#Phelan Simpson

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Mary Orr and Phelan Simpson competing in the 2014 Junior Canadian Nationals.

(Source: Danielle Earl Photography)

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[leotanaka]

J. August Richards has an exuberance about him.

He has good reason. The actor, known his more than 30 year career which has included roles on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Cosby Show, Angel, The Practice and more, just landed a leading role on the new NBC drama Circle of Dads. On April 20, he also rocked the internet by coming out of the closet as a gay man. The unplanned admission generated came in the context of discussing his Council of Dads role as Dr. Oliver Post, a gay, married African-American dad. The series follows a group of friends following the death of one of their friend Peter. Oliver, and several other men, come together to act as surrogate fathers to Peter’s children and to preserve the memory of their friend.

“I read your site every day!” Richards belts as we greet him on the phone. We warn him that we will need to use that quote in our piece. The two of us have made some time to chat about his coming out, the new show, and his experience as a queer, African-American working in Hollywood for more than three decades.

Council of Dads airs Thursdays on NBC.

So you’ve had an exciting few weeks. Exactly how are you feeling? What’s the state of your life?

Thank you for asking. Empowered.

Empowered?

Aligned. Clear about my purpose. That’s how I feel two weeks later. I will admit that I was on a bit of an emotional pendulum. In my imagination, there was a reaction that was the best reaction I could possibly get, which was supportive. But it exceeded that. Also I really did not expect it to go past my social media page. So that was a bit daunting. That was part of the emotional swing I was on.

Sure.

I had no idea that it would be picked up on various sites, which it was. And I didn’t even have a publicist at the time…

Oh my.

Yeah. So that’s how unplanned that was. I’ve hired one since because everything was going so far so fast that it was all a bit overwhelming. But when it went so viral, it made me feel like this emotional swing toward oh my God, why would you do that? No one even asked. That was the ultimate overshare. But fortunately, the pendulum has swung all the way back into the position of empowerment.

That’s so wonderful to hear. Now, when you describe it as an emotional pendulum, what are you doing as you walk around the house? How’s your mood shifting? What are you doing to take your mind off it all?

Yeah, it’s always surrounding a triggering question or triggering comment that I receive that really only triggered the fact that I was not expecting this attention. So that was the only thing that would scare me. It wasn’t negative at all. But, like, when people ask me, “Aren’t you afraid of how this will affect your career?” That question would really trigger me. I’ve obviously thought a lot about it. And that question doesn’t trigger me anymore.

I’ve talked to so many actors who have gone through a difficult coming out process and immediately have their agents or managers screaming “Why did you do that?” So it’s good to hear that it’s been so empowering.

I have a great agent. He’s been really supportive.

Now, you’ve said before that you’ve been out to people close to you for years. Have you had any blowback? People saying “why didn’t you tell me?”

No. Not one person. Anyone who needed to know, knew. And there were people who didn’t need to know that knew, just because they saw me out, or I went to a party. I’m living my life and doing whatever I want to do for the most part. People who know me, in my life, also know that’s not the kind of question I would entertain.

So let’s talk about your new show Council of Dads. Your role as Oliver, you’ve said, was part of what inspired you to go public. He’s a gay man married to another African-American man Peter, played by Kevin Daniels, and the couple has children. For you as an actor, what is it that speaks to you in a role where you realize it’s more than just a job? In other words, when the role changes you?

You know, honestly, it happens to me every single time.

Really?

Every single time, yeah. I think of it as my job to put something deeply personal to put on the line for myself. I have to find it, and I do with every role. This one is unique in that it pushed me up against a wall that I had created for myself. I think it served me when it had to. When I first started in the business, there were very few opportunities for a black actor.

Sure.

I jokingly say “I was too busy being black to be gay.”

But the industry has shifted enough to where there’s more LGBTQ representation and more black representation. And I just wasn’t mature enough as a human being to walk through life as a black gay man. Now, at 46, I have the confidence and the wisdom and the knowledge to be able to take it on. The reason I ended up talking about it publicly was that I saw a huge opportunity to be observant in a meaningful way, and I just could not pass it up. It was a very person decision. I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t take the opportunity to continue a dialogue—it was started way before me. Black gay men, gay families—I would not have been happy with myself if I had not chosen to talk about it.

That speaks so well of you. One thing I really love about this show is the way it redefines community in a sense.

Yes.

There are right-wing voices that claim diversity is harmful, or focusing on it is harmful, that it’s all a myth. The series shows that community is defined by what is shared; in the case of the series, that’s a love for Scott Perry and his family. How do we encourage people to focus on what is shared, to accept one another?

Well, it oftentimes takes people knowing someone in a community, knowing someone that belongs to a community that is seen as “other” to break down that wall. Again, that goes back to the reason I decided to go public. The other great gift of coming out for me was that it made clear for me my true goal. I really want equality for all. I’m talking about groups that I belong to, and groups that I don’t belong to. Ultimately, we have to move toward a space where everyone can sit at the table equally. That’s one of the reasons I was so happy to be involved with this show. It has diversity, and it’s not cosmetic.

What do you mean by that?

It’s like there’s one of this and one of that. There are multiples of different in this world. As the season goes by, you’ll be able to understand even more what I mean by that. It really elevates the conversation about diversity in a way that I’m so proud of. You come home with Oliver & Peter. You come home with us, and a whole episode takes place in our house. So the other thing that attracted me to the show was that I’m not playing the “insert black gay guy here.” He’s a three-dimensional character. He’s not just the best friend. He has his own storyline. The character is not additionally marginalized by not giving him a full story.

I also love the way the show redefines masculinity.

Oooh! Mmhmm!

We have a trope in Western entertainment that fathers are either lovable buffoons like Homer Simpson or wisdom sages like Fred McMurray in My Three Sons. Either way, they are centers of authority and power. This show is different in that it shows men working together, sharing power, listening, conversing and making choices. It’s in the title: a council of dads. It’s not dictatorial patriarchy. Is that by conscious design, that Joan and Tony [series creators Joan Rater & Tony Phelan] had intended as much? Have you discussed it?

We’ve not talked about it, but I will say this: in developing the character one thing that you do as an actor is figure out the character’s super-objective.

Yes.

That means the one thing they want more than anything in life. It took me a while—call me slow—but I realized that what is important to Oliver is that he be a great father. That is the most important thing in his life. So I started to think about what makes a great father. I think the answer is different for each person depending on their father. So I think about Oliver’s past, and how his father did not accept him for who he was. He grew up in a household where he felt like an imposter, like love was conditional. He never got to fall into the arms of his parents and hear them say “You are ok as you are.”

Right.

So what makes a great father to Oliver is growing this invisible fence around the children where they are able to be themselves and thrive as who they are naturally, whatever that is. That’s what makes a great father to Oliver, and it’s a great gift that any parent can give their children.

Absolutely. As a working actor, I need to ask you about the cult of celebrity. In the social media age, actors are really encouraged to become a “brand” or a product to help promote their show. That includes putting private life on display. What is your experience dealing with that pressure? Is it fair to expect actors to perform on both sides of the camera, in essence?

Some don’t. There are still actors out there who don’t want to be stars, who don’t have social media at all. To a degree, I think it’s slightly a myth. Every job that I get there’s an actor in a pivotal role who is not on social media, or who didn’t have a big following. I don’t believe that a large social media following translates to viewers. If it did, Kim Kardashian would be in everything.

Lord help us.

So, like anything, you just have to decide who you want to be and rock out with that, win or lose. One of the places I’m at in my life is that I don’t feel like the world needs another f*cking celebrity.

[Laughter]

Nobody’s asking for one. I’m so tired of it. I’d just rather have an impact at some point in my life. If I can make the world a hair easier, or serve in the tiniest way, I’m so satisfied with that. The red carpeting thing is so played out to me. I’m so over it. So I think you’ve gotta make a choice about who you want to be, win or lose.

That’s great advice. So given the context of all of this, I also need to ask. This is a question that comes up a lot with actors I talk to. It came up with Billy Porter, with Nelson Lassiter, with Doug Spearman, and others. How can we encourage queer African-American men to come out and to feel safe in doing so?

That’s a big, big question. Number one, I’d say understanding. Just understand that it’s a lot to ask a person to own and take on another marginalized identity. As a black man moving through the world, you really have to live it to understand it: all of the concessions and adjustments that you have to make to the world just to get through your day. It’s a lot man, a whole lot. It’s a whole lot to ask people. I’m 46 now, and I said in another interview, if I had come out a day sooner, it would have been too soon.

Wow.

Only now do I feel like I have the understanding and the confidence and the clarity to move through the world as I do now. So the most important thing is understanding. I love the gay men in my life because they never pressured me to do anything. They only loved me and counseled me to be myself.

Beautiful.

Another way to help is to stand against racism. Working through the racism of our society might help people feel free to live in a world where they can feel like they can be themselves.

Amen to that. As a gay, African American man, what advice do you wish you could have had starting out in the business that you did not?

Actually I had wonderful mentors: African-American men who took me under their wings and advised me, counseled me, gave a call after auditions. Everyone showed up for me the same way they’re showing up for me now. My colleagues were the first ones to congratulate me.

That’s great.

But you ask me what I wish I could have known? That’s a difficult question. It was a different industry at that time. So I can’t answer that. I’ll have to think about it. It’s a great question.

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The Kids Have Chosen Their Favorites!

On June 17, 2018, the annual Kids’ Comics Awards Ceremony was held at the Ann Arbor District Library, hosted by Zack Giallongo and Ellie Moody. Nominees were suggested by kids via public ballot in April 2018. A team of librarians selected the final nominees using the initial votes as a guide. Kids attending the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival were able to vote for their favorite books and creators via paper ballot, while the wider world was invited to vote via online form.

The video of the ceremony, featuring puppets, comics-destroying handwear, and giant cats, will be posted soon. But until then, here are the books and creators chosen by kids!

MOST EPIC ADVENTURE

The nominees were:

Pigs Might Fly by Nick Abadzis and Jerel Dye.

5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel, Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun.

Brobots and the Mecha Melarky! Vol. 2 by J. Torres and Sean Dove.

Phoebe and her Unicorn in the Magic Storm by Dana Simpson. 

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag.

And the kids chose…

FUNNIEST COMIC

The nominees were:

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner.

The Great Art Caper (Pets on the Loose!) by Victoria Jamieson.

