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.

Numerous big-name forwards had inspiring outings in Round 5, with goals galore coming from the likes of Joe Daniher (four), Aaron Naughton (five), Cody Weightman (five), Jack Higgins (five), Taylor Walker (five), Charlie Curnow (five) and Matt Taberner (seven) all having large helping hands for their respective sides.

We were also treated to a number of thrilling contests throughout the weekend, including two at the MCG between Carlton and Port Adelaide on Easter Sunday, and Hawthorn and Geelong the following day.

Brisbane vs Collingwood

The Lions were able to stave off a surging Collingwood outfit late to land their fourth win of the season. Their star midfield pairing of Hugh McCluggage and Lachie Neale were at their prolific best, while Dayne Zorko has continued to shine in his switch to defence. Magpie Jordan De Goey is enjoying a strong campaign, having booted four goals in Thursday night's loss.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 Hugh McCluggage Hugh McCluggage Lachie Neale Hugh McCluggage
4 Lachie Neale Jack Crisp Hugh McCluggage Dayne Zorko
3 Dayne Zorko Lachie Neale Dayne Zorko Jordan De Goey
2 Jordan De Goey Jordan De Goey Jordan De Goey Jack Crisp
1 Jack Crisp Dayne Zorko Jack Crisp Lachie Neale

Western Bulldogs vs North Melbourne

The Bulldogs, once again, handled the Kangaroos with ease on Good Friday, this year winning by a whopping 68 points. The Dogs' midfield ran rampant, with Bailey Smith (43 disposals), Jack Macrae (29) and ruckman Tim English (22) all proving influential, while the Aaron Naughton-led forward-line was too much for North Melbourne's back six to handle, with the headbanded key forward and Cody Weightman combining for 10 majors.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 Bailey Smith Bailey Smith Bailey Smith Bailey Smith
4 Jack Macrae Aaron Naughton Aaron Naughton Jack Macrae
3 Aaron Naughton Tim English Cody Weightman Marcus Bontempelli
2 Bailey Dale Bailey Dale Jack Macrae Tim English
1 Tim English Cody Weightman Taylor Duryea Aaron Naughton

Sydney vs West Coast

The Good Friday evening showdown at Optus Stadium was another non-contest, as the young Swans had their way with the second-rate Eagles. We witnessed a vintage Luke Parker performance, while co-captain Callum Mills (28 possessions) and gun forward Isaac Heeney (three goals) were brilliant again. Peter Ladhams (24 disposals, 25 hit-outs and a goal) was also dominant in just his second game as a Swan.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 Callum Mills Callum Mills Peter Ladhams Callum Mills
4 Peter Ladhams Luke Parker Luke Parker Isaac Heeney
3 Luke Parker Peter Ladhams Isaac Heeney Peter Ladhams
2 Isaac Heeney Isaac Heeney Callum Mills Luke Parker
1 Justin McInerney Justin McInerney Justin McInerney Hayden McLean

St Kilda vs Gold Coast

The Saints broke away from the Suns in the second half to claim their fourth win on the trot. Jack Higgins (five goals) was stellar, while skipper Jack Steele (27 disposals) and midfielder-forward Jade Gresham (25 and two goals) also put their stamp on the game. The Suns were gallant in defeat, led by Touk Miller's 32 possessions.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 Jack Higgins Jack Higgins Jack Higgins Jack Higgins
4 Jack Steele Jack Steele Jade Gresham Jade Gresham
3 Touk Miller Touk Miller Jack Sinclair Touk Miller
2 Jade Gresham Jack Sinclair Touk Miller Jack Steele
1 Sebastian Ross Jade Gresham Jack Steele Jack Sinclair

Adelaide vs Richmond

The Crows were victorious over the Tigers in a game that contained multiple momentum swings throughout. Adelaide's key forwards 'Tex' Walker (five goals) and Elliott Himmelberg (four) were hugely impactful for the Crows, while criminally-underrated midfielder Ben Keays (31 disposals and six tackles) was again superb as he continues to mount an MVP case.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 Taylor Walker Taylor Walker Taylor Walker Taylor Walker
4 Ben Keays Ben Keays Ben Keays Rory Laird
3 Rory Laird Brodie Smith Rory Laird Ben Keays
2 Brodie Smith Rory Laird Elliott Himmelberg Elliott Himmelberg
1 Elliott Himmelberg Elliott Himmelberg Brodie Smith Brodie Smith

Melbourne vs GWS Giants

Despite a narrow half-time margin, the Giants were no match for the devastating Demons in the second half, slumping to 1-4 on the season. Dees duo Max Gawn (21 disposals, 25 hit-outs and two goals) and Christian Petracca (30 possessions and two goals) were monstrous, while Steven May was sturdy as ever in defence. GWS' Tom Green (34 disposals) continued his breakout 2022 campaign.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 Christian Petracca Christian Petracca Max Gawn Christian Petracca
4 Steven May Steven May Christian Petracca Max Gawn
3 Max Gawn Clayton Oliver Steven May Steven May
2 Clayton Oliver Max Gawn Clayton Oliver Tom Green
1 Tom Green Callan Ward Tom Green Clayton Oliver

Carlton vs Port Adelaide

The Blues survived an almighty second-half Power surge to improve to 4-1 on the season. In the absence of skipper Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh (38 disposals) was prominent, as was key forward Charlie Curnow, who booted five majors. Ryan Burton (29 possessions and two goals) and Connor Rozee (24 disposals and a goal) were influential in dragging Port Adelaide back into the game.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 George Hewett George Hewett Charlie Curnow Charlie Curnow
4 Charlie Curnow Charlie Curnow Sam Walsh George Hewett
3 Sam Walsh Sam Walsh George Hewett Sam Walsh
2 Ryan Burton Ryan Burton Ryan Burton Zak Butters
1 Connor Rozee Harry McKay Darcy Byrne-Jones Ryan Burton

Essendon vs Fremantle

The Dockers left Marvel Stadium with a statement victory on Sunday evening, toppling the disappointing Bombers by 48 points. Fremantle midfielder and MVP candidate Andy Brayshaw (34 disposals, five marks and a goal) was unstoppable again, as was key forward Matt Taberner (seven goals and six marks) and ruckman Sean Darcy (18 possessions, 23 hit-outs and two goals).

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 Matt Taberner Matt Taberner Matt Taberner Matt Taberner
4 Andrew Brayshaw Andrew Brayshaw Andrew Brayshaw Andrew Brayshaw
3 Will Brodie Will Brodie Sean Darcy Sean Darcy
2 Hayden Young Sean Darcy Caleb Serong Will Brodie
1 Sean Darcy Hayden Young Will Brodie Caleb Serong

Hawthorn vs Geelong

The Hawks and Cats added another chapter to their storied rivalry, as we witnessed another thrilling contest at the MCG on Easter Monday. James Sicily (26 disposals and 15 marks), Jai Newcombe (31 possessions and seven marks) and Dylan Moore (four goals and six tackles) are in large part responsible for Hawthorn's stirring win, while Cats skipper Joel Selwood (26 disposals and ten tackles) had a trademark outing.

Mitch Keating Ed Carmine Jack Fitzpatrick Nick Splitter
5 James Sicily Tom Mitchell James Sicily James Sicily
4 Jai Newcombe Jai Newcombe Jai Newcombe Jai Newcombe
3 Joel Selwood James Sicily Tom Mitchell Dylan Moore
2 Tom Mitchell Joel Selwood Dylan Moore Joel Selwood
1 Dylan Moore Dylan Moore Joel Selwood Tom Mitchell

 

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