Team of the Week: Round 17

Defenders Back Pocket - James Kelly (Essendon) The Essendon veteran showed he can still mix it with the best of them, racking up 28 disposals, 13 marks, 7 tackles in a very strong performance. Full Back - Shannon Hurn (West Coast) The Eagles captain put in a fantastic display against Fremantle in the Derby, collecting 34 disposals and taking 14 marks in a performance worthy of winning the Ross Glendinning Medal. [caption id="attachment_14004" align="alignnone" width="450"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Shannon Hurn of the Eagles handballs during the round 17 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Domain Stadium on July 16, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Back Pocket - Alex Witherden (Brisbane) The Rising Star nominee for round 17 racked up 28 disposals and gained 551 metres in a solid performance, in what was just his fourth game at AFL level. Half Back - Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) On a wet afternoon where class was hard to come by, Sidebottom had 32 disposals at 75% efficiency, and kicked a very important goal at the start of the final quarter. Centre Half Back - Michael Hurley (Essendon) The Bomber is putting his hand up for an All-Australian position this year, and did his case no harm after another strong outing. 27 disposals, 9 marks, 10 intercept possessions and a goal saw Hurley among the best once again. Half Back - Bryce Gibbs (Carlton) He's been one of Carlton's best all season long, and Gibbs once again led the way in a losing effort, collecting 32 disposals and a goal. Centre Wing - Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) The Power did it easy on Saturday, but Wingard still put on a show. 30 disposals, 18 contested possessions and three goals saw the left-footer lead the way. [caption id="attachment_14012" align="alignnone" width="696"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Chad Wingard of the Power celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 17 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at the Adelaide Oval on July 15, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Centre - Gary Ablett (Gold Coast) The little master led the Suns all on his own on Saturday afternoon, collecting 16 more disposals than his closest teammate. 41 disposals, 11 clearances and 8 marks is just another day for the Gold Coast superstar. Wing - Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) It was a big performance from the young premiership star, as Bontempelli had 30 disposals and booted two goals to help his side overcome Carlton. Forwards Half Forward - Tom Lynch (Adelaide) After missing two matches with viral meningitis, Lynch's return to the Crows' line-up was flawless, as he racked up 27 disposals, 11 marks, 11 score involvements and three goals. Centre Half Forward - Lance Franklin (Sydney) He was massive in the last quarter when the game was on the line, and Franklin's 18 disposals, eight marks and four goals sees him lock down a spot in our team of the week. Half Forward - Taylor Walker (Adelaide) 21 disposals, 12 score involvements, eight marks and four goals was enough to see the captain lead his side back to the top of the ladder. Forward Pocket - Sam Gray (Port Adelaide) Gray combined with Chad Wingard to be two of the most dominant players on the ground on Saturday afternoon, with his 25 disposals and four goals leading the Power to a big win. Full Forward - Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) Is there anything this bloke can't do? He booted 5.6 after suffering a leg injury in the first quarter, and was a massive influence on the entire contest, even if he had just one working leg. Forward Pocket - Joe Daniher (Essendon) He took one of the marks of the year in the opening few minutes, and continued on for the rest of the night, booting four goals. Followers Ruck - Sam Jacobs (Adelaide) He's quietly having another very solid season, as Sam Jacobs dominated Melbourne's Max Gawn in a big ruck duel. 42 hit-outs and one goal saw Jacobs win their battle. Rover - Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) 19 disposals to quarter time, and 43 disposals and two goals at the end of the game, What a ball-magnet. [caption id="attachment_14026" align="alignnone" width="458"] during the round 17 AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 15, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia.[/caption] Ruck Rover - Zach Merrett (Essendon) The silky midfielder couldn't be stopped on Friday night during Essendon's big win, and led the way with 37 disposals, 15 contested possessions and 10 tackles. Interchange Callan Ward (GWS) The Giants' co-captain was brilliant once again despite GWS' loss in the Sydney Derby, and collected 32 dispsoals, 18 contested possessions and 15 clearances. [caption id="attachment_14027" align="alignnone" width="450"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Callan Ward of the Giants chases the ball during the round 17 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at Spotless Stadium on July 15, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Dustin Martin (Richmond) Despite a slow first half, Martin exploded in the second half to help the Tigers push away from the Lions. He had 40 disposals, 14 clearances and two goals in another strong performance. Connor Blakely (Fremantle) The speedy Docker racked up 33 disposals and took 11 marks in the derby on Sunday, and had a game-high 696 metres gained. Liam Duggan (West Coast) Another very solid derby performance, as Duggan continued his strong form of late. 31 disposals, 11 marks and 11 intercept possessions saw the young gun earn the final spot.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	FRE	22	19	3	76	142.5
2	SYD	22	17	5	68	134.5
3	BL	22	15	7	60	119.5
4	HAW	22	14	6	60	117.3
5	MELB	22	15	7	60	111.2
6	GEEL	22	14	8	56	120.2
7	ADEL	22	14	8	56	115.1
8	COLL	22	12	8	52	106.1
9	WB	22	12	9	50	94.1
10	CARL	22	11	10	46	99.6

Team of the Week: Round 17

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