Nathan Buckley and Kane Cornes’ six of the best in Round 22

Who were the six best players in Round 22?

Nathan Buckley and Kane Cornes assessed each game on SEN Breakfast and came up with his top six performers.

Read his thoughts below:

Isaac Heeney (Sydney)

“Heeney and his last-quarter heroics,” Buckley said.

“Both Heeney and Chad Warner (were massive).”

Oscar Allen (West Coast)

“Oscar Allen in the last quarter of the West Coast v North game, which was off broadway,” said Buckley.

“They were 13 points down with 90 seconds to go pretty much and Allen kicks two goals.

“That was a leader’s performance. He hadn’t given up on winning that game.”

Kane Cornes added: “It’s a good reminder of what he is and what he can be and what we’ve probably missed out on with his body.

“His contested marking is as good as anyone in the league.”

Darcy Fogarty (Adelaide)

“Speaking contested marking, I loved Darcy Fogarty’s game yesterday,” said Cornes.

“The fallout for the Western Bulldogs will be significant. It was the third defender that really caught them out.

“Fogarty had the Buku Khamis matchup, I thought they really identified that. He played a bit deeper, kicked five and has had a pretty good year.

“He’s now the man, he and the ‘Thilseeker’ Riley Thilthorpe in that forward line. They’re the two that are going to push this team forward. I’d love to see Jack Lukosius come in as the third wheel.

“I thought Fogarty was terrific.”

Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane)

“I’m going to throw one up from absolute left-field - Brandon Starcevich,” said Buckley.

“To keep Toby Greene to four touches in a loss, I think that is an elite performance.

“I think he is one of the better stoppers in the game. When Collingwood were going really well and Jaidyn Stephenson was tearing people up with his speed out the back, back then Starcevich’s positioning was just so good. He rendered a guy that was quicker than him and took away his strength just with positioning.

“He’s a really strong contested ball player. I think he’s an underrated gun for the Lions.”

Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide)

“He gets an acknowledgment,” said Buckley.

“He’s doing it all. He’s doing it in the air, he’s really clean at ground level, he’s good in the contest, he’s learning where to run in open play to be damaging.

“He’s making smart decisions with ball in hand, especially when the game is on the line. His composure has become more evident. The rough edge of his game is starting to smooth out a little bit.

“He’s definitely taking the next step.”

Tristan Xerri (North Melbourne)

“Are we getting Kingy’s man in there?” Buckley said.

Cornes added: “What about Kingy on the (All-Australian) campaign trail!”