Evil Emperor Penguin by Laura Ellen Anderson.  Scholastic

Comics Squad: Detention by Jennifer Holm, Matthew Holm, Ben Hatke, George O'Connor, Victoria Jameson, Matt Phelan, Jarrett Krosoczka, Rafael Rosado & Jorge Aguirre, and Lark Pien. 

SpongeBob Comics: Silly Sea Stories by Stephen Hillenburg.

And the kids chose…

FAVORITE AUTHOR

The nominees were:

Gregg Schigiel for Pix: Too Super for School.

Nathan Hale for Raid of No Return: A World War II Tale of the Doolittle Raid.

Nidhi Chanani for Pashmina. 

Laura Terry for Graveyard Shakes. 

Melanie Gillman for As The Crow Flies. 

And the kids chose…

OUT OF THIS WORLD!

The nominees were:

Cleopatra in Space: The Golden Lion by Mike Maihack.  

Space Battle Lunchtime: A Recipe for Disaster by Natalie Riess. 

Star Scouts by Mike Lawrence. 

Curse of the Harvester (Dream Jumper) by Greg Grunberg and Lucas Turnbloom.  

HiLo: The Great Big Boom by Judd Winick.

And the kids chose…

WHO LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG?

The nominees were:

CatStronauts:  Mission Moon and CatStronauts: Race to Mars by Drew Brockington. 

Hero Cats of Stellar City # 5: New Visions by Kyle Puttkammer, Sey Viani, Sarah Elkins, Shannon Butt, and Braina Higgins.

Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties (Dog Man) by Dav Pilkey.  

The Bad Guys in Attack of the Zittens by Aaron Blabey. 

And the kids chose…

BE COOL, STAY IN SCHOOL!

The nominees were:

All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson.

Pix: Too Super for School by Gregg Schigiel. 

Real Friends by Shannon Hale.  

Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson.  

Brave by Svetlana Chmakova.

And the kids chose…

BRAVEST HERO

The nominees were:

Jensen from Brave by Svetlana Chmakova.

Phoebe from Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm by Dana Simpson. 

Luke from Time Shifters by Chris Grine. 

Pig from The Dam Keeper by Daisuke Tsutsumi. 

Charlie from As the Crow Flies by Melanie Gillman. 

And the kids chose…

FAVORITE NONFICTION/MYTHOLOGY COMIC The nominees were: 

Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector by Andy Hirsch. 

Olympians: Artemis: Goddess of the Hunt by George O’Connor.   

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Raid of No Return: A World War II Tale of the Doolittle Raid by Nathan Hale.  

Older Than Dirt: A Wild but True History of Earth by Don Brown, Michael Perfit.

And the kids chose…

Thanks to Zack Giallongo and Ellie Moody for the work they did to make the awards ceremony happen, thanks to the Ann Arbor District Library for their support of this event, and most of all, thanks to the kids who voted for their favorite books and authors!

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Manchester United coach Mike Phelan says Paul Pogba is 'not the finished deal' | Football News

Manchester United coach Mike Phelan says Paul Pogba is ‘not the finished deal’ | Football News

First-team coach Phelan is excited about the midfielder’s future at the club By James Simpson

Last Updated: 09/04/19 10:27am

Paul Pogba is not the finished deal and has plenty of room to grow at Manchester United, say Mike Phelan

Paul Pogba is “not the finished deal” but is “maturing all the…

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Scorpion Tales: Truth Or Consequence (1.6, ATV, 1978)

"Why do you do this work?"

"Someone has to do it."

"Why? Why does someone have to do it?"

"A society that does not prepare is a society that has no regard for itself."

"Can you have any regard for yourself?"

"I seldom give it much thought."

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Suns set up a mystery target for Saints clash

Jaeger’s pain, Ablett speaks, Nic’s travels Tuesday Footy Feed with Jen Phelan

Gary Ablett will play his 300th AFL match this week

AFTER being torched by Carlton’s best players at the weekend, Gold Coast won’t be making the same mistake against St Kilda on Sunday, vowing to target its top player.

Speaking ahead of his 300th game, Gary Ablett said the Suns had already discussed locking down the Saints’ most influential player – but wouldn’t elaborate on who.

Bryce Gibbs (43 disposals and two goals), Kade Simpson (33) and Sam Docherty (30) ran around almost unopposed for the Blues and destroyed Gold Coast in a 10-point win.

“I’ve got no doubt we’ll have a target player this week,” Ablett said.

“We probably did that early in the season and then went away from it a bit.

“We will target a player for them. I won’t tell you who that will be, but we’ll make sure they have a tough day.

“We’ll be doing it the right way, it won’t be cheap shots behind the play.”

On the flipside, Ablett was bumped, bashed and bullied by not only Blues tagger Ed Curnow, but almost every Carlton player who ran past him.

He still mustered 25 disposals, but was down on his usual influence.

“There’s no doubt I pulled up sore this week, but I kind of knew early in the game their focus was to limit my impact,” Ablett said.

“I tried to stay calm out there. I know there were times when it did frustrate me a bit.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens again this week, and I’m looking forward to that.”

Gold Coast is now 5-7 and battling to stay in touch with the top eight.

Ablett said physically he still had plenty of good football in him, and that the biggest hurdles were mental.

Although he is contracted to Gold Coast for 2018, the 33-year-old’s future is in limbo after saying during the pre-season that asking for another trade to Geelong or even retirement were not out of the question.

He refused to talk about his future at the press conference.

“It’s not something I want to talk about today,” he said.

“Enough’s been said earlier on in the year and that’s something we’ll talk about more at the end of the year.

“My body is feeling great at the moment.

“The only thing I can control is that I’m doing everything right to give myself the best opportunity of getting out there every week and the best opportunity to perform at a high level.

“I want to take my game to another level so the second half of the season we can win more games and hopefully get our first taste of finals footy.

“I want to get the most out of my body and get back to playing some finals football on the ‘G, that’s what it’s about.”

The post Suns set up a mystery target for Saints clash appeared first on Footy Plus.

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New Post has been published on News Twitter

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La Times: Katherine Heigl, with an assist from a stellar supporting cast, tries again with 'Doubt'

No doubt about it, Katherine Heigl has had a rough go of it lately. Her departure from “Grey’s Anatomy” seven years ago earned Heigl a reputation for being “difficult” that, fair or not, she hasn’t been able to shake. 

Her film career fizzled out and her would-be comeback vehicle, the “Homeland” wannabe “State of Affairs,” was canceled after just 13 episodes on NBC. Once the star of blockbuster romantic comedies like “Knocked Up,” Heigl has more recently appeared in ads for cold medication and kitty litter — a fact that seems to delight her detractors in a way that seems at least a little sexist.

Whether “Doubt,” premiering Wednesday on CBS, will revive Heigl’s career is difficult to predict, but — sorry, haters — it is a worthy, highly watchable effort. While a bit tonally uneven in early episodes and not especially groundbreaking — it is, at its core, yet another legal procedural — “Doubt” is elevated by witty banter and a stellar supporting cast. 

Heigl stars as Sadie Ellis, a skilled and ambitious attorney at a famed New York City firm run by Isaiah Roth (Elliott Gould), a famed liberal lawyer seemingly inspired by William Kunstler, who represented the Black Panthers and members of the Weather Underground. Roth’s idealistic mission, laid out in a speech recited from memory by his employees, is to stand by his clients so that they don’t have to stand alone. 

Like seemingly every dramatic heroine on the small screen these days, Sadie is an emotionally closed-off workaholic prone to romantic complications at the office. In this case, she falls hard for her client, Billy Brennan (Steven Pasquale), the son of a prominent politician and a hunky pediatric surgeon (swoon) who may or may not have killed his high school girlfriend. (Nobody’s perfect, right?)

Of course, their budding romance presents an ethical minefield, and there is something a wee bit stereotypical about a female lawyer falling for a hot, but possibly homicidal, client (see also: HBO’s “The Night Of”). But hey, in 2017 does anyone really care about conflicts of interest anymore? 

“Doubt” weaves this soapy ongoing narrative in with cases of the week, loosely ripped from the headlines: a college student who wears a sandwich board denouncing the man who raped her; a schizophrenic young man who pushed a woman to her death on the subway tracks.

Despite Heigl’s involvement, “Doubt” shouldn’t be mistaken for a star vehicle. It’s a well-cast ensemble piece that democratically spreads the drama among the supporting characters, including Dulé Hill as Albert, Sadie’s colleague and close friend, and Laverne Cox as a transgender Ivy League graduate named Cameron. Cox’s casting — a first for a transgender actress in a series regular on broadcast television — has gotten “Doubt” some early buzz. The series deals sensitively with Cameron’s gender identity while also treating her as a fully realized person, and marks a major step forward for CBS, a network that has been criticized for its lack of diversity. 

Though underused in early episodes, Gould is as appealingly avuncular as ever, while certified national treasure Judith Light is ferociously good in a few scenes as Sadie’s mother, a former radical activist imprisoned for killing a state trooper. (And yes, Sadie has a few mommy issues.) 

Created by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, former executive producers on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Madam Secretary,” “Doubt” bears traces of both shows. But it seems more obviously influenced by “The Good Wife,” and not just because it shares with it numerous cast members, starting with Pasquale and Dreama Walker as a naive second-year associate. 

Like “The Good Wife,” which ended its acclaimed run on CBS last year, “Doubt” attempts to blend high courtroom drama with moments of lighthearted comedy and sophisticated, rat-a-tat banter. It’s a tricky tone to get just right, and there are some awkward attempts at irreverent humor early on, including a clunker of a joke about lupus. But there are also some genuinely funny one-liners. (After pulling an all-nighter at the office, Walker’s character complains of smelling like “Scotch and MSG.”) Heigl, who won an Emmy for her performance on “Grey’s Anatomy,” is particularly well-suited to this mix of melodrama and screwball comedy. 

“Doubt” also delves into the moral ambiguity of the legal profession, particularly the ethical dilemmas faced by defense attorneys. In one episode, Albert struggles with whether to reveal information shared with him by a client convicted of killing a teenager, and finds his humanity at odds with his professional obligations. There are also knowing lines (“This isn’t TV, the DNA’s not coming back overnight”) that suggest the show is at least attempting to subvert the genre’s most glaring clichés. 

If anything, though, “Doubt” could do more to embrace this moral and narrative ambiguity, which was a hallmark of “The Good Wife.” 

Are Isaiah, Sadie et al idealistic crusaders, craven opportunists, or both? And how are they paying for their swank offices and designer wardrobes? Hopefully as the series progresses it will explore these fertile subjects with more depth. Similarly, the did-he-or-didn’t-he cloud of suspicion surrounding Billy would be more convincing if the show really tapped into Pasquale’s proven ability to be both ridiculously handsome and deeply menacing (exhibit A: his turn as Mark Fuhrman in “The People v. O.J. Simpson.”) 

This “Doubt” ought to sow a little more doubt. 

‘Doubt’

Where: CBS

When: 10 p.m. Wednesday

Rating: TV-14-L (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14 with an advisory for coarse language)

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour »

meredith.blake@latimes.com

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Fevereiro na Netflix: 35 destaques em filmes e séries chegando ao catálogo - A Notícia do Dia

É hora de conferir a programação da Netflix para o mês de fevereiro, com as novidades chegando à plataforma de streaming mais popular do Brasil.

A companhia traz aos assinantes novas séries originais, como a comédia Santa Clarita Diet estrelada por Drew Barrymore, além de novas temporadas de programas conhecidos do público, como Supernatural e Vikings.

Os fãs de séries vão poder acompanhar também a premiadíssima American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, que entra na plataforma já no dia 2 e tem distribuição exclusiva pela Netflix ao redor do mundo.

Divulgação/Netflix

Entre os filmes, destacamos três produções muito bem recebidas pela crítica: Fruitvale Station – A Última Parada; A Teoria de Tudo e o recente Decisão de Risco (com Helen Mirren no elenco).

Confira abaixo a programação de fevereiro na Netflix, com 13 destaques em séries e 22 filmes, além dos títulos que já estiveram antes da plataforma e estão retornando ao catálogo.

Séries

1. American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson (dia 2)

Esta série de drama, que estará disponível na Netflix a partir do dia 2 de fevereiro, pesquisa o julgamento de O.J. Simpson e entrega uma visão das equipes jurídicas que se enfrentam para condenar ou absolver Simpson, acusado de duplo homicídio. A série explora como o excesso de confiança da parte acusadora, de um lado, e a astúcia da defensa junto com a história do departamento da polícia de Los Angeles com a comunidade afro-americana da cidade, do outro, dá ao júri que ele precisava: mais dúvida.

2. Santa Clarita Diet: nova série original (dia 3)

Divulgação/Netflix

Joel (Timothy Olyphant) e Sheila (Drew Barrymore) são marido e mulher e agentes de imóveis. Junto com a sua filha adolescente Abby, vivem uma vida pouco feliz em Santa Clarita, um subúrbio de Los Angeles, até sofrerem uma dramática mudança que leva suas vidas em direção a um caminho de morte e destruição… mas de uma boa forma. A primeira temporada de Santa Clarita Diet, uma série original da Netflix, protagonizada por Drew Barrymore no papel de Sheila Hammond, Timothy Olyphant como Joel Hammond, Liv Hewson como Abby Hammond e Skyler Gisondo como Eric Bernis, estreia no dia 3 de fevereiro.

3. Heartland: 7º temporada (dia 3)

Na 7ª temporada, a família Heartland enfrenta grandes mudanças na fazenda e luta pelo amor, pela família e para ter uma casa para onde voltar.

4. You Me Her: 1ª temporada (dia 10)

Divulgação/Netflix

O casal Jack e Emma tenta apimentar sua vida sexual contratando uma acompanhante, mas ambos acabam se apaixonando por ela.

5. White Nights: nova série original (dia 14)

Uma herdeira fria, um homem do seu passado e um novo e ambicioso empregado na companhia, lutam por dinheiro e poder. Esta nova série original da Netflix estreia no dia 14 de fevereiro.

6. Supernatural: 11ª temporada (dia 15)

Divulgação/CW

Com a marca de Caim finalmente removida do braço de Dean (Jensen Ackles), os irmãos Winchester estão unidos novamente. Porém, durante a temporada 11 eles deverão enfrentar uma épica nova ameaça, quando um véu de escuridão eterna desce e desencadeia o inferno na Terra. Estreia na Netflix no próximo dia 15 de fevereiro.

7. The Seven Deadly Sins: 2ª temporada (dia 17)

Segunda temporada desta série original da Netflix, que estreia no dia 17 de fevereiro, The Seven Deadly Sins traz de volta a paz ao reino. Porém, as aventuras estão longe de terminar, especialmente porque existem novos desafios e velhos amigos esperando.

8. Dragões – Corrida Até o Limite: 4ª temporada (dia 17)

Na quarta temporada desta série original da Netflix, que estreia no dia 17 de fevereiro, Soluço e Bangela ganham a confiança de outra tribo e formam uma aliança contra Viggo, que está ocupado criando uma nova arma secreta.

9. Chef’s Table: 3ª temporada (dia 17)

Divulgação/Netflix

A terceira temporada desta série documentário original da Netflix, que estreia no dia 17 de fevereiro, explora as cozinhas dos famosos chefs Nancy Silverton, Ivan Orkin, Tim Raue, Virgilio Martínez, Jeong Kwan e Vladimir Mukhin.

10. Billions: 2ª temporada (dia 20)

A partir do dia 20 de fevereiro estará disponível na Netflix a segunda temporada de Billions. A guerra entre Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) e Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) será mais intensa, enquanto as apostas financeiras aumentam. Ao mesmo tempo, um novo jogador entra em cena: o milionário tecnológico Craig Heidecker, um gênio inovador e muito competitivo.

11. Vikings: 4ª temporada (dia 22)

A quarta temporada da série épica do canal History está prevista para chegar à Netflix Brasil no dia 22.

12. Ultimate Beastmaster Brasil: nova série de competição (dia 23)

Divulgação/Netflix

No Ultimate Beastmaster Brasil competidores de elite enfrentam um dos maiores obstáculos já conhecidos: A Fera. Esta série original da Netflix, estreia sua primeira temporada no dia 24 de fevereiro, e é apresentada por Rafinha Bastos e Anderson Silva.

13. The Sound of Your Heart: nova série original (dia 24)

Esta nova série original da Netflix é baseada na série de quadrinhos há mais tempo transmitida na Coreia e vai estrear no dia 24 de fevereiro. A comédia acompanha os absurdos na vida de um caricaturista, sua namorada e sua medíocre família.

Filmes

14. Thor: O Mundo Sombrio (dia 1º)

Divulgação/Marvel Studios

O Deus do Trovão (Chris Hemsworth) ataca novamente enquanto luta para salvar os Nove Reinos do misterioso vilão Malekith (Christopher Eccleston), que planeja deixar o universo inteiro na escuridão. Enquanto isso, Thor deve encontrar Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), que se transformou em alvo dos diabólicos habitantes de Svartalfheim. Disponível na Netflix a partir do dia 1º de fevereiro.

15. Fruitvale Station: A Última Parada (dia 1º)

Este filme, que estreia na Netflix no dia 1º de fevereiro, é baseado em fatos reais, e apresenta uma visão das últimas horas de Oscar Grant, um homem que foi assassinado no dia 1º de janeiro de 2009 pela polícia de São Francisco. O filme mostra o amor que Oscar tinha pela vida e é uma homenagem diante da trágica partida.

16. Histórias Cruzadas (dia 1º)

Na década de 60 em Jackson, Mississipi, a aspirante a escritora Eugênia Phelan (Emma Stone) atravessa a linha dos tabus raciais após conversar com Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) sobre sua vida como criada. A amizade entre elas transtorna a frágil dinâmica entre os ricos e os pobres. Estreia na Netflix no dia 1º de fevereiro.

17. The Runaways: Garotas do Rock (dia 1º)

Divulgação/Apparition

Esta cinebiografia mostra a ascensão das californianas rebeldes que formaram a banda de rock The Runaways na década de 1970 e abriram caminho para as mulheres na música. Com Kristen Stewart e Dakota Fanning.

18. O Casamento do Ano (dia 1º)

Um casal divorciado há algum tempo deve fingir que continua casado e feliz durante o casamento do seu filho adotivo, para satisfazer sua mãe biológica. Esta comédia, protagonizada por Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams e Amanda Seyfried, estará disponível na Netflix a partir do dia 1º de fevereiro.

19. Os Mercenários 3 (dia 1º)

Mantendo sua atitude de conseguir tudo a qualquer preço, na terceira parte desta franquia, o esquadrão dos Mercenários se reúne contra o vilão Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), que está empenhado em destruir a equipe. Estreia na Netflix no dia 1º de fevereiro.

20. Riddick (dia 1º)

Isolado num planeta solitário onde ele espera que um farol de emergência o salve, Riddick, um anti-herói sombrio, acaba atraindo alienígenas mortais e mercenários.

21. A Máquina do Tempo (dia 1º)

Baseada no clássico de H.G. Wells, esta aventura acompanha um cientista e inventor determinado a provar que é possível viajar no tempo.

22. Sonhos Imperiais (dia 3)

Divulgação/Netflix

Neste filme original da Netflix, que estreia no dia 3 de fevereiro, um jovem pai volta da cadeia para sua casa, ansioso por cuidar do seu filho e transformar-se em escritor, mas o crime e a pobreza ameaçam seus planos.

23. Uma Loucura de Mulher (dia 5)

Lúcia (Mariana Ximenes) está casada com Gero (Bruno Garcia), um político seduzido pela possibilidade de transformar-se em governador. Ela está disposta a apoiá-lo, mas uma mudança repentina na atitude de Gero a obriga a fugir para o Rio de Janeiro. Lá ela redescobre a felicidade de ser solteira e de perseguir seus próprios sonhos. Gero precisa dela ao seu lado de novo para ser eleito, mas Lúcia deve estar livre para encontrar sua felicidade. Disponível na Netflix a partir do dia 5 de fevereiro.

24. Consequência Mortal (dia 5)

Quatro adolescentes viram reféns de um psicopata vingativo e são obrigados a entrar numa brincadeira mortal.

25. Decisão de Risco (dia 7)

Divulgação/Entertainment One

Liderando uma operação para capturar uma terrorista e seus colaboradores no Quênia, a coronel Katherine Powell (Helen Mirren) enfrenta um conflito político e moral quando sua missão termina, colocando uma garota em risco. Disponível na Netflix no dia 7 de fevereiro.

26. Quando um Estranho Chama (dia 8)

Neste suspense eletrizante, uma babá começa a receber trotes ameaçadores por telefone.

27. David Brent: Life on the Road (dia 10)

Este filme original da Netflix mostra uma equipe de documentaristas que atualiza a história de David Brent (Ricky Gervais), protagonista do falso documentário da BBC2, “The Office”. Quando as audiências conheceram Brent pela primeira vez, o “amigo primeiro, chefe depois”, ele sonhava em transformar-se numa super estrela de rock. Doze anos depois, Brent é um vendedor viajante que ainda persegue o sonho com sua banda, “Foregone Conclusion”. Para isso reúne um grupo de músicos freelance que estão ali só por dinheiro, e o talentoso rapper Don (Ben Bailey Smith), numa tentativa de ganhar um pouco de “rua”. Brent cobra sua pensão e pede uma licença sem remuneração no intuito de continuar com seu sonho e uma última chance de conseguir fama e fortuna. Estreia na Netflix no dia 10 de fevereiro.

28. Imortais (dia 10)

Na Grécia Antiga, um rei se alia aos impiedosos Titãs para derrotar os deuses e escravizar a raça humana. Teseu é escolhido para enfrentá-lo.

29. A Árvore da Vida (dia 10)

Criado no meio oeste, Jack (Sean Penn) sempre se debateu entre os conselhos da sua mãe com relação a como aproximar-se, com o coração aberto, a tudo aquilo que atravesse o seu caminho, e as advertências do seu pai de sempre zelar por seus próprios interesses. Agora Jack reflete sobre o seu passado para recuperar a perspectiva. Este filme protagonizado por Brad Pitt, Sean Penn e Jessica Chastain estreia na Netflix no próximo dia 10 de fevereiro.

30. A Teoria de Tudo (dia 14)

Divulgação/Universal Pictures

Com seu corpo progressivamente deteriorado pela ELA (Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica), o físico mundialmente reconhecido, Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne), deve confiar na sua mulher Jane (Felicity Jones), para continuar com a sua vida de trabalho agora que ele deve enfrentar vários desafios. Este comovedor drama biográfico estreia na Netflix no dia 14 de fevereiro.

31. Dia da Namorada (dia 14)

No 14 de fevereiro estreia este filme original da Netflix que narra a história de um desempregado escritor de cartões de datas comemorativas. Após ser descoberto numa conspiração mortal, Ray (Bob Odenkirk) deve criar o cartão perfeito para salvar sua própria pele.

32. Ouija: O Jogo dos Espíritos (dia 15)

Uma garota morre misteriosamente após mexer com um tabuleiro espírita Ouija e quando seus amigos tentam usar o mesmo para tentar se comunicar com ela, abrem uma passagem para poderes malignos que irão provocar seus maiores medos.

33. Um Homem de Sorte (dia 20)

O veterano da Marinha, Logan (Zac Efron), dá todo o crédito ao seu amuleto da sorte – a foto de uma mulher desconhecida – por salvá-lo no Iraque. De volta nos Estados Unidos, ele decide procurar a mulher por trás do sorriso que dirige seu destino. Disponível na Netflix a partir do dia 20 de fevereiro.

34. Unconditional (dia 22)

Este drama, baseado em fatos reais, que estreia na Netflix no dia 22 de fevereiro, conta a história de uma mulher que tenta encontrar o assassino do seu marido. Reunida com um velho amigo, a viúva se inspira nesta missão para ajudar as crianças no centro da cidade.

35. Já Não Me Sinto em Casa Neste Mundo (dia 24)

Divulgação/Netflix

Ruth (Melanie Lynskey) está deprimida, mas adota uma nova visão da vida quando tenta encontrar os ladrões que a roubaram com a ajuda do seu vizinho (Elijah Wood). Porém, logo irão perceber que estão escolhendo um caminho bem perigoso. Este filme original da Netflix estreia no dia 24 de fevereiro.

Retornos ao catálogo (todos no dia 1º)

17 outra vez

A Casa dos Espíritos

Amantes

Angel-A

Apollo 18

O Artista

Bent

Cougar Hunting

Croupier

Doze homens e Outro Segredo

O Espião que Sabia Demais

Um Espírito Baixou em Mim

Os Estranhos

Geração Prozac

Henrique V

Heróis

Locke

Love

O Lutador

Uma Mãe em Apuros

O Menino da Porteira

Onde mora o coração

Operação Babá

Pacto do Passado

Psicopata Americano

Santa Paciência

The Canyon

Todos Querem ser Italianos

Uma Vida Melhor

O Vingador

Via Minha Série

Fonte

Veja o conteúdo na íntegra: https://anoticiadodia.com/fevereiro-na-netflix-35-destaques-em-filmes-e-series-chegando-ao-catalogo/

[footyplusau]

Your club’s mid-year player awards

Best and fairest 1. Rory Sloane 2. Rory Laird 3. Sam Jacobs 4. Eddie Betts 5. Jake Lever

Best 21 and under Jake Lever

Recruit of the year N/A

Most improved Charlie Cameron

Most courageous Rory Sloane

Best team player Jake Lever

Goal of the year Eddie Betts, round nine v Brisbane Lions. The champion small forward is in the running for the goal of the year title for a third-straight season after producing a genuine contender against the Lions. Betts competed for the ball with Darcy Gardiner, but kept his balance through heavy traffic. Betts then showed unbelievable skill to throw the ball on to his left boot and dribble it along the ground through the big sticks from an acute angle.

Mark of the year Charlie Cameron, round nine v Brisbane Lions. Giving up a huge height advantage didn’t stop Cameron from flying high over Lions key defender Harris Andrews to take this impressive grab. Cameron has made a habit of producing exciting plays this season with his running bounces through the middle of the ground, down the wing and taking the game on. Cameron was also nominated for mark of the year for a grab against Greater Western Sydney in round one.

Game Milestones Round 1, Sam Jacobs played (150th game); Round 9, Rory Sloane (150th game), Luke Brown (100th game); Round 11, Josh Jenkins (100th game); Round 18, Tom Lynch (set to play 100th game); Round 22, Taylor Walker (set to play 150th game), Andy Otten (set to play 100th game). – Lee Gaskin

Rory Sloane has had some troubles but is still enjoying a great season. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest 

1. Dayne Zorko 2. Dayne Beams 3. Tom Rockliff 4. Stefan Martin 5. Harris Andrews

Best 21 and under Harris Andrews

Recruit of the year Jake Barrett

Most improved Nick Robertson

Most courageous Darcy Gardiner

Best team player Nick Robertson

Goal of the year Eric Hipwood, round 10 v Collingwood. After picking up a handpass off his bootlaces, Hipwood beat two Magpies defenders and swung on to his left boot to kick truly from 50m.

Mark of the year Dayne Zorko, round four v Richmond. He’s a little man, but Zorko rode high on the shoulder of Dion Prestia to pull down a screamer at the Gabba.

Game Milestones Round 7, Daniel Rich (150 games); Round 14, Ryan Bastinac (set to play 150 games); Round 19, Tom Rockliff (set to play 150 games); Round 21, Ryan Lester (set to play 100 games). – Michael Whiting

Best and fairest

1. Marc Murphy 2. Sam Docherty 3. Patrick Cripps 4. Matthew Kreuzer 5. Bryce Gibbs

Best 21 and under Caleb Marchbank

Recruit of the year Caleb Marchbank

Most improved Levi Casboult

Most courageous Kade Simpson

Best team player Matthew Kreuzer

Goal of the year Marc Murphy, round three v Essendon, MCG. Remarkable banana goal on the run with a wet ball during the third quarter, giving his team a handy lead.

Mark of the year Dale Thomas, round two v Melbourne, MCG. Took a hanger over Demon Jayden Hunt just before half-time.

Game milestones Round 12, Matthew Kreuzer (150th game) – Howard Kotton

Caleb Marchbank looks like locking down a key defensive post for some time. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest 

1. Scott Pendlebury 2. Jeremy Howe 3. Taylor Adams 4. Adam Treloar 5. Brodie Grundy

Best 21 and under Tom Phillips

Recruit of the year Will Hoskin-Elliott

Most improved Tom Phillips

Most courageous Tyson Goldsack

Best team player Tyson Goldsack

Goal of the year Steele Sidebottom, round eight v Greater Western Sydney. A deliberate, Daicos-like dribbler from the boundary line.

Mark of the year Jeremy Howe, round 12 v Melbourne. Perhaps the frequent flyer’s greatest mark – high above Demon Tom McDonald.

Game milestones Round 14, Daniel Wells (250th game – if available), Jarryd Blair (150th game – if selected); Round 15, Scott Pendlebury (250th game); Round 21, Alex Fasolo (100th game); preliminary final, Taylor Adams (100th game). – Ben Collins

Best and fairest  1. Zach Merrett 2. Michael Hurley 3. Joe Daniher 4. Brendon Goddard 5. Dyson Heppell

Best 21 and under Darcy Parish

Recruit of the year Andrew McGrath

Most improved Orazio Fantasia

Most courageous Michael Hurley

Best team player Cale Hooker

Goal of the year Joe Daniher, round five against Collingwood at the MCG. With the Magpies having all the momentum, Daniher gathered the ball in the centre square and sent it long. The 70-metre bomb bounced through for a goal as one of three majors Daniher slotted on the way to a best-afield effort.

Mark of the year Joe Daniher, round six against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Daniher had an inaccurate afternoon against the Demons, but he still managed to take a big grab among a pack of flyers. He landed the week’s mark of the year nomination.

Game Milestones Round 2, Brent Stanton (250 games); Round 3, David Zaharakis (150 games); Round 8, James Kelly (300 games); Round 11, Brendon Goddard (300 games); Round 18, Cale Hooker (set to play 150 games); Round 19, Mark Baguley (set to play 100 games); Round 22, Josh Green (set to play 100 games), David Myers (set to play 100 games). – Callum Twomey 

A season roaming the world has done wonders for Michael Hurley’s game. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest 

1. Lachie Neale 2. Bradley Hill 3. Nat Fyfe 4. Aaron Sandilands 5. Michael Walters

Best 21 and under Connor Blakely

Recruit of the year Bradley Hill

Most improved Connor Blakely

Most courageous Nat Fyfe

Best team player Lachie Neale

Goal of the year Bradley Hill, round 11, Collingwood. Ran onto David Mundy’s handpass at half-forward, took two bounces, baulked Scott Pendlebury and dribbled through a team-lifter.

Mark of the year Nat Fyfe, round 4, Melbourne. Bravely went back with the flight of a high ball, took the hit from an opponent and juggled a chest mark.

Game Milestones Round 2, Danyle Pearce (250 games); Round 5, Bradley Hill (100 games); Round 6, Aaron Sandilands (250 games), Michael Walters (100 games); Round 8, Lachie Neale (100 games); Round 17, Nick Suban (set to play150th game); Round 18, Jonathon Griffin (set to play 100th game), Cameron Sutcliffe (set to play 100th game); Round 22, Hayden Ballantyne (set to play 150th game). – Travis King

Best and fairest

1. Joel Selwood 2. Patrick Dangerfield 3. Zach Tuohy 4. Mitch Duncan 5. Tom Hawkins

Best 21 and under Nakia Cockatoo

Recruit of the year Zach Tuohy

Most improved Mitch Duncan

Most courageous Joel Selwood

Best team player Harry Taylor

Goal of the year Nakia Cockatoo, round one versus Fremantle. Won the ball after a contest on the wing, out-ran Cam Sutcliffe, Lee Spurr and Michael Johnson with three bounces before slotting a cheeky checkside goal.

Mark of the year Joel Selwood, round 10 versus Port Adelaide. Planted his knees in the back of Karl Amon for a rare hanger in the fourth quarter.

Game Milestones Round 10, Mark Blicavs (100 games); Round 11, Tom Hawkins (200 games); Round 16, Mitch Duncan (set to play 150 games), Tom Lonergan (set to play 200 games), Zac Smith (set to play 100 games); Round 17, Lachie Henderson (set to play 150 games); Round 19, Scott Selwood (set to play 150 games); Round 21, Rhys Stanley (set to play 100 games); Round 23, Patrick Dangerfield (set to play 200 games). – Jennifer Phelan 

The Cats made a canny decision to pick up Zach Tuohy. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest 

1. Gary Ablett 2. Jarrod Harbrow 3. Jarrod Witts 4. Tom Lynch 5. Michael Barlow

Best 21 and under Touk Miller

Recruit of the year Jarrod Witts

Most improved Jack Leslie

Most courageous Sean Lemmens

Best team player Jarrod Harbrow

Goal of the year Peter Wright, round 11 v West Coast. It wasn’t the most spectacular, but Wright’s 45m set shot inside the final two minutes gave the Suns victory and kept their season alive.

Mark of the year Gary Ablett, round 6 v North Melbourne. The little champ doesn’t fly often but he found some springs when jumping over Lachie Hansen at Etihad Stadium.

Game Milestones Round 12, Brandon Matera (100 games); Round 14, Gary Ablett (set to play 300 games); Round 15, Steven May (set to play 100 games); Round 20, Matt Rosa (set to play 200 games); Round 21, Jarrod Harbrow (set to play 200 games); Round 23, Aaron Hall (set to play 100 games). – Michael Whiting

Best and fairest

1. Josh Kelly 2. Dylan Shiel 3. Jeremy Cameron 4. Callan Ward 5. Phil Davis

Best 21 and under Tim Taranto

Recruit of the year With Brett Deledio sidelined through injury all year and Tendai Mzungu and Matt De Boer playing limited games, No.2 draft pick Tim Taranto is clearly the best new face in Giants colours this year.

Most improved Nathan Wilson

Most courageous Callan Ward

Best team player Shane Mumford

Goal of the year Toby Greene, round 10, West Coast. The All Australian stepped up in a thrilling final term with some brilliance on the run from the boundary to help his side to a stirring win in Perth.

Mark of the year Toby Greene, round one, Adelaide. It was a tough day for GWS but Greene’s pack mark in the opening term was a cracker.

Game milestones Round two,Toby Greene (100 games); Round three, Phil Davis (100 games); Round seven, Jeremy Cameron (100 games), Devon Smith (100 games); Round 14, Heath Shaw (250 games); Round 14, Dylan Shiel (100 games); Round 21, Matt de Boer (150 games). – Adam Curley

Best and fairest 

1. Tom Mitchell 2. Ryan Burton 3. Ben McEvoy 4. Shaun Burgoyne 5. Luke Hodge

Best 21 and under Ryan Burton

Recruit of the year Tom Mitchell

Most improved Tim O’Brien

Most courageous Liam Shiels

Best team player Ben McEvoy

Goal of the year Shaun Burgoyne, round 10 v Sydney. A running goal from the boundary line was a highlight in a sensational performance from the veteran.

Mark of the year Paul Puopolo, round two v Adelaide. ‘Poppy’ leapt high and then got the ride over Jake Kelly with what would have gone close to mark of the year if not for Jeremy Howe.

Game Milestones Round 15, Isaac Smith (set to play 150 games); Round 17, Luke Hodge (set to play 300 games); Round 18, Alastair Clarkson (set to coach 300 games and pass John Kennedy as Hawthorn’s longest-serving coach); Round 20, Jarryd Roughead (set to play 250 games), Grant Birchall (set to play 250 games). – Ashley Browne

No-one could blame Tom Mitchell for the Hawks poor form. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest

1. Clayton Oliver 2. Nathan Jones 3. Jeff Garlett 4. Michael Hibberd 5. Jayden Hunt

Best 21 and under Clayton Oliver/Christian Petracca

Recruit of the year Michael Hibberd

Most improved Clayton Oliver

Most courageous Jack Viney

Best team player Neville Jetta

Goal of the year Clayton Oliver, round eight, Adelaide. A banana bender from the pocket (Eddie’s pocket no less) that will be tough to beat.

Mark of the year Mitch Hannan, round 10, Gold Coast. The young forward sprung off the back of Suns ruckman Jarrod Witts to claim the round 10 mark of the year nomination.

Game milestones Round four, Jeff Garlett (150 games); Round six, Neville Jetta (100 games); Round eight, Bernie Vince (Adelaide, 200 games); Round 14, Jack Watts (set to play 150th game); Round 21, Michael Hibberd (set to play 100th game); Round 22, Tomas Bugg, (set to play 100th game). – Ben Guthrie

Clayton Oliver has been a revelation in only his second season. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest 1. Robbie Tarrant 2. Ben Cunnington 3. Ben Brown 4. Shaun Higgins 5. Jack Ziebell 

Best 21 and under Kayne Turner

Recruit of the year Marley Williams

Most improved Kayne Turner

Most courageous Jack Ziebell

Best team player Scott Thompson

Goal of the year Ben Brown, round six v Gold Coast. The actual finish was a simple one from the goalsquare, but the build-up started in the defensive 50 with Nathan Hrovat and involved seven handballs, three Shaun Atley bounces and eight North players.

Mark of the year Taylor Garner, round five v against Fremantle. The young Roo elevated onto the shoulders of Docker Garrick Ibbotson and teammate Kayne Turner with his knees to safely clutch a far-from-regulation chest mark.

Game Milestones Round three, Jack Ziebell (150th game); Round four, Lindsay Thomas (200th game); Round six, Ben Cunnington (150th game); Round 13, Lachie Hansen (set to play 150th game); Round 17, Robbie Tarrant (set to play 100th game); Round 23, Scott Thompson (set to play 200th game). – Marc McGowan

Best and fairest 1. Brad Ebert 2. Ollie Wines 3. Paddy Ryder 4. Robbie Gray 5. Charlie Dixon

Best 21 and under Darcy Byrne-Jones

Recruit of the year N/A

Most improved Brad Ebert

Most courageous Brad Ebert

Best team player Jackson Trengove

Goal of the year Justin Westhoff (round eight v Gold Coast). Westhoff produced something special for the Power’s historic game in China. Everyone in attendance at Jiangwan Stadium won’t soon forget Westhoff’s unbelievable effort from the pocket. With the ball bouncing towards the boundary line in the right forward pocket, Westhoff flung his right foot at the ball in mid-air. He somehow directed it towards the goals and through the big sticks. Lock it in as a finalist for goal of the year.

Mark of the year Jarman Impey (round 11 v Hawthorn). Running with the flight of the ball, Impey launched himself into the air with no thought of his own safety. He showed terrific courage to hang on to the mark in front of the Hawthorn defenders.

Game Milestones Round one, Travis Boak (200th game); Round four, Matthew Broadbent (150th game); Round five, Jasper Pittard (100th game); Round 11, Brad Ebert (200th game); Round 14, Patrick Ryder (set to play his 200th game); Round 17, Jackson Trengove (set to play his 150th game); Round 18, Charlie Dixon (set to play his 100th game); Round 19, Tom Jonas (set to play his 100th game). – Lee Gaskin

Brad Ebert is enjoying career-best form. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest  1. Dustin Martin 2. Alex Rance 3. Trent Cotchin 4. Toby Nankervis 5. Shaun Grigg

Best 21 and under Daniel Rioli

Recruit of the year Toby Nankervis

Most improved Dan Butler

Most courageous Trent Cotchin

Best team player Kane Lambert

Goal of the year Daniel Rioli, round three v West Coast. All of the small forward’s traits were on display as he shook off two opponents on the boundary and combined with Dion Prestia with some quick handballs before threading the ball from deep in the pocket.

Mark of the year Ben Griffiths, round two v Collingwood. The tall forward’s raw talent emerged with a soaring pack mark, leaping over and past three Magpies and getting a ride on Ben Reid’s shoulders.

Game Milestones Round one, Bachar Houli (150th game); Round five, Josh Caddy (100th game), Dion Prestia (100th game); Round 19, Shane Edwards (set to play 200th game); Round 22, Dylan Grimes (set to play 100th game); Shaun Hampson (the injured ruckman needs two more games to reach the 100-game milestone). – Nathan Schmook

Best and fairest

1. Seb Ross 2. Dylan Roberton 3. Jack Steven 4. Jack Newnes 5. Jack Steele

Best 21 and under Jack Steele

Recruit of the year Jack Steele

Most improved Seb Ross

Most courageous Jack Steven

Best team player Sam Gilbert

Goal of the year Luke Dunstan, round five v Geelong. The tough left-footer faked a handball to move past Zac Smith and then sidestepped Aaron Black before kicking it across his body and slotting it from just inside the 50m arc.

Mark of the year Jake Carlisle, round six v Hawthorn. With a running start on the wing, Carlisle leapt over ruckmen Ben McEvoy and Billy Longer to take a pack mark.

Game Milestones Round nine, Jarryn Geary (150 games), Jack Newnes (100 games); Round 12, Mav Weller (100 games); Round 16, Jake Carlisle (set to play 100 games); Round 19, Jack Steven (set to play 150 games); Round 21, Nathan Brown (set to play 150 games); Round 22, Sam Gilbert (set to play 200 games). – Dinny Navaratnam

The Saints targetted Jack Steele for a reason and he’s delivered. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest

1. Josh Kennedy 2. Jake Lloyd 3. Lance Franklin 4. Heath Grundy 5. Zak Jones

Best 21 and under Isaac Heeney

Recruit of the year The Swans were quiet during last year’s trade period, as Tom Mitchell and Toby Nankervis departed the club. No.21 draft pick Will Hayward has shone this year as the best new player in red and white.

Most improved: Nic Newman

Most courageous Callum Mills

Best team player Luke Parker

Goal of the year Lance Franklin, round seven, Brisbane Lions. The superstar forward got the footy on centre wing and had a bounce before he thumped it home from about 70 metres out.

Mark of the year Callum Mills, round three, Collingwood. Last year’s NAB AFL Rising Star winner showed enormous courage to back into oncoming traffic and pull in a screamer.

Game Milestones Round three, Lance Franklin (250 games); Round two, Sam Reid (100 games); Round nine, Dane Rampe (100 games); Round 18, Josh Kennedy (set to play 200th game). – Adam Curley

Best and fairest  1. Elliot Yeo 2. Luke Shuey 3. Jeremy McGovern 4. Josh Kennedy 5. Andrew Gaff

Best 21 and under Dom Sheed

Recruit of the year Sam Mitchell

Most improved Elliot Yeo

Most courageous Jeremy McGovern

Best team player Luke Shuey

Goal of the year Mark LeCras, round 6 v Fremantle. Took possession from a stoppage and, running toward the boundary line, tumbled through a classy finish from 30m.

Mark of the year Josh Kennedy, round 4 v Sydney. With heavy traffic coming from all directions, Kennedy leapt sideways into a pack and hung onto a beauty.

Game Milestones Round 2, Jamie Cripps (100 games); Round 6, Jack Redden (150 games); Round 15, Josh Kennedy (200 games), Round 16, Elliot Yeo (100 games); Round 18, Luke Shuey (150 games); Round 19, Andrew Gaff (150 games), Lewis Jetta (150 games). – Travis King

Elliot Yeo continues to grow at the Eagles. Picture: AFL Photos

Best and fairest 

1. Luke Dahlhaus 2. Jack Macrae 3. Marcus Bontempelli 4. Easton Wood 5. Jason Johannisen

Best 21 and under Marcus Bontempelli

Recruit of the year Tim English

Most improved Bailey Dale

Most courageous Luke Dahlhaus

Best team player Easton Wood

Goal of the year Jake Stringer, round two, Sydney. The enigmatic forward bursts from a centre bounce at full speed and bangs home a goal from 55 metres.

Mark of the year Tom Boyd, round two, Sydney. The 2016 premiership hero got his new year off to a great start with a soaring pack mark.

Game Milestones Round 16, Mitch Wallis (set to play 100 games); 22, Matthew Boyd (set to play 300 games); All remaining home and away games plus one final, Jack Macrae (100 games); All remaining home and away games plus two finals, Liam Picken (200 games). – Ryan Davidson

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In the mix: Who’s a chance for round 13 selection?

Scott Lycett could be back for the Eagles

Coming off just their second win of the season, it’s hard to see the Lions making any changes for their trip to play Port Adelaide on Saturday. If coach Chris Fagan wants a little more run in his team, he might look towards Claye Beams or Tom Bell, who were both strong in the NEAFL at the weekend. – Michael Whiting

Young key forward Harry McKay is making progress and inching closer to his much-anticipated AFL debut. McKay booted two goals in the Northern Blues’ win over Coburg last Saturday, impressing with his work rate., Ciaran Byrne made a successful return in his first game back after a knee reconstruction. The Irishman gathered 13 possessions in his allotted three quarters of game time and will be given a few weeks in the reserves before being considered for senior selection. Ruckman Andrew Phillips stood out with 15 disposals and 44 hit-outs, providing plenty of opportunities for midfielders Nick Graham (33 disposals), Sam Kerridge (31) and Rhys Palmer (28). – Howard Kotton

With Tom Hawkins suspended, Rhys Stanley will line up for his fifth game for the year. Forward Wylie Buzza has been inching closer and closer to his AFL debut, but it isn’t likely to be this week even with Hawkins out. Defender Jed Bews is available after missing the win over Adelaide with an ankle while George Horlin-Smith and Tom Ruggles were among the Cats’ best players in their VFL loss to Williamstown on June 4. – Jennifer Phelan

Wylie Buzza is inching closer to a debut for Geelong. Picture: AFL Photos

The Suns have won two matches in succession and will be reluctant to make changes when they host Carlton on Saturday night. With no fresh injuries and Jarrod Harbrow suspended for another week, coach Rodney Eade has little reason to tinker. Callum Ah Chee might be considered after he was selected last week but forced to withdraw late with a recurring back niggle. – Michael Whiting

The Demons will finally bring back a recognised ruckman for next Sunday’s game against the Western Bulldogs, but will decide whether that’s Max Gawn or back-up Jake Spencer later in the week. Gawn will need to pass a fitness test this week to be cleared to play for the first time since round three due to a serious hamstring injury. The Demons have three six-day breaks coming up and that could possibly factor into the club’s thinking when it comes to Gawn’s availability for this weekend. Spencer is ready to play after a solid performance in the VFL following seven weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. Ben Kennedy (30 disposals), Josh Wagner (26) and Dean Kent (26) will also be considered. – Ben Guthrie

At long last, the Demons could regain Max Gawn. Picture: AFL Photos

North Melbourne had the bye after a disappointing performance against Richmond, offering coach Brad Scott plenty of time to plot his next move. The Roos are two games plus percentage outside the top eight, so there could be some selection surprises if that gap increases. Tagger Ben Jacobs (ankle) had a minor setback before the bye, but is a good chance to play against St Kilda in North’s second and final Friday night match of the season. He may run with star Saint Jack Steven. Braydon Preuss is also placing significant pressure on out-of-sorts ruckman Todd Goldstein. Andrew Swallow remains in senior contention after a 36-disposal effort at VFL level for Werribee a fortnight ago, while Mitch Hibberd, Josh Williams, Declan Mountford and Jed Anderson are also pushing hard. Defender Sam Durdin and ruck/forward Majak Daw are the first key-position players that will be considered. – Marc McGowan

After last weekend’s embarrassing 70-point loss to Essendon, the Power could be tempted to swing the selection axe for Saturday’s clash with the Brisbane Lions at Adelaide Oval. Utility Dougal Howard put his hand up booting eight goals to go with 11 marks and 24 possessions in Port Adelaide’s 128-point belting of West Adelaide in the SANFL. Howard, 21, hasn’t played in the AFL since round 13, 2016 when he tore his ACL against Fremantle. The 199cm Howard can play at either end of the ground and also pinch-hit in the ruck. Forward Aaron Young – dropped twice this year – couldn’t do any more to return to the side with 36 touches, five goals and 13 Inside 50s. Inside midfielder Joe Atley, the 32nd overall pick of the 2016 NAB AFL Draft, is getting closer to his senior debut with 31 touches, while defender Dan Houston (24 touches) could be recalled after playing the first seven games of the season. Small forward Jake Neade was also impressive. – Lee Gaskin

Half-forward Ben Lennon has kicked 14 goals in his past five VFL games and deserves an opportunity in a forward line that has been dangerous but lacks marking power. The 21-year-old has been in the frame for a number of weeks and is a strong overhead mark for a medium-sized player. The Tigers’ other option in attack is to recall Ivan Soldo who offers ruck support but has gone goalless in his two senior games. Nick Vlastuin is expected to be fit after four matches sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Tigers had a bye in the VFL, but Corey Ellis (30 possessions and a goal), Anthony Miles (34), Oleg Markov (26) were all strong performers in their most recent hit-outs at state-league level. – Nathan Schmook  

Anthony Miles has been racking up disposals in the VFL. Picture: AFL Photos

Six-time Trevor Barker Award winner Nick Riewoldt will face North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, assuming he trains on Wednesday as expected. Knee bone bruising has kept the former skipper out since round nine. Jack Lonie (23 disposals and three goals) and Luke Dunstan (23 and two) were important in Sandringham’s loss to Williamstown while Darren Minchington ended with 27 disposals and three goals. Daniel McKenzie travelled to South Australia as an emergency but didn’t face the Crows. Billy Longer was soundly beaten in the ruck by Adelaide’s Sam Jacobs last Friday but Tom Hickey might need to do a little more to win his spot back. One to put on the radar is Nathan Freeman, who backed up a 25-disposal effort in the VFL with 29 last Saturday. However, he’s not in the selection frame yet. – Dinny Navaratnam

After a big win over the Western Bulldogs the Swans are unlikely to make many changes this week, but speedy forward Gary Rohan will come into selection calculations after being a late withdrawal from Thursday night’s match with illness. Rohan kicked two goals from 18 possessions in a massive win over GWS in the NEAFL on Saturday, and should come back in to face Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon. Axed big man Kurt Tippett responded well to his demotion to the reserves with 21 disposals, nine marks and three goals, but there doesn’t appear to be a spot for him in the senior team after Sam Naismith and Callum Sinclair combined well against the Dogs. Youngsters Jordan Dawson (four goals, 27 touches and 12 tackles) and Oliver Florent (28 possessions, nine tackles and two goals) starred against the Giants, while defender Jeremy Laidler had a game-high 31 disposals in defence. Aliir Aliir was solid with 23 possessions and seven marks, while young midfielder Jordan Foote enjoyed the wet conditions and finished with eight tackles, 22 possessions and a goal. – Adam Curley

The Eagles’ match committee has had the bye week to mull over a third-straight loss and has plenty to consider. Spearhead Josh Kennedy was sorely missed against Gold Coast and is pushing to return from a calf strain but needs a “miracle” to prove his fitness, while ruckman Scott Lycett is available if required after getting through his comeback game for East Perth eight days ago. Defender Sharrod Wellingham will be available after missing the past two matches due to an ankle issue. Coach Adam Simpson has come under pressure for rotating the same players in and out after losses, and it remains to be seen if he tries some new faces. Jack Redden was the standout for East Perth before the bye, but fellow inside midfielder Luke Partington could make his debut after a strong season and three goals for the Royals last start. Tall backman Tom Barrass might also be back in the mix, while Malcolm Karpany, Kurt Mutimer, Chris Masten, Fraser McInnes and Tom Cole are other contenders. – Travis King

Who knows what the unpredictable Luke Beveridge will do after his side’s poor showing against Sydney last week, but expect changes to the team to face Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The premiership coach will need to replace key defender Marcus Adams, with the West Australian to miss up to two months with a footy injury. In better news premiership stars Tom Boyd (back), Dale Morris (ankle) and Clay Smith (calf) could return from injuries. Travis Cloke could find himself in the VFL again after another quiet outing. First-year ruckman Tim English has a bright future at the Dogs, but he is likely to be sent back to Footscray to continue his development. Premiership defender Zaine Cordy looms as a replacement for Adams, while youngsters Lukas Webb (23 disposals), Mitch Honeychurch (19 touches) and Bailey Williams (18 possessions) could also be inclusions after solid outings in the VFL on the weekend. Tom Liberatore’s third state league appearance on the trot reaped just 21 touches but could see him recalled. – Ryan Davidson

Luke Beveridge could call on Zaine Cordy to face the Demons. Picture: AFL Photos

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Mid-season review: Carlton

Carlton’s mid-season report card Veteran journalist Howard Kotton joins Jen Phelan to look at the Blues season so far

Fit and back in form, Marc Murphy has been leading from the front for Carlton

The season so far

Carlton’s season cannot be measured purely by wins and losses. While the Blues sit 17th with only three wins, two fewer than at the same stage in Brendon Bolton’s first season last year, they have played an equal-competition high six debutants and undeniably there has been growth within the group, particularly among the club’s batch of emerging youngsters. Carlton’s experienced players have shown the way, led by skipper Marc Murphy. Matthew Kreuzer and Sam Docherty are in All-Australian form, Bryce Gibbs and Ed Curnow have been consistent performers and Patrick Cripps has overcome a slow start to hit top form recently.

Quarters won: 16

Players used: 32

Yet to play: Blaine Boekhorst, Dylan Buckley, Ciaran Byrne, Andrew Gallucci, Jesse Glass-McCasker, Daniel Gorringe, Kristian Jaksch, Liam Jones, Patrick Kerr, Matt Korcheck, Jed Lamb, Kym Lebois, Harry McKay, Ciaran Sheehan.

Stats leaders

Disposals: Marc Murphy (302) Marks: Sam Docherty (95) Goals: Levi Casboult (17) Tackles: Patrick Cripps (60) Metres gained: Sam Docherty (avg: 508) Tackles in defensive 50: Caleb Marchbank (18)

Best win

Round seven against Collingwood. While there were plenty of smiles after the hard-fought victory in the wet against arch rival Essendon in round three, the Blues were in control all day against their other major nemesis Collingwood and managed to sour the Magpies’ 125th anniversary celebrations.

One that got away

Round two against Melbourne. Carlton took it right up to the Demons, leading at three-quarter time before relinquishing the advantage early in the last term and going down in a gallant performance.

Best and fairest leader: Marc Murphy

Surprise packet: Tom Williamson

Who’s struggling: Sam Kerridge, Rhys Palmer and Billie Smedts have been given their chances at senior level, but have failed to secure regular spots.

Jack Silvagni has proven he belongs in Carlton’s best 22. Picture: AFL Photos

Missing in action

Andrew Phillips – played 16 games in his first season with the Blues last year, but a stress reaction in his left foot interrupted his pre-season preparation and he has managed only one senior game this year when the in-form Matthew Kreuzer was rested in round five. The question remains: Can the Blues play both of them in the same side?

The concern

While the lack of scoring power remains the Blues’ biggest worry (the only team not to kick 100 goals in total this season), they have been in winning positions late in games against Melbourne, St Kilda and North Melbourne only to be overrun – underlining their lack of midfield depth.

Pass mark

At the start of the season it would have been 7-8 wins and that still stands. The growth and development of Carlton’s emerging young brigade must continue in its remaining 12 games.

The coach

The Blues are playing as a more cohesive, selfless unit and are a hard team to score against, which Bolton must take a fair amount of credit for. Understandably he is not satisfied with gallant losses and will drive his players to a stronger finish than in 2016.

How the best 22 has changed

Sam Rowe was a lock at full-back in the starting 18 until rupturing his ACL in round nine. David Cuningham, Zac Fisher, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Tom Williamson have done enough to earn spots, while Alex Silvagni has fitted in well to shore up a solid defensive unit.

B: Alex Silvagni, Jacob Weitering, Lachie Plowman  HB: Sam Docherty, Caleb Marchbank, Tom Williamson C: Kade Simpson, Bryce Gibbs, Ed Curnow HF: Matthew Wright, Charlie Curnow, Dale Thomas F: Jack Silvagni, Levi Casboult, Sam Petrevski-Seton Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Patrick Cripps, Marc Murphy I/C: David Cuningham, Zac Fisher, Nick Graham, Simon White

In from pre-season best 22: David Cuningham, Nick Graham, Zac Fisher, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Alex Silvagni, Tom Williamson.

Out from pre-season best 22: Dennis Armfield, Sam Kerridge, Rhys Palmer, Jarrod Pickett, Sam Rowe, Billie Smedts.

• Who did we tip for your club’s best 22 in round one? 

Blues fans: what’s your mid-season verdict?

Share your views via the form below and we’ll publish the best responses on the morning of Carlton’s next match.

Having trouble on the app? Click here to open the form in a web view

Want more?

• More mid-season reviews

• State of Origin: Who’d play, who’d miss out?

• Andrew Mackie’s hunt for a rare double ton

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‘Last minute’ call awaits star Eagles recruit

Backing Bucks, Giant blow, Max’s auction Jennifer Phelan with the latest news

Sam Mitchell needs to show improvement at Wednesday night’s training session

SAM MITCHELL is still no certainty to be ticked-off as a starter for his first Western Derby, amid a concerning injury toll for under-pressure West Coast ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Fremantle.

Mitchell needs to train strongly on Wednesday night to be any chance of facing the Dockers after he missed Sunday’s horror loss to his old club Hawthorn due to a sore ankle.

“We’ll give him until the last minute but we’ll need to see some improvement tonight,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said. 

“Medically he was unfit to play last week, we gave him every chance, but deep down I think we both knew he wasn’t going to come up.

“This week’s a little bit different.” 

The Eagles will be forced into at least two changes after pressure forward Jamie Cripps (ankle) and dashing defender Jackson Nelson (wrist) both copped injuries against the Hawks.

Hard-running wingman Andrew Gaff (ankle) and tough defender Brad Sheppard (knee) are expected to take their spots.  

Despite having 13 players on the injury list, Simpson was confident in his squad’s depth. 

Onballer Kurt Mutimer is a chance to debut after strong form at East Perth, while Eric Mackenzie, Mark Hutchings and Lewis Jetta all played in the Royals’ first win on Saturday.

Jetta had had 36 and 19 touches at East Perth in the past two weeks but laid just one tackle.

However Simpson, who lashed the Eagles’ intent against Hawthorn, wasn’t too concerned.

“His form’s been reasonable, but we want to get him in (after) a good block of form,” he said.

“We’ve tried to get him in too early on occasions and not really getting him to earn his spot to a degree where we know he can get some consistency.

“I wouldn’t judge it all around tackles, although he’s got to go when it’s his turn.”

Fremantle has its own injury worry and is searching for a replacement for star onballer Stephen Hill (hamstring), with youngster Harley Balic (hip) in the mix to return after missing last weekend’s thrilling win over North Melbourne.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon insisted Hill’s replacement wouldn’t be picked on “birth certificate”, indicating veteran Danyle Pearce and Nick Suban could also come into contention. 

Prolific midfielder Lachie Neale is a certain-starter despite requiring a cortisone injection to treat inflammation on his knee, but the Dockers have dismissed fears he had suffered a medial ligament injury.

“He finished the game in great shape, I got an email ‘We think he might have an MCL, grade one’, I dropped my coffee,” Lyon said. 

“There was a slight scare … but it’s turned out to be quite simple.”

Both sides enter the 45th Derby with 3-2 records this season, although Fremantle has all the momentum after three epic wins.  

“It certainly fuels your belief,” Lyon said. “They were very spirited, had plenty of endeavour, which is a sign of a great team dynamic, great harmony between coaches and players. 

“So we aim to build on that.” 

The Eagles’ pride has been wounded after their disastrous loss to the Hawks and Simpson has challenged his leaders to step up.

Garry Lyon declared West Coast isn’t “nasty” or ruthless, while Jonathan Brown savaged the players as “mummy’s boys” after another below-par performance at the MCG. 

“Mummy’s boys? I haven’t heard that one,” Simpson said. 

“The fact is we were really poor on the weekend and our good is really good, so I can understand the criticism.  

“I hate to think (our players) need that as motivation.” 

Saturday’s clash will mark giant Freo ruckman Aaron Sandilands’ 250th game and is a ‘home’ match for the Eagles, who hold a 24-20 lead over Fremantle in derbies.

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Please stay fit: Your club’s most crucial player

EVERY team has a host of star players who provide the cream on top of a fine group performance.

And then there’s that one player who holds the key to his club’s fortunes, whose absence when sides are picked makes fans tremble in trepidation.

AFL.com.au reporters have taken on the task of nominating each club’s most critical player. Do you agree with our assessment?

