In a ladder-defining round, Round 17 provided box office clashes across the entire weekend. As the season's end approaches, teams that seemed to be down and out are making a final push for finals whilst some continue to underperform.

Pies gun Nick Daicos took back the top spot on our leaderboard whilst Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli slips down to second. Demons midfielder Christian Petracca moves into the top three after a season-high four goals in a win over the Saints.

Zach Merrett continued his rise moving into seventh place after yet another 20-vote performance.

Reminder:ย 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.

Richmond vs Sydney

On a cold and wet Thursday night, the Tigers and Swans played in an absolute thriller. Shai Bolton was instrumental in the win for the Tigers with a game-high 31 touches.

Despite possibly being Lance Franklin's last game at the MCG, he was upstaged by Swans winger Errol Gulden who continues to impress and push for a maiden All-Australian blazer.

Tigers skipper Toby Nankervis, along with veterans Nick Vlastuin and Dustin Martin, was damaging all night with the latter winding back the clock to his Brownlow best.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Shai Bolton Shai Bolton Toby Nankervis Shai Bolton
4 Errol Gulden Errol Gulden Dustin Martin Errol Gulden
3 Dustin Martin Toby Nankervis Shai Bolton Dustin Martin
2 Toby Nankervis Dustin Martin Errol Gulden Nick Vlastuin
1 Nick Vlastuin Nick Vlastuin Jack Ross Tim Taranto

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Despite early and late charges from the Bulldogs, the Pies were once again too strong and remained atop the AFL ladder. Brownlow favourite Nick Daicos had another 20-vote performance as he got the Magpies back into the game during the third term.

On his return from suspension, Jordan De Goey was back to his damaging best in the middle with 23 disposals and a goal. Isaac Quaynor was formidable in the backline despite the best efforts of Dogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (two goals, three behinds).

Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli tried to will his side back into the game along with teammate Caleb Daniel, who had a game-high 32 disposals.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Nick Daicos Nick Daicos Nick Daicos Nick Daicos
4 Isaac Quaynor Jordan De Goey Isaac Quaynor Jordan De Goey
3 Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Isaac Quaynor Jordan De Goey Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
2 Jordan De Goey Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Caleb Daniel
1 Marcus Bontempelli Josh Daicos Josh Daicos Jamie Elliott

Brisbane Lions vs West Coast Eagles

Last week's valiant effort against the Saints may have shown promising signs for the Eagles, but the Lions gave them a brutal reality check. Ex-Hawk Jack Gunston returned to the side and made an immediate impact with 20 touches and booting six goals.

Rising Star favourite Will Ashcroft played arguably his best game of the season with 28 touches. Usual suspects Lachie Neale and Harris Andrews dictated the game with both garnering votes across the board.

Hugh McCluggage was everywhere for the Lions, stuffing the stat sheet with a highly effective 20 touches and two goals.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Jack Gunston Jack Gunston Hugh McCluggage Jack Gunston
4 Will Ashcroft Hugh McCluggage Jack Gunston Lachie Neale
3 Lachie Neale Will Ashcroft Will Ashcroft Will Ashcroft
2 Hugh McCluggage Lachie Neale Lachie Neale Hugh McCluggage
1 Harris Andrews Harris Andrews Harris Andrews Harris Andrews

GWS vs Hawthorn

The Giants stood up when it mattered against the Hawks, led by key defender Sam Taylor. Veteran Stephen Coniglio was immense with 30 disposals to go along with three goals.

Ruckman Kieren Briggs continued to perform well against the ruck stocks of the Hawks whilst veteran forward Jesse Hogan contributed with four goals.

Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe led the clearances for the game with nine as the Hawks attempted a last-quarter push against the finals-contending Giants.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Sam Taylor Sam Taylor Stephen Coniglio Sam Taylor
4 Stephen Coniglio Stephen Coniglio Sam Taylor Stephen Coniglio
3 Jesse Hogan Jesse Hogan Kieren Briggs Karl Amon
2 Jai Newcombe Kieren Briggs Jesse Hogan Jesse Hogan
1 Kieren Briggs Jai Newcombe Karl Amon Jai Newcombe

St Kilda vs Melbourne

With three early injuries to key players before half-time, the Saints struggled against Demons defender Steven May who relished in his roving role with a best-on-ground performance.

Christian Petracca destroyed the media criticism of his goalkicking, booting four in a forward line without Bayley Fritsch. Jack Viney was big for the Demons around the ground and Tom Sparrow stood up in the absence of Clayton Oliver.

