Steele Sidebottom extends Collingwood’s lead with a crucial last-quarter goal on Anzac Day. GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Jake Kolodjashnij (Geelong)
Back in the side over the last few weeks, Kolodjashnij has now played three really solid games in a row. The sometimes maligned defender covered a lot of bases against the Swans, using the ball well from deep in defence where required, while also contributing some outstanding body-work on the usually dangerous Swans forwards.

Tom Barrass (West Coast)
Barrass may have hit the jackpot when Power full forward Todd Marshall was subbed out early in the first term, but the reality is that his performance was the predominant reason why the Eagles broke even in the second half. He zoned off for plenty of marks, but seven of them were contested – the most of any player this season.

Jayden Short (Richmond)
Making his return to not only the side, but to a permanent backline role for the first time in almost a year, Short demonstrated just how much he energises the Richmond defence. In a game where quality ball use by foot was not exactly widespread, Short stood out with his ability to hit targets at both short and long range.

HALF BACKS

Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)
Sinclair’s standing in the game continues to rise, with the 2022 Trevor Barker Award winner now at times being deployed as a midfield weapon by Ross Lyon. Not for the first time this season, Sinclair started the game at half back before heading into the guts to provide some pizazz just as everyone else was tiring. A high impact performance.

Jake Lever (Melbourne)
Lever was dominant in the air against Richmond, particularly in the second half as the Demons got their game up and running. Often it seemed as if Tigers midfielders were picking him out, such is his expert positioning and understanding of when to leave his man. Clearly he’s in the top-tier of most important Demons.

Lachie Weller (Gold Coast)
Weller’s striking form on return from an ACL injury continued in the Suns’ win over North Melbourne. The skilful half-back was Gold Coast’s main driver off half back, providing a bit of zip and dare to what was a sometimes stagnant contest, and moving the ball into dangerous areas with eight inside 50s.

CENTRES

Bailey Williams (Western Bulldogs)
Williams’ impact has been mixed since moving up onto a wing midway through last year, but he was especially damaging on Friday night against Fremantle as the Dogs claimed a big win. 23 touches was his most in nearly a year, and with a terrific goal in each of the last three quarters, he had as much scoreboard impact as anyone.

Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
The Geelong champion has been building for several weeks now, but was absolutely back to his most barnstorming as he dominated the timid Sydney midfield on Saturday night. Dangerfield won more inside ball than anyone else, and had the most impact with it too, finishing with seven inside 50s and three goal assists.

Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
Renewed spark at the Magpies has begat renewed spark from their much-loved veteran, and Sidebottom’s game on ANZAC Day was as good as he’s played in recent years. He was busy all day but electric in the final term as Collingwood recorded another come-from-behind win, finishing with 31 disposals, a goal, and three assists.

HALF FORWARDS

Dan Butler (St Kilda)
The two cornerstones of Dan Butler’s game are work rate and skill around the big sticks, and both were very much on show against Carlton on Sunday. His three goals through the middle stages of the match were vital, as was his high involvement in St Kilda’s impressive defensive press, with Carlton frequently unable to get the ball through after half time.

Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
Walker continues to lead what is becoming widely recognised as the most damaging forward setup in the AFL. His output in Launceston on Sunday was comprehensive, with eight marks and 20 disposals to go along with a goal in each of the four quarters. It’s exciting to see his renaissance now backed by a quality Crows lineup.

Brent Daniels (GWS)
The Giants mounted two attempts at a comeback in their loss to Brisbane, and clever forward Daniels was right in the thick of both of them. Desperately missed all through 2022, he’s started his year in excellent touch, with his four goals and 20 disposals against the Lions an important contribution.

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FORWARDS

Kyle Langford (Essendon)
An assured display from the increasingly reliable Langford, who has contributed at both ends of the ground this season. He was up forward in the match against Collingwood, and was the most dangerous target on the ground with his crafty leads and expert finishing. Not only did he boot three, but also did some important work engaging Darcy Moore.

Jeremy Finlayson (Port Adelaide)
Left to lead the forward line after Marshall went down, Finlayson proved himself to be more than up to the task with an important performance that included five goals and two more direct assists. Able to score in a variety of ways, the rangy forward nailed both drop punts and snaps on his way to an equal-career-high haul.

Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)
It was a Charlie Cameron special on Saturday afternoon, as the rousing forward terrorised the Giants. He missed a chance to make it a thoroughly massive bag when he notched his only behinds for the game with his final two shots, but seven goals is still the most of his career, and franked his position as one of the form players of the competition.

FOLLOWERS

Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
It’s a tough call for this spot between Sean Darcy and his direct opponent in Tim English. Both hit the scoreboard and were more than useful around the ground, however Darcy gets the nod for once again easily accounting for his opposing number in hitouts to advantage. The big Docker also had five contested marks, two more than the next best.

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
Once again, Marcus Bontempelli sanctioned and then largely executed victory for his side. He just does everything – goals, marks, clearances, even tackles inside 50 (six, which was the most of any player all round). There is no one better at clearing the contest on the inside and then inflicting damage once the footy is out.

Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
The fabulous form of Connor Rozee rolls on in 2023, with the reigning All Australian now clearly the centrepiece of Port Adelaide’s midfield. He ran all over West Coast with 29 disposals and two goals on Saturday. Few players who get the ball as much as he does are also as skilful in using it.

INTERCHANGE

Adam Treloar (Western Bulldogs)
Off of virtually no pre-season, Treloar is quietly putting together a fantastic campaign. If Bontempelli was the firestarter in the middle on Friday night, it was Treloar who capitalised as first receiver, with the hard-running midfielder picking up 35 touches, two goals and two assists, including an excellent pass to English for a vital goal.

Josh Kelly (GWS)
Kelly, who is enjoying his best season in some years, was again terrific in round six against the Lions. The Giants’ stalwart midfielder had a good balance between contested and uncontested among his swathe disposals. He had the attention of Josh Dunkley to deal with after half time, but still added 19 touches to the 22 he had at the main break.

Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
In a result that was almost as inevitable as the Collingwood fightback, Daicos won his inaugural ANZAC Day medal with 40 disposals and two thrilling last quarter goals. The only reason he finds himself with a bench spot here is that he’s becoming harder and harder to define by position. Just look wherever something really good is happening.

Bradley Hill (St Kilda)
Hill was one of a handful of Saints whose big lift in the second half helped take what was a competitive game away from Carlton and firmly into their grasp. His numbers may not look especially huge, but his ball use, at 95 per cent disposal efficiency, and his work around contests meant he had a huge say in the result.

STIFF TO MISS
Jack Payne (Brisbane), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong), Tim English (Western Bulldogs), Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs), Tim Taranto (Richmond), Bailey Williams (West Coast), Jack Viney (Melbourne), Ben King (Gold Coast), Adam Cerra (Carlton), Jai Newcombe (Hawthorn).