BACKS
ROBBIE TARRANT (North Melbourne) - It was a career-best day for Tarrant in terms of disposals (24), marks (14) and rebound 50s (seven), playing in a looser peel-off role in defence. He dominated early against the Western Bulldogs, taking five intercept marks in the first quarter.
DANIEL TALIA (Adelaide) - Kept soon-to-be Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy to one goal for only the third time this season. Has enjoyed another fine year and is flying at the right time.
RORY LAIRD (Adelaide) - Becoming a very valuable player for the Crows and an All Australian candidate down back, but has capacity that is being used up the ground. Had 27 possessions and used the ball magnificently.
HALF-BACKS
BRODIE SMITH (Adelaide) - The third Crow selected in the backline, Smith was the leading rebounder in round 22 with 11 rebound 50s against the Eagles. Had 29 possessions and pushed forward for four inside 50s.
MICHAEL HURLEY (Essendon) - Continued his strong record against Jack Riewoldt, keeping the star Tiger goalless for just the second time this season. Continued to drive the Bombers from the backline with eight rebound 50s among his 22 touches.
SCOTT PENDLEBURY (Collingwood) - Could hardly have performed better in a new behind-the-ball role, sitting off stoppages and setting the Magpies up with his exquisite ball use. Had 11 touches at 100 per cent efficiency in the first quarter and finished with 32 possessions.
CENTRES
PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Adelaide) - The star against West Coast, winning a team-high nine clearances and exploding on the outside to have 28 possessions (15 contested), and five inside 50s.
DAVID MUNDY (Fremantle) - The Dockers' best in a 54-point win that secured the minor premiership. Was polished with his ball-use, racking up 35 possessions, nine clearances and six inside 50s.
LIAM SHIELS (Hawthorn) - Continued a strong run of form and ran all day to win 34 possessions and seven clearances against the Lions. Was one of 12 separate goalkickers after sneaking over the top to receive a 'Joe the Goose'.
HALF-FORWARDS
SAM GRAY (Port Adelaide) - Vied with Hamish Hartlett for best-on-ground honours and pips his teammate for a hard-won spot in this week's team. Had 37 possessions, 10 clearances and eight inside 50s – all career highs.
JARRYD ROUGHEAD (Hawthorn) - There was only room for one Hawthorn gun in this forward line and Roughead got the nod over Jack Gunston. A star with 30 possessions and 3.3.
ADAM TRELOAR (Greater Western Sydney) - Burnt off direct opponent Mark Whiley to finish with three goals from the midfield. Worked as an inside midfielder to help shake heavy attention and also pushed into attack effectively.
FORWARDS
DANIEL MENZEL (Geelong) - The story of the round after returning from four knee reconstructions to kick four goals against the Magpies. It was a fairytale return and it highlighted the massive potential the 23-year-old still has.
JEREMY CAMERON (Greater Western Sydney) - Booted his third career-high bag of seven goals and the second of this season. Dominated in the air, particularly deep inside 50, to take 12 marks, also a career-high for the young star.
JOSH JENKINS (Adelaide) - A regular goalkicker for the Crows this season, Jenkins stepped up with a bag of six against the Eagles. Alongside Taylor Walker, he could be a player that shapes the Crows' finals campaign if he keeps his form.
FOLLOWERS
BRODIE GRUNDY (Collingwood) - One-out against Mark Blicavs and Nathan Vardy, and working with a younger midfield brigade, Grundy was terrific on Friday night. He had 27 hit-outs and pulled his weight as usual at ground level, with seven tackles and four clearances.
JOSH KENNEDY (Sydney Swans) - Is enjoying a massive run of form before finals and hasn't had less than 30 possessions since round 13. A balanced performance against the Saints featured plenty of hard ball and eight inside 50s.
TOM ROCKLIFF (Brisbane Lions) - Made a great start against the reigning premiers but wasn't supported by teammates. Still, powered on all day to have 45 possessions, 11 clearances and 14 tackles.
INTERCHANGE
DAN HANNEBERY (Sydney Swans) - After a quiet start the midfielder exploded in the second quarter and kicked on to finish with 39 possessions. Is averaging career-high numbers across the board, including disposals, which are up from 25 a game to 30.
MARCUS BONTEMPELLI (Western Bulldogs) - Under heavy attention from Ben Jacobs, Bontempelli had to fight to make an impact and that's what he did. Warmed to the task of shaking a tag and finished with 23 possessions. His 10 clearances oozed class.
TAYLOR ADAMS (Collingwood) - Unlucky not to earn selection in the starting 18 after stepping into a key role in the Magpies' midfield. Had a round-high 12 clearances, 36 possessions and one goal.
LACHIE HUNTER (Western Bulldogs) - Hasn't looked back since being promoted from the VFL two months ago and was prolific against North Melbourne with 33 possessions. An excellent game as a genuine midfielder.
