All Australian defender Daniel Talia has been included in the AFL’s Team of the Week for the first time this season.

Already one of the best negators in the competition, Talia held Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch to just two goals in Saturday’s clash at Metricon Stadium – the equal-lowest return for the Suns forward in 2016.

But Talia was also damaging with the ball in hand himself. The 24-year-old collected 23 possessions, nine marks, and even floated forward to kick a rare goal. Saturday’s effort was Talia’s second-highest disposal tally of his 107-game Crows career.

Talia’s performance saw him recognised in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award and he also notched his best AFL Fantasy total of his career so far.

Talia was named at centre half-back in the Round Nine Team of the Week, flanked by Collingwood high-flyer Jeremy Howe and GWS veteran Heath Shaw.

He was the only Crow included in this week's team, as decided by AFL Media. Five-goal forward Taylor Walker, hard-working Crow Tom Lynch and tough midfielder Rory Sloane could perhaps consider themselves unlucky to be overlooked.

The Giants led the way with four representatives in this week’s team. Sydney, Collingwood and West Coast had three players included, while North Melbourne and St Kilda had two apiece.

Rory Laird (three times), Josh Jenkins, Rory Sloane, Rory Atkins, Scott Thompson, Tom Lynch and Eddie Betts are the other Crows who have been recognised in AFL Media’s Team of the Week throughout the course of the season so far.

Visit AFL.com.au to see the full Team of the Week for Round Nine