THERE are times when players grab matches by the throat and drag their teams over the line. And there are times when players dominate matches when their team smashes the opposition. 

Here, AFL.com.au reporters take a look at the biggest individual performances for every club this season and over the past five years as measured by Official AFL Player Ratings.

ADELAIDE
2014 – Patrick Dangerfield (round five v Greater Western Sydney) 
The club's acting co-captain took a little while to lift his game to its usual speed this year but he was back to his best against the Giants, collecting 33 possessions and booting five goals. It was an important win for the Crows - Dangerfield led the charge with nine clearances and his inside game was working perfectly as he picked up 18 contested possessions. It was a performance that saw him amass 33.7 Official AFL Player Ratings points and steer his side to a 65-point win.
 
Last five years – Tom Lynch (round seven, 2013 v Greater Western Sydney) 
A six-goal third term from Lynch was the key to his historic haul as he joined Scott Hodges and Tony Modra as the only Crows to boot a double-figure bag. Lynch ended with 10, a goal assist and 21 disposals, earning him 36.6 Player Ratings points as his side demolished the Giants by 135 points. His arrival as an attacking option was timely for the Crows, who lost Taylor Walker to a knee injury just two weeks earlier. – Harry Thring

BRISBANE LIONS
2014 – Pearce Hanley (round 13 v Greater Western Sydney) 
In the midst of a dark night for the Lions when they lost by 45 points to the competition's newest club, Hanley stood tall. The Irishman had a mixed first half of the season but broke free of his slump with 28 disposals and impacted at both ends of the ground with three intercept marks and three goals assists. His 26 Player Ratings points took him to a season high no.52 overall.

Last five years – Jonathan Brown (round two, 2010 v Carlton) 
iWth new partner-in-crime Brendan Fevola alongside him, Brown took over in the 19-point win over the Blues at the Gabba. Brown kicked seven goals, had 21 disposals – 12 contested – 12 marks, including four contested, and added a goal assist to rack up 34.5 Player Ratings points. Fevola kicked three and despite their partnership turning out to be an ill-fated union, on this night, the Lion King roared loud. – Michael Whiting

CARLTON
2014 – Kade Simpson (round eight v St Kilda) It's not unusual for Kade Simpson to fly under the radar – even when he's performing well – and that was the case when the Blues downed the Saints at Etihad Stadium on a Monday night. Bryce Gibbs collected 38 touches to play a central role in the win and received most of the plaudits, but Simpson was the Player Ratings star. The hard-as-nails midfielder gathered 36 touches, took 10 marks, had six inside 50s, two goal assists and booted a major as he collected a season-high 23.4 Player Ratings points in a 32-point win.

Last five years – Marc Murphy (round two, 2012 v Brisbane Lions) The now Carlton captain hit the ground running after his All Australian and John Nicholls Medal-winning season in 2011 with a blistering performance in the Blues' mauling of the Lions at the Gabba. Murphy gathered 30 disposals – including a huge 20 contested – to go with 10 clearances, two goals and three score assists. It was a match-winning performance from the hard-running midfielder and earned Murphy 31.9 Player Ratings points as the Blues started the year 2-0 with a 91-point win. Things went gradually pear-shaped from there, though, with Carlton missing finals after finishing fifth the previous season. – Travis King

COLLINGWOOD
2014 – Scott Pendlebury (round two v Sydney Swans) 
The Collingwood captain turned in a stellar performance to almost singlehandedly drag his side over the line by 20 points against the Swans. Pendlebury notched 33.5 Player Ratings points, the highest score recorded in the club's history. His game included 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 tackles, four score assists, 11 inside 50s and a goal – undoubtedly going down as one of the finest individual performances of the season. Coach Nathan Buckley lauded Pendlebury for his leadership in just his second game as the Magpies' permanent skipper. 

Last five years – As above. – Ben Guthrie

Jobe Watson had a night out against the Tigers in 2013. Picture: AFL Media

ESSENDON
2014 – Ben Howlett (round 11 v Richmond) Howlett's five-goal performance against the Tigers was viewed the most outstanding of any Bombers this season with 30.2 rating points. Along with his goals, the hard-at-it midfielder gathered 25 disposals (10 contested) and had five tackles in the Dons' 50-point win. It was Howlett's first game for the Bombers in a month as he regained fitness, and he produced a career-high goal tally. Despite perhaps the best game of his five seasons at Essendon, the 25-year-old was overlooked for best-afield honours, with the Dreamtime at the 'G award handed to Brendon Goddard.

