Round 19 saw some edge of your seat of thrillers with teams battling for the chance to have a run for the flag come season's end.

A potential Grand Final preview, battle of the Cats, and teams desperate to secure top eight spots headlined what was a fantastic weekend of footy that has tightened the race for the winner of our MVP with only five games left to go.

Nick Daicos holds the top spot over Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli with Christian Petracca 11 points behind. Tim Taranto sits comfortably in the fourth spot but Lachie Neale is hot on his heels, overtaking Jordan Dawson for the fifth position in our MVP rankings.

Reminder: Votes are given out in a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system for each game, meaning the maximum number of votes any player can record in any game is 20.

Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

The Bulldogs comfortably walked away victorious against the Bombers helping them edge closer to securing their spot in the finals.

Both Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore combined for 65 disposals, topping our best player for the match. Despite Bontempelli's incredible performance of 29 disposals and a goal, he remains one point behind Nick Daicos in our MVP race. Contributions from Caleb Daniel with his 28 disposals also earnt him recognition as well as Adam Treloar and Bailey Smith also earned votes.

But it wasn't all doom and gloom for the Bombers with standout performances from Jordan Ridley and Jayden Laverde being the shining lights in a dark Friday night encounter.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Tom Liberatore Tom Liberatore Marcus Bontempelli Marcus Bontempelli
4 Marcus Bontempelli Marcus Bontempelli Tom Liberatore Tom Liberatore
3 Tim English Caleb Daniel Caleb Daniel Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
2 Jordan Ridley Adam Treloar Adam Treloar Bailey Smith
1 Adam Treloar Jordan Ridley Jayden Laverde Caleb Daniel

 

Richmond Tigers Vs Hawthorn

A one-point thriller kicked off the footy on Saturday with the Tigers making a spirited comeback against what seemed like an almost certain win for the Hawks at the MCG.

A 36-point turnaround by Richmond was headed by a Brownlow Medal favourite in Tim Taranto for his three-goal and 23 disposals match. Noah Balta also kept Richmond in the game with a whopping 14 marks. Dustin Martin also became an inspiration with his two goals and 24 disposals.

James Sicily remains one of the competition's best defenders, racking up 28 disposals and 13 marks in a heartbreaking performance at the MCG. 30 disposals and a goal from Jai Newcombe also earnt him votes but were overshadowed as the Tigers stormed home.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 James Sicily James Sicily Noah Balta Tim Taranto
4 Tim Taranto Tim Taranto James Sicily James Sicily
3 Noah Balta Noah Balta Dion Prestia Dustin Martin
2 Dustin Martin Jai Newcombe Jai Newcombe Jack Graham
1 Mitchell Lewis Dustin Martin Jack Graham Chad Wingard

 

Carlton vs West Coast Eagles

A thumping 71-point victory was exactly what the Blues were looking for in the hopes of avoiding what happened last year.

The clear MVP for the match was none other than Charlie Curnow. 10 goals surged Curnow back to lead the Coleman Medal race with the next-best goalkicker being seven goals behind. If Curnow hadn't kicked 10, Docherty would've also easily taken a heap of the MVP votes, racking up 29 disposals and nine clearances dominating the Eagles midfield. Jacob Weitering was a brick wall in defence taking 11 marks. George Hewett also partnered nicely with Docherty with 31 disposals, 10 clearances and a goal.

Despite Alex Witherden and Andrew Gaff both having 30 disposal games, the Carlton team dominance outshined their individual performance meaning no Eagles received votes this week.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Charlie Curnow Charlie Curnow Charlie Curnow Charlie Curnow
4 Sam Docherty Sam Docherty Sam Docherty Sam Docherty
3 Jacob Weitering Jacob Weitering George Hewett Jacob Weitering
2 George Hewett George Hewett Jacob Weitering Brodie Kemp
1 Adam Saad Adam Saad Paddy Dow George Hewett

 

Brisbane Lions vs Geelong Cats

Another chapter of the exciting rivalry building between these two clubs was added over the weekend providing an epic contest right to the end with Brisbane winning by just 11.

2020 Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale has again made another statement performance despite the match being a defensive game. His 25 disposals and nine clearances gave Brisbane every chance to score as he continues to bolster his case for the flag and Brownlow this year. Callum Ah Chee and Josh Dunkley teamed with nicely, with Ah Chee's performance recognised as a match-winning effort and Dunkley continuing to impress with 27 disposals and seven clearances.

Of course with the defence being the narrative of the game Tom Stewart had plenty of the ball, doing everything in his power to stop the Lions scoring. 25 disposals, nine marks, and 460 metres gained earnt him the top player for the Cats. Patrick Dangerfield's last-quarter push also earns him so recognition for single-handedly charging through the midfield and kicking two goals to reignite his side.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Tom Stewart Lachie Neale Lachie Neale Lachie Neale
4 Callum Ah Chee Josh Dunkley Josh Dunkley Callum Ah Chee
3 Lachie Neale Callum Ah Chee Callum Ah Chee Josh Dunkley
2 Josh Dunkley Tom Stewart Conor McKenna Tom Stewart
1 Joe Daniher Joe Daniher Tom Stewart Patrick Dangerfield

 

Fremantle Dockers vs Sydney Swans

A must-win for both sides to push for finals set up what should've been an enthralling contest in Perth. But a more composed Swans outfit flew home with a 29-point victory.

It was the Luke Parker show for the Swans with 31 disposals, nine tackles and eight clearances to earn top marks from us in the MVP race. Callum Mills follows closely behind for his two goals and 20 disposals. Errol Gulden also had a strong contribution with his goal and 22 disposals.

