St.Kilda vs Essendon:

Looking Good:

  • Jobe Watson: As usual, he cut a swathe through the Saints midfield, and despite carrying an injury into the game, he totally dominated. He racked up 30 disposals, 7 marks and 5 tackles for the game at his hard-at-it best.
  • Heath Hocking: Hocking was brilliant down back, holding Riewoldt to only two goals. Not only that, but he ran off him and repeatedly beat him one-on-one, finishing with 30 possessions and 9 marks for the game.
  • Jason Gram: Gram is now finally back at his ball-winning best, racking up 35 disposals playing as a backline sweeper – more a role which he played in 2008 to much effect. He will get plenty of the ball playing here and is currently priced to clear!

Disappointing:

  • Sam Fisher: Suffered the forward tag from Monfries and was not only held pretty quiet, but was also pretty well beaten by his man, with Monfries kicking four goals for the game.
  • Kyle Hardingham: After a super debut last week where he kicked four goals, he was much quieter against the Saints, kicking just two goals from limited disposals. He should stay in the team, but it has proven his is not quite the next Barlow as some have suggested.
  • Tom Lynch: This isn’t meant to be ‘pick on the new kid,’ but I was less than impressed by Lynch’s debut. I, more than anyone, was excited about his debut game, but he just looked lost on the field for large chunks of the game, missing a couple of gimmes, as well as letting his direct opponent, Fletcher, rack up 24 disposals as one of the best players on ground. Will hopefully get another chance but I wouldn’t be holding my breath.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Michael Hurley: Hurley was solid down back, but plenty of his stats came uncontested in the Bomber’s backline. He proved in 2009 that he could be a good dream teamer, but this sort of game appears to be a bit of a blip on the radar to what he has typically been scoring in 2010 in similar roles.

Collingwood vs Carlton:

Looking Good:

  • Scott Pendlebury: After a bit of a slow start, Pendlebury really turned it on through the middle, chopping up the Blues midfield on his way to 34 touches. I’m sure I have said it before, but Pendles is fast becoming a DT star in 2010, after being more predominantly a Supercoach selection in years past.
  • Dayne Beams: I love the forward role that he plays – he is fantastic at receiving the ball around the flanks, then it is not so much his goal kicking that stands out, but his forward entries – he is brilliant at hitting his teammates on the chest again and again. Hence, he will continue to get the ball delivered to him, allowing him to rack up big DT numbers like this one.
  • Alan Didak: Didak’s form has been great recently and he continued it here in full force, kicking two goals from his 31 disposals. The real bonus with Didak is his love of kicking the ball, meaning most disposals are worth 3 points to you rather than 2.

Disappointing:

  • Eddie Betts: Betts never got into the game and kicked his solitary goal when it was all over. He has been in good form this year, but can be as inconsistent as buggery!
  • Andrew Carrazzo: Attempted a tag job on Swan but was simply wasting his time. Unfortunately, he forgot to get much of the ball for himself, only finishing on 18 touches for the game.
  • Paul Bower: Bower owners would have been happy when he started the game strongly, leading the way at the 10 minute mark of the first quarter, but unfortunately he did very little after that, scoring just the 10 points after half time, further ridiculing those who picked him.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Chris Johnson: Like many of his teammates around him, I thought Johnson was quite average. He has shown very little since famously crossing over from the Blues at the end of 2008. He plays roles in the backline and on the wing and in this game was able to pick up a bit of ball. Don’t rely on him to do it frequently, nor should you be expecting him to consistently hold his spot in the team.

Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn:

Looking Good:

  • Jay Shultz: Shultz was sensational up forward, marking everything that came his way, including plenty that will feature on the week’s highlights reel. He finished the game with four goals, all of which came at key stages of the match.
  • Justin Westhoff: Not wanting to be out-done, Westhoff’s marking was equally thrilling, with a really strong set of hands and a large wingspan both features of his arsenal. He only kicked one goal, but set up plenty more with his work around CHF. Looks like having a true breakout year and could really be anything if he puts his mind to it.
  • Domenic Cassisi: Cassisi did the same thing that he does every week – plenty of contested ball, stacks of tackles and a bonus goal. He has had a great season and is really taking leadership of the side, especially since the arrival of Primus. Will go head-to-head with Lenny Hayes next week which will be an awesome battle.

