ATROCIOUS conditions couldn't stop the Sydney Swans from dismantling Melbourne at the SCG, and the home side has five players selected in the AFL's Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels.
The Swans broke the all-time tackle record after laying 155 against the Demons, led by Luke Parker's personal tally of 17.
Gun forward Lance Franklin was outstanding, while co-captain Jarrad McVeigh and youngster Zak Jones starred across half-back, and Dean Towers was a lively forward in the wet.
Geelong flexed its muscle with an emphatic win over the Western Bulldogs in round 13, and four Cats have made this week's side.
Star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield led the way with his second best-on-ground performance in a row, with the Dogs unable to stop the powerful Cat, nor his sidekick Joel Selwood through the middle of the ground.
Lachie Henderson and Jimmy Bartel were also in brilliant touch for Geelong in a stingy defensive unit that kept the Bulldogs to just five goals for the night.
Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich and experienced ball winner Michael Barlow inspired the Dockers to their third straight win, while elsewhere, Greater Western Sydney pair Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene continued their rich run of form, as did Hawthorn veteran Jordan Lewis, North's Daniel Wells, and West Coast goalkicker Josh Kennedy.
Essendon took it right up to GWS thanks to Orazio Fantasia's exciting play inside 50 and the defensive work of Patrick Ambrose.
PATRICK AMBROSE (Essendon) – The young defender kept star Giant Jeremy Cameron to just two goals as the young Bombers gave the visitors a massive scare at Etihad Stadium.
ROBBIE TARRANT (North Melbourne) – North's form key defender claimed another big scalp against the Hawks, when he shut down Jack Gunston and kept him goalless.
ZAK JONES (Sydney Swans) – A breakout game for the 21-year-old, Jones handled the wet ball brilliantly, racked up 25 disposals across half-back for the Swans, and laid eight tackles.
JARRAD McVEIGH (Sydney Swans) – The co-captain showed all his class against the Dees with 25 touches at 84 per cent disposal efficiency, and had eight rebound 50s for the winners.
LACHIE HENDERSON (Geelong) – The athletic defender maintained his good touch against the Bulldogs, and took nine strong marks to go with 19 possessions.
JIMMY BARTEL (Geelong) – Closing in on 300 games, the Brownlow medallist had 27 touches across half-back for the Cats, as well as seven tackles and seven rebound 50s.
DANIEL WELLS (North Melbourne) – The brilliant West Australian again showed his importance to the Kangaroos, picking up 30 touches, as well as nine clearances and seven tackles.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Geelong) – His 37 possessions, 12 inside 50s, eight clearances, seven tackles and two goals should have snared the star midfielder three Brownlow votes for the second week running.
JORDAN LEWIS (Hawthorn) – The veteran was at his best when the Hawks needed him after half-time, and grabbed 11 clearances to go with 31 possessions.
ORAZIO FANTASIA (Essendon) – The plucky small forward ran rings around the Giants to finish with 4.4 for the day, and only his finishing tarnished the memorable performance.
JOSH KENNEDY (West Coast) – Managed just six kicks against the Lions but goaled with five of them for in a vital road win, and briefly took the lead in the Coleman Medal race on Saturday night.
DEAN TOWERS (Sydney Swans) – Determined to nail down a permanent spot in the Swans' side, Towers celebrated his recall with 11 first-quarter touches and finished with 27 for the day and two goals.
LANCE FRANKLIN (Sydney Swans) – While most forwards struggled to handle the slippery ball, Franklin maintained his lead in the Coleman race with another four against Melbourne.
MATTHEW PAVLICH (Fremantle) – The captain turned back the clock to shelve any retirement talk for this week at least, his four goals helping Freo to a third win on the trot.
JAMES SICILY (Hawthorn) – After spending some time in defence over the past few weeks, the versatile Sicily kicked five clutch goals against North to again rise to the occasion.
MAX GAWN (Melbourne) – The big man did everything he could to give his midfielders first use with 58 hit-outs, and also led his side for tackles with eight, as well as six clearances.
MICHAEL BARLOW (Fremantle) – Has resurrected his career over the past month and blitzed the Power, racking up a game-high 43 possessions, as well as nine clearances, eight tackles and a couple of goals.
STEPHEN CONIGLIO (Greater Western Sydney) – The tough midfielder was best afield against the Bombers with 29 possessions, 16 of them contested, eight clearances and seven tackles.
LUKE PARKER (Sydney Swans) – Led the Swans to a new tackle record by laying 17 of his own against the Demons, and also grabbed 23 possessions, 14 of them contested.
TOBY GREENE (Greater Western Sydney) – Just about the most in-form small forward in the League, Greene booted another four goals for the Giants, including three in a tense final term.
JOEL SELWOOD (Geelong) – The skipper continued his amazing double act with Dangerfield, amassing 28 touches, nine clearances and two goals against the hapless Dogs.
MITCH ROBINSON (Brisbane Lions) – One of few Lions flying the flag at the moment, the hard-nosed midfielder restricted Eagle Matt Priddis to 16 possessions, and picked up 39 of his own.
