My Team of the Week in the AFL Round 3
B: Luke Ryan (Dockers), Dane Rampe (Swans), Brad Sheppard (Eagles)
HB: Zak Jones (Swans) James Sicily (Hawks), Josh Walker (Lions)
C: Andrew Gaff (Eagles), Isaac Heeney (Swans), Lachie Whitfield (Giants)
HF: Tom Lynch (Crows), Eric Hipwood (Lions), Sam Walsh (Blues)
FF: Jamie Cripps (Eagles), Paddy Ryder (Power), Connor Rozee (Power)
Foll: Jarrod Witts (Suns), Jacob Hopper (Giants), Brad Crouch (Crows)
Int: Jeremy Cameron (Giants), Angus Brayshaw (Demons), Lachie Neale (Lions), Ed Curnow (Blues)
Backs
Luke Ryan was almost the reason why the Dockers beat the Saints, with the Dockers defender playing an outstanding game. Dane Rampe is a mid sized defender capable of playing on small and tall forwards from the opposition. Brad Sheppard was just about the Eagles best player in Round 3, that is apart from Andrew Gaff. Zak Jones showed that he still belongs at the top level. James Sicily provided plenty of run off half back for the Hawks. Josh Walker was instrumental in the Lions claiming the 4 points against the Power in their Round 3 clash.
Midfielders
Andrew Gaff should get the 3 Brownlow votes in his 1st game back from suspension as he was a stand out for the Eagles. It was no surprise that despite starting in the middle, Isaac Heeney drifted forward to kick 4 goals. Lachie Whitfield played an incredible game accumulating an incredible 42 possessions in a comfortable Giants win.
Forwards
Tom Lynch of the Crows played the high half forward role to perfection finishing with 2 goals and providing a target. Eric Hipwood kicked 6 goals for the Lions; Hipwood has the capability of becoming the premier tall forward in the competition. Sam Walsh being chosen in the team of the week for Round 3 shows how good a player he is, given it was his just 3rd game of AFL football. Jamie Cripps often goes under the radar, but he won’t anymore if he can replicate his performance from Round 4, kicking 4 goals and being chosen in the team of the week. Paddy Ryder and Connor Rozee kicked 8 of the Power’s 13 goals, which shows the impact that they both had on the game in Round 3.
Followers
Jarrod Witts led from the front with 52 hit outs for the Suns leading from the front. Jacob Hooper was prolific in the midfield finishing the game with 29 disposals and 2 goals. The Crows may have lost the game, but Brad Crouch never stopped trying, accumulating an incredible 35 possessions.
Interchange
Jeremy Cameron finished the game with an incredible 30 possessions and 7 goals. Angus Brayshaw should be in contention for this seasons Brownlow Medal if his performance in Round 3 is the standard that he lives up to week in, week out. Lachie Neale is in incredible form; Neale is one of the reasons why the Lions are undefeated after Round 3. Ed Curnow embraced his new role as a forward kicking 4 goals and helping to keep the Blues in the game on the scoreboard.