Disappointing:

  • Luke Hodge: Hodge finished with 18 disposals for the game but none of them had any effect on the game. He simply couldn’t break the Kornes tag and got very little support from his teammates.
  • Jarryd Roughead: Roughy looked back in form last week against the Saints, but just couldn’t get near it this week, being well held by youngster Trengove. He shouldn’t be a DT option to consider anyway.
  • Nathan Krakouer: This was Krakouer’s first game back from injury and it certainly showed. He didn’t want to work hard to get anywhere and is practically a write-off as an option for the rest of the season.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Brent Renouf: Renouf had a game out of the box, kicking two goals and featuring as one of Hawthorn’s best midfielders for the game. This could be a sign of things to come, yet not necessarily this year.

Sydney vs Geelong:

Looking Good:

  • Steve Johnson: Stevie booted a very accurate six goals straight from 25 touches and looks to be back into some form after missing a few games with suspension. The worry is whether his inconsistency virus will hit again mid-finals. At least we know he won’t be rested thanks to his recent suspension.
  • Gary Ablett: His revised role of midfielder/forward seems to be revitalizing him a bit by allowing him to spend time hunting his own ball up forward. He finished here with three goals, whilst his 29 touches were certainly serviceable.
  • Adam Goodes: Continued his recent good form, booting another three goals and picking up 22 disposals playing predominantly as a forward. His run through the middle over the past few weeks certainly seems to have revitalised him and hopefully he can carry this form through the finals.

Disappointing:

  • Rhyce Shaw: Played mainly forward again but had absolutely no effect on the contest, finishing with just 9 disposals.
  • Heath Grundy: After looking like he has returned to DT form over the past few weeks, Grundy has returned to his defensive ways, killing his point scoring once again. Bugger.
  • Paul Chapman: Whilst he was far from shocking, a knock to Chappy’s knee early in the game saw him struggle a bit throughout. What are the chances he will sit week one of the finals on the sidelines AGAIN!?

Blip on the Radar:

  • Cameron Mooney: Mooney is a good player – a good player made to look better thanks to the team he plays for. Ideally, playing for Geelong he should be able to kick 3-5 goals a game and average around 90 DT points, but it is just not him – never has been, never will be. Occasionally he will have a big game or two, but it should be far from expected.

Brisbane vs Melbourne:

Looking Good:

  • Colin Sylvia: Sylvia was terrific once again! Finally those who have held tight through a long season are reaping the rewards. He once again played through the middle and rested up forward, helping himself to 31 touches, 9 marks, 8 tackles and 2 goals for the game.
  • Mitch Clark: Spent little time up Ruck and moved up forward when Fev injured himself early. Whilst he only kicked three goals, he did get plenty of the ball, ending up with 28 disposals and 12 marks.
  • Tom Rockliff: He needs another mention for getting another DT ton. Despite giving away two very costly penalties late in the game, he otherwise had a great day, picking up 30 disposals and 5 tackles for the game. Vossy loves him and he shouldn’t miss any of the remaining rounds barring injury.

Disappointing:

  • Xavier Clarke: You had to feel for the guy when he pulled his hamstring only a quarter into his comeback match from an ACL injury. Clarke has a horrible history of hammy injuries and if Voss was smart he wouldn’t play him again this year.
  • Jonathan Brown: Brown briefly looked like he was going to fire his team for a big win but he unfortunately waned along with the rest of his team. He seems to be improving, but at no huge pace unfortunately.
  • Liam Jurrah: Looks to still be adjusting to the pace of the game with a limited fitness base. He is still in Melbourne’s best-22, but don’t be expecting any huge hauls between now and the end of the season.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Jared Rivers: Floated around the backline, mainly playing on Clarke who enjoyed floating in and out of the attack, often leaving Rivers unattended. He finished with 12 marks for the game – most of which were uncontested – a clear sign that he won most of his points through kick-to-kick.