Caleb Serong starred for Fremantle with his 32 disposals and 10 clearances and his partner Andrew Brayshaw for his goal and 26 disposals kept the Swans on their toes. Lachlan Schultz also gets praise for the four goals kicked and seven tackles.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Luke Parker Luke Parker Luke Parker Luke Parker
4 Callum Mills Callum Mills Errol Gulden Callum Mills
3 Andrew Brayshaw Errol Gulden Caleb Serong Andrew Brayshaw
2 Luke Ryan Caleb Serong Callum Mills James Rowbottom
1 Will Hayward Andrew Brayshaw Lachlan Schultz Braeden Campbell

 

Port Adelaide vs Collingwood

The labelled 'Grand Final in July' did not disappoint in front of a sellout Adelaide Oval. A game filled with controversy and tension ended with another close Collingwood victory by just two points.

Willem Drew topped Port Adelaide's side and is showing appreciation in the votes. 16 disposals and a whopping 16 tackles were exactly the type of pressure the Power needed to put on Collingwood. Connor Rozee continued his great form with two goals and 28 disposals gaining top votes from three voters. Dan Houston's 25 disposals, eight tackles, and eight clearances also gave him little recognition.

Taylor Adams ranks as Collingwoods best player on the night for AFL fantasy for his goal, 25 disposals and nine clearances. Josh Daicos and Jamie Elliott both had great nights with Daicos's goal and 24 disposals and Elliot's four goals that ultimately sealed the victory for the Magpies.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Willem Drew Connor Rozee Connor Rozee Taylor Adams
4 Nathan Murphy Nathan Murphy Taylor Adams Connor Rozee
3 Connor Rozee Willem Drew Josh Daicos Jamie Elliott
2 Taylor Adams Jamie Elliott Sam Powell-Pepper Dan Houston
1 Jamie Elliott Taylor Adams Jamie Elliott Josh Daicos

 

GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns

A battle in the nation's capital ended in the Giants extending their hot streak of wins moving them into seventh with a month left in the home and away season. The Giants hadn't had a good record in Canberra in recent times leading up to the match but snapped the losing streak there with a 40-point victory.

Sam Taylor was the man leading from the front for his 15 disposals and grabbing ten marks halting the Suns' attack. Harrison Himmelberg was also huge with his 26 disposals and 12 marks gaining 430 metres. Toby Greene had three goals and Lachie Whitfield racked up 25 disposals and nine marks gaining 498 metres. Brent Daniels's two goals and 20 disposals also earn him some votes.

Sam Flanders was the shining light for the Suns thanks to his 31 disposals and nine clearances that set Jack Lukosius up nicely with three goals.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Sam Taylor Sam Taylor Harrison Himmelberg Sam Taylor
4 Lachie Whitfield Toby Greene Josh Kelly Toby Greene
3 Brent Daniels Harrison Himmelberg Sam Flanders Harrison Himmelberg
2 Harrison Himmelberg Brent Daniels Toby Greene Sam Flanders
1 Toby Greene Josh Kelly Connor Idun Lachie Whitfield

 

Melbourne Demons vs Adelaide Crows

The Crows eyed off a win to keep them just outside the eight but the Demons weren't having any of it, holding on for a crucial four-point win to keep their fourth spot on the ladder.

Max Gawn earns the full 20 MVP votes for his incredible performance leading the Demons to victory thanks to his two goals, 13 disposals, eight marks, and 38 hitouts. Angus Brayshaw and Christian Petracca both took full advantage of Gawn's dominance with Brayshaw recording 26 disposals, seven tackles, and eight clearances and Petracca's 26 disposals and five clearances. Kysaiah Pickett's two goals and 20 disposals also assisted in the close Demons win.

Adelaide excitement machine Izak Rankine tops as the Crows' best players thanks to his three goals and 20 disposals that ensured Adelaide maintained a small deficit to the Demons. Captain Jordan Dawson also gets a vote for 22 disposals and 11 tackles.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Max Gawn Max Gawn Max Gawn Max Gawn
4 Izak Rankine Izak Rankine Angus Brayshaw Christian Petracca
3 Angus Brayshaw Christian Petracca Izak Rankine Angus Brayshaw
2 Christian Petracca Angus Brayshaw Christian Petracca Izak Rankine
1 Kysaiah Pickett Kysaiah Pickett Kysaiah Pickett Jordan Dawson

 

St Kilda vs North Melbourne

The Saints received a massive scare from the Kangaroos as the Saints went in with full anticipation of gaining an important percentage booster before the season's end. The Saints overtook the Kangaroos to win by eight points.

Jack Steele was the clear favourite with his goal, 33 disposals and seven clearances with Jack Sinclair pitching in with a goal and 29 disposals. Rowan Marshall also had a nice day out with a goal, 19 disposals and 22 hitouts in the low-scoring contest. Marcus Windhager also had a 30-disposal match.

Luke Davies-Uniacke was the standout for the Kangaroos with his 33 disposals and 12 clearances. Tarryn Thomas also had a strong performance with three goals, 14 disposals and seven tackles to his name on Sunday.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Jack Steele Jack Steele Jack Steele Jack Steele
4 Luke Davies-Uniacke Luke Davies-Uniacke Jack Sinclair Luke Davies-Uniacke
3 Rowan Marshall Jack Sinclair Luke Davies-Uniacke Jack Sinclair
2 Marcus Windhager Marcus Windhager Tarryn Thomas Tarryn Thomas
1 Jack Sinclair Tarryn Thomas Marcus Windhager Marcus Windhager

 

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