Backline

Mason Redman

While Essendon had nothing on the line against the Pies after their finals place was secured, the team still produced a dominant display against their old rivals. Redman shone in defence, finishing with a game high ten marks (two intercept), 21 disposals and two goals.

Jake Lever

In a tight game, Lever stood tall in the face of Geelong attack. Registering a game high eight intercept marks and 22 disposals at 90.9% efficiency, Saturday night was a display of Lever's influential impact on a thriving Melbourne team.

Perhaps his most important moment of the match, a precision kick to Max Gawn setting up the game winning goal and the minor premiership.

Daniel Rich

Brisbane were fighting percentage alongside the Eagles on Saturday evening, and Rich seemed determined to get his team fourth position on the ladder. The veteran's 29 disposals were handy, as were his nine intercepts and four spoils.

Rich managed to be influential up forward too, the ever reliable kick booting a goal and finishing with eight inside 50's.

Jake Lloyd

The Swans ball magnet collected a team high 36 touches against Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon at an impressive 94.4% efficiency. Eight intercept possessions were punishing for the Suns, while eight score involvements confirmed the importance of the 27-year-old in the finals bound team.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Jake Lloyd of the Swans marks during the round 20 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Collingwood Magpies at Sydney Cricket Ground on August 4, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Bailey Dale

A consistent contributor, Dale was once again important for the Bulldogs in a close loss to the Power. Finishing with 25 touches at 84% efficiency, Dale's 12 pressure acts and four intercepts weren't enough to claim fourth spot for the Bulldogs but he will be an important member of the back six come finals.

Jordan Dawson

A consistent wall in defence, Dawson was one of the best in the Swans 87-point demolition of the Suns. In addition to a game high 16 marks, the 24-year-old managed to hit the score board too, kicking a goal to compliment his seven score involvements.

Dawson's 33 disposals were a personal best, while his 21 pressure acts secured an AFL Fantasy score above 150.

Centre

Jack Steele

The Saints skipper finished his season in the same exceptional form we've seen throughout 2021. With the Saints registering a 56-point win to close out a rather disappointing season, Steele worked hard until the last whistle, collecting a game high 36 disposals (17 contested) and six clearances.

Despite missing some shots in front of goal, Steele still had seven score involvements and six tackles, cementing his spot on top of the 2021 tackle leaderboard.

Ollie Wines

A dominant display from Wines on the eve of finals, proving his credentials as the Brownlow favourite. A casual 34 touches and four clearances were essential in getting Port over the line in a close game against the Bulldogs.

The 26-year-old registered a game-high nine tackles, while his seven intercepts were an equal team best. A certain feature in the All Australian side, Wines will be busy in September, not just on the field.

Jaeger O’Meara

Collecting 36 touches, O'Meara was everywhere in the Hawks' draw with the Tigers. Combining with Mitchell and Wingard, Hawthorn's ball winners dominated, with O'Meara finishing the game with six clearances, seven marks and the two points to share.

Forward

Lance Franklin

Coming off the back of a week off, Buddy was in stellar form as he warms up for finals football. Playing against the struggling Suns, Franklin kicked a season best six goals in the 87-point win and grabbed seven marks.

With a spot in finals secure, the attention now turns to the remaining eight goals the iconic forward needs to hit the 1,000 milestone.

Jake Stringer

Stringer continued his excellent season on Sunday afternoon in a big win over Collingwood. The 27-year-old was one of the best afield, collecting 24 touches and six clearances in another dominant performance. A sure All-Australian lock, Stringer kicked a handy two goals and will be vital should Essendon make a run in September.

Devon Smith

Alongside Stringer, Smith was crucial in the Bombers' side on the weekend. The former Giant kicked two goals and had 23 disposals, but was influential without the ball in hand, racking up a game high 26 pressure acts and four tackles. While perhaps not as recognised by the everyday fan as his teammate Stringer is, Smith is a vital cog in the Essendon forward line, as shown by his ten score involvements on Sunday.

Dayne Zorko

Zorko was one of the best for the Lions on Saturday evening. The captain collected 27 disposals (13 contested) and six clearances, while his three marks and a goal were valuable up forward.

Renowned for his effort, Zorko finished the night with eight tackles and 23 pressure acts as his side secured the valuable double chance.

Chad Wingard

Wingard starred for the Hawks on Saturday afternoon, picking up 30 touches (11 contested) and six clearances.

The 28-year-old made a mark in the forward line, kicking 2.1, claiming three marks and eight score involvements. Without the ball Wingard was still influential, laying five tackles throughout the tense match.

Cooper Sharman

In only his fourth game at AFL level after joining the Saints in the mid season draft, Sharman looked right at home in a Saints forward line missing Max King.

Stiff to miss the Rising Star nomination in the final round of the season, Sharman kicked a game high four goals and plucked six marks in front of the Tassie crowd.

Followers

Nic Naitanui

Naitanui was one of the shinning lights on a disappointing night for the Eagles. With a chance to sneak into the eight on the line, Naitanui carried his side with an impressive performance.

The 31-year-old had 24 disposals (22 contested) and six inside 50's, but did the most damage around the ball, finishing with a 53 hit-outs and 11 clearances.

Clayton Oliver

One of the favourites to claim his maiden Brownlow Medal, Oliver once again stood up for the Dees when it mattered against the Cats.

The young gun finished with a game high 37 touches, nine clearances and two goals in a performance we are all becoming quite familiar with.

Travis Boak

The Port veteran was in vintage form on Saturday night, collecting 31 disposals and four clearances.

Drifting forward, Boak kicked two goals and finished with seven score involvements, while his four tackles and 17 pressure acts led the Power fightback, one of his goals coming in the last 11 minutes of the game to bring the margin to just three points.

Interchange

Max Gawn

If Oliver was best for the Dees, Gawn wasn't far behind. In addition to kicking the match winning goal after the siren, securing the first minor premiership for Melbourne in 56 years, Gawn had 25 touches and six marks.

The captain had the best of Geelong's Rhys Stanley, finishing with 39 hit-outs and seven clearances.

Ben Keays

In his 68th game, Keays delivered a career best performance, picking up a personal best 38 disposals in Adelaide's 44-point win over the Kangaroos.

Keays' six clearances were influential in the midfield, while up forward the 24-year-old managed two goals and ten score involvements.

Josh Kelly

The always influential Kelly continued to star in the Giants' last match before finals. The 14-point win over Carlton was perhaps closer than the club would have wanted, but Kelly put in the work, finishing with an equal game high of 29 touches, alongside five clearances, seven score involvements and five tackles.

Touk Miller

Despite his team's 87-point loss, Miller once again put in an impressive performance. Miller dominated the midfield despite often looking like a one man show, finishing with 37 disposals, four clearances and five score involvements.

Impressively, the 25-year-old also broke a league record, finishing with 30+ disposals for the 16th straight match.