For the Saints, Rowan Marshall was their standout best along with skipper Jack Steele. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera led the game in disposals with 33.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Steven May Steven May Steven May Steven May
4 Rowan Marshall Rowan Marshall Rowan Marshall Rowan Marshall
3 Christian Petracca Christian Petracca Christian Petracca Christian Petracca
2 Jack Steele Jack Viney Jack Steele Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
1 Tom Sparrow Tom Sparrow Jack Viney Jack Steele

Port Adelaide vs Gold Coast

Port continued their winning streak despite a strong first half from the Suns. Livewire mid-forward Connor Rozee was best afield racking up 28 disposals and booting two majors. Aliir Aliir found his groove in the second half, controlling the tempo, and keeping Ben King to only one touch before being subbed out due to an injury.

Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines was solid through the middle and up forward Jeremy Finlayson had plenty of chances (three goals, four behinds).

For the Suns, there wasn't much to write home about after half-time despite the best efforts of midfielder Noah Anderson and veteran ruckman Jarrod Witts.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Connor Rozee Connor Rozee Connor Rozee Connor Rozee
4 Aliir Aliir Aliir Aliir Jeremy Finlayson Ollie Wines
3 Jeremy Finlayson Ollie Wines Aliir Aliir Jeremy Finlayson
2 Ollie Wines Jeremy Finlayson Ollie Wines Aliir Aliir
1 Noah Anderson Noah Anderson Jarrod Witts Noah Anderson

Geelong vs North Melbourne

It was a complete demolition job on Sunday afternoon as the Cats dismantled the Roos. It was a complete team performance from Geelong with not one player garnering five votes from more than one of our voters.

Tom Atkins and Mitch Duncan were dominant through the midfield with 25 and 30 touches respectively. Small forward Tyson Stengle got back into form after kicking five goals. Leading goal assist player Gryan Miers provided headaches for the North defence as he racked up a season-high 32 disposals.

There wasn't much to like from the Kangaroos who seemingly haven't improved at all under Ratten's interim reign. Luke Davies-Uniacke did his best and led in both disposals and goals for his side.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Tom Atkins Mitch Duncan Gryan Miers Tom Stewart
4 Gryan Miers Tom Atkins Mitch Duncan Mitch Duncan
3 Mitch Duncan Tyson Stengle Tom Atkins Tom Atkins
2 Tyson Stengle Tom Stewart Tom Stewart Tristan Xerri
1 Patrick Dangerfield Gryan Miers Luke Davies-Uniacke Tyson Stengle

Essendon vs Adelaide

Adelaide continued their poor form away from home, losing to the Bombers who are striving for their first finals appearance since 2021. Zach Merrett led the charge for the Dons with a unanimously-voted performance.

Bombers Darcy Parish and Nic Martin were elite through the middle and on the wing respectively while tall forward Peter Wrightย found some form with three goals.

Crows skipper Jordan Dawson, along with teammate Rory Laird, attempted to aid his side but the Bombers were at their very best and simply couldn't be stopped.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Zach Merrett Zach Merrett Zach Merrett Zach Merrett
4 Nic Martin Nic Martin Nic Martin Jordan Dawson
3 Darcy Parish Darcy Parish Darcy Parish Darcy Parish
2 Peter Wright Andrew McGrath Jordan Dawson Peter Wright
1 Ben Hobbs Peter Wright Peter Wright Rory Laird

Fremantle vs Carltonย 

The Blues are well and truly back in finals contention after their third win on the trot against a poor Fremantle side. Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps led through the middle with 32 and 29 touches respectively.

The two tall forwards for the Blues in McKay and Curnow were as damaging as they had been all season with three goals each. Sam Docherty showed his class across halfback and through the midfield, even managing a major.

Fremantle seems to be just about out of finals contention with a relatively tough run home after another disappointing loss. Luke Ryan was the best for his side with 35 touches and 10 marks.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Jovanovski Nick Splitter
5 Sam Walsh Sam Walsh Sam Docherty Sam Walsh
4 Harry McKay Sam Docherty Adam Cerra Patrick Cripps
3 Patrick Cripps Adam Cerra Harry McKay Luke Ryan
2 Adam Cerra Luke Ryan Sam Walsh Adam Cerra
1 Charlie Curnow Patrick Cripps Luke Ryan Nic Newman

 

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