JESSE Hogan's six goals that spearheaded Melbourne's win over the Brisbane Lions has led to the comeback kid being named at full forward in this week's Team of the Week.
Hogan, after missing just two games with a broken collarbone, was no certainty to line up on Sunday after a brutal season where he also battled testicular cancer and lost his father.
But he not only played, he was essentially the difference – along with Cam Pedersen, named on the bench – in the Demons' 13-point win at the MCG.
There was plenty of orange and charcoal in this week's team with Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield walk up starts for midfield berths, and Nathan Wilson joined Elliot Yeo as the half-back flankers after both had influential games.
Paddy Ryder gave his All Australian chances yet another boost with a commanding game against the Western Bulldogs, but his captain Travis Boak was among the unlucky few to miss out.
Matt Priddis, Taylor Adams, Rory Laird, Sam Menegola, Jack Macrae and Matthew Kreuzer were also on the list of stiff omissions.
But, Josh Kelly, Patrick
And, in one of the most exciting polls of the season, extra time was needed to determine the Sydney skipper Josh Kennedy as the final bench member, over former teammate Hawthorn's Tom Mitchell.
Scores were level after the original poll, with Kennedy sneaking home with 51 per cent of the second vote.
SAM DOCHERTY (Carlton) – Was again the architect in
STEVEN MAY (Gold Coast) – Was terrific against Joe Daniher (one goal), spoiling at will but also collecting the ball himself. Had 12 intercept possessions from 25 disposals, took eight marks, eight rebounds and nine one percenters.
DANE RAMPE (Sydney Swans) – Did a great job on Taylor Walker (one goal) while gathering 16 disposals and five rebounds himself, as well as six one percenters.
NATHAN WILSON (Greater Western Sydney) – Cut off the Eagles with 11 intercept possessions from his 24 touches, and got things done further up the field as well with seven inside
LIAM JONES (Carlton) – Didn't have a great amount of the ball (nine disposals) but kept Jarryd Roughead to one goal and worked hard all game for 16 one percenters.
ELLIOT YEO (West Coast) – Had a great battle with Toby Greene, who kicked three goals, but also grabbed plenty of it himself with 30 disposals (including 14 intercept possessions), eight marks and five rebounds.
LACHIE WHITFIELD (Greater Western Sydney) – Worked up and down the ground for 31 disposals, which he distributed with an impressive efficiency rating of nearly 84 per cent. Took 10 marks and gained 676m – the most of any Giant.
JOSH KELLY (Greater Western Sydney) – Took things to another level with 43 disposals (19 contested), which was a club record, and eight clearances. Also recovered from a heavy hit in the last quarter to kick one of the last two goals of the game and help set up the other.
DAVID ZAHARAKIS (Essendon) – Worked tirelessly to be involved in 11 scores on his way to 38 disposals, and went at nearly 82 per cent efficiency as he drove the ball inside 50 a whopping 15 times. Also gained 721m.
DUSTIN MARTIN (Richmond) – There wasn't much opposition, but Martin took complete advantage of the lackluster Fremantle side to dominate with 36 disposals and two goals as he solidified his standing as this year's Brownlow medallist in waiting.
CHARLIE DIXON (Port Adelaide) – Kicked four goals and took two massive fourth-quarter marks (six contested for the game, the most of any player), and was the difference in Ballarat as the Power virtually ended the Western Bulldogs' premiership
LANCE FRANKLIN (Sydney Swans) – Kicked three against Adelaide, one of which will be replayed over and over after he burned down the wing from half-back, recovered from an early fumble to out-sprint Daniel Talia and goal from 40m out, even after the AFL conceded he probably ran too far.
JACOB TOWNSEND (Richmond) – Career-best haul of six goals in just his fifth game as a Tiger. Had 16 touches with the Dockers simply having no answer as he ran riot in the lopsided contest.
JESSE HOGAN (Melbourne) – After a week of "will he or won't he", Hogan answered with an emphatic six goals after missing just two games with a broken collarbone. Was the difference as the Demons hung on
BAILEY DALE (Western Bulldogs) – Was the primary goalkicker for the Dogs in their disappointing day out against the Power. Took three of their four marks inside 50 and kicked four goals after they lost Jake Stringer to a hamstring in the first quarter.
PATRICK RYDER (Port Adelaide) – Combined with captain Travis Boak to win the midfield battle against the Dogs and took control of the air – along with Dixon – in the last quarter. Had 55 hit-outs to Jordan Roughead's 31.
PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Geelong) – Shrugged off a slow start to finish with 32 possessions (24 contested and 22 after the main break), and kicked two goals including the match-turner in the fourth while also winning 12 clearances. A masterclass.
RORY SLOANE (Adelaide) – The mark on Sloane this year has been his ability to handle a tag, and he responded by shrugging off Isaac Heeney to win 29 disposals (20 contested), nine clearances and lay a round-high 14 tackles.
JACK STEVEN (St Kilda) – Ran the show, along with Seb Ross, in the midfield against North Melbourne. Had 40 possessions and 11 clearances as the Saints kept the top-eight permutations interesting.
CAM PEDERSEN (Melbourne) – Gets a guernsey for the second week running for his three goals, one of which came late in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line. Had seven scoring involvements as the Dees outlasted the Lions.
DAYNE BEAMS (Brisbane Lions) – But the Lions had a winner too, with Beams putting in an outstanding 33-disposal (16 contested) game despite a high hit from Bernie Vince in the second quarter.
Two Player of the Round honours in a row for our Skipper!
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 21, 2017
Watch his highlights: https://t.co/JqD8XZdlGI pic.twitter.com/uZLJoNQqe2
The fans' pick
JOSH KENNEDY (Sydney Swans) – Squeaks in after an unprecedented tiebreaking secondary Twitter poll for his 31 disposals, five
