Brodie Grundy is the starting ruckman, ahead of Max Gawn, in AFL Media's Round 23 Team of the Week.

It's really tough to separate the two – both have made the Team of the Week nine times apiece – but the Collingwood big man has just shaded Gawn.

Magpies midfield pair Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom were unlucky to miss out, Geelong could have had a slew of players make the side after it smashed Gold Coast, while Richmond big man Toby Nankervis was very good against the Western Bulldogs.

Losing out-of-contract backman Jake Lloyd would be a huge loss for Sydney after another strong showing in the loss to Hawthorn. 

Tom Stewart was impressive down back again.

It's probably the right time for Brendon Goddard to finish his career, but he was great, delivering the ball as well as Lions supporter have seen this year.

Alongside him was Aaron Francis, who is one of the most exciting prospects in the competition.

For North Melbourne, Trent Dumont won plenty of the football.

The role across half-back is suiting Caleb Daniel and it can be expected that opposition teams are going to pay more attention to him next season and try to exploit him aerially.

There's a similarity between Jackson Macrae and Josh Kelly.

The Bulldog isn't as good, but he went to another level in 2018. 

Patrick Dangerfield is coming into great form and he could shape the finals series.

At St Kilda, Jack Steven starred in a losing cause, while Jack Steele showed the Saints have a midfield core to build upon. 

Grundy did it all for the Pies, while Patrick Cripps was at his best in the clinches for Carlton.

The numbers weren't what we've come to expect from Gary Ablett but he continually set the Cats up.

In the All Australian team, Jack Riewoldt should be the first forward picked. His marking was elite against the Dogs, but best-afield was Dustin Martin, who like Dangerfield, could dominate September.

A popular winner of Port Adelaide's best and fairest would be Justin Westhoff.

West Coast's chances of making the Grand Final rest on what it can get from Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy. Seven goals gets you selected, and Josh Jenkins was terrific for Adelaide.

In an even Hawthorn outfit, Liam Shiels did everything required of him.

Fremantle's club champion is likely to be Lachie Neale.

At the Demons, Gawn did what he's done all season, while Devon Smith showed why he's been the recruit of 2018.