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The Inner Sanctum's Team of the Week for Round 9. Design: Will Cuckson
The Inner Sanctum has put together a team of the week, comprised of the best performing players from Round 9 of the 2022 AFL season.
Defenders are rewarded for 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.
In the win over North Melbourne, Port Adelaide defender Darcy Byrne-Jones returned to his 2020 form, which also saw him earn an All-Australian jacket. Byrne-Jones dominated with 20 disposals and a goal out of the back half. Marcus Adams was in control of the Brisbane backline, and it showed on the stats sheet. Adams took eight marks and had 17 disposals in the win over Adelaide. Sam Docherty was fantastic for Carlton in its win over GWS with 28 disposals, 10 marks and a goal.
Jack Sinclair continued his breakout season for St Kilda with 31 disposals, nine marks, and 650 metres gained. Fremantle key defender Griffin Logue stood up strong for his side despite its disappointing loss to Gold Coast. Logue recorded 29 disposals and 11 marks in what was a tough afternoon. Western Bulldogs defender Caleb Daniel put in his best effort of the season with 34 disposals, 10 marks and six score involvements.
Chad Warner continued his fine run of form for Sydney against Essendon. Warner recorded 32 disposals, six inside 50s and 12 score involvements. Reigning Brownlow medalist Ollie Wines showed why he is one of the competition’s stars against the Kangaroos on Saturday afternoon. Wines had 32 disposals and two goals, yet it could have been more if not for inaccuracy in front of goal. Bailey Smith‘s potential has been a shining light for the Western Bulldogs in 2022, and it showed on Friday night at Marvel Stadium. Smith had 41 disposals and nine inside 50s.
Paddy Ryder wound back the clock for St Kilda against Geelong, dominating with 22 hit outs and three goals. Impressively, two of Ryder’s goals came in the final quarter as he was one of the driving forces in the win. Adam Treloar reminded Collingwood why it was the wrong decision to trade him in a standout display. Treloar had 35 disposals and three goals, leading to him winning the Bob Rose-Charlie Sutton Medal. Brad Crouch has hit the ground running in season 2022, and Saturday afternoon proved to be no exception. Crouch gathered 36 disposals and seven tackles as the Saints claimed a statement win over the Cats.
In his second game back after a hiatus, Richmond superstar Dustin Martin reminded everyone why he is one of the competition’s best players. Martin had 20 disposals and three goals and was far too much for a young Hawthorn backline to keep under wraps. Key forward Tom Lynch proved to be the difference against the Hawks on Saturday afternoon. Lynch took six marks and booted four goals as he took a comfortable lead in the Coleman medal race. Carlton utility Jack Silvagni put together a career-best game against GWS on Sunday. Silvagni was a presence all over the ground with 20 disposals, eight marks and two goals as the Blues got home by five goals.
Charlie Cameron reminded Adelaide fans just how good he is on Saturday night at the Adelaide Oval. Cameron booted four goals, causing headaches for the Crows’ backline all match long. Mabior Chol had his best game at AFL level for Gold Coast against Fremantle on Sunday afternoon. Chol had four marks and made it count with four goals. Melbourne key forward Tom McDonald showed why he is deserving of a spot in the Demons’ forward line against West Coast on Sunday evening. McDonald kicked four goals from five marks as the Dees got home by 74 points.
Lachie Neale dominated through the Brisbane midfield on Saturday night against Adelaide. Neale had 36 disposals, seven marks, and a goal as the Lions cruised to victory. Callum Mills was a tackling machine for the Swans on Saturday night against the Bombers at the SCG. Mills had 29 disposals and 13 tackles as Sydney smashed Essendon by 58 points. Gold Coast co-captain Touk Miller led by example against Fremantle on Sunday afternoon with 34 disposals and eight tackles as the Suns picked up a massive win over the Dockers. Corey Durdin deservingly picked up the Round 9 Rising Star nomination on the back of 19 disposals and two goals against GWS on Sunday afternoon.
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