Melbourne’s Christian Petracca celebrates a goal during his best-on-ground performance against Richmond. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

FULL BACKS

Tom Stewart (Geelong)
Another week, another tremendous outing in the back half for Stewart, who would have to be one of the most impressive and consistent performers across the whole competition in 2021 so far. He had 27 possessions and eight marks against the Eagles, picking off their (albeit rare) forward-50 entries with ease.

Steven May (Melbourne)
Lined up against his former Gold Coast co-captain in Tom Lynch and easily took the points, keeping the Tiger spearhead scoreless and providing plenty of movement going the other way with 24 touches and 11 rebound 50s. That he even played – let alone played so well – given his nasty eye injury from two weeks ago, was a great effort.

Alex Keath (Western Bulldogs)
As he has been all season, Keath was rock solid in defence against the plucky Giants, providing the intercept marking and defensive integrity that allowed the likes of Hayden Crozier and Bailey Dale to run off and do what they do best. The entirety of the Dogs’ midfield is in All-Australian contention at this stage, but Keath would be right in the mix as well.

HALF BACKS

Christian Salem (Melbourne)
Continued his outstanding season on Saturday night to be among the best players on the ground in a very impressive win. Picked up a lazy 39 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency, along with seven marks and 786 metres gained, and kicked the Demons’ first goal after Richmond had made a strong start.

Lachie Henderson (Geelong)
It’s been a remarkable career turnaround for Henderson – delisted and re-rookied at the end of 2019, only to regain his place and then play some of the best footy of his career. His resurgence continued on Saturday, as he took 11 marks against the tall West Coast forward line, and even got forward to kick two goals.

Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
Having built steadily for a few seasons now, Houston has put together the best six weeks of his career to begin 2021. He played mostly in the half back against the Saints, but also got up the ground and spent time in at stoppages too. He just does everything to a high standard and rarely makes an error.

CENTRES

Mitch Duncan (Geelong)
Duncan has had some big games since he came back into the side in round three, but his performance against the hapless Eagles was the best of the lot. Worked hard on the outside all day to rack up 13 marks, and also slotted a career-high four goals, including a huge torpedo from 60 after the half-time siren.

Darcy Parish (Essendon)
An outstanding all-round midfield performance from the Anzac Day medallist. Parish easily had his career-high disposals with 42, and also had nine clearances, seven inside 50s, two goals and two goal assists. His ability to win the footy in close, and also to spread and win uncontested possessions, was extremely impressive.

Karl Amon (Port Adelaide)
A monster first half from Amon, yet another Port Adelaide player who is in career-best form. He again provided fantastic outside run, and picked up 34 touches and 15 marks. If the All-Australian selectors decide to pick genuine wingmen in the side this year, Amon would be right in contention.

HALF FORWARDS

Toby Greene (GWS)
Led his side bravely in what was a good effort against the undefeated Bulldogs. Kept the Giants in the game all night, kicking the opener with a fantastic long-range effort, putting them back in front early in the second quarter and also booting an important goal to bring the margin back to under a kick at three-quarter time.

Ben King (Gold Coast)
Matched his twin brother’s recent personal best of five goals in what was a confident performance from the young gun, especially in the air where he exhibited tremendous marking prowess. Three of his five came in a blistering third quarter, as the Suns ran away with an impressive victory.

Lachie Schultz (Fremantle)
Schultz is in fantastic form at the moment, at times looking like the Dockers’ most dangerous player when the ball goes inside 50. He was at his dynamic best against North Melbourne on Saturday, getting the ball rolling with a fantastic snap goal, and adding three more as Fremantle stormed to a big win.

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FORWARDS

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon)
The man they call “Walla” was a constant threat in the Anzac Day clash on Sunday. Each of his five goals were created out of sheer brilliance, repeat efforts, defensive intent and desperation. When he’s up and about like he was on this occasion, there are few who can get the crowd going like he can. An electric performance.

Harry McKay (Carlton)
Another big day for Harry, who booted six goals and took nine marks matched up against one of the premier full backs in the league in Harris Andrews. He contributed across all four quarters, but his two goals in a minute at the beginning of the third quarter were instrumental in getting the Blues back into it.

Jacob Koschitzke (Hawthorn)
The fifth-gamer had a day out against the Crows, slotting five goals from eight shots, along with nine marks and two goal assists. His three goals in the first term set the game up nicely for Hawthorn, who led at the first break, but he also slotted two in the third as the Hawks worked back into the game, and presented well in a tight final quarter.

FOLLOWERS

Sean Darcy (Fremantle)
Darcy has been around the periphery of Team Of The Week for a few weeks now, and finally gets the nod here for his excellent game against North Melbourne. He comfortably beat the seasoned Todd Goldstein, gaining 12 hitouts to advantage, eight tackles and a goal. Looks to have returned as a significantly improved player.

Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
Macrae got it done once again, running riot in the midfield against GWS to pick up 40 possessions, as well as six tackles, eight inside 50s and a goal. Like the rest of the Dogs’ midfield, he seems to be enjoying a clearly defined role, and his ball use going inside 50 is up there with the best in the league.

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
An enormous performance from Petracca, who bullied Richmond’s champion midfield on his way to 38 touches, 10 clearances and seven tackles. His goal at the beginning of the last quarter effectively killed off the contest. When Petracca plays like this, he looks every bit worthy of the “No.1 player in the game” tag.

INTERCHANGE

David Mundy (Fremantle)
Another brilliant effort from Mundy, who would have to be right in Brownlow contention at this stage of the season. Added three goals to his 30 touches and eight clearances, including a pearler at the beginning of the second term, beginning a run of four in eight minutes that took the game away from the Roos.

Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
No one has been “stiff to miss” more often in this article than Wines this season, but he was to suffer no such fate this week after his bullocking, commanding performance against the Saints on Sunday night. His start to the year, combined with his last eight weeks of 2020, represent the best streak of form in his career.

Orazio Fantasia (Port Adelaide)
Fantasia is looking very dangerous whenever he goes near the footy at the moment, demonstrating the skill and verve that we all knew he possessed, but hadn’t seen for a few seasons. Ended up with 3.3 and was unlucky not to have kicked a bag, but his smooth pick up and snap on the run was one of the round highlights.

Touk Miller (Gold Coast)
A big inside game from Miller, who set the tone for the Suns with tenacity and intent on his way to 36 disposals, nine tackles and nine clearances. He even got a taste of his own medicine after quarter-time, with Longmire sending Chad Warner to mind him after a 16-disposal opening term. A real heart-and-soul player.

STIFF TO MISS
Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs), Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs), Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn), Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane), Sam Walsh (Carlton), Noah Anderson (Gold Coast), Shai Bolton (Richmond), Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide), Ben Keays (Adelaide), Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne).