Backline

Isaac Cumming

Isaac was stellar in defence as his side held the tigers to only four goals for the entire first half. The damage was done during this period, as it generated an insurmountable lead for the Giants.

By the end of the game, he had 24 disposals, nine marks, seven intercepts, five inside 50s, six score involvements and 508 metres gained. The versatility and ability to propel the ball forward from down back was one of the main reasons for the Giants decisive victory.

Aliir Aliir

Aliir was an exceptional down back as he kept Charlie Curnow from having any meaningful impact on the game. Already having an impressive 2021 campaign, Aliir added another monster performance to his resume and making a run for All-Australian selection.

With a crazy 14 intercepts, he also managed to gather 19 touches, eight marks, four tackles and disposed of the ball with 89.5% efficiency. Aliir is Ports rock down back and will play an important part in stopping opposition big forwards come finals time.

ALIIR ALIIR
Defender
Port Adelaide
ROUND 22 STATS
8
Marks
19
Disposals
5
Rebound50s

Harry Cunningham

Cunningham played an important role down back helping limit North’s opportunities and stop the flow of goals when the Kangaroo’s got with a goal during the last quarter. His ability to stop forward opportunities was critical in his side's victory.

Cunningham had 26 possessions, 10 marks, seven intercepts, four inside 50s and five score involvements. His importance in creating scoring opportunities for the Swans helped to create scoreboard pressure for North.

Christian Salem

Salem was once again prolific down back, generating plenty of opportunities for teammates while preventing the opposition from scoring. His silky ball use was on display, as he thwarted plenty of Crow's forward efforts.

Salem finished with 29 disposals, seven intercepts, four score involvements, eight marks and 452 metres gained.

CHRISTIAN SALEM
Defender
Melbourne
ROUND 22 STATS
8
Marks
29
Disposals
7
Rebound50s

Luke Ryan

Ryan was instrumental down back as the Dockers defeat the Eagles after 11 straight Derby losses. He helped orchestrate a defence that was able to withstand the Eagles strong finish to hold onto an impressive victory.

He finished with 8 intercepts, 26 touches, 10 marks and 664 metres gained. Ryan and the rest of the Dockers backline need to continue this form into next week if they want to give themselves the best chance to sneak into the final’s series.

Nick Hind

Hind has been one of the recruits of the year, turning himself from a fringe St Kilda forward to a potential All-Australian backman. His ability to read the play and run the ball out of defence has made him an invaluable member of the Bombers squad.

His 12 intercepts led all players, while he also gathered 30 possessions, eight score involvements, eight marks and 83.3% disposal efficiency. His carry and ball use out of defence will be crucial if the Bombers want to make the finals and upset a team or two.

NICK HIND
Defender
Essendon
ROUND 22 STATS
8
Marks
30
Disposals
1
Goals

Centre

Daniel Howe

Howe was best on the ground for the Hawks, as they upset the Dogs in Tasmania. The midfielder was all over the ground being the key link between the back and forward line ending with 769 metres gained for the match.

He dominated the Dogs with 34 touches, nine marks, eight score involvements, four intercepts and three clearances. The Hawks are starting to show that they aren’t too far off the pack, with the 26-year-old showing that he is an important piece if the club wants to push towards finals over the next few seasons.

Christian Petracca

Petracca is at his best when he is hitting the scoreboard which he did against the Crows on Sunday. Kicking two majors added to his usual brilliance around the ground.

He finished with 23 touches, eight score involvements, five inside 50s, eight marks, five tackles and six clearances. By pressuring the opposition and generating scoring opportunities for his team, Petracca made it difficult for the Crows to make it a close match.

CHRISTIAN PETRACCA
Midfield
Melbourne
ROUND 22 STATS
23
Disposals
5
Tackles
6
Clearances

Sam Menegola

Menegola was dominant against the Saints as he played one of his best games of the season. When St Kilda looked poised to run away with the game, Menegola was one of the players who stood up and helped claw their way back into the match.

By the end of the game, he had 35 touches, nine marks, six inside 50s, seven intercepts, and nine score involvements. Showing his ability to stop opposition runs and send the ball back the other way, Menegola stepped up defensively in the absence of Stewart.

Forward Line

Will Hayward

Starting the year as a medical sub and playing in the VFL, Hayward has worked his way into an important forward for the Swans. Playing every game since round 5, he has been building all season and put together one of his best performances against the Kangaroos.

Kicking three goals, he also had 17 possessions, 11 marks, nine score involvements and three tackles in the forward 50. Hayward’s ability to cause scoreboard and tackling pressure for the Swans kept his opposition nervous and was one of the reasons that Sydney came away with the win.

Jake Stringer

The Package was at it again, delivering another jaw-dropping performance against the Suns. He kicked five goals and was impactful whenever he was near the ball with nearly 60% of his touches leading to scores.

Stringer gathered 19 touches, 11 score involvements, five inside 50s, four marks, four clearances, 511 metres gained, When Stringer is up and firing the Bombers are hard to beat, so they will be hoping that he is able to replicate this performance next weekend and into the finals.

Tim Taranto

Taranto showed his versatility this week, moving out of the midfield to play the Toby Greene role for his side. The move paid dividends as he booted four majors in the opening half, which equalled the number of goals Richmond kicked over that period.

He also gathered 18 disposals, eight score involvements and five inside 50s to finish off a complete game. While he quieted in the second half, his domination in the first was game-breaking and helped lead to a big victory over the Tigers.

Bayley Fritsch

Fritsch made the most of Demon's forward entries working with Brown and Jackson to create a potent forward line. He was individually brilliant leading all goal kickers for the round, including four in the last term.

Finishing with seven goals, he also gathered 16 disposals, fiver marks, 10 score involvements and 81.3% disposal efficiency. With Melbourne being criticised for their scoring in recent weeks, Fritsch will need to continue to hit the scoreboard for the Demons to push towards a grand final berth.

Charlie Cameron

Cameron is a player who doesn’t need much of the ball to impact a game, with Saturday nights performance emphasising that. While he only managed 12 disposals, he made the most of all of them and still managed to be one of the best players on the ground.

Kicking 6 majors, Cameron also took six marks, three inside 50s, nine score involvements and disposed of the ball with 91.7% efficiency. With 3/4s of his possessions leading to scores, he showed why he is still one of the league’s premier small forwards

Chad Wingard

Wingard has been inconsistent since coming to the Hawks, but his best can still game-winning. On Saturday he was at his best. The forward spent his time between the forward and midfield threatening the opposition wherever he went.

He finished with a game-high nine score involvements and eight inside 50s to go along with 26 touches, four clearances and a goal. Showcasing the talent that he possesses, the Hawks will be hoping that Wingard can add more consistency to his game in order to speed up the club’s current rebuild.

Followers

Max Gawn

Gawn was the dominant ruckman of the round, showing why he is one of the best in the league. His ability to create clearance opportunities for not only his teammates but himself helps differentiated himself from other ruckmen in the league.

By the end, he had 26 hit-outs, 10 clearances, 19 disposals, four tackles and four score involvements. His work in stoppage situations gave his team first use of the ball and resulted in Melbourne's 41-point win.

Joshua Kelly

Kelly starred for the Giants as he made his impact felt all over the ground. Coming off the announcement about agreeing to stay at the club for the next eight years, Kelly gave fans another glimpse of what to look forward to for the upcoming seasons.

Leading all players with 32 disposals and 11 tackles, he also gathered five marks, six score involvements and five inside 50s. His leadership and pressure on the opposition was contagious and helped jump to a large lead in the first half, that the Tigers could never clawback.

JOSH KELLY
Midfield
GWS
ROUND 22 STATS
32
Disposals
11
Tackles
2
Clearances

Patrick Dangerfield

Dangerfield is finding his best form at the right time of the season, with the Cats pushing towards the top spot on the ladder. Missing a large chunk of games due to suspension and injury, Dangerfield has worked his way back into the side and will be up and firing come the finals series.

He finished the game with 31 disposals, six marks, six tackles, nine clearances, seven score involvements and six inside 50s as he played an all-around game. He even sealed the game for his side, with a late contested mark and goal to put the game out of reach for the Saints.

Interchange

Darcy Parish

Parish keeps producing at a high level, with another excellent performance against the Suns. He continues to gather plenty of the ball while still using it with solid efficiency (79.4%).

He led all players with 34 possessions and had seven marks, six clearances, 563 metres gained, 12 score involvements and six inside 50s. The main distinguishing factor between him and the other starters are their ability to hit the scoreboard. Parish will need to add this component to his game to move into the top echelon of midfielders in the league.

DARCY PARISH
Midfield
Essendon
ROUND 22 STATS
34
Disposals
1
Tackles
6
Clearances

Caleb Serong

Serong was best afield with a starring performance in the Derby. He not only found plenty of the ball but managed to hit the scoreboard (including a miraculous match sealing goal.

His two goals were coupled with 31 disposals, six score involvements, five tackles and four intercepts as he dominated the Eagles midfielders. The only thing keeping the young gun from a starting position is his 67.7% disposal efficiency and other similarly impressive performances around the league.

Travis Boak

Boak was the Power’s best midfielder, leading his side to an impressive 95-point victory. He linked with his other mids getting the ball out of congestion and setting up others.

He finished with 31 touches, five tackles, 12 score involvements, and 15 contested possessions. His lower than usual 45.2% disposal efficiency and 251 metres gained prevented Boak from finding a spot on the starting lineup.

TRAVIS BOAK
Midfield
Port Adelaide
ROUND 22 STATS
31
Disposals
5
Tackles
3
Clearances

Lachie Neale

Neale was back to his Brownlow best after some recent teething issues trying to work his way into the side.  He was the Lions premier midfielder as his side were far too good for the Magpies.

He led all players with 31 disposals and managed to grab six marks, three clearances, eight score involvements and kicked 1.3. His inaccuracy in front of goal prevented him from making the starting team.