All Australian Crows Rory Laird and Matt Crouch have been selected in Kane Cornes’ Team of the Week.
Cornes, who has taken over picking AFL.com.au’s best 22 each week in Season 2018, named Laird in a back pocket and Crouch on the interchange bench.
Laird equalled his career-high of 40 disposals (at 87.5 per cent efficiency) against Essendon, and was the 10th ranked player for the round according to Champion Data.
The creative small defender was at his intercepting best with 15 possession gains – only North Melbourne defender Scott Thompson (17) had more intercept possessions over the weekend.
The 24-year-old also recorded a game-high eight rebound 50ms and eight marks.
He was one of two Adelaide players to receive votes from the coaches on Friday night.
Crouch was the leading disposal winner at Etihad Stadium with 41. The reigning Crows Club Champion also won seven clearances and generated three inside 50ms.
Carlton and Greater Western Sydney each produced three Team of the Week representatives in the opening round.
Veteran Kade Simpson and young stars Patrick Cripps and Charlie Curnow were nominated from the losing Blues side, while forwards Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene, and classy midfielder Stephen Coniglio were recognised in the Giants’ big win.
Adelaide was one of six teams with two players selected.
Kane Cornes’ Round One Team of the Week
B: Rory Laird, James Sicily, Jake Lloyd
HB: Kade Simpson, Michael Hurley, Riley Bonner
C: Blake Acres, Tom Mitchell, Justin Westhoff
HF: Toby Greene, Lance Franklin, Jack Steven
F: Charlie Curnow, Jeremy Cameron, Charlie Cameron
RUCK: Max Gawn, Patrick Cripps, Joel Selwood
INTERCHANGE: Matt Crouch, Dustin Martin, Dyson Heppell, Stephen Coniglio
