1. Lachie Neale (Fremantle)
Fremantle midfielder Lachie Neale is having a standout season to date.
The 22-year-old, together with fellow midfielders Nat Fyfe, David Mundy and Michael Barlow, has been pivotal to the Dockers’ 12-1 start.
The in-and-under Neale is averaging 27.3 disposals per match, and has picked up 61 disposals in the past two weeks.
He’s played every game this season and is also ranked equal eighth in the competition for clearances – highlighting his importance to the Dockers.
2. Ben McEvoy (Hawthorn)
Hawthorn ruckman Ben McEvoy will line-up for his first AFL game since Round 6 on Sunday.
Together with David Hale, McEvoy will have a big job combatting in-form Dockers’ duo Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke.
The 26-year-old will come in on the back of some strong form at VFL level for Box Hill Hawks – he has tallied 92 hit-outs in the past two weeks to force his way back into the senior team.
3. Michael Walters (Fremantle)
The Hawks will need to keep a close eye on Dockers livewire Michael Walters, who has been dangerous close to goal this season.
The goalkicking forward has kicked 26 goals from 13 games in 2015.
He’s been a standout for the Dockers in the past fortnight with consecutive four-goal hauls – and also laid seven tackles against the Brisbane Lions last week.
The job of marking Walters could fall to Taylor Duryea, or possibly Ben Stratton or Josh Gibson.
4. Paul Puopolo (Hawthorn)
Milestone man Paul Puopolo will be looking to have an impact when he plays his 100th game on Sunday.
The defensive small forward will be in his element if conditions at Aurora Stadium are, as expected, wet and windy.
Puopolo averages 13 disposals per game this year – but it’s his defensive pressure and ability to bob up with a couple of goals that is most important for the Hawks.
The 27-year-old has kicked 16 goals in 11 games this season – including a season-high four goals against Essendon a fortnight ago – and averages five tackles per game.
5. Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
There is arguably no man more important to Fremantle’s fortunes than skipper Matthew Pavlich.
With 326 games to his name, the 33-year-old veteran has been one of the competition’s standout tall forwards for more than a decade.
Pavlich is still pivotal to the Dockers, and bounced back from three goalless weeks with a three-goal performance against Brisbane Lions last week.
Hawks defender Brian Lake will most likely mark Pavlich, who has kicked 24 goals in 13 games.
