Star Demon, Lion close gap on top three: 2022 AFL MVP – Round 21

A relatively quiet weekend from the current top three in Touk Miller, Andrew Brayshaw and Patrick Cripps has allowed two other stars to close the gap to the top of the MVP leaderboard.

With just two rounds of home and away football remaining, just nine votes separate the current top five players as the race to the MVP title heats up.

Each round this season, the Zero Hanger team - consisting of editor Mitch Keating, general manager Nick Splitter, deputy editor Ed Carmine and writer Dani Sorati - will vote on every game to establish our AFL MVP for 2022.

Melbourne Demons vs Collingwood Magpies

Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver split the votes in Melbourne's narrow loss to Collingwood on Friday night. Jordan De Goey impressed for the Pies, while Jamie Elliott registered plenty of votes as he continues his impressive season. Recently re-signed Ash Johnson also picked up four votes for his four-goal effort.

1	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Max Gawn	Max Gawn	Clayton Oliver	Clayton Oliver
4	Clayton Oliver	Clayton Oliver	Max Gawn	Jordan De Goey
3	Jordan De Goey	Jamie Elliott	Jamie Elliott	Jack Crisp
2	Jamie Elliott	Jordan De Goey	Jordan De Goey	Max Gawn
1	Ashley Johnson	Ashley Johnson	Ashley Johnson	Ashley Johnson

Hawthorn Hawks vs Gold Coast Suns 

Jack Gunston was awarded the unanimous BOG votes for his 14-disposal, 5-goal effort against Gold Coast. Former Sun-turned Hawk Jaeger O'Meara also featured in the votes after he finished the day with 20 touches and eight clearances, while David Swallow flew the flag for the Suns, registering 13 votes.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Jack Gunston	Jack Gunston	Jack Gunston	Jack Gunston
4	Jaeger O'Meara	David Swallow	Jaeger O'Meara	Jaeger O'Meara
3	David Swallow	James Sicily	David Swallow	David Swallow
2	Dylan Moore	Elijah Hollands	James Sicily	James Sicily
1	James Sicily	Dylan Moore	Dylan Moore	Elijah Hollands

GWS Giants vs Essendon Bombers

Lachie Whitfield earned 19 of a possible 20 votes for his best on ground performance against Essendon on Saturday, ending the afternoon with a game-high 29 disposals to his name. Forward Jesse Hogan also starred with four goals, while Darcy Parish featured in the votes for the Bombers.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Lachie Whitfield	Callan Ward	Lachie Whitfield	Lachie Whitfield
4	Jesse Hogan	Lachie Whitfield	Jesse Hogan	Darcy Parish
3	Harrison Himmelberg	Jesse Hogan	Darcy Parish	Harry Perryman
2	Callan Ward	Stephen Coniglio	Harrison Himmelberg	Toby Greene
1	Darcy Parish	Harrison Himmelberg	Sam Taylor	Harry Perryman

Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers

Luke Ryan earned perfect votes for his standout performance against the Bulldogs, collecting 32 disposals in the 17-point win. Bulldog Josh Dunkley also earned plenty of praise for his 33 touches and six clearances, while Rory Lobb's four goal haul saw him collect 12 votes.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Luke Ryan	Luke Ryan	Luke Ryan	Luke Ryan
4	Josh Dunkley	Josh Dunkley	Josh Dunkley	Josh Dunkley
3	Rory Lobb	Rory Lobb	Rory Lobb	Rory Lobb
2	Jordan Clark	Bailey Smith	Caleb Serong	Caleb Serong
1	Heath Chapman	Caleb Serong	Bailey Smith	Jordan Clark

