Despite the best efforts of some umpires, and it being yet another weekend of bloody byes, it was another excellent round of footy,
I am tasked with picking the nine best performances across the weekend, so here goes.
JORDAN DAWSON
The Adelaide captain stamped his authority on the contest against the Dogs in emphatic fashion, ramming through three first quarter goals as he put his direct opponent, Matt Kennedy to the sword.
As the Crows went on a first quarter rampage, it was the work of Dawson that was the highlight. His attack on the footy was first class, his confidence in his abilities was off the charts, and his willingness to take the game home once again emphasised why he is arguably the best leader in the game.
Make him the All-Australian captain, and redeem yourselves for the error you made last year.
MAX HOLMES
Half-back Max is the most potent version of Max.
Why?
Because he does what so many in the role don’t – he hurts.
When I watch Holmes work from the flank, his run through the middle of the ground, he does so with purpose. He isn’t just Adam Saad-ing it.
With the Cats strong all over the park, it has permitted Chris Scott to station Holmes in a role that sees him find plenty of the footy and use it well. When one of the worst interviewers in the game, Ben Dixon, caught up with Holmes after the game, he asked who Freo usually sent to run with him. Holmes’ answer was something the Dockers should consider coming into the monster Round 15 clash.
“No one.”
Allow him to run free at your own peril.
KYSAIAH PICKETT
The discussion about the best players in the league is a fluid one. Daicos has a big week, and his name is in lights. Heeney counters it, and it is all about Isaac. Then Bont throws his hat into the ring and people lap it up.
However, the consistency of Kysaiah Pickett this season has launched him into the very top echelon of AFL players, and he continues to find ways to improve.
He had 32 touches and snagged three goals. Right now, if his powers are watching, he will be pushing for the MVP award, alongside Heeney.
JACK DARLING
Turned back the clock in the first half against his old team, and with four goals, became the main avenue to goal for the Kangaroos.
That is something I did not think I’d be saying at this stage of Jack’s career.
Took marks with the flight, was strong in the contest, and established fantastic position against Brandon Starcevich. Without him, I think the Roos drop the game.
JOBE SHANAHAN
A monster second half from Jobe did two things.
1 – It dragged his team back into the game. The bloke was virtually unsighted in the first half, but a switch to a role across half-back for ten minutes ignited him. From there, he took five contested marks and kicked 3.2.
2 – It gave a glimpse into the future. His hands are so… bloody… good! He is going to be a star and THE focal point of the offence when the Eagles are up and about again.
LOGAN MCDONALD
The jury was out on Logan coming into the 2026 season. After all, he’d missed the entire 2025 season, and he was now going to be working with an established full forward in Charlie Curnow, as well as having to fight for his position alongside Amartey and McLean.
The cream has risen to the top, though, and the number four pick is demonstrating why he was so highly regarded.
With 18 touches and three goals, primarily working as the long-leading hit up forward, McDonald’s mobility is giving opponents fits, and his work rate this season has been excellent.
His past three weeks have seen him average 18 disposals, 7.7 marks, and two goals per game. This is the version of McDonald the Swans have been waiting for.
WILL ASHCROFT
Cometh the moment…
Ashcroft has a habit of stepping up when the Lions need him, and after a lacklustre half against a pretty feisty Tiger outfit, Ashcroft elevated his game in the third quarter… you know, the premiership quarter?
With eight touches and two goals, he and Lachie Neale put the team on their shoulders and surged the Lions to a five-goal lead at the last break after leading by just three points at halftime.
Ashcroft’s clean hands and decision-making are always impressive, but with a couple of misses in that third quarter, with just a little more accuracy, he could have had one of the best quarters of his career.
And his career to date has been… pretty good, I suppose. 😉
LIAM RYAN
This is the second week in a row that Flyin’ Liam Ryan makes the grade, because not only did he match his Round 13 output, he topped it this week, securing a second-straight career-high, with six goals as the Saints inched past the Giants in a ripping game of footy.
Ryan was going a bit of everything – contesting in the air, out-positioning bigger players, and bouncing back to his feet to snag goals. After a silent first quarter, it was his attack on the footy and fantastic hands that opened the game up for the Saints.
With no Jack Higgins and no Max King, Ryan has found his niche coming out of the goal square, and looks like he is going to take some serious stopping for Bulldog defence that has been pretty leaky.
BRENT DANIELS
If his body holds up, he could be the difference between the Giants sliding into a wildcard spot and making some noise, or falling out of contention, all together.
Daniels did not have the most disposals on the park (Oliver, Ash, and Nas had more) but his ball use and creativity stood out. He had three direct goal assists, and his sudden, lightning-fast movement in traffic, had St Kilda players flat-footed at times.
Every time Daniels finds some great form, he has a soft tissue injury, so my fingers are crossed that he is able to continue in this rich vein of form and his body holds up. He could be the guy to send GWS on one of those late-season pushes they’re renowned for.
Got any you want to add? The comments section is below, and you can always find me on our socials. Looking forward to Round 15 already… we just love footy here, at The Mongrel.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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