Voting is as usual: you have 15 votes to award pretty much as you will, with the following provisos:
[1] 15 votes in total, no more, no less.
[2] No more than 10 votes for any one player (even Sam Walsh or Patrick Cripps)
[3] Three players at least must get a mention.
[4] A grade for the game, A+ (what I want to see) to F-.
Team A+
5 Smith
4 Hewett
3 Kemp
1 McKay
1 Walsh
1 Dean
To many apologies to mention.
2nd time ever I have broken away from my 5 4 3 2 1 to eek out a vote for Walsh.
First time I can remember not giving the skipper a vote.
AFL Rd 21 2026 Carlton vs Brisbane
Team: A+
How can it be any different when you slaughter the reigning premiers by 70+ points?
If we can produce this sort of footy every week, we’ll be premiers.
Votes:
This is one of those weeks where 15 votes simply isn’t enough. Everybody contributed.
[2] George Hewett
[2] Jagga Smith
[1.5] Brodie Kemp
[1] Marc Pittonet
[1] Sam Walsh
[1] Ollie Florent
[1] Harry Dean
[0.5] Cooper Lord
[0.5] Harry McKay
[0.5] Adam Cerra
[0.5] Lewis Young
[0.5] Talor Byrne
[0.5] Matthew Cottrell
[0.5] Ben Ainsworth
[0.5] Will Hayward
[0.5] Wade Derksen
[0.5] Billy Wilson
[0.5] Patrick Cripps
Explanations:
[2] George Hewett: 33 disposals, 11 marks, 3 tackles, and 8 clearances: George was nothing short of remarkable! Really come back to form!
[2] Jagga Smith: 29 disposals, 3 tackles, 6 clearances and a couple of lovely goals, Jagga really hurt Brisbane. He had a huge number of score involvements!
[1.5] Brodie Kemp: His best game of the year, easily. 5 goals and 8 marks, all in the forward 50!
[1] Marc Pittonet: I’ve raved about Pitto elsewhere. He lost the taps, but that was about the only thing he lost. He took 3 marks and kicked a goal.
[1] Sam Walsh: Normally a game this good would have attracted 3 votes, maybe 4. Walsh was excellent and his kicking for goal was much improved.
[1] Ollie Florent: Totally dominated as a small defender, his run and carry and his excellent kicking stood out.
[1] Harry Dean: Harry kicked more goals than any of his opponents on the night. That says it all.
[0.5] Cooper Lord: His best game of the year, his hard work was crucial.
[0.5] Harry McKay: H was relatively quiet early, but he started to totally dominate. He had 20 disposals as a key forward, 3 goals and 10 marks.
[0.5] Adam Cerra: Adam’s kicking has been questioned at time this year, but he won’t be this week. His run and carry and deft kicking stood out.
[0.5] Lewis Young: I have also raved about Lewis Young elsewhere. This could well be his most effective game.
[0.5] Talor Byrne: Not as dominant as he was last week, but every time he touched the ball, something good happened.
[0.5] Matthew Cottrell: Matt Cottrell hasn’t been in great form, even though he did a very good defence job on Rioli last week. This week was a much more rounded game. He really hurt his opponents with his run and carry, and with his kicking.
[0.5] Ben Ainsworth: Quiet early, Ainsworth burst into life when he was needed. 17 possessions and 7 marks.
[0.5] Will Hayward: 23 possessions and 8 marks just doesn’t do justice to the effect Hayward had on this game.
[0.5] Wade Derksen: Stood up again in defence. Not so many turnovers, some great marks and spoils and dominated his opponents.
[0.5] Billy Wilson: His run and carry was and his kicking were real weapons.
[0.5] Patrick Cripps: With 18 possessions, he probably lowered his colours to Dunkley, but he was still inspirational. He had 8 clearances and should have been our 17th goal kicker, but for one metre.
Honourable Mentions:
Frankie Evans: Didn’t get a lot of ball, but was dangerous and hard working. His chasing and stuff was excellent, as was his goal.
Nick Haynes: Nick did his job well. His attack on the ball was excellent.
Blake Acres: In most weeks, his effort tonight would have got him a mention. He won his position and did some really great things.
Mitch McGovern: Not a huge night, but when he was needed, he was there. His goal was stunning!
Lachie Cowan: I’ve mentioned Lachie elsewhere. He had his quietest game in weeks, and he still had 14 possessions and did a great job.
I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned everyone before, but this was that sort of game. We played so well. We haven’t got on top of a team like that for years! And to do it Brisbane, who have been so good … Wunderbar!