Backs:
Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide)
Although Port couldn’t keep down both of Adelaide’s key forwards, Carlile kept Kurt Tippett to just one goal and was in the Power’s best. He stuck to Tippett all day and the only goal he conceded came from a downfield free kick.
Ted Richards (Sydney)
Richards was one of the Swans best against the Hawks. His shutdown role on Franklin was suburb, He had a game-high 10 one per-centers and kept Buddy scoreless, a feat that has only occured a few times in the last few years.
Tomas Bugg (GWS)
Bugg was the Giants’ best player this week which was reflected in his rising star nomination. Bugg accumulated 28 disposals which were shared between the backline and midfield. This, along with his 6 rebound 50s, meant that he was the catalyst for many of GWS’ forays forward
Half-Backs:
Heath Scotland (Carlton)
Scotland was yet again one of the Carlton’s best and continues to strive underneath the spotlight of the Blues’ big name midfield. Scotland patrolled the half-back line and at times also the midfield, gathering 30 disposals as well as 4 rebound 50s.
Nathan Brown (Collingwood)
In his first game in over a year, Nathan Brown returned straight back to the form that had him one of the best afield in the 2010 grand finals. Brown was able to keep the in-form Stuart Crameri scoreless.
Martin Clarke (Collingwood)
Clarke played a key role in the Pies’ ANZAC day win. He shut down Brent Stanton who had been one of the Bombers’ best over the last few weeks. He kept him to only 13 disposals, 11 of which came in the second-half.
Centre:
Kade Simpson (Carlton)
Simpson is just another of the many Carlton midfielders that had a great start to the season. On Friday night he was the best of the lot, gathering 35 disposals and taking 13 marks. His hard running got him into space and gave his team-mates options.
Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
Dangerfield was able to live up to some of his large potential with a career-best game in Showdown 32. He was best on ground with 39 disposals, 7 clearances and 2012 league-high 14 inside 50s. Dangerfield not only provided the bullocking inside work but also the explosive outside work.
Daniel Kerr (West Coast)
Kerr seems to have not aged as he has returned to the form that saw him come close to a Brownlow. He led the way in the Eagles midfield with 18 possessions, 17 contested, as well as 8 clearances.
Half Forwards:
Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
Walker rose to second in the Coleman with a 6-goal haul against the Power. After kicking 1.5 the week before, Walker came out with a vengeance, taking 9 marks and having 7 inside 50s. Performances like this show that with consistency, he can become one of the best forwards in the game.
Jarrod Roughead (Hawthorn)
Roughead had what was his best game since coming back from injury however, the majority of his work came in the first-half. He kicked five goals in the first two quarters and had 4 contested marks. After the half he was pretty much unseen but so was the rest of Hawthorn and kicking a bag means he still deserves a spot.
Adam Goodes (Sydney)
In his record-breaking 304th game he showed why he is regarded as one of the best players in the game. He provided a target for the Swans up forward and was a headache for Hawthorn all day. He took 4 contested marks and 5 marks inside 50, to go along with his 3 goals.
Forwards:
Jeremy Cameron (GWS)
Jeremy Cameron has continued the form that saw him gain a rising star nomination. Cameron is the Giants’ favourite forward target; he took 3 of GWS’ 4 marks inside 50 and made the most out of his opportunities, kicking 5 goals.
Tom Hawkins - www.flickr.com/photos/tdm911/
Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
Hawkins continues to grow in confidence, this week asserting himself as an excellent wet-weather player in booting 6 goals. Hawkins’ performance was reminiscent of those the full forward at the other end of the ground, Jonathan Brown used to produce.
Jack Darling (West Coast)
West Coast’s forward line always has someone firing and this week it was Darling. With Kennedy injured Darling stood up kicking 4 goals including the last goal of the game to seal it.
Followers:
Mark Jamar (Melbourne Demons)
Jamar was the best of the ruckman this week; he was back to his All Australian Best against the Saints. He dominated the ruck with 55 hit-outs and also managed 4 clearances. His ability to get Melbourne first hands on the ball gave them a chance to be competitive.
Dane Swan (Collingwood)
Swan served many of his critics from the previous week a slice of humble pie with an ANZAC medal-winning performance. He was far away the best player on the ground with 42 disposals, many of which came at the bottom of the pack exemplified by his 13 clearances. He also kicked 3 goals, all which came at crucial times.
Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
Hawthorn would have been regretting their decision to let Kennedy go every day, but this was even worse on the weekend as he tore them to pieces. Kennedy will probably add another 3 votes to his already growing Brownlow tally after he gathered 27 disposals, 8 clearances and had 11 tackles. These contested and defensive efforts are all the more impressive combined with his 3 goals.
Bench:
Lenny Hayes (St Kilda)
Hayes continued his excellent return from a knee reconstruction. He was at his usual best around the stoppages, gathering 10 clearances and laying 8 tackles. He also stepped up when needed, his last quarter goal was crucial to the Saints’ win.
Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne)
Swallow was the best for North against the Suns on Saturday. His bigger, more experienced body was too much for a depleted Suns midfield. His 31 disposals, 17 of which were contested, and 10 clearances put the Kangaroos on top in the centre.
Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
Griffen had a field day against the Giants; he picked up 37 disposals and was full of run and carry all day. He constantly pumped the ball forward with a game-high eight inside 50s.
Substitute:
Nick Smith (Sydney)
Smith was the best of the substitutes for round 5, he came on at half time for Nick Malceski, gathering 14 possessions. He contributed around the half-forward line with 4 inside 50s and a couple of clearances.
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