Last five years – Jobe Watson (round nine, 2013 v Richmond) The Tigers were also on the end of the best individual game in the past five seasons, when Watson ran riot last year in Essendon's 29-point victory. Watson's 28 disposals (18 contested), three goals and three assists earned him 31.9 rating points. The umpires were equally in awe of Watson's effort, giving him three Brownlow Medal votes. It was a classic Watson showing: at the stoppages nobody could get near him, and away from there he skipped forward to hurt the Tigers.  – Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE
2014 – Danyle Pearce (round 14 v Brisbane Lions) Given all of the stars who feature in the Fremantle side Danyle Pearce is a surprising name to top this list. His performance last Saturday night in the wet was the highest rating of any Docker this year. On a night where metres gained was a key component for the winning side, Pearce delivered in spades. He had 25 disposals, seven clearances, and seven inside 50s. But all up his possessions totalled 617m gained for his team. He also laid five tackles. His performance yielded 26.4 ratings points in the 83-point win for the Dockers. Pearce surpassed Nat Fyfe's previous club season-high of 25.8 points against Port Adelaide.

Last five years – Matthew Pavlich (round 19, 2012 v West Coast) Eight goals, three assists, 24 disposals, 15 of them contested, is a supreme performance by any measure. Pavlich's effort against West Coast in the second Western Derby of 2012 was measured as such in all sorts of ways. He earned the three Brownlow votes, won the Ross Glendinning Medal, his team earned the four premiership points for a 65-point win, and his tally of 32.4 ratings points is the highest of any Docker in any game over the last five years. Pavlich has had many sparkling performances in his 304-game career thus far but few were better than this. – Alex Malcolm

GEELONG
2014 – Tom Hawkins (round 12 v Carlton) Hawkins has been back to his best this season, and his performance in the Cats' heart-stopping five-point win over the Blues in a Friday night classic at Etihad Stadium was yet another example of that. The big 'Tomahawk' took four contested marks, kicked four goals and dished off four goal assists, which equated to a Player Ratings score of 27.5.

Last five years – Steve Johnson (round 19, 2011 v Melbourne) Johnson's performance in Geelong's 186-point demolition of Melbourne, in what proved to be Dean Bailey's last game as coach, was simply extraordinary. He gathered 34 disposals and used the ball at 91 per cent efficiency. He also kicked seven goals and helped set up 11 others. It all added up to a Player Ratings score of 48.7. – Adam McNicol




Stevie J scored a remarkable 48.7 Player Ratings points agains the Dees in 2011. Picture: AFL Media

GOLD COAST
2014 – Gary Ablett (round nine v St Kilda) 
The game's best player ensured this contest was all but over by quarter-time. Ablett had three goals in the first term as the Suns sprinted to a 32-point lead and never looked back. They won by 38 points in the end, largely on the back of Ablett's 37 disposals (of which 22 were contested), eight clearances, four goals and two goal assists. He tallied 33.7 Player Ratings points. 

Last five years – Gary Ablett (round eight, 2011 v Adelaide)
Coming off an emotional first-up QClash win over the Brisbane Lions, Ablett was a one-man band in the 57-point loss to the Crows. His amazing stat line was 41 disposals, 23 contested, 13 clearances, eight tackles, four goals and two goal assists. Despite Patrick Dangerfield's six goals, Ablett's 40.8 Player Ratings points was good enough for the three Brownlow Medal votes. – Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
2014 – Devon Smith (round 11 v Hawthorn) It might surprise some to see Smith leading the way for the Giants, but not to regular observers of the club. A feisty, combative character, Smith can hurt teams in a variety of ways. A proven goalkicker, he also loves the hard stuff in the clinches. Against the Hawks, 15 of his 26 touches were contested. He added 38 pressure acts, 10 tackles and four goals, including two in the third term as GWS pushed for an unlikely win. It all added up to 25.7 Ratings Points as the Giants fell just seven points short of upsetting the premiers.

Last five years – Jeremy Cameron (round 18, 2013 v Collingwood) Cameron was already emerging as a star prior to this game, but his effort against Collingwood underlined his claims for an All Australian jumper. Just 20 years old at the time, Cameron kicked a club-record seven goals in a stunning individual display at the MCG. His haul came from just 10 kicks, while he also contributed four inside 50s, four marks on the lead and a goal assist in the 40-point defeat. That equaled 28.8 ratings points and by season's end, he would tally a remarkable 62 goals – third in the Coleman Medal race – and grab that All Australian guernsey. – James Dampney

HAWTHORN
2014 – Jarryd Roughead (round 12 v West Coast) Last year's Coleman medallist came into the match under fire for an unusually inconsistent start to the season, but answered by brutally ripping apart the Eagles' backline in Launceston. Roughead monstered Eric Mackenzie and Darren Glass – who retired just five days later. The Hawks spearhead booted eight majors, had two score assists, 24 disposals and took five contested marks in one of the outstanding individual performances of 2014 that earned him a massive 34 Player Ratings points in a 44-point win.

