BACKS

EASTON WOOD (Western Bulldogs) - The intercept king of the AFL was at his best against St Kilda, taking 13 marks and chopping of the Saints' entries all day. He complemented his toughness and at the contest with class on the rebound.

DANIEL TALIA (Adelaide) - In a win with few positives for the Crows, Talia's stopping job on Daniel McStay was solid. He kept the young Lion, who entered the match in form, to four possessions and three marks.

ZACH TUOHY (Carlton) - Sparked the Blues with his attacking play and run off half-back, kicking a brilliant running goal. Finished with 27 possessions at 81.5 per cent efficiency.

HALF-BACKS

ROBERT MURPHY (Western Bulldogs) - The classy skipper did not have an inefficient possession, going at 100 per cent from his 25 disposals. Worked into the game after a congested start to spark the Bulldogs' running game and was the architect of the win.

ALEX RANCE (Richmond) - The one man who consistently seems to have Lance Franklin's measure, Rance again did his job on Friday night, containing the star Swan to two goals and three marks, and only one possession in the second half. Rance had 22 possessions and nine rebound 50s.

SAM MITCHELL (Hawthorn) - Best on ground in the Hawks' 33-point win over Essendon, Mitchell found the ball regularly behind centre and distributed brilliantly. He finished with 32 possessions and five clearances.

CENTRES

NAT FYFE (Fremantle) - Outstanding again with 32 possessions (19 contested) and nine clearances. He took brilliant marks and snapped goals, as the Brownlow Medal favourite has most weeks.

SCOTT THOMPSON (Adelaide) - The senior Crow's 10 clearances ranked equal No.3 in the AFL for the round, and they were crucial in the scrappy win after Rory Sloane was substituted with a fracture cheekbone. Thompson stood up and finished with 28 possessions.

MARC MURPHY (Carlton) - Playing with freedom as the Lions' tag went to Patrick Cripps, Murphy racked up 32 possessions and worked hard to have an influence coming out of defence and at stoppages, with six clearances and six rebound 50s.

HALF-FORWARDS

TOM BELL (Carlton) - Took advantage of a lacklustre Gold Coast to break the lines and bustle his way to 32 possessions and six inside 50s. Missed some targets but his penetrating kicks gave Carlton good value.

JARRYD ROUGHEAD (Hawthorn) - The powerful forward drifted into the midfield regularly and racked up 29 possessions, seven clearances and four inside 50s. Only kicked one goal in his duel with Michael Hurley but had a big impact around the ground.

BRETT DELEDIO (Richmond) - The vice-captain kicked a crucial goal in the third quarter that cut the margin to 20 points and breathed life into the team's fightback. A star pushing into attack, he finished with 10 inside 50s.

FORWARDS

JACK GUNSTON (Hawthorn) - His three first-half goals came from a set shot, a half chance off the ground, and a clever crumbing effort. The sharpshooter finished with 3.4 in a rare inaccurate display, but his 10 marks, including five inside 50, gave the Hawks great value.

JACK RIEWOLDT (Richmond) - Named at full forward, Riewoldt did his best work deep against the Swans despite recently moving into a role up the ground. He took six of his nine marks inside 50 and booted six goals. Played with authority and leadership.

MICHAEL WALTERS (Fremantle) - The match-winner in a tight game, Walters kicked four crucial goals, including the last of the game that gave Fremantle its buffer. He snapped magnificently to kick goals very few could.

FOLLOWERS

STEFAN MARTIN (Brisbane Lions) - The Lions' ruckman was beaten in the hit-outs by Sam Jacobs, but his work around the ground gave him the points comprehensively. Martin racked up 25 possessions, eight clearances, six inside 50s and five tackles, giving him the edge in an entertaining duel.

LACHIE NEALE (Fremantle) - Continues to sneak under the radar with his excellent stoppage work, racking up an AFL-high 14 clearances against Collingwood on Thursday night. Also had a game-high 34 possessions and kicked 1.2.

TRENT COTCHIN (Richmond)- As he has done a couple of times this season, Cotchin stamped himself on the game after half-time to rip back the ascendency and will the ball forward. He finished with 27 possessions (14 contested) and, five inside 50s and 1.2.

INTERCHANGE

MITCH ROBINSON (Brisbane Lions) - The Lions' hardnut did everything to get his team over the line as they were overrun by the Crows. He was at his best in the middle, winning eight clearances and going inside 50 six times with his 25 possessions.

LEIGH MONTAGNA (St Kilda) - Just misses out on a starting position but was excellent against the Western Bulldogs, standing up in some crucial centre bounces. Had a game-high 35 possessions and eight inside 50s.

ANTHONY MILES (Richmond) - Another Tiger who lifted the midfield against the Swans, Miles was at home in the contested situations with 29 possessions (12 contested) and six clearances. He laid a team-high seven tackles.

DANE SWAN (Collingwood) - Competed strongly against Fremantle's midfield stars, racking up 10 clearances on Friday night. Laid seven tackles and gave the Pies plenty of run.