Geelong Cats vs St Kilda Saints 

The Cats dominated the Saints and the votes this weekend, with Brandan Parfitt, Isaac Smith and Sam De Koning staring on Saturday night to share votes at the top of the table. Sam Menegola earned plenty, while young Max Holmes impressed.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Isaac Smith	Brandan Parfitt	Brandan Parfitt	Sam De Koning
4	Sam De Koning	Isaac Smith	Sam De Koning	Isaac Smith
3	Brandan Parfitt	Sam De Koning	Isaac Smith	Zach Guthrie
2	Cameron Guthrie	Sam Menegola	Sam Menegola	Brandan Parfitt
1	Max Holmes	Max Holmes	Max Holmes	Sam Menegola

Port Adelaide Power vs Richmond Tigers

Toby Nankervis got plenty of recognition for his impressive performance against Port Adelaide, earning 19 of a possible 20 votes. Dion Prestia continued his stellar season with 32 disposals and 476 metres gained for the match, while Shai Bolton strengthened his hold on a top ten spot with 16 votes.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Toby Nankervis	Shai Bolton	Toby Nankervis	Toby Nankervis
4	Shai Bolton	Toby Nankervis	Dion Prestia	Shai Bolton
3	Dion Prestia	Dion Prestia	Shai Bolton	Dion Prestia
2	Trent Cotchin	Trent Cotchin	Trent Cotchin	Tom J. Lynch
1	Daniel Rioli	Daniel Rioli	Ollie Wines	Zak Butters

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Sydney Swans 

Nick Larkey earned full votes for his dominant performance up forward for the Kangaroos, kicking seven goals in a 38-point loss. Chad Warner continued his stellar 2022 campaign with a 20 disposal, three-goal effort, while Isaac Heeney also earned votes for the Swans.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Nick Larkey	Nick Larkey	Nick Larkey	Nick Larkey
4	Chad Warner	Chad Warner	Chad Warner	Chad Warner
3	Luke Parker	Luke Davies-Uniacke	Luke Davies-Uniacke	Tom Hickey
2	Isaac Heeney	Lance Franklin	Lance Franklin	Luke Davies-Uniacke
1	Luke Davies-Uniacke	Isaac Heeney	Tom Papley	Lance Franklin

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Blues

The Lions dominated the votes after their strong performance against Carlton, with Lachie Neale earning BOG honours for his impressive display. Zac Bailey earned big votes for his four-goal effort up forward, while big man Oscar McInerney dominated in the ruck.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Lachie Neale	Lachie Neale	Lachie Neale	Lachie Neale
4	Zac Bailey	Zac Bailey	Zac Bailey	Zac Bailey
3	Oscar McInerney	Oscar McInerney	Oscar McInerney	Daniel McStay
2	Hugh McCluggage	Rhys Mathieson	Rhys Mathieson	Oscar McInerney
1	Rhys Mathieson	Harris Andrews	Hugh McCluggage	Rhys Mathieson

West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide Crows

Josh Kennedy dominated one last time in his farewell game, kicking 8.2 and taking eight marks. The other milestone man Rory Laird impressed too, ending the trip to Perth with 36 disposals, five tackles and ten clearances, bringing him to eighth place in the overall standings.

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Dani Sorati	Nick Splitter
5	Josh J. Kennedy	Josh J. Kennedy	Josh J. Kennedy	Josh J. Kennedy
4	Rory Laird	Rory Laird	Rory Laird	Rory Laird
3	Shane McAdam	Darcy Fogarty	Jordan Dawson	Jordan Dawson
2	Jordan Dawson	Jordan Dawson	Darcy Fogarty	Darcy Fogarty
1	Darcy Fogarty	Shane McAdam	Thomas Barrass	Sam Berry

LEADERBOARD

RANK			LAST ROUND	TOTAL
1		Touk Miller	0	192
2		Andrew Brayshaw	0	186
3		Patrick Cripps	0	181
3		Clayton Oliver	18	181
3		Lachie Neale	20	181
6		Christian Petracca	0	165
7		Callum Mills	0	162
8		Rory Laird	16	160
9		Shai Bolton	16	146
10		Sam Walsh	0	129

FULL 2022 ZERO HANGER MVP LEADERBOARD