Team of the week: Round 16

Today's headlines

• Hard work ahead for Saints
  Fri, Jul 30, 10
• Saints fall to Bombers again
  Fri, Jul 30, 10
• GAME DAY - follow the action
  Fri, Jul 30, 10

Today's videos

• Rd18 Press Conference: St K
  Sat, Jul 31, 10
• Ess v St K: Match Summary
  Fri, Jul 30, 10
• Ess v St K: 1st half
  Fri, Jul 30, 10

B: Corey Enright (Geelong), Michael Firrito (Kangaroos), Darren Milburn (Geelong)

HB: Peter Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Matthew Egan (Geelong), Andrew Mackie (Geelong)

C: Ben Cousins (West Coast), Jimmy Bartel (Geelong), Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda)

HF: Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide), Ashley Hansen (West Coast), Luke Ball (St Kilda)

F: Brett Ebert (Port Adelaide), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)

FOLL: Dean Cox (West Coast), Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide), Gary Ablett (Geelong)

I/C: Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood), Brent Harvey (Kangaroos), Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide), Travis Cloke (Collingwood)

BACKS
Corey Enright (Geelong) A stellar performer for Geelong in the past two rounds. Against the Western Bulldogs, Enright again drove the Cats into attack as he accumulated 27 disposals – including 11 in the first quarter – of which 12 were contested.

Michael Firrito (Kangaroos) One of the great stories of the Kangaroos' season has been Firrito's form. The underrated Roo shut down Melbourne skipper David Neitz, holding the key forward to just one goal. Firrito also won 15 touches.

Darren Milburn (Geelong) Milburn's ultra-consistent season continued with another reliable, top-notch effort from defence. His excellent ball use was again on show – he recorded 96 per cent efficiency – as he gathered 28 disposals against the Dogs.

HALF-BACKS
Peter Burgoyne (Port Adelaide) Burgoyne's rebound from half-back in recent weeks has been a pivotal part in Port Adelaide's return to form. Against Richmond, he racked up 34 touches – including 14 in the third term.

Matthew Egan (Geelong) Another integral member of Geelong's defensive unit, Egan continued his fine year, not conceding a goal against Bulldog opponent Luke Darcy.

Andrew Mackie (Geelong) Produced a tremendous display against the Dogs with his run-and-carry from half-back a feature of the match. Mackie landed two goals from his six inside-50s, and picked up 29 touches.

CENTRES
Ben Cousins (West Coast) The most talked-about footballer of 2007 produced a fairytale comeback with a stunning best-on-ground display against Sydney. Lauded as one of the finest returns to the game in history, Cousins finished with 38 disposals.

Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) Joining Cousins as the round's greatest ball-winner with 38 touches, Bartel continued his scintillating season in the middle, rivalling his Brownlow Medal favourite partner Gary Ablett for best-on-ground honours.

Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda) Continued his excellent season with another polished midfield display, winning 31 disposals. He also chipped in with a goal and had three scoring assists for the Saints.

HALF FORWARDS
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide) In career-best form since returning from a collarbone injury in round 13, Motlop has booted 17 goals in his past four matches – including five against Richmond in round 16, when he was instrumental in the opening term.

Ashley Hansen (West Coast) The key forward straightened the Eagles up and showed why he was such a vital inclusion after being sidelined for six rounds with a finger injury. He booted four goals against the Swans.

Luke Ball (St Kilda) The St Kilda co-captain produced one of his greatest matches for the club playing up forward rather than rotating through the middle. His best-on-ground performance resulted in 31 disposals and three goals. He also laid five tackles.

FORWARDS
Brett Ebert (Port Adelaide) Ebert has been an excellent small forward for the Power this season and his ability to combine with Motlop for 11 goals was a major factor in side's 55-point win over Richmond. Ebert finished with a game-high six majors.

Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) Created a record when he became the first Brisbane player to nail 10 goals in a match. Simply unstoppable in recent weeks, Brown now has 24 goals from his past four outings – including 16 in his past two games.

Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle) Continued his outstanding season for Fremantle, playing a major role in keeping his side's finals hopes flickering with a best-on-ground display against Adelaide. 'Pav' bagged five goals and took a game-high 14 marks.

FOLLOWERS
Dean Cox (West Coast) Another excellent display from the game's No.1 ruckman. Cox led the way with 27 hit outs and again pushed forward to contribute three vital goals in his side's 12-point win over Sydney. 

Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide) The game's most versatile performer increased his Brownlow Medal stocks with another cracking display in the midfield, this time against Richmond, where he won 33 disposals and sent the ball inside 50 on 11 occasions.

Gary Ablett (Geelong) The Brownlow Medal favourite will no doubt add votes to his tally in round 16 after another blistering effort against the Western Bulldogs. Ablett achieved an equal-career-best 35 disposals and was involved in five scoring assists.

INTERCHANGE
Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood) Clearly in career-best form, Lockyer continued his outstanding season with a best-on-ground display against Essendon, winning 29 disposals – including 12 in the opening term – playing in the midfield and down back. 

Brent Harvey (Kangaroos) Harvey's Brownlow Medal stocks continue to rise after another first-class effort. The dynamic onballer/goalkicker amassed 28 possessions and three goals against Melbourne.

Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide) The game's leading ball-winner (438 disposals) is now 14 ahead of his nearest rival – Gary Ablett – after he racked up 36 against Richmond on Sunday. He has garnered 71 disposals in his past two performances.

Travis Cloke (Collingwood) – Cloke continues to go from strength to strength as a key marking target up forward. His contested marking was a highlight of his three-goal performance against Essendon – four of his 11 marks were contested.