If these 10 performances don't result in three votes at Monday night's Brownlow Medal count, Champion Data is going to want answers.
Round 2
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood v Sydney)
33 disposals, 16 cont. poss, 9 clrs, 11 I50s, 10 tkls, 4 score assts, 1 goal
A signature game from the skipper, igniting the Pies' seven goals-to-three second-half surge that steamrolled Sydney at ANZ Stadium. The highlight was his gliding, give-and-go run that started in the middle of the ground and finished with a floating shot at goal 20 metres out - zigging and zagging past opponents all the way.
Round 3
Gary Ablett (Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions)
38 disposals, 19 cont. poss, 6 clrs, 10 tkls, 2 goals.
One of 10 matches where the Suns superstar had 30-plus disposals this year. Gold Coast smashed Brisbane by 53 points at Metricon Stadium, and the little master was in everything, dancing around opponents inside 50 in a way only he and his famous father could, and then finishing with those snapshot goals that scream through the air post-high.
Round 5
Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide v GWS)
33 disposals, 18 cont. poss, 9 clrs, 6 I50s, five goals.
Just when it looked like the "Danger Man" might be carrying an injury, he returned in full flight against GWS at the Adelaide Oval. The young Giants didn't stand a chance after Dangerfield booted four goals in the first half. The best was a Mark Ricciuto-style effort where he grabbed the ball from a centre bounce, fended off an opponent and then launched from outside 50.
Round 9
Brent Harvey (North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions)
39 disposals, 31 uncont. poss, 6 clrs, 6 I50s, 2 goals
The type of match that had journalists reaching for the media guide to make sure they had Harvey's correct age. Could he really still be doing this at 36? He seemed to be running by himself for most of the 87-point demolition of Brisbane and he just never stopped - 31 uncontested possessions an incredible indicator of his work-rate.
Round 15
Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood v Carlton)
33 disposals, 16 cont. poss, 7 clrs, 9 tkls, 2 goals.
One of the most balanced offensive-defensive performances by any player for the season. Won the hard ball and fed it out to his teammates, but also got on the outside to set up and kick goals himself. Then, when Carlton opponents had the ball, he ripped them down from behind, the side and front on as the Pies prevailed by 15 points in a fluctuating contest at the MCG.
Round 18
Pearce Hanley (Brisbane v Gold Coast)
45 disposals, 31 uncontested possessions, 9 clearances, 11 inside 50s, 3 score assists and 2 goals
Has an Irishman ever played a better single game? Brisbane exacted revenge for the earlier contest where they were embarrassed and this time it was Hanley, not Ablett, winning the Marcus Ashcroft Medal as Brisbane roared to an emphatic win. Allowed to roam mostly across half-back, Hanley's run-and-bounce game and pentrating kick amounted to over 1000 "metres gained".
Round 21
Lance Franklin (Sydney v St Kilda)
19 disposals, 13 marks, 5 cont marks, 9 goals
No prizes for guessing who will earn the three Brownlow votes in this one. Comparisons to Tony Lockett were everywhere, as was the egg on the face of those who had said Buddy's best was behind him. St Kilda's key defenders were essentially helpless as Franklin locked up the Coleman Medal with goals from all different angles and distances in a day out at the SCG.
Round 22
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide v Carlton)
31 disposals, 16 cont. poss, 7 clrs, 5 tkls, 4 score assts, 4 goals
If the Power surprise packet does win the Brownlow Medal, as his coach thinks he should, then he will look back on this performance as one of his finest. Port returned to their brutal best in dismantling Carlton by 100 points at the Adelaide Oval and Gray basically did as he pleased, not only kicking four goals but giving off just as many.
Round 23
Joel Selwood (Geelong v Brisbane Lions)
29 disposals, 16 cont. poss, 6 clrs, 6 I50s, 9 tkls, 2 goals
Tom Hawkins stole the headlines with a career-high seven goals, as the Cats thrashed Brisbane at Skilled Stadium, but the Brownlow votes should go to Selwood if the umpires are serious. It was basically the same mighty individual game the Cats skipper would produce in the qualifying final a week later, complete with nine tackles.
Round 23
Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs v GWS)
38 disposals, 16 cont. poss, 13 clrs, 11 I50s, 5 tkls, 5 score assts, 1 goal
The stat line says it all. The Dogs captain could not have done anymore to give Daniel Giansiracusa a fitting send-off, dragging his team to the edge of victory before costly mistakes late in the game by some of his teammates handed GWS a rare win in Victoria. He did not have his best season, Griffen, but he could not have finished it any stronger.
