Swan and Docker atop podium, Cat moves into top 10: 2022 AFL MVP

The first bye round only saw 12 teams playing games this week, but there was still enough action to go around in what was another exciting round of footy.

Ball magnets Touk Miller and Andrew Brayshaw pulled all the strings in their team's respective wins, while a goalkicking masterclass from Jeremy Cameron helped Geelong get over the line in an impressive win against the Dogs. Max Gawn was also his usual self, standing out despite Melbourne's surprise loss to the Swans.

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

Votes will be given out on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 system for each game, meaning the maximum score any player can record in any game is 20.'

Western Bulldogs vs Geelong

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Jeremy Cameron	Jeremy Cameron	Jeremy Cameron	Jeremy Cameron
4	Tom Liberatore	Tom Liberatore	Tom Liberatore	Mitch Duncan
3	Zach Guthrie	Mitch Duncan	Mitch Duncan	Tom Liberatore
2	Mitch Duncan	Sam De Koning	Sam De Koning	Zach Guthrie
1	Gary Rohan	Zach Guthrie	Zach Guthrie	Marcus Bontempelli

The Cats were in control most of the match against the Dogs, surviving a late comeback to end up winning by 13 points on the night. Jeremy Cameron did most of the heavy lifting up front, kicking six majors while also managing a solid 18 disposals. Mitch Duncan was impressive in the midfield with 29 disposals, while Sam De Koning held up the backline with 12 disposals and eight marks. Tom Liberatore put up a solid effort for the losing side, with 30 disposals and two goals to his name.

Adelaide vs West Coast

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Rory Laird	Rory Laird	Taylor Walker	Rory Laird
4	Taylor Walker	Taylor Walker	Rory Laird	Luke Shuey
3	Ben Keays	Luke Shuey	Andrew Gaff	Ben Keays
2	Andrew Gaff	Shane McAdam	Ben Keays	Taylor Walker
1	Jordan Dawson	Brodie Smith	Jordan Dawson	Andrew Gaff

The Crows cruised to victory against the struggling Eagles, getting up by a comfortable 31 points. Ball winner Rory Laird was influential in the midfield for Adelaide, gathering an impressive 33 disposals and a goal. Tex Walker also put in a shift in the forward line, kicking three majors while managing 22 disposals of his own. Shane McAdam also did his part up front, kicking three goals. Luke Shuey did his best for West Coast, managing 27 disposals.

Gold Coast vs North Melbourne

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Touk Miller	Touk Miller	Touk Miller	Touk Miller
4	Matthew Rowell	Matthew Rowell	Matthew Rowell	Matthew Rowell
3	Wil Powell	David Swallow	Luke Davies-Uniacke	Wil Powell
2	Josh Walker	Luke Davies-Uniacke	Wil Powell	Hugh Greenwood
1	Connor Budarick	Wil Powell	David Swallow	Luke Davies-Uniacke

The Suns ran riot against the Roos on Saturday, getting up by 62 points and heaping more pressure on under-fire North coach David Noble. Touk Miller was unplayable in the Suns' midfield, managing 32 disposals with 22 contested possessions. Matt Rowell was also lively with an impressive 25 disposals and a goal. David Swallow put in a shift with a solid 22 disposals and a goal, while Luke Davies-Uniacke stood out for the Roos with 25 disposals and a goal of his own.

Melbourne vs Sydney

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Max Gawn	Max Gawn	Max Gawn	Max Gawn
4	Sam Reid	Sam Reid	Sam Reid	Callum Mills
3	Callum Mills	Logan McDonald	Callum Mills	Sam Reid
2	Paddy McCartin	Jack Viney	Paddy McCartin	Jack Viney
1	Jack Viney	Paddy McCartin	Jack Viney	Paddy McCartin

The Swans provided the upset of the round this week, knocking off Melbourne at the MCG by 12 points in a thriller. Despite the loss, Max Gawn set the benchmark for the game with an incredible 28 disposals, three goals and 30 hit-outs for the ruckman. Sam Reid helped his team get over the line with an impressive three goals and 16 disposals, while Logan McDonald was equal to him with three goals of his own. Jack Viney also did his best in the midfield for the Dees with 32 disposals.

Hawthorn vs Collingwood

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Nick Daicos	Nick Daicos	Mitchell Lewis	Darcy Cameron
4	Darcy Cameron	Darcy Cameron	Nick Daicos	Nick Daicos
3	Patrick Lipinski	Jai Newcombe	Patrick Lipinski	Patrick Lipinski
2	Mitchell Lewis	Patrick Lipinski	Darcy Cameron	Jai Newcombe
1	Jai Newcombe	Mitchell Lewis	Jai Newcombe	Mitchell Lewis

The Pies only just managed to get over the line this week, winning by four points against the Hawks. Young gun Nick Daicos stole the show with an impressive 36 disposals and 11 interceptions. Darcy Cameron put in a shift in the ruck, managing 26 disposals, a goal and 19 hit-outs, while Patrick Lipinski held his own with 29 disposals and a goal. Jai Newcombe did well for the losing side with 24 disposals and 13 contested possessions.

Fremantle vs Brisbane

	Mitch Keating	Ed Carmine	Jack Fitzpatrick	Nick Splitter
5	Andrew Brayshaw	Andrew Brayshaw	Andrew Brayshaw	Andrew Brayshaw
4	Will Brodie	James Aish	Daniel Rich	Will Brodie
3	Minairo Frederick	Caleb Serong	Zac Bailey	Daniel Rich
2	Zac Bailey	Bailey Banfield	Caleb Serong	Caleb Serong
1	Bailey Banfield	Minairo Frederick	Minairo Frederick	Zac Bailey

The Dockers made a big statement this week, taking control of the game in the third quarter to get up by 14 against the Lions. Andrew Brayshaw took over in the Freo midfield, gathering 39 disposals with 16 contested possessions. James Aish also put in a shift with a solid 29 disposals and a goal. Caleb Serong looked lively with 31 disposals and a goal of his own, while Michael Frederick was hard to stop up front, kicking three goals alongside 18 disposals and 10 marks.

LEADERBOARD

RANK		LAST ROUND	TOTAL
1	Callum Mills	10	120
2	Andrew Brayshaw	20	117
3	Patrick Cripps	0	115
4	Christian Petracca	0	113
5	Clayton Oliver	0	111
6	Lachie Neale	0	109
7	Touk Miller	20	107
8	Max Gawn	20	91
9	Jeremy Cameron	20	90
10	Ben Keays	8	88