Jaeger O'Meara
Jaeger O'Meara has put together the best three-week block of his career, having averaged 29.3 disposals, seven clearances and two goals over his last three appearances (despite missing a week with a hip complaint). The 24-year old registered a career-high 21 uncontested possessions against Fremantle last week, highlighting his continued improvement and strong physical health. O'Meara is starting to build one of the best one-two midfield punches in the competition with his housemate Tom Mitchell, with the pair combining for an average of 73 touches per game over the past three weeks.
Ryan Burton
Burton delivered a season-best game against the Dockers last week, gathering 23 disposals, four rebound 50s and three inside 50s. Burton's form has not reached the heights of his 2017 campaign so far this season, but his influence last week suggests he may be re-discovering his touch at the right time of the year. The 21-year old also recorded a career-high three bounces against the Dockers, further proof that the defender is growing in confidence. If Burton can continue this form entering the final month of the home and away season, it will go a long way to ensuring a Hawthorn finals campaign beckons.
Zach Merrett
After a slow opening three rounds to the season in which he averaged just 13.7 possessions, Zach Merrett has since delivered a season that has seen him record similar numbers to his maiden All Australian year in 2017. Averaging 25.5 disposals, 6.2 tackles and a career-high 10.6 contested possessions, the 22-year old is a premiere midfielder of the competition with elite speed and foot skills. Playing his 100th game against Hawthorn this Saturday, Merrett will be looking to have a big performance to put the cherry on top of his milestone celebrations.
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Dyson Heppell
The Essendon skipper has led his club from the front this season and has been a key figure in his side's form turnaround. Essendon has won four of their last five outings and, over the same period, Heppell has gathered an average of 32 possessions, six clearances and 5.6 inside 50s. Alongside Merrett, the 26-year old is a barometer for the Bombers and certainly one to watch this weekend.
Michael Hurley
Another of Essendon's reigning All Australians, Hurley had arguably his most influential performance of the season in his side's win over Sydney last week. Hurley restricted superstar Swan Lance Franklin to his lowest disposal tally of the past three years, repelling countless attacking forays that came Buddy's way. While in strong defensive form, Hurley is also an offensive force, averaging 22.6 touches and 5.7 rebound 50s per game this season as one of the Bombers' preferred ball-users out of their back-half.
