MAX GAWN has been my ruckman for the past four weeks but I couldn't go past Dawson Simpson in the round 18 Team of the Week, brought to you by AccorHotels.

The Greater Western Sydney big man had an easier job than usual against Port Adelaide, with Paddy Ryder out injured, but he helped the Giants dominate the clearance battle.

Furthermore, his inclusion allows Rory Lobb to go forward in the absence of the suspended Jeremy Cameron, who has another game to serve on his ban after his round 14 collision with Brisbane backman Harris Andrews. 

A couple of Geelong superstars in Gary Ablett and Patrick Dangerfield were unlucky to miss out, while defender Tom Stewart was edged out by GWS co-captain Phil Davis.

DECISION TIME FOR SUNS Nine things we learned from round 18

That was one of the better games I've seen from Lions defender Darcy Gardiner, against Adelaide. Rory Thompson kept Lance Franklin quiet and formed a brilliant partnership with Steven May as Gold Coast toppled Sydney. Davis was superb for the Giants while Heath Shaw was good one-on-one and spent time on Robbie Gray. Lachie Whitfield was going so well Port Adelaide needed to send a tagger to him.

From Richmond, Dion Prestia covered the ground as well as I've seen this year and pushed forward to hit the scoreboard. Tom Mitchell hardly wasted the football against Carlton, while at Collingwood, Taylor Adams won plenty of it. Simpson starred for GWS and Elliot Yeo continued an exceptional year as West Coast beat the Western Bulldogs. He's going to be crucial come finals time – Yeo is the big-bodied, explosive midfielder every side has and needs. Clayton Oliver has been more damaging and penetrating for Melbourne this season than in his best-and-fairest year of 2017.

So important for Essendon is Orazio Fantasia, and he forms a dangerous partnership with Devon Smith. That was the best performance I've ever seen from Tom Hawkins. The Demons just couldn't stop the Geelong forward. Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt is in a really good patch, playing on instinct and confidence. Coming up against the premiers this week will be Collingwood and its in-form gun Jordan De Goey, who is a joy to watch. Meanwhile, Hawthorn has probably the AFL's best small forward in Luke Breust.

In an unfamiliar role up forward for Adelaide was Hugh Greenwood, which he did very well. St Kilda didn't show Dustin Martin enough respect and he made the Saints pay. Aaron Young was the match-winner for the Suns, while Scott Pendlebury once again led the Pies with aplomb.