Richmond vs Adelaide:

Looking Good:

  • Shane Tuck: Tucky did what he did best – won sh#t-loads of ball whilst also tagging Thompson. Whilst Thompson still had a good game, Tuck himself finished with 33 touches and 10 tackles. If you dare pick him he is a super DTer.
  • Chris Newman: Showed his young opponent, Jaensch absolutely no respect, zoning off him at every opportunity, working himself to 26 possessions in the backline.
  • Bernie Vince: Vince was Adelaide’s best and was for once given little opposition attention, allowing him to reach such a lofty number. He is becoming better at winning his own ball and finished with 26 touches for the game.

Disappointing:

  • Ricky Henderson: After several sizeable scores in a row we are beginning to count on him for similar numbers, so when he doesn’t produce them he is therefore ‘disappointing.’ Was going well til half time when he took a knock to the leg – he played on, but with much less effect.
  • Kurt Tippett: Well… that good form he appeared to be coming into seems to have left him pretty quick. Another solitary goal in a losing Adelaide team.
  • Ben Nason: Nason typically thrives in the wet, but just couldn’t get into the game at any stage. Bobbed up late for a behind, but that was about all we saw of him for the match.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Scott Stevens: Stevens got the pleasure of manning first gamer, Hicks, meaning that he was regularly left to rack up plenty of ball. Typically he is a dour defender and nothing more, but the inexperience of his opponent allowed him to find plenty more cheap kicks.

Melbourne vs Sydney:

Looking Good:

  • Matthew Boyd: Boyd plodded along til half time when he absolutely exploded, racking up 93 points in the second half alone. As usual, he dictates his own stats sheet, winning all of his own ball. He is in super form, Captain form in fact. He is the mid you want if you are chasing one at the moment!
  • Brian Lake: Lake matched himself up on Wright and it was no surprise he chopped. He finished with another whopping 15 marks and 27 touches.
  • Sam Wright: Wright was Lake’s direct opponent and he used the space allowed to him to the best of his ability. He ended with two goals and racked up 21 disposals in his best game for the year.

Disappointing:

  • Lindsay Thomas: Thomas battled again and had no effect on the game. It is such a shame after we saw what he can be capable of a few weeks ago.
  • Shaun Higgins: Although scoring 73 points, Higgins was the fourth lowest scorer for the Bulldogs. His form this year has simply not been consistent enough – he too regularly scores around 70 points and never much more. A real shame after such a good breakout season last year.
  • Ryan Bastinac: Brad Scott showed that Bastinac was out of favour by dropping him in the lead up to this game, but he got his recall when Campbell was a late withdrawal. Unfortunately, his form was lacking and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was dropped again for next week.

Blip on the Radar:

  • Sam Wright: Unfortunately, he won’t be playing on Lake every week. Therefore don’t be expecting too many tons from the kid for the remaining rounds. He is a good future prospect though.

Fremantle vs West Coast:

Looking Good:

  • Greg Broughton: Broughton played the majority of the game through the midfield and he was easily able to transfer his ball-winning ability into the role, racking up 31 possessions and 7 tackles for the game. I really like him as an option on the home stretch for those in need of a defender.
  • Hayden Ballantyne: Plays both forward and through the middle and each with significant zip and good ball-winning ability. He finished with 6 goals straight and was stiff not to win the BOG medal that was given to 211.
  • Matthew Pavlich: Pav really looked like he was hitting some form, finally marking balls in the forward line and kicking goals from 65m out. He is also really strong in the clearances, winning plenty of his own ball. Although he is apparently underdone, he still came away with 19 possessions and four goals.

Disappointing:

  • Chris Masten: Masten was poor, again. West Coast are apparently building a future around this kid, but his work rate, nor ball winning ability is up to scratch. Finished with just seven disposals.
  • Anthony Morabito: Was pretty average and seemed quite undisciplined on a couple of occasions. He seemed like he didn’t want to be out there today – strange for a kid in his first year.
  • Dean Cox: Cox did finish on 79 points, but his start to the game was poor, attaining just 16 points in the first half. He managed to junk it up a bit in the second half, but please don’t consider trading him in!

Blip on the Radar:

  • Matt de Boer: de Boer played probably his best game for the club up forward – most of his possessions were deadly accurate and he managed to set up plenty of attacks. However, this is not the time of year to start jumping on mid-priced kids who are showing a bit of improvement. Look to 2011 if you fancy him, but steer well clear at the moment.