Pocket rockets Eddie Betts and Rory Laird have been recognised in AFL Media’s Team of the Week for Round 19.
For the third time this season, Laird topped his career-best possession tally with a 36-disposal performance against Essendon on Sunday evening. The courageous defender claimed seven marks, including two intercepts, and a team-high six rebound 50ms.
It’s the former rookie’s eighth Team of the Week start of 2016, which is double that of any other Crow this season.
Laird was named on a half-back flank in the Round 19 team.
Forward maestro Betts also returned to the AFL’s Team of the Week following a scintillating five-goal effort against the Bombers.
The 29-year-old also amassed 16 possessions, five marks, four inside 50ms and recorded a game-high four score assists at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
It was the fourth time this season that Betts has bagged five majors. He was the No.1 player in the AFL for the round for scoreboard impact points (46) and was involved in 13 of Adelaide’s scores.
Betts secured a forward pocket in his fourth Team of the Week appearance of the year.
Betts and Laird were the only Crows to earn spots in the Round 19 Team of the Week. A host of Crows could consider themselves unlucky to be overlooked, such was the even team performance in the victory over the Bombers.
Greater Western Sydney led the way with four representatives in this week’s team, while Geelong, Sydney and Collingwood all had three players included.
Rory Sloane is equal with Betts with four Team of the Week appearances for the season. Josh Jenkins (three times), Rory Atkins (twice), Scott Thompson, Tom Lynch, Jake Lever and Taylor Walker are the other Crows who have featured in the side throughout the course of the season so far.
Visit AFL.com.au to see the full Team of the Week for Round 19
