Team of the week: Round six

B: Campbell Brown (Hawthorn), Darren Glass (West Coast), Darren Milburn (Geelong)
HB: Andrew Mackie (Geelong), Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide), Heath Shaw (Collingwood)
C: Daniel Wells (Kangaroos), Simon Black (Brisbane Lions), Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda)
HF: Shannon Grant (Kangaroos), Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Gary Ablett (Geelong)
F: Ash McGrath (Brisbane Lions), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Fraser Gehrig (St Kilda)
FOLL: Brad Ottens (Geelong), Chris Judd (West Coast), Luke Power (Brisbane Lions)
I/C: Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood), Brad Sewell (Hawthorn), Matt Priddis (West Coast), Jeff White (Melbourne)

BACKS:

Campbell Brown (Hawthorn) – The Hawthorn terrier not only gave away 15cm and 16kg against in-form Bomber Scott Lucas, he also took the honours in a superb display. Brown won 18 disposals while Lucas had just 10 touches and booted one goal.

Darren Glass (West Coast) – Achieved career-best disposals against the Western Bulldogs, winning 20 touches – all effective. He played on three opponents and didn't concede a goal for the match.

Darren Milburn (Geelong) – Super numbers down back, winning 29 disposals at an efficiency rate of 93 per cent. He also claimed 10 marks. Milburn was the second-top-ranked Champion Data player in the match against Richmond.

HALF BACKS:

Andrew Mackie (Geelong) – Produced arguably his finest match for Geelong, booting four goals and winning 23 disposals off half-back. His was one of the pivotal players in Geelong's mammoth 157-point victory over Richmond.

Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide) – Cornes' recent form has been nothing short of sensational. He was again a key playmaker against Melbourne, chalking up 29 disposals and 10 marks. Topped the Champion Data player rankings against Melbourne.

Heath Shaw (Collingwood) – Continued his ripping form off half-back, winning 26 possessions against Adelaide on Saturday night. He missed the target with just two of his disposals, while his efficiency rate was 92 per cent.

CENTRES:

Daniel Wells (Kangaroos) – Has answered his unwarranted critics in recent weeks with some polished displays, which included 23 disposals against Sydney. Wells was excellent around the clearances, winning eight.

Simon Black (Brisbane Lions) – The exquisite ball-winner was brilliant yet again for the Lions, accumulating 32 disposals, including 15 contested possessions. He was the top-ranked Champion Data player in the match against Fremantle.

Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda) – Topped the Champion Data player rankings with 178 points in round six. Dal Santo was brilliant against the Blues, winning 30 touches at a 93 per cent efficiency rate. He also laid six tackles in a best on ground display.

HALF FORWARDS:

Shannon Grant (Kangaroos) – Grant was instrumental in the Kangaroos' stunning 16-point win over Sydney, booting four majors, including the final goal for the match. He notched up 22 touches, took 10 marks and sent the ball inside 50 on eight occasions.

Quinten Lynch (West Coast) – The vastly-underrated key forward produced midfield-like numbers, winning 21 disposals, including 11 inside 50s. He also raked in 13 marks and finished the match with two goals.

Gary Ablett (Geelong) – Best on ground against Richmond with a dynamic performance that included 32 disposals – a career-best six marks, six clearances and seven inside 50s. On top of that, he booted three goals and had four assists.

FORWARDS:

Ash McGrath (Brisbane Lions) – The small forward played a crucial role up forward and played one of his finest matches for the Lions, bagging five goals. It was the fourth time he has kicked five goals or more. His best effort remains six goals in round 19, 2003.

Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) – Buddymania continued in round six, when the freakish Hawk booted nine goals – a career-best in just his 40th AFL match. He has booted 15 goals in his past two matches and is leading the league goalkicking with 23 majors.

Fraser Gehrig (St Kilda) – The G-Train was outstanding against the Blues, jagging six goals in his best performance for the year thus far. Gehrig also claimed nine marks and finished with a Champion Data player ranking of 171 points.

FOLLOWERS:

Brad Ottens (Geelong) – Shone on return for a hip injury, particularly in the first half when his side set up its extraordinary win. Finished with 13 disposals, eight of which were contested, while he also laid six tackles and had 17 hit-outs.

Chris Judd (West Coast) – Surprise, surprise, Judd produced another stellar performance against the Western Bulldogs, winning 34 disposals – including 15 contested. He also had seven clearances, sent the ball inside 50 on six occasions and laid six tackles.

Luke Power (Brisbane Lions) – Power combined brilliantly with Simon Black in the Lions' engine room, winning 31 disposals – including 25 disposals – between the arcs. He also laid five tackles and chipped in with two goals.

INTERCHANGE:

Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood) – Lockyer's vastly underrated and exceptional start to the season continued against Adelaide, when he gathered 29 disposals, 10 marks and two goals. He was also the top ranked Champion Data player against Adelaide.

Brad Sewell (Hawthorn) – The run-with midfielder was again outstanding for the Hawks, notching up 25 touches against the Dons – including 11 contested possessions. He also won seven clearances and laid seven tackles.

Matt Priddis (West Coast) – The 2006 Sandover Medallist has started the 2007 season in fine style. The midfielder won 26 disposals, including 10 contested, while he sent the ball inside 50 on five occasions. He also booted three goals.

Jeff White (Melbourne) – White became a father overnight in the lead-up to the match, yet still had the focus to out-point reigning All-Australian ruckman Brendon Lade. He finished with 24 disposals at a disposal efficiency rate of 92 per cent and won 20 hit-outs.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.