Team of the week

THE loss of ruckman Shane Mumford was meant to spell the end of Greater Western Sydney's finals chances, but the young Giants are fighting on.

Defender Matt Buntine and key forward Jeremy Cameron are named in the round 15 Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels, following the Giants' 35-point win over St Kilda.

Buntine, named for the first time this year, was excellent in his shutdown job on Tim Membrey, while Jeremy Cameron booted five goals.

Any number of midfielders, including Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene, could have pushed into the team after pushing the Giants back into the top eight.

Backs

MATT BUNTINE (Greater Western Sydney) - Had the task of shutting down Tim Membrey and did a superb job, while also helping keep Nick Riewoldt to one goal. Buntine, meanwhile, was able to rebound six times for his team.

MICHAEL HURLEY (Essendon) - Shut down young star Jesse Hogan and provided his usual charging efforts out of defence with a round-high 12 rebound 50s. Finished with 24 possessions and nine marks in a dominant performance.

MATTHEW BROADBENT (Port Adelaide) - Was at his best in the final quarter when Collingwood repeatedly drove inside 50, only to be cut off by Broadbent, who was playing a loose role. Had 26 disposals, 10 rebound 50s and seven crucial marks.

Half-backs

SAM MITCHELL (Hawthorn) - Did it all against Fremantle, setting the Hawks up from the midfield and drifting across half-back. Even worked forward to kick 1.1. Finished with 39 possessions at an efficiency of 87.2 per cent and took 10 marks.

ALEX RANCE (Richmond) - Was best on ground on Friday night, towelling up Lachie Henderson in the first half with 18 possessions and eight marks. Henderson, meanwhile, had just three touches before moving into defence in the second half.

KADE KOLODJASHNIJ (Gold Coast) - Has hit a nice vein of form for the Suns, racking up 30 possessions and 10 marks across half-back. Was perhaps the Suns' best, using the ball with class.

Centres

OLLIE WINES (Port Adelaide) - Was a battering ram in the midfield, winning 17 of his 33 possessions in contests and racking up eight clearances and 10 tackles. Crucial in a three-point win.

JOSH KENNEDY (Sydney Swans) - The big-bodied midfielder is starting games superbly and looked on track for 50 possessions at one point. Finished with 41 disposals (27 contested) and nine clearances.

ANDREW GAFF (West Coast) - Was excellent on the outside of the contest and also imposed himself inside, finishing with 36 possessions, 10 inside 50s and three goals. Led the match with 713 metres gained.

Half-forwards

DAYNE ZORKO (Brisbane Lions) - In a dour match that took a while to get going, Zorko was a constant presence for the Lions, providing spark and kicking three goals. Finished with 30 possessions and six inside 50s.

JEREMY CAMERON (Greater Western Sydney) - Booted three straight goals from set shots in the first quarter to set up the Giants' early lead. Finished with five, including a brilliant dribble goal on the run.

LUKE HODGE (Hawthorn) - Spent a lot of time opposed to Brownlow Medal favourite Nat Fyfe and asserted himself on the contest to win 31 possessions and kick three goals.

Forwards

CHAD WINGARD (Port Adelaide) - With 22 goals in his past seven games, Wingard is in All Australian form for the Power. He kicked another 3.3 against Collingwood and had 21 possessions and six marks.

JOE DANIHER (Essendon) - The young forward was on fire against Melbourne, slotting difficult set shots and gaining confidence with every one of his five goals. Took five of his six marks inside 50 and finished with 5.0.

LUKE BREUST (Hawthorn) - The versatile forward stood up in the absence of Jarryd Roughead, with key forward Jack Gunston held scoreless. Led the Hawks with four goals and also had six clearances.

Followers

NIC NAITANUI (West Coast) - The in-form Eagle's impact can be seen in the clearance differential of 51-35 West Coast's way against Adelaide, with Naitanui winning 39 hit-outs and five centre clearances.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Adelaide) - The Crows' star was superb on an emotional night at Domain Stadium, winning 36 possessions (21 contested). Won an AFL-high 12 clearances and was clearly spent by the final siren.

LUKE SHUEY (West Coast) - Is hitting a new level in his seventh season, thriving on Naitanui's tap work and pushing forward more to kick goals. Booted two against the Crows and had five inside 50s, finishing with 31 possessions.

Interchange

JACK STEVEN (St Kilda) - Led the Saints for disposals (31), contested possessions (14) and tackles (14) as they fought to stay in the hunt against Greater Western Sydney. Keeps growing as a two-way runner at the club.

DANE SWAN (Collingwood) - A classic game from the Magpies' midfielder in his 250th game, racking up 33 possessions and continually willing the ball forward in a brutal match. Finished with a game-high 11 clearances.

DAN HANNEBERY (Sydney Swans) - Sparked the Swans after a sluggish start and played a key role in getting them over the line. Finished with 34 possessions, five inside 50s and two goal assists.

JUSTIN WESTHOFF (Port Adelaide) - Made a great start against the Magpies playing almost as a tall midfielder, drifting forward and back to impact the contest. Selected here as a back-up ruckman and an extra tall, he finished with 26 possessions and six marks.

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