While the Giants enacted revenge and the Crows became the last undefeated side for the 2017 season, Aflplayers.com.au are looking to highlight those who may have slipped under the radar for your club over the weekend.
Unsung heroes from Round 6
GWS: Nick Haynes
He featured in this segment two weeks ago and Round 6 was another stirring effort from Giants’ defender Nick Haynes in the absence of back-line general Phil Davis. Collecting 19 disposals, eight marks — two contested — and five rebounds, the 24-year-old continues to fly under the radar in a team of stars.
St Kilda: Jake Carlisle
Surprisingly not named in the best players, Jake Carlisle put in his best game for the Saints in Launceston against the Hawks. While his teammates gathered the ball at will, the former Bomber thwarted a myriad of Hawthorn attacks throughout the match and finished off his work with a long goal at the end, while collecting 16 disposals and nine marks — four of those contested.
Carlton: Alex Silvagni
Alex Silvagni’s first game for his new club was met with one of the biggest challenges in the game — stopping Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin. It was a performance that would have brought a tear to the eye of cousin Stephen, arguably the game’s greatest ever defender. The 29-year-old stood tall on the hallow turf of the MCG, limiting Franklin to 19 disposals and one goal. Silvagni himself produced what could be quite easily be one of the greatest eight disposal games in recent memory.
Port Adelaide: Jackson Trengove
After a week marred by off-field attention, Jackson Trengove responded in the perfect way with a strong display as his side overcame Brisbane. A member of the Power’s leadership group, Trengove made his influence felt just four minutes into the game, kicking truly as the visitors made a fast start at the Gabba. Trengove would finish the day with 11 disposals and three goals, to take his season tally to eight, marking a career-high for a single season.
North Melbourne: Aaron Mullett
It’s the second-coming of North Melbourne’s Aaron Mullett and this time he seems poised to stay in the team’s line-up. The left-footed Kangaroo collected 24 disposals at 87 percent efficiency in the club’s first win of the 2017 season as well as seven rebounds and launching the ball inside 50 on six occasions.
West Coast: Dom Sheed
In what was a dominant performance for the Eagles, one of their youngsters provided an encouraging performance. After a 2016 season interrupted by injury, Dom Sheed backed up his return to the side last week with 25 touches, six marks and five clearances in Round 6. Now in his fourth AFL season, the 22-year-old is poised to secure a spot in the Eagles midfield in 2017.
Melbourne: Cam Pedersen
Throughout his career, Cam Pedersen has shown an ability to play a variety of positions and his side’s victory over Essendon was no different. With Melbourne’s ruck stocks depleted, the 30-year-old played smartly, using his aerobic advantage around the ground, racking up 19 disposals, eight marks and a goal. His ability at ground level became a big factor in the middle of the ground as the Dees came out on top in clearances 40-31, adapting well to a difficult situation.
Collingwood: Levi Greenwood
Just when you thought the role of the tagger was out of fashion, Levi Greenwood proved that it still has a place in 2017. After collecting 43 disposals against St Kilda the week before, Joel Selwood was held to just 17. That pivotal battle went a long way to helping Collingwood get over the line for win No. 2. Greenwood finished with 16 touches himself, and limited the Cats skipper to his lowest disposal tally since Round 12, 2015.
Adelaide: Jake Kelly
Having struggled for opportunities in season 2016, Jake Kelly has quickly become a key part of the Adelaide defence with five games this season. Sunday’s victory over Richmond was a career game for the 22-year-old in just his 15th game at the top level. Kelly finished the game with a career-high 28 disposals as he marked his return to the senior side.