I debuted this column last week, and I kind of liked it, so I am sticking to it. Truth is, we’ve missed gab Rossi’s Ten Things I Learnt… column this year, as I am sure many of you have. Whatever you’re up to Gab, and I am sure it’s no good, I hope you’re having fun.
Anyway, this is a simple concept. HB picks his best nine performances of the year, you add your own, and tell him why he’s right or wrong. Easy, huh?
This week, the byes make it a little easier, still. Nine big performances from seven games means that tough decisions don’t absolutely have to be made. And I am all about the easy way.
JAMES SICILY
Do we think the Saints may have got their matchups wrong in this one?
With Isaac Keeler as his opponent for the majority of the contest, James Sicily compiled his best game of the season, notching 33 touches and 13 intercepts, as the Hawks swept the Saints aside, holding them goalless for an entire half of football.
Sicily simply cannot have an inferior opponent allocated to him. He is a wily old veteran now, uses his body to perfection, and if there is any doubt in the mind of his direct opponent, he feasts on it like a fat kid at Smorgys.
Remember Smorgys? Goooood times.
This game served as a reminder to the remainder of the competition – you must keep Sic accountable, or he’ll cut you to pieces.
PATRICK CRIPPS
“He’s put the cape on,” stated Garry Lyon excitedly, as Cripps rose above the retreating Jeremy Cameron to clunk a big grab inside 50 and kick the go-ahead goal late in the game.
I don’t know what I was more shocked by – Cripps – a bloke who Kane Cornes said was all but dusted – leaping at the footy and once again saving the Blues, or Garry Lyon showing something like genuine emotion!
It was a huge moment in the season of the Blues, who have turned things around after waving goodbye to Michael Voss.
Over the past four games, Cripps has averaged 30.75 touches and 8.25 clearances. Reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated.
ISAAC HEENEY
He is the best player in the game right now, and with his second game consisting of 30+ disposals, 30+ disposals and 5+ goals for the year, Heeney is making a serious charge at being recognised as such.
He had a field day against a Richmond team that had nobody capable of stopping him. Seriously, look at their list right now – there is not one player who has a combination of size, strength, and speed, to match Heeney.
And the blonde Swan took full advantage of this. His 32 touches were an equal game-high, and on a day where Charlie Curnow snagged eight, I found it was Heeney’s five that were more impressive.
What a player. What a season thus far. He is the bloke Nick Daicos can run second to in the Brownlow this year. And that sentence just caused Peter to storm out of the article…
TOM MCCARTIN
Earlier this season, I wrote about Tom McCartin as part of a review and stated that I thought he might just be the most important player in the Sydney team.
Sounds silly, huh? You’ve got guys like Curnow, Heeney, Warner… stars of the game, and I am yapping on about McCartin – a bloke that has never made an All-Australian team or won a Best and Fairest ward?
Some may start agreeing with me if he continues this form.
The only thing that has prevented McCartin being a lock for the key defensive role in anyone’s current All-Australian team is the fact he missed a couple of games. Putting that aside, he has made a huge leap in the way he finds the footy, averaging +8.7 disposals on his previous best mark, and +1.4 intercepts, as well.
Pencil him in as the clubhouse leader for an AA key position role right now – it is his spot to lose.
MATT JOHNSON
A hamstring injury may have ended his night about 20 minutes too early, but the work Johnson did to aid the Dockers in securing their 11th-straight win cannot be discounted.
Johnson had the role of making Lachie Neale’s life difficult, and not only did he do just that, he also continued a trend that has become quite concerning for the premiers – he worked off him to hurt Brisbane going the other way.
With 20 touches, six clearances, and a vital goal, Johnson gave the Dockers a huge contribution in a team that was so balanced on the evening that it was difficult to pick just one player.
Me, I like a midfielder that plays both ways just as hard, and whilst Johnson is no household names, there are a few with big profiles that could learn a bit about work ethic from watching the way he went about things in this one.
And we could start with the bloke he was playing on.
MICHAEL SELLWOOD
I’ve been singing his praises for weeks on end, as he has gone into the Dogs’ back six and made a real impact in 2026, however, he had his moment in this game, didn’t he? The type of moment that cements you in the hearts and minds of the faithful.
With time running down and the Magpies pushing to retake the lead, Sellwood flew at the footy in defence and clunked a massive intercept mark to put the brakes on the Pies’ surge and give the Dogs the win.
His mark was reminiscent of Leo Barry flaying into the pack to seal the win for the Swans all those years ago. Obviously, the stakes were a bit lower in this game, but for a young bloke to stand up in a big moment… well done, Michael Sellwood. If anyone has at all questioned your place in the team at some stage, you shut their traps with the biggest moment of your young career… so far.
CONNOR IDUN
Sam Taylor was back, Lachie Ash is racking up disposals, Jayden Laverde is playing career-best footy, and yet… it was Connor Idun who stole the show for the Giants in the back half.
Idun flies so far under the radar, he probably has a gravel rash on his stomach. Always plays hard, always does the job, and rarely gets the plaudits he deserves.
He had 29 touches, eight intercepts, and cut the continued aimless Demon inside 50 deliveries off at the knees.
Hopefully, he gets some recognition from the coaches for his excellent outing, but if he doesn’t, you can always rely on your old pal, HB, to point this stuff out.
MILAN MURDOCK
How ridiculous is it that Milan could not find a home on an AFL list, particularly when you look at players on other teams, or even this West Coast team, that were cruising along, seemingly content with being an AFL player?
I admire the blokes who come through the hard way, as they know what it is like to be on the outside, looking in. Murdock truly appreciates the warmth of an AFL career, because he has felt the cold of not having it.
19 touches, three goals, and a difference-making impact on the game. But hang on, his direct opponent had the footy 31 times – does that detract from his role?
Nup – ten of those 31 touches came from playing on from kick-ins – the cheapest stat in the game. They mean very little. Milan for the win.
REUBEN GINBEY
Remember the time when Brad Sheppard would go out there for the Eagles, work his arse off, get results, and nobody would bat an eyelid? It took years for Sheppard to gain the recognition he deserved as an elite defender, finally receiving an All-Australian berth in 2020.
I don’t think we will have to wait that long to see Reuben Ginbey get the accolades he deserves.
Another excellent defensive performance from the burgeoning young star, as he holds down the toughest defensive role at the club, and does it with the tenacity you wish every player on the list could possess.
Ten intercepts, eight one-percenters, and Nate Caddy registered a non-factor until after the game was put to bed. Another excellent week at the office for Ginbey, and maybe it is enough to make the AA selectors who barely watch West Coast games to start tuning in.
I was going to list a few who were unlucky to miss out on selection, here, but that would be cutting your lunch. You know who stood out to you – name them.
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
Like this content? You could buy me a coffee – I do like coffee, but there is no guarantee I won’t use it to buy a doughnut… I like them more. And I am not brought to you by Sportsbet or Ladbrokes… or Bet365, or any of them.
