IT WAS a poor first half for Adelaide captain Taylor Walker but he stood up when it mattered and deserved a spot in my round 15 Team of the Week, brought to you by AccorHotels.

He wasted the football in the first half and made poor decisions but after the main break, the skipper was massive.

No-one from Collingwood or Brisbane made my 22, despite both posting wins. The ruckmen from those clubs were unlucky – Brodie Grundy and Stefan Martin – but I couldn't go past Melbourne big man Max Gawn in that position.

A couple of former teammates in Scott Pendlebury and Dayne Beams were stiff to miss as well.

TOTW-2018-R7-B-HB.jpg

Nick Vlastuin is quickly becoming one of Richmond's most important players and he was once again solid against Sydney. At St Kilda, Jake Carlisle has probably been its best player this year. Adelaide looks a much better side with Rory Laird, who returned after a stint on the sidelines with a fractured hand. In his 300th game, Kade Simpson was Carlton's best. Greater Western Sydney is a much better team for Nick Haynes' intercepting work while David Myers looked good for Essendon.

TOTW-2018-R10-C-Foll.jpg

Up until the final break, Andrew Gaff was probably the best player on the ground, before the Eagles were overrun by Adelaide. Once again leading from the front was Dyson Heppell, who has had some big performances for Essendon. Hawthorn pair Isaac Smith and Tom Mitchell combined well. Smith is deadly with the football while Mitchell was given too much space. For GWS, Callan Ward killed the Hawks in the middle. The ruck spot in the Virgin Australia All Australian team looks safely in Max Gawn's hands.

TOTW-2018-R7-HF-F[2].jpg

The foot skills of Josh Dunkley sometimes let him down but he's a good young player. Jack Riewoldt was the best forward over the weekend while alongside him, Kane Lambert again had an impact. The match-winner for St Kilda was Jade Gresham, while Orazio Fantasia's speed and finishing make Essendon a completely different side. At Carlton, Charlie Curnow made the most of his chances, which weren't plentiful.

TOTW-2018-R9-IC.jpg

A few captains made my bench. Joel Selwood was great for Geelong while in a crucial game for the Crows, Walker stood up when it counted. Sydney had a few down but Josh Kennedy certainly wasn't one of those. The defensive effort of Luke Dahlhaus was pivotal for the Western Bulldogs and he looked like he had a point to prove, with his contract set to expire at season's end.