A host of key defenders stood tall in round 21, but it was a cult-hero forward that got among the goals and was rewarded with top-spot on this week’s Player Rankings as a result.
As for the Player of the Season standings, Dayne Zorko was the big mover, elevating himself into the top-five with a 34-disposal game.
See the full lists below.
Round 21 Player Rankings
10. Jacob Weitering (CARL)
The first of three key defenders to feature in this week’s top-10, Weitering’s best efforts couldn’t lift the Blues over the Suns. But the All-Australian contender finished with 16 disposals and a 93% efficiency, 14 intercept possessions, two contested marks and 429 metres gained.
9. Jack Graham (RICH)
Graham was awarded a perfect 10 from the coaches in Richmond’s victory over North Melbourne. And rightly so following a performance that included 36 disposals at an efficiency of 83%, 10 score involvements, eight tackles, seven inside 50s and 472 metres gained.
8. Touk Miller (GCS)
Miller continues to put his name up in lights, this time against Carlton with 34 disposals, 12 contested possessions, two goals, seven clearances, seven score involvements and five inside 50s.
7. Tom Mitchell (HAW)
The ball magnet did what he does best against the Pies, accumulating 44 disposals at an 84% efficiency, 12 contested possessions, 12 score involvements, eight clearances, seven inside 50s, 400 metres gained, one goal and one goal assist.
6. Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
Bontempelli has one hand on the Brownlow, and was at his impactful best on Sunday, although it wasn’t enough to will his side over the Bombers. The game-breaking midfielder finished with 34 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 10 inside 50s, nine clearances, seven score involvements, 551 metres gained, one goal and one goal assist.
5. Aliir Aliir (PA)
Aliir was pivotal down back in Port Adelaide’s four-point showdown triumph, racking up 16 intercept possessions among 21 disposals, 11 marks – five contested – and 400 metres gained.
4. Elliot Yeo (WCE)
Yeo was defiant as West Coast fell nine points short of the Dees, tallying 31 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 14 clearances, eight inside 50s, seven tackles, five score involvements and 775 metres gained.
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3. Dayne Zorko (BL)
Zorko came to the fore in Brisbane’s convincing win over the Dockers; finishing with 34 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 11 inside 50s, 10 tackles, seven clearances, five score involvements, a whopping 816 metres gained, one goal and eight intercept possessions. A dominant all-round display.
2. Sam Taylor (GWS)
It’s not often key defenders earn such plaudits, and Sam Taylor tends to be one to fly under the radar, but he was impossible to ignore as he amassed 17 intercept possessions from 21 disposals against a Tom Hawkins-spearheaded forward line. Also clunked two contested marks.
1. Peter Wright (ESS)
Every inch of ‘two-metre Peter’ bared down on the Western Bulldogs as they were stunned by a finals-hungry Bombers. Wright bagged a career-best haul of seven goals, crucially nailing all seven without a single behind in a game decided by just 13 points. Is making the most of life at Tullamarine.
Player of the Season
An accumulative award based on each round’s Player Rankings, with players being awarded points correlating with their ranking. 10 points for 1st, 9 for 2nd, 8 for 3rd and so on.
