Toby Greene led GWS with aplomb in Stephen Coniglio’s absence to produce a match-winning performance. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Alex Keath (Western Bulldogs)
Keath’s performances have perhaps flown under the radar over the past 12 months, but he has continued his strong form into 2021, holding together a backline that is seen by many as the weakest link in a very strong Bulldogs outfit. Had to play a more defensive role against the Lions with Ryan Gardner out, and acquitted himself beautifully.

Liam Jones (Carlton)
Back-to-back appearances in Team Of The Week for the rejuvenated Carlton backman, who is combining commandingly with Jacob Weitering in defence at the moment. Jones led the league in intercept marks this week (nine) and was Carlton’s standout performer in a very even display.

Tom Doedee (Adelaide)
Picked off everything in the air against North Melbourne, taking five contested marks from nine in total. His ability to not only read the ball in flight and get to the right positions, but to regularly clunk the ball at the highest point, is seriously impressive. It’s wild to think that he’s still only played 34 games.

HALF BACKS

Tom Stewart (Geelong)
Stewart just keeps on getting it done across half back for the Cats, with another 25 possessions (20 kicks), nine marks, and over 600 metres gained on the weekend. While a number of other Geelong players were flat after last week’s nailbiter against the Hawks, Stewart performed solidly for four quarters.

Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide)
Had an intriguing battle with Jack Riewoldt on Friday night, and while Riewoldt still managed to slot three goals, Aliir’s work up the ground in repelling the Tigers’ score launches more than neutralised his opponent’s work. He really hasn’t played a bad game, or even an average game, since crossing to the Power.

Lachlan Sholl (Adelaide)
Sholl has now notched up two best-on-ground performances in his first 12 games of league football. His stat line from Sunday paints a solid picture – 31 disposals (25 kicks), eight marks, five inside 50s, six rebound 50s, eight score involvements and a goal – but it’s his ability to nail targets on both feet that has Crows fans talking.

CENTRES

Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane)
After a slowish start to the year, McCluggage has put together a couple of fantastic games and is now fully up and running in 2021. Back on his under 18s home deck at Mars Stadium in Ballarat, McCluggage looked comfortable in the blustery conditions as he helped himself to 12 marks through the middle of the ground.

David Mundy (Fremantle)
What more can you say about this guy? At a time when the rest of his 2003 draft class are long retired, David Mundy is running around getting best-on-grounds and guiding along the next generation of star midfielders at Fremantle. Had a round-high nine inside 50s, as well as seven clearances on Sunday. An ornament to the game.

Bradley Hill (St Kilda)
A very, very welcome return to form for the high-profile wingman on Saturday. Having been under the pump from all quarters for an indifferent 2020, and an actively poor start to 2021, Hill turned in his best performance as a Saint, playing his role to a tee with 23 uncontested possessions, nine marks and seven inside 50s.

HALF FORWARDS

Jack Petruccelle (West Coast)
Played an electrifying match against the Saints, booting two goals in a minute to break the deadlock right before quarter-time, and then adding two more at key stages before the Eagles went home at three-quarter time. The quality of his four goals were exceptional in that he created them out of nothing. And geez, he’s quick.

Jeremy Finlayson (GWS)
Played his first match of the season and was fantastic as the Giants’ main tall target against a usually very solid Collingwood defence. Booted four goals, including a beauty from long range, and gave a chop out to Mumford in the ruck which was crucial. Also helped create opportunity for others, with 10 score involvements and two goal assists.

Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne)
Another good game from Fritsch, who has been Melbourne’s most dangerous marking target over the first month of the season. He has shown glimpses of his talent in the past, at times putting it together in consistent runs of form, but he looks ready to break out and become an elite medium forward of the competition.

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FULL FORWARDS

Toby Greene (GWS)
Speaking of elite medium forwards of the competition, there probably isn’t anyone in Greene’s stratosphere at the moment. He makes things happen every single week with his combination of strength, burst power, creativity, and ability to read the play quicker than anyone else. Was subdued in the final 50 minutes, but the game was well won by then.

Max King (St Kilda)
This is the game that King has almost played for 12 months now, and it was a joy to behold. We saw all things that we’ve been told to expect from an elite Max King performance – big marks, accurate kicking, agility at ground level and tireless repeat leading. Five goals is a great return, and his hand in late goals to Jack Billings and Jack Steele were a real highlight.

Tim English (Western Bulldogs)
English has played excellent games in the ruck before, but this was undoubtedly his best game as a key forward. Against a strong backline boasting the likes of Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner, it was the 207cm English who got off the chain to boot three goals and take five contested marks in a commanding display.

FOLLOWERS

Max Gawn (Melbourne)
Gawn eclipsed the Geelong ruck duo of Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs on Sunday, collecting 10 hitouts to advantage, 23 disposals and seven clearances of his own. He is leading the Demons powerfully at the moment, and having a sizable impact in all three areas of the ground.

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
This game, in which the entire Melbourne midfield fired, was Petracca’s most blistering of the season so far. His best-on-ground performance, with 36 touches, nine clearances, nine inside 50s and two goals, would have sent Demons fans into raptures 12 months ago, but now slots in nicely with his usual output – a sign of remarkable improvement.

Adam Treloar (Western Bulldogs)
Treloar has not taken long at all to hit top form at the Bulldogs, and again played in a ferocious manner on the weekend. With coach Luke Beveridge handing him the reins at two thirds of centre bounces, Treloar absolutely came to the party, winning 18 contested possessions and five clearances to go along with his 10 tackles.

INTERCHANGE

Luke Parker (Sydney)
While the new wave of Sydney talent is deservedly getting the plaudits at the moment, they would not be doing what they’re doing without the work of co-captain Luke Parker. Contributed in clinches as he always does on Thursday night, and his eight inside 50s and eight intercepts show how impactful he was all over the ground.

Xavier Durrsma (Port Adelaide)
It’s remarkable how quickly Duursma has become the heart and soul of Port Adelaide, evident in his on-field actions, the way supporters are drawn to him, and the fact that he was handed Brad Ebert’s No.7. He may not have racked up huge numbers against the Tigers, but he influenced every single contest he was in and constantly drove the ball forward.

Hugh Greenwood (Gold Coast)
The acquisition of Greenwood at the conclusion of 2019 now has to be viewed as an outstanding piece of recruiting by the Suns. He just does the grunt work every single week (10 tackles and 10 clearances again on the weekend) that allows precious commodities in Noah Anderson, Jack Lukosius et al to survive and thrive.

Jack Steele (St Kilda)
It was a tough call between Steele and Brad Crouch for this spot, but the captain gets the nod for his consistently relentless attack on the footy and impact up forward. His late goal to seal the win was a fantastic reward for his effort in getting the Saints back into the contest. A fully-established midfield star now.

STIFF TO MISS
Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs), Brad Crouch (St Kilda), Jack Billings (St Kilda), Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton), Callan Ward (GWS), Reilly O’Brien (Adelaide), Rory Laird (Adelaide), Jayden Short (Richmond), Jordan Ridley (Essendon), Nic Naitanui (West Coast)