Blake Acres played one of his best games on Saturday night for his new club Carlton against lowly West Coast. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Blake Hardwick (Hawthorn)
Hardwick is a player who balances attack and defence better than most, and he excelled in both by blanketing Cody Weightman whilst also clocking up nearly 500 metres gained on Saturday. Not all of his 27 touches were decisive, but surety is invaluable, and he was singled out by his coach Sam Mitchell after the game for his defensive efforts.

Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
Now playing as the only recognised tall defender in the Collingwood backline, Moore dominated the air against Adelaide in what was one of the performances of the round. The Crows’ tall forwards managed just one goal between them, whilst the Magpies’ skipper won the ball back and sent it beyond defensive-fifty 11 times.

Tom Stewart (Geelong)
In a fast and high scoring contest, the serene Tom Stewart was a big factor with his ability to control the tempo from Geelong’s defence. He claimed intercepts both in the air and on the ground, and his short kicking to set up play in a thoughtful and structured way was brilliant. Like many of his teammates, his straps have now been hit.

HALF-BACKS

Wil Powell (Gold Coast)
This was a sensational game from Powell, with the nimble Gold Coast half-back notching up career-high numbers in kicks, marks and rebound 50s. Returning in surprisingly good nick after a shocking broken leg prematurely ended his 2022, Powell looked confident as he mopped up plenty of ball in the Tigers’ forward half.

Charlie Ballard (Gold Coast)
Ballard’s spot has been one area of the team sheet that Stuart Dew hasn’t worried about for some time, and his performance on Sunday was one of his best. Not only did he take 12 marks and send the ball downfield at 87 per cent efficiency, he completely nullified the influence of Jack Riewoldt, a player whom he now regularly beats.

Nic Newman (Carlton)
He isn’t as big a name as some of the Blues’ other half-back runners, but Newman is starting to become just as appreciated by the Carlton faithful. The former Swan was simply everywhere on Saturday night, cleaning up across half-back and getting involved further up the field to notch 34 disposals and a goal.

CENTRES

Blake Acres (Carlton)
A genuine early contender for recruit of the year, Acres has slotted onto a wing and done exactly what Carlton wanted him for. A strong marking player, whether across half-back or pushing up to provide an option, he managed 10 against a listless West Coast and his score involvement numbers were high as always.

Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
Few players can produce the utterly dominant midfield games that Neale did against the Dockers on Saturday – 35 touches (24 contested), 13 clearances (five from the guts) and seven tackles. He didn’t excel on the outside of contests as he sometimes does, but he was in the centre of everything at the coalface.

Travis Boak (Port Adelaide)
This was a vintage display from the Port Adelaide champion. Against a side that’s become infamous for strangling opposition ball movement, Boak lit up Docklands with tireless two-way running up and down the wings, in the centre and when resting at half-forward to get the Power firing.

HALF-FORWARDS

Jake Stringer (Essendon)
A game straight out of the second half of 2021, when Stringer was one of the most impactful players in the league and the Bombers played finals. Playing his dream role at centre bounces then drifting forward, Stringer dominated all aspects to win an astonishing nine centre clearances and 20 contested possessions from 26 in total, and boot four goals.

Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
Some huge figures on a career night for the star forward – nine goals, which is his most by two, but also eight contested marks, a figure that has only been bettered once in the last 12 years. He had the ball 18 times and the Blues scored on 16 of those chains. A footballer at the absolute peak of his powers.

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
Splitting his time between half-forward and the middle, Petracca was far too dynamic and powerful for the Kangaroos on Saturday night. The opposition was weak and the standards he set are so high that this performance will perhaps go underappreciated, but not many players are capable of 35 touches, three goals and two assists.

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FORWARDS

Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)
Pickett gets the nod here over teammates Bayley Fritsch and Kade Chandler for his creative work bringing others into the game. Again spending time further up the ground, Pickett delivered inside 50 seven times, kicking three goals himself and dishing a further three off. His first-quarter goal from the paint of 50 set the scene.

Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
An afternoon to remember for Hawkins, who in the 334th game of his career booted a career-high tally of goals. Against an in-form opponent in Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, the champion full forward sprang to life early with four goals and four contested marks in the first term, eventually finishing with eight majors as well as his usual swathe of assists.

Toby Greene (GWS)
The individual piece of brilliance that won the match for Greater Western Sydney capped off yet another authoritative performance from the Giants captain. With 11 of his 22 disposals resulting in scores, Greene was involved in his side’s best plays, and his positioning between the centre and half-forward in the final minutes showed an elite understanding of the game.

FOLLOWERS

Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Marshall is one of those rare ruckmen who genuinely becomes an extra midfielder when the ball is in transition. Shouldering the load manfully as one of the Saints’ only available talls, he was huge against Port Adelaide with 26 disposals, 10 tackles, nine intercepts and 28 hitouts. A star of the competition.

Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
It was a slightly wobbly start to 2023 for captain and club, but Dangerfield is absolutely flying at the moment and playing footy like he hasn’t quite consistently done for several years. An utter force from the middle, he had an astonishing 15 inside 50s from his 28 touches, along with 10 clearances – all from 70 per cent playing time.

Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide)
He may not be doing it every single week, but in just his second season of league footy, Horne-Francis has demonstrated his incredible potential as a contested bull several times. His efforts against St Kilda were enormous, leading all comers for clearances, contested possessions and inside 50s as Port recorded a galvanising win.

INTERCHANGE

Will Day (Hawthorn)
Playing just his fifth game as a permanent inside midfielder, that Day managed to be the best on-baller afield against the might of the Western Bulldogs’ unit is highly impressive. Back on deck after a two-week suspension, his importance to the Hawks’ side was evident with his ability to take possession on both the inside and outside of contests.

Chayce Jones (Adelaide)
Straddling the line of whipping boy status for the last few years, Jones is settled and supported in a liberated running role, and the Crows are reaping the rewards. Often starting at half-back but winning the ball through the wings and up forward, Jones impacted in all areas of the ground against Collingwood, with two second-half goals highlighting his influence.

Luke Parker (Sydney)
The Sydney derby specialist, Parker was almost certainly in line for his fourth consecutive Brett Kirk medal until Toby Greene pinched the game for GWS at the death. Clearance is an area that the Swans have struggled in this season, but co-captain Parker stood up to win 11 of them against GWS, also kicking a last-quarter goal that should have sealed the game.

Peter Ladhams (Sydney)
Often criticised as an unpredictable player, there is no doubt that Ladhams’ best games are very good. With excellent grunt work and good link-up ability for a man of his stature, the Sydney ruckman was highly influential in the clash against GWS, gathering 24 disposals and also hitting the scoreboard.

STIFF TO MISS
Josh Daicos (Collingwood), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Adam Cerra (Carlton), Will Ashcroft (Brisbane), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne), Sam Weideman (Essendon), Tim Taranto (Richmond), Harry Perryman (GWS), Noah Anderson (Gold Coast), Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs).