MELBOURNE has been one of this season's surprise packets with three players playing a key role in the Demons' 2-2 start to 2016.

Ruckman Max Gawn, who leads the League in hit-outs, hard-nosed midfielder Jack Viney and forward Jack Watts have been fantastic for the Demons and all three have made the AFL's Team of the Week for round four, brought to you by Accor Hotels.

There are plenty of familiar faces joining the trio of Dees this week, with Hawk Sam Mitchell, Western Bulldogs youngsters Lachie Hunter and Shane Biggs, Tiger Alex Rance, plus North's Jarrad Waite and the Coleman Medal leader, Gold Coast's Tom Lynch, earning repeat nominations.

Essendon's third-gamer Michael Hartley, exciting Greater Western Sydney defender Nathan Wilson and teammate Rory Lobb, plus Swans' teenager Isaac Heeney have also made the side in a great sign for the competition's emerging stars.

JASPER PITTARD (Port Adelaide) – While most of the Power were sub-standard, the rebounding defender fought hard all day against the odds and 75 GWS inside 50s to rack up 32 disposals.

MICHAEL HARTLEY (Essendon) – The key-position draftee stood Geelong star Tom Hawkins and kept the power forward to just five marks and, more importantly, no goals.

MICHAEL FIRRITO (North Melbourne) – Provided plenty of run and drive from defence for the Kangaroos in a high-scoring game against Fremantle, with seven rebound 50s for the winners.

SHANE BIGGS (Western Bulldogs) – Another 32 disposals off half-back for the 24-year-old who has been brilliant so far this year and will need to continue that form after the loss of Bob Murphy and Jason Johannisen.

ALEX RANCE (Richmond) –Took on Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy in the west and did the job to perfection as well as picking up 26 touches and taking 11 marks.

NATHAN WILSON (Greater Western Sydney) – Has finally consolidated his place in the Giants' defence and, with his speed and outstanding kicking ability, has become a major attacking weapon for his side.

LACHIE HUNTER (Western Bulldogs) – The recently re-signed Dog had a game-high 33 possessions to keep his average above 30 for the season, as well as six hard-fought clearances.

SAM MITCHELL (Hawthorn) – Just can't stop getting the footy and had another 44 touches against the Saints, 31 of those handballs, and 20 of them contested, as well as 10 clearances.

DAN HANNEBERY (Sydney Swans) – The dual All Australian worked tirelessly all night in a losing side against the Crows, and finished with 38 touches, eight clearances and seven inside 50s.

NAT FYFE (Fremantle) –Last year's Brownlow medallist bounced back to his very best but his four goals, 27 possessions, seven tackles and seven clearances couldn't help the Dockers over the line.

JARRAD WAITE (North Melbourne) –Another class performance from the 33-year-old, who now has 16 goals this year and looks on track to beat his previous season-best of 42 from 2015.

Jarrad Waite gives North an edge late in the quarter. #AFLNorthFreo https://t.co/iraZ7gkkmH — AFL (@AFL) April 17, 2016

PEARCE HANLEY (Brisbane Lions) – The Irishman led the Lions to a sensational upset win over Gold Coast in the QClash with 28 touches, seven inside 50s and two goals.

ISAAC HEENEY (Sydney Swans) – It was another exciting showing from the teenager, who kicked four goals in the game of the round and upstaged Lance Franklin as the Swans' most dangerous forward.

TOM J. LYNCH (Gold Coast) – Leads the Coleman medal tally with 18 goals after two hauls of four and another two of five, and looks to be the in-form key forward of the competition.

JACK WATTS (Melbourne) – The much-maligned Demon took another step forward towards becoming the talent the footy world has been waiting for with eight marks and four first-half goals against Collingwood.

MAX GAWN (Melbourne) – Well on his way to his goal of becoming the game's best ruckman, the cult figure leads the league for hit outs and is inspiring the Dees.

SCOTT THOMPSON (Adelaide) – Up against the powerful Swans midfield, Thompson had 27 disposals and laid 10 tackles in a thrilling win for the Crows.

JACK ZIEBELL (North Melbourne) – In one of the best all-round performances of the season, the tough midfielder had 26 touches, eight clearances, seven inside 50s and kicked three goals for the Kangas.

RORY LOBB (Greater Western Sydney) – Has emerged at the perfect time with Jeremy Cameron suspended and Cam McCarthy on personal leave, Lobb is a valuable back-up ruckman and dangerous tall forward as he showed with four goals against Port.

205cm Rory Lobb found himself playing the role of the small forward to kick this goal. #AFLGiantsPower https://t.co/yMqtcYO0hp — AFL (@AFL) April 17, 2016

LUKE SHUEY (West Coast) – One of the many West Coast onballers to gather the footy at will and also hit the scoreboard, Shuey also laid nine tackles against Richmond to go with 22 touches and two goals.

JACK VINEY (Melbourne) – With young talent like this coming through there's a lot to be excited about for Melbourne fans. Viney had eight centre clearances and six tackles to go with 31 disposals.

DAVID ARMITAGE (ST Kilda) – Took it right up to the Hawks with 35 touches and six tackles, and continues to show the way for the young Saints midfield group.

• Check out how fans voted on previous teams of the week

• How your team's players fared in this weekend's state leagues



