IT WAS the round that saw this year's two NAB AFL Rising Star favourites separate themselves from the pack with brilliant performances.
Carlton midfielder Patrick Cripps and Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan were both outstanding for their respective teams and earned selection in the round 19 Team of the Week, brought to you by Accor Hotels.
Cripps landed the first blow on Saturday, racking up 35 possessions and 11 clearances against Collingwood. But Hogan returned fire on Sunday with four goals and some brilliant contested marking.
It was enough to ensure both were recognised for what they are doing right now, not only what is possible in the future.
JAKE KOLODJASHNIJ (Geelong) - Matched up on Adam Goodes in the champion Swan's return, Kolodjashnij was excellent in keeping his man to just one goal. He racked up 15 possessions himself and laid four important tackles.
DANIEL TALIA (Adelaide) - The young defender was comprehensive in his win over Jack Riewoldt, keeping the star Tiger to his lowest possession tally for the season (seven) and restricting him to zero marks.
GARRICK IBBOTSON (Fremantle) - Fit and in-form, the Freo defender is showing his value week-in, week-out now as an intercept marker and rebounder. Had 28 possessions, 11 marks and six rebound 50s against the Saints.
PEARCE HANLEY (Brisbane Lions) - Selected at half-back here, the star Lion spent more time in the midfield against Gold Coast and racked up eight inside 50s. A clean ball user, he bobbed up with an important goal late in the third term.
WILL SCHOFIELD (West Coast) - Took on Jarryd Roughead and kept him to just one goal, albeit a crucial one late in the game. Roughead finished with 1.3 and two marks, with Schofield standing up as the team's No.1 defender.
GRANT BIRCHALL (Hawthorn) - The damaging half-back drifted forward to do the majority of his damage in the front end, racking up five inside 50s and kicking a brilliant 50m goal off one step. Finished with 22 possessions.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Adelaide) - Racked up 29 touches and kicked one goal, emerging on top in a head-to-head battle with Trent Cotchin, who has made an art form of working off the opposition's stars in recent weeks. Had eight clearances and seven inside 50s.
MITCH WALLIS (Western Bulldogs) - Continued a rich vein of form with 28 possessions (16 contested), seven clearances and seven inside 50s against Port Adelaide. Shaping as the Bulldogs' next skipper after taking a big step this season.
SAM MITCHELL (Hawthorn) - Best on ground in a crucial clash in the west that kept the Hawks' top two hopes alive. Outstanding in the midfield with 36 possessions, nine clearances and eight inside 50s.
SHAUN HIGGINS (North Melbourne)- The classy half-forward, who has been the recruit of the year, lifted in the final term to kick two goals and ignite his team against the Demons. In career-best form since leaving the Bulldogs, he had 31 possessions and five inside 50s.
JESSE HOGAN (Melbourne) - No longer just a future star, Kangaroos coach Brad Scott says it's time to recognise what Hogan is doing right now. He booted four goals against North and worked up and back down the ground terrifically to take nine marks (three contested).
JAKE STRINGER (Western Bulldogs)- Kicked four goals for the second straight week, converting from long-range, marking well above his head, and snapping over his shoulder. Is a nightmare match-up given his ability to work up the ground and burn back towards goal.
TAYLOR WALKER (Adelaide) - The Crows skipper might have had a wonky radar, kicking 2.5, but he was still brilliant in his match-up on the game’s best key defender, Alex Rance. Walker took 10 marks, including five in attack, and was arguably best on ground against the Tigers. Had an equal game-high seven inside 50s.
TOM LYNCH (Gold Coast) - Booted an equal career-best five goals against the Brisbane Lions to win the Marcus Ashcroft Medal as best on ground in the QClash. With 34 goals for the season and some of the best hands in the game, he shapes as a strong candidate to win the Suns' best and fairest award.
LUKE BREUST (Hawthorn)- Snapped the goal that put Hawthorn up for the last time in the fourth quarter against West Coast, fighting off two Eagles to convert. Finished with three goals and provided excellent forward pressure with seven tackles.
TODD GOLDSTEIN (North Melbourne) - Another superb performance to continue his potential charge to the all-time hit-outs record in a season, adding another 50 against Melbourne. Showed his versatility by running Max Gawn off his feet and scooping the ball up at ground level.
JOEL SELWOOD (Geelong) - Was enormous in his 200th game, driving the Cats to an important win against the Swans with 35 possessions (20 contested) and six inside 50s. Two of those entries hit Tom Hawkins on the chest for crucial goals in the last quarter.
DANE SWAN (Collingwood) - A vintage performance from Swan, who hit the 40-possession mark for the first time since round 15, 2013. He lifted in the fourth quarter when the Pies needed a spark, winning crucial clearances and kicking two of his three goals.
SCOTT PENDLEBURY (Collingwood) - Not far off Swan as best on ground, Pendlebury racked up 37 possessions and five inside 50s, showing the moments of brilliance he is known for in shaking off opponents and using the ball with class. Was given unusual freedom to rack up 27 uncontested touches.
LACHIE NEALE (Fremantle) - Fremantle's best midfielder in a strong field against St Kilda, edging Stephen Hill and David Mundy for selection. Finished with an equal game-high 36 possessions. It was the seventh time this season he has had 30 possessions or more.
PATRICK CRIPPS (Carlton) - Contended with Marc Murphy as the Blues' best player against Collingwood, racking up a career-high 35 possessions and 11 clearances to further stake his claim as this year's NAB AFL Rising Star.
AARON HALL (Gold Coast) - The nippy Sun has revived his career in the past three weeks and was at his best with a career-high 28 possessions against the Lions. Relishing more midfield time and working harder defensively.
