defence filled with good ball users, is telling.

Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)
Back-to-back appearances in the Footyology Team Of The Week for Sinclair, who, after coming runner-up in the 2021 Trevor Barker Award, looks to have gone up a further level in his game. His run from defence was too powerful, and too confident, for the Suns, and his ability to impact the contest without needing to start in the centre square is seriously impressive.

CENTRES

Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
Rozee looked comfortable in a clearly defined wing role against Carlton on Sunday, and played his best game in some time as a result. Like many teammates, he played a blistering third term to help get the Power back into the contest, and offered some improved work in the clinches as well.

Callum Mills (Sydney)
A superb performance from the Sydney co-captain, who in the space of only 12 months has established himself as one of the AFL’s top-line midfielders. He had 17 contested possessions from 28 in total, and while he didn’t have enormous clearance numbers (six), he won them in a fashion that demonstrated his sheer skill above any other player on the ground.

Ed Langdon (Melbourne)
Langdon continues to do his job perfectly; providing overlap run, moving the ball inside 50, not coming off the ground, and not biting off more than he can chew with ball in hand. In a team stacked with superstars, he is the guy that pulls it all together. The poster boy for wingers in 2022 football.

HALF FORWARDS

Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
After a quiet first half by his own standards, De Goey burst into action after half-time with some impressive contested work, before stationing himself at half forward and booting three goals in the final term. While he’s often been able to contribute in the midfield or up forward, he’s now putting both together in the same game.

Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
Another huge performance from Curnow, who has returned better than most could have expected. Five goals, 15 disposals, and 10 score involvements, but what’s perhaps most impressive (and testament to the work he obviously put in over summer) is his ability to contribute over four quarters and have an influence on the scoreboard late in games.

Luke Parker (Sydney)
An excellent display from the Sydney champion, who is making the most of his time up forward as the Swans fast-track their next crop of midfielders. Despite reduced centre-square time, Parker still managed 26 disposals and 12 score involvements along with his two goals, and his big final term helped put the margin closer to where it probably belonged.

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FORWARDS

Jack Higgins (St Kilda)
A bag of five snags for the engrossing small forward, who fully capitalised on the dangerous positions he continually found himself in. Whether it’s confidence or coincidence, Higgins’ regular ability to kick goals in bursts makes him a constant threat for the opposition, and provides a spark of energy for the rest of the St Kilda side.

Matt Taberner (Fremantle)
The game that Fremantle fans have been waiting a long time to see. Seven goals – and he’s only topped four on one previous occasion – including a brilliant burst as Fremantle took the game in the third term. In the past when Taberner has consolidated a consistent run of form, he has unfortunately been struck down by injury. Hopefully he enjoys more luck and a solid run in 2022.

Dylan Moore (Hawthorn)
With a scorching opening term, Moore gave Hawthorn the early sniff they needed to compete with the Cats, who fought their way back into it but ultimately failed to overcome Hawthorn’s early lead. While he didn’t add to his tally of four goals after half-time, he was more than useful in the front half. One of this season’s genuine emerging stars.

FOLLOWERS

Max Gawn (Melbourne)
The Melbourne skipper was influential all over the ground on Saturday night, and while he enjoyed a solid battle against the Giants’ Matt Flynn in the ruck, he clearly took the honours with his around-the-ground marking and involvement in the Demons’ ball movement. He also managed to hit the scoreboard, which he has done in all but one game this season so far.

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
After a few milder weeks where he had to work through some close attention, Petracca was back to his powerful best with 12 score involvements and a comprehensive mix of contested and uncontested possessions among his 30 disposals. Like his captain, Petracca has made kicking goals from the midfield an essential part of his game, and contributed two again.

Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)
Smith has essentially taken the mantle as the Bulldogs’ main centre-square player, an impressive feat given his relative inexperience and the quality around him. Coach Luke Beveridge has been richly rewarded for this move all season, but his display on Friday, with a personal-best 43 disposals, was the most dominant of his career.

INTERCHANGE

Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle)
Another high-quality midfield performance from Brayshaw, whose consistently high level of performance has him in Brownlow contention at this early stage of the season. Against a capable, albeit undermanned, Essendon midfield, the Dockers star was influential in all areas of the ground with 34 disposals and a goal.

Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
After an interrupted start to the season, Darcy turned in a big performance in Fremantle’s win against the Bombers. The huge ruckman had 18 disposals, eight clearances, and managed to boot two goals while being given a rest from on-ball duties. A key to the Dockers’ fortunes this year.

Ben Keays (Adelaide)
The Crows’ breakout gun of 2021 has carried his good form into this season, and played another excellent game against Richmond on Sunday. Keays used his pace to advantage around stoppages, and won five directly from the centre. If he could tidy up his disposal he could be a genuine All-Australian calibre midfielder.

George Hewett (Carlton)
Hewett has proven himself to be everything that Carlton had hoped when the Blues picked him up as a free agent at the end of last season – tough, accountable, and busy. Against Port Adelaide he put together a top-notch inside game, with 19 contested possessions from his 23 in total, as well as a round-high 13 clearances.

STIFF TO MISS
Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs), Cody Weightman (Western Bulldogs), Touk Miller (Gold Coast), Sam Walsh (Carlton), Jordan Dawson (Adelaide), Taylor Walker (Adelaide), Lachie Neale (Brisbane), Joe Daniher (Brisbane), Zac Bailey (Brisbane), Peter Ladhams (Sydney)