Rory Sloane is the heart and soul of the Crows. The reigning Malcolm Blight medallist is a contested-ball animal, able to extract the Sherrin from stoppages and get it moving forward. But it’s his pressure acts and defensive running that set him apart from the field. Sloane’s one-game suspension for the round 23 clash with West Coast proved costly. With a top-two spot on the line, the Crows couldn’t cover his absence, lost the game and eventually bowed out in the second week of the finals to Sydney at the SCG. With Sloane, the Crows can win the premiership. Without him, they would be lucky to make the top four. – Lee Gaskin

The horrors of last year compared with the early-season promise can be put down to a number of things, not least the health of new skipper Dayne Beams. The star midfielder played just two games in 2016 because of persistent knee problems, and after a slightly interrupted pre-season has started this year on fire. Not only is his inside grunt a huge help to Tom Rockliff and company, but his outside class is something the Lions have been begging for. They look a more polished and composed unit with Beams in the middle. With youthful key position players at both ends, they can cover injuries in most places and not lose much, but a full season from Beams would make a world of difference. – Michael Whiting

In the absence of Andrew Phillips, Matthew Kreuzer carries a huge responsibility in the ruck, and in the three games this year he has been most impressive. Finally his battles with injury are behind him and he is playing to the level that the Blues hoped for when they took him as the No.1 selection in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft. The ruckman, who is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, has averaged 30 hit-outs a game and is in the top five at Carlton for contested possessions, clearances, tackles and inside 50s. Importantly, he has booted three goals straight. – Howard Kotton

Matthew Kreuzer celebrates the Blues’ win over traditional rivals Essendon. Picture: AFL Photos

The Pies’ Achilles heel is their leaky defence, and in particular their shortage of quality key defenders, so the importance of premiership and All Australian centre half-back Ben Reid cannot be understated. If the ‘Woods lost the consistent, strong-marking left-footer, it’s likely the dam wall would be irreparably broken, and they’d be forced to call up former Demons veteran Lynden Dunn or perhaps Lachie Keeffe, or even make do with admirable undersized options Tyson Goldsack and Jeremy Howe. Brodie Grundy would also be difficult to replace given the Pies are light on for ruckmen, and they can ill afford to lose skipper Scott Pendlebury, whose absence would potentially leave a gaping leadership void. – Ben Collins

There are a few options here for the Bombers given some of their midfield stars and Joe Daniher’s importance in attack. But Michael Hurley would be very close to the top of John Worsfold’s list. Hurley is the Bombers’ most valuable defender, he takes on the opposition’s leading forward while also creating rebound, and his tough, uncompromising approach sets a standard for his team. The Bombers do have some depth in defence, but not of Hurley’s quality. The Bombers could always swing Cale Hooker back if Hurley went down with injury, but that would have repercussions for the forward-line structure too. – Callum Twomey

You could mount a strong argument for Aaron Sandilands, but it’s impossible to go past the 2015 Brownlow medallist and new skipper Nat Fyfe – especially after his heroics in dragging Fremantle over the line against the Western Bulldogs. Fyfe’s herculean final quarter – including 12 touches, eight of which were contested – was pivotal in the Dockers clawing their way back from a 14-point deficit and his teammates walk taller with him in the side. When Fyfe dominated the first half of 2015, the Dockers looked genuine premiership material. His absence after round five last season due to a broken leg was a hammer blow with Sandilands already sidelined by broken ribs, and it’s no coincidence Freo’s season slid into the abyss. – Travis King

The most prolific Cats aren’t necessarily the ones they can’t afford to lose. If one of Patrick Dangerfield or Joel Selwood went down, the other – plus the likes of Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola – are still there. But, they just don’t have another player like power forward Tom Hawkins. The 28-year-old leads their goalkicking with 12 from Daniel Menzel (10), and while the team is less reliant on Hawkins than in the past, the 198cm, 110kg forward takes the biggest defender each week and is a strong contested marking target for his midfielders to spot. ­– Jennifer Phelan

The Suns have some of the best key-position players in the competition, but it’s also the area in which they are most vulnerable. They could ill afford to lose either co-captain Steven May or Tom Lynch, but an absence from May would be particularly harmful. Last year he was suspended for five matches and the Suns spiralled to an average losing margin of 80 points (although they were also in the middle of a midfield injury crisis). Aside from trusty sidekick Rory Thompson, there is precious little depth in the key defensive posts, with youngster Jack Leslie and versatile Keegan Brooksby the only alternatives. An injury to All Australian Lynch would also be a huge blow, but coach Rodney Eade has previously shown he can conjure magic from small forward lines. – Michael Whiting

Tom Lynch and Steven May are crucial to the Suns’ leadership. Picture: AFL Photos

The Giants’ list is stacked with talent and depth but star ruckman Shane Mumford remains the one man they can’t afford to lose. The emerging Rory Lobb does a solid job giving the big man a chop-out during games but he’s still learning the craft, Dawson Simpson doesn’t have the mobility to play regularly at senior level, and Tom Downie is on the long-term injury list while he deals with some mental health issues. Mumford’s aggressive nature and physical presence sets the tone for the side and his importance goes well beyond the stats sheet. – Adam Curley

Not a lot is going right for the once-mighty Hawks, so it would be just their luck if ex-Sydney Swan Tom Mitchell was forced to miss time. Mitchell, one of the men brought in to reinvent a midfield sans Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell, has easily been Hawthorn’s best player through the first three rounds, averaging 34 disposals and more than six tackles per game. That impressive output has not saved the Hawks from an 0-3 start, but imagine how dire the situation would be if he wasn’t there to carry such a heavy on-ball load. – Marc McGowan

Melbourne’s worst fears have been realised with All Australian ruckman Max Gawn to be sidelined for up to three months because of a significant hamstring injury. Gawn had surgery on Tuesday after hurting his right hamstring in the Demons’ 29-point loss to Geelong. Starting this week against Fremantle and Aaron Sandilands (No.1 in the AFL for hit-outs), Melbourne will now have to start rolling out its contingency ruck plans. Back-up big man Jake Spencer is likely to get the call up in Gawn’s place, with the Demons now considering how best to set up their midfield in Gawn’s absence. Melbourne is equal-third in the competition in centre clearances, thanks largely to Gawn’s influence, and his ability to give midfielders Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver and Jack Viney first use out of the centre is a crucial element of the Demons’ game plan. – Ben Guthrie

The Roos have already shown, to varying degrees, they can cope without Jarrad Waite (replaced by Ben Brown) and Todd Goldstein (Braydon Preuss). But could they do the same if key defender Robbie Tarrant went down for an extended length of time? Tarrant, the 2016 club champion, provides genuine height at 196cm, with the undersized-but-dogged Scott Thompson and kids beside and underneath him. He has repeatedly proven himself capable of manning the competition’s gorillas, and that would become a serious problem area if his history of injuries repeated. It might be worth Brad Scott persisting with last week’s first-gamer Sam Durdin just in case the scenario presents. – Marc McGowan

Key defender Robbie Tarrant is the Kangaroos’ 2016 best and fairest. Picture: AFL Photos

Ollie Wines has taken the mantle as the Power’s best player, but the emergence of Sam Powell-Pepper and Brad Ebert’s return to an inside midfield role means they have back-up in that department. You can’t say the same about the key forward position. Charlie Dixon is crucial to the Power’s attacking structure. Even if he’s not kicking goals himself, Dixon brings the ball to ground and presents a contest so his small forwards can pick up the scraps. If Dixon is unavailable, the Power will have to rely on 27-year-old rookie Brett Eddy, raw draftee Todd Marshall, utility Jackson Trengove or take Patrick Ryder out of the ruck. – Lee Gaskin

The Tigers may have increased their midfield depth and ability to cover injuries there if need be, but Dustin Martin is in a different class. Damien Hardwick’s willingness to send him forward for periods and isolate him 25m ahead of the ball has been a feature of the Tigers’ play and an element they can’t afford to lose. Martin has won 22 per cent of his possessions inside 50 this year, compared to eight per cent in 2016. He has also been involved in 35.4 per cent of Richmond’s scores this season (ranked No.1 at the club). He hasn’t lost a one-on-one contest, neutralising them at worst, and he is averaging a career-best 32.7 possessions (No.4 in the AFL), despite his increased time forward. The Tigers might be able to cover him in the midfield and get by, but they can’t forward of centre. – Nathan Schmook

This is a tough decision but the answer is probably Jack Steven, narrowly over Nick Riewoldt. There’s a reason Steven has won three of the last four Trevor Barker Awards. His work inside the contest is obvious to anyone who watches Saints games, but his burst out of stoppages is what makes him a star of the competition. Steven’s absence was felt against the Brisbane Lions last week, when St Kilda lacked star power in its midfield. While Riewoldt’s best-on-ground effort in that match underlined his importance, the club is well stocked for forward targets and is better equipped to handle the former skipper’s absence than Steven’s. – Dinny Navaratnam

The Swans have an elite midfield unit but there’s no doubt skipper Josh Kennedy is the main man in the middle. The three-time club champion and All Australian is the contested ball and clearance king in Sydney, and has played 23+ games in all six of his years at the Swans, showing how consistent he is as the linchpin of John Longmire’s onball division. Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery and Kieren Jack are also stars, and Isaac Heeney is coming of age, but without Kennedy, the team loses its most reliable ball winner and stoppage specialist. – Adam Curley

Many would have said the Eagles couldn’t afford to lose spring-heeled ruckman Nic Naitanui if they were to stay in the premiership hunt, but time will tell if that’s the case. The addition of Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell has somewhat softened that midfield blow. However, if dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy went down the Eagles’ flag hopes would hang by a thread. The gun full-forward has booted 162 goals in the past two seasons and when he fires West Coast rarely loses. The Eagles have only been beaten once in 18 games since the start of 2015 when Kennedy has kicked at least four goals. – Travis King

The Eagles can’t afford to lose star forward Josh Kennedy. Picture: AFL Photos 

While he’s the Bulldogs’ best player, Marcus Bontempelli is also their most important. At 21, the midfielder is already an elite player in the competition, with his all-round game impossible to stop at times. He’s ranked third at the Dogs this season for disposals (76), equal second for goals (five) and fourth in tackles (17). A snapshot of the reigning best and fairest’s importance was when he more or less dragged his side across the line against Sydney in round two. Versatile big man Tom Boyd hasn’t recaptured the form this year that saw him one of the best in the Dogs’ premiership triumph, but he’s still critical to Luke Beveridge’s set up with No.1 ruckman Jordan Roughead sidelined through injury. – Ryan Davidson

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Mary Orr and Phelan Simpson skating their short program at the 2015 Junior Canadian Championships and 2015 Junior Worlds.

(Sources: Skate Canada and Absolute Skating)

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Mary Orr and Phelan Simpson skating their long program at the 2015 Junior Canadian Nationals.

(Source: Skate Canada)