Righto, I thought I’d try something new this week.
Mrs Mongrel said no, so I am trying this, instead.
It’s pretty simple – just highlighting the best five… which quickly turned into the best eight performances of the round.
Easy right?
Hmmm… yeah, easy.
Anyway, this is who I came up with – feel free to add your own.
SHAUN MANNAGH
It happened on Thursday, so in case you’re in goldfish mode, allow me to refresh your memory.
Shaun Mannagh added his name to the likes of Leigh Matthews, Wayne Carey, Gary Ablett Senior, and Kevin Bartlett, by having such a pronounced in the win over the reigning premiers that his performance was undeniable.
30+ disposals and 5+ goals happened just once in 2025. This is the first of its kind in 2026, and Mannagh became the 33rd player to ever climb that mountain.
BRODIE GRUNDY
Remember a few years back when he looked cooked?
Discarded by the Pies, and playing second fiddle to Max Gawn, he was close to being on the AFL scrap heap, but a move to Sydney and a bit of fire in the belly, has seen Grundy elevate his game again.
This week, he took advantage of the absence of Darcy Cameron to register a massive 34 disposal/46 hit out/24 contested possession/12 clearance game. Read those numbers again – video game stats.
Without him, I reckon we might be talking up how great the Pies were, winning against the odds.
BODHI UWLAND
This bloke does not get the credit e deserves, and in a defence that has seen John Noble pile up possessions, the work of Bodhi Uwland has continually flown under the radar.
Right now, he is one of the best mid-size defenders, in the game, with a near perfect balance of aerial ability and ground level skills.
In trying conditions, he had 31 touches and seven intercepts, as he handled the footy better than just about every other bloke out there. I can remember watching him in his first few practice games and thinking I’m not sure about this bloke.
Well, I am sure now. He is a weapon coming out of defence, and one the Suns are happy to permit to remain in stealth mode when it comes to the remainder of the AFL Media.
HUGO GARCIA
Loved his game against the Tigers, as he used his pace around stoppages to blow his opponents away.
There were points where he started behind his opponent, and by the time they made it to the footy, Garcia was a length ahead and darting away with the footy.
In a team without their superstar, the Saints needed someone to fill the void, and the 20-year-old did just that, with 25 touches, ten clearances, two goals, and three direct goal assists.
The Saints are building something great, and as they grow, Garcia is going to be an integral part of how the midfield operates.
CLAYTON OLIVER
Welcome back, Clarrie. I know you haven’t been anywhere, but this was the game you demonstrated that you have not lost “it”.
Prior to this game, Oliver had 17 games where he had registered a stat line of 30+ disposals, 20+ contested possessions, and 10+ clearances.
Make that 18, now – the highest ever recorded (watch for an article on the players who have hit this mark during the week).
He finished with 38 touches, 24 contested possessions, and 12 clearances in not only his best game for the Giants, but also his best game for the last couple of years.
REUBEN GINBEY
We’re reaching the point where Ginbey is going from being a good defender in a poor team to being the defender that just might be able to carry this team to wins. Sure, it takes more than just one player to build a defence, but you need that one reliable performer to hold it all together.
Ginbey is fast becoming that for the Eagles.
The numbers don’t tell the story in this one. His desperation and effort make him one of the must-watch players in the league, and he resides comfortably in my personal list of most watchable players. I am sure that many have given West Coast games a miss over the last few years, but there are reasons to tune in, and Ginbey is one of the main ones.
HARLEY REID
This game must have driven his critics mad.
“Oh, he does silly things…”
“Oh, he is spoilt…”
Watch this outing, and tell me he is not one of the best young players in the game. Not only did he register big numbers, and came within one contested possession of joining Clayton Oliver in the 30/20/10 club, but he used his body to cause carnage, as well.
His hit on Ryan Angwin was a ripper, and left the young Giant gasping for air on the deck. And the greatest part – it was completely legal.
Players like Harley are rare gems. They play on the edge and take no backward steps. He was brilliant in this game, and demonstrated exactly how potent he can be.
And how important he is to the Eagles, in the long run.
ISAAC HEENEY
Another to make the 30/20/10 Club this week, Heeney is continuing to play at extraordinarily high levels, as he gives opposition coaches nightmares about how to cover him.
He is too good in the air for a normal midfielder. He is too quick at ground level for a bigger fella. And he just never loses his feet in contests. Watch him – others go to ground, and Heeney picks up the pieces and runs away from them.
He finished with a goal to go along with his 32 touches, 20 contested possessions, and 12 clearances. A monster outing from a player with a strong claim as being the best in the game, right now.
Apologies to the following.
Patrick Voss – five goals in the wet is no joke.
Patrick Cripps – nice to see him playing with passion again.
Disco Turner – rock solid in defence for the Dees.
Izak Rankine – looking more like a damaging mid every week
Zak Butters – a one-man band for the Power
Mac Andrew – becoming a real problem when allowed a run and jump at the footy
Nick Blakey – for God’s sake, put someone on him!
Nick Daicos – tag? What tag?
Oisin Mullin – the best stopper in the game at the moment.
Tom Stewart – still producing top-tier footy at 33. Star.
Add your own, and give me the business if you like. It seems to be the way of things.
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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