CARLTON not only scored a breakthrough win against Fremantle in Perth on Sunday, but the Blues are also represented for the first time for 2016 in the AFL's Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels.
Captain Marc Murphy and his deputy Kade Simpson were brilliant against the Dockers and have made the 22 for round five, with Murphy on the bench and Simpson slotting in at half-back.
Veterans Dale Morris, Heath Shaw and a rejuvenated Ted Richards join Simpson in the back six, along with stingy Hawthorn full-back James Frawley and exciting Adelaide defender Rory Atkins.
The experience continues across the centreline with North Melbourne's Nick Dal Santo and Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom on the wings, and Geelong skipper Joel Selwood in the centre after dominating against Port Adelaide.
Greater Western Sydney star Jeremy Cameron and St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt are the team's two key forwards after getting amongst the goals against each other on Sunday, with Hawks pair Paul Puopolo and Cyril Rioli, Giant Toby Greene and Western Bulldog Koby Stevens providing some hardness inside 50.
Bearded Demon Max Gawn leads the ruck after another outstanding game against Richmond, with teammate Jack Viney and Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury at his feet.
Kangaroo Todd Goldstein provides the back-up for Gawn, with GWS gun Stephen Coniglio and his crosstown rival Luke Parker from the Swans ready to add plenty of toughness when called upon.
DALE MORRIS (Western Bulldogs) – The veteran was at his best against the young Lions, taking eight marks in defence to go with six rebound 50s and 16 touches in another solid performance.
JAMES FRAWLEY (Hawthorn) – Another good night for the stopper who did well on Adelaide's dangerous forwards Taylor Walker and Josh Jenkins at different stages and finished with nine one-percenters.
HEATH SHAW (Greater Western Sydney) – The running defender cleared the footy at will and picked up 27 touches against the Saints, but also took 14 marks and saved the Giants on several occasions.
KADE SIMPSON (Carlton) – Carlton's leaders stood up against Fremantle and Simpson was one of their best in defence with 30 touches, his cool head vital in the nail biting win.
TED RICHARDS (Sydney Swans) – The 33-year-old had 22 disposals and took 10 marks, but also kicked a cracking goal and took a last-quarter 'speccie' as he wound back the clock against West Coast.
RORY ATKINS (Adelaide) – One of the Crows' best attacking defenders, Atkins was brilliant against the Hawks and gathered 27 possessions, 13 of them contested, while also driving the ball inside 50 six times.
NICK DAL SANTO (North Melbourne) – Enjoying a quality season with the undefeated Kangaroos, the smooth-moving veteran racked up 28 touches and laid five tackles against Gold Coast.
JOEL SELWOOD (Geelong) – The skipper was in his element against Port, winning 11 clearances and 28 possessions in Adelaide, as well as adding a clutch goal when the Cats stormed over the home side.
STEELE SIDEBOTTOM (Collingwood) – Has responded well after a late start to the year due to suspension, with the hard-running Pie winning the Anzac Day Medal after his 33-possession, four-goal effort against Essendon.
KOBY STEVENS (Western Bulldogs) – The tough Bulldog had 34 touches against the Saints and worked hard all over the ground but was most damaging playing as a high half-forward, finishing with seven clearances and seven inside 50s.
NICK RIEWOLDT (St Kilda) – Still the Saints' most valuable player at 33 years of age, the skipper picked up 25 possessions, took 11 marks and booted four goals in a side well beaten by the Giants.
TOBY GREENE (Greater Western Sydney) – The much-maligned Giant was sensational against St Kilda, especially early. He racked up 31 touches and could have ended up with a bag after kicking 4.3.
PAUL PUOPOLO (Hawthorn) – Simply sensational against the Crows. Seventee of Puopolo's 23 disposals were contested; he laid six tackles and won the game for the Hawks with his fifth goal late in the final term.
JEREMY CAMERON (Greater Western Sydney) – Returned from a four-week suspension in style for the Giants with five goals against St Kilda, four of them in the first half, in an impressive display.
CYRIL RIOLI (Hawthorn) – Had 10 contested possessions and laid 10 tackles to place enormous pressure on the Crows, and finished with four goals in the Hawks' comeback victory.
MAX GAWN (Melbourne) – Plenty scoffed at his pre-season admission that he wanted to be the best ruckman in the game at the end of this year, but if this form continues he's a massive part of the conversation.
SCOTT PENDLEBURY (Collingwood) – Back in the midfield after an unsuccessful stint at half-back, Pendlebury gave the Magpies plenty of drive with 35 disposals and was runner-up to Sidebottom in the Anzac Day Medal.
JACK VINEY (Melbourne) – Tough and hard at it, Viney must be a joy to watch for Demons' supporters, and after 37 possessions, a club-record 23 of them contested, nine clearances and nine tackles, he's leading the club's revival.
STEPHEN CONIGLIO (Greater Western Sydney) – The Giant grabbed 32 touches against the Saints and works hard all over the ground, adding five inside 50s and five rebound 50s from defence to a class all-round game.
LUKE PARKER (Sydney Swans) – A fifth straight game of 25-plus touches for the Swans star, Parker also had nine clearances and laid nine tackles against West Coast and relished the wet conditions at the SCG.
MARC MURPHY (Carlton) – Turned out an inspired captain's performance against the Dockers with 28 possessions and six tackles, and kicked an important goal in the last quarter.
TODD GOLDSTEIN (North Melbourne) – The 2015 All Australian had his way against Suns Daniel Currie and Peter Wright to against give his midfielders plenty of supply.
