The Inner Sanctum's Team of the Week for round 5. Design: Will Cuckson
The Inner Sanctum has put together a team of the week, comprised of the best performing players from Round 5 of the 2022 AFL season.
Defenders are rewarded for their defensive play, midfielders receive accolades for their dominance, while forwards receive a shout-out for hitting the scoreboard and applying pressure.
You can read last week’s team here.
With the Hawks needing a win on Easter Monday, defender James Sicily rose to the occasion with 26 disposals and 15 marks, this included a 12 disposal opening quarter. Melbourne defender Steven May continued his cracking form with 24 disposals and 11 rebound 50s. In his 100th game, Ryan Burton was instrumental in Port Adelaide’s comeback with 29 disposals and two goals.
Jack Crisp generated a lot of run on Thursday night with 36 disposals and eight tackles in Collingwood’s loss to Brisbane. Alex Pearce held the in-form Peter Wright goalless in Fremantle’s crushing win over Essendon. Adelaide veteran Brodie Smith was at his best in the crucial win over Richmond with 28 disposals.
Bailey Smith lived up to the occasion with a career-best outing on Good Friday, gathering 43 disposals. Jai Newcombe showed the Hawthorn fans how exciting he could become with 31 disposals and six inside-50s in the win over Geelong. Andrew Brayshaw is enjoying a brilliant breakout season, and Sunday’s win was no exception. Brayshaw had 34 disposals, and a goal as the Dockers thumped the Bombers.
Max Gawn continued his brilliant form from Round 4, reminding the competition that he is one of the league’s best ruckmen. Gawn had 25 hit-outs but was more dominant around the ground with 21 disposals and two goals. Lachie Neale is back to his Brownlow medal-winning form, which continued against the Pies. Neale had 33 possessions and a goal in the win, including a remarkable 14 disposal second quarter. Sam Walsh was dominant in Carlton’s tight win over the Power with 38 disposals and eight score involvements.
Jack Higgins was terrific in St Kilda’s win over Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, booting five goals. In just his second game of the season, Taylor Walker kicked five goals in Adelaide’s win over Richmond. Walker did the damage in the first half with four majors. Carlton forward Charlie Curnow was too much for the Port defenders, kicking five majors, including the match-defining goal.
Cody Weightman caused problems for the Kangaroos’ defenders right from the word go, kicking five goals in the Bulldogs’ big win. Matt Taberner exposed the problems in the Essendon backline with seven goals straight. Hawthorn small Dylan Moore is enjoying a breakout year, and Easter Monday’s clash was no exception. Moore kicked four goals, including three in the opening quarter, and was crucial in the win.
Aaron Naughton showed why he is a favourite for the Coleman Medal, kicking five goals in the Good Friday clash. Christian Petracca got back to his best form in the win over GWS on Saturday night. Petracca was at his dominant best, collecting 30 disposals and booting two goals. Jordan De Goey was electrifying in the tight loss to Brisbane. De Goey kicked four goals, including a Goal of the Year contender late in the match. Callum Mills was dominant in Sydney’s win out west with 28 disposals and eight inside 50s.
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