Last five years – Lance Franklin (round 10, 2012 v North Melbourne) Lance Franklin's 13-goal haul against North Melbourne will be remembered as one of the superstar forward's career-defining matches – and there's been plenty to choose from. 'Buddy' lit up a cold and wet afternoon at Aurora Stadium as the Hawks annihilated the Roos by 115 points. The left-footed enigma only booted one major in the first term, but flicked the switch and went berserk with five goals in the second quarter. Franklin's 12th major was the best – when he threaded the eye of the needle after a trademark run along the boundary in the left forward pocket - and he snapped his 13th as the final siren sounded. His 13.4, 23-possession and 11-mark performance earned him 50.5 Player Ratings points – the highest score in the past five years. – Travis King

MELBOURNE
2014 – Chris Dawes (round seven v Adelaide)
It took something special at Adelaide Oval to take Melbourne to its second win of the season and Dawes' performance was all kinds of special. The Demons key forward was a beacon in attack, as he racked up 24.5 player ratings points in the three-point win. Dawes' work-rate was highlighted as he collected 20 disposals and a goal assist to go along with his three goals. In his fourth game back from injury, Dawes led from the front and confirmed his importance to the team's structure. 

Last five years – Colin Sylvia (round 22, 2011 v Richmond) 
Typically, Sylvia's game produced a mixed bag. He was clearly best afield to be awarded the three Brownlow votes, but his team suffered a seven-point loss and he was booked for rough conduct on Tiger Jayden Post. He was later rubbed out for two matches. Regardless, Sylvia did everything he could to try to will his side over the line. The midfielder was effective right throughout the game with 29 disposals, five goals and two goal assists. Those statistics amounted to 33.4 Player Ratings points, the Demons' all-time best score. – Ben Guthrie

NORTH MELBOURNE
2014 – Brent Harvey (round two v Western Bulldogs) After a lacklustre round one loss to Essendon, North found itself stuck in a defensive slugfest with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. With the teams locked on two goals apiece at half-time, North needed an attacking spark and it was, once again, 'Boomer' who provided it. Breaking the Bulldogs' lines with his trademark run and evasion, Harvey racked up 25 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency (including 14 in the second half) and booted three goals from late in the third term to get the Roos home by 29 points. Harvey also had five score assists to finish with 31.2 Player Ratings points.

Last five years – Brent Harvey (round 13, 2010 v Port Adelaide) Harvey was at his prolific and damaging best in this clash back in Brad Scott's first year as North coach. In a game that the Roos won comfortably by 36 points, the then-North skipper finished with 34.8 Player Ratings points after cutting Port's defences to ribbons with 32 disposals at 97 per cent efficiency. Harvey also hurt the Power on the scoreboard, kicking two goals and dishing off seven score assists. – Nick Bowen




Brent Harvey scored 31.2 points against the Bulldogs in round two this season. Picture: AFL Media

PORT ADELAIDE
2014 – Jay Schulz (round 14 v Western Bulldogs) The veteran goalkicker secured his place in Power history last weekend by booting a career-high eight goals, equaling Warren Tredrea's 1998 AFL era club record. Not only did Schulz slot eight goals (four of which came in the final term), he took six contested marks and had 16 score involvements. It was enough to collect 34.9 Player Ratings points as the Power hammered the Bulldogs by 72 points and kept their buffer at the top of the table intact.

Last five years – Matthew Broadbent (round nine, 2012 v Gold Coast) Perhaps not the man many would expect to hold the Power's ratings points record in recent history, but Broadbent does know how to get his hands on the ball and use it when in possession. His 25 possessions at 92 per cent efficiency, nine inside 50s, two goals and two goal assists saw him tally 35.9 ratings points as the Power made light work of Gold Coast, winning by 48 points at Metricon Satdium. Although three Port players found more of the ball, Broadbent took the three Brownlow Medal votes. – Harry Thring

RICHMOND
2014 – Jack Riewoldt (round 10 v Greater Western Sydney)
The Tigers' spearhead put together the second best Player Ratings game of the season when he booted 11 goals against GWS at Spotless Stadium (his 35.3 points have only been bettered by Eagle Josh Kennedy). The performance came after a lean run for Riewoldt, who had kicked one goal the week prior and 17 for the season. It also came after he questioned the Richmond game plan and was panned by coach Damien Hardwick. He took 12 marks (three contested) in what was a career-best performance, putting him back in the spotlight for the right reasons as the Tigers trounced the Giants by 113 points. 
Last five years – As above. - Nathan Schmook
 


Jack Riewoldt was just about unstoppable against the Giants in round 10 this year. Picture: AFL Media

ST KILDA
2014 – Tom Hickey (round two v GWS)
The Saints' ruckman, who crossed to the club from Gold Coast for the 2013 season, might not have played many games this season because of a foot injury but he made his second one count when he dominated against the Giants in round two. Hickey had 19 disposals at 90 per cent efficiency as well as kicking three goals, having 10 hit-outs to advantage and taking four intercept marks. He was significant in the Saints' seven-point win at Etihad Stadium in an entertaining battle with Giant Shane Mumford, which saw the former Sydney Swan rack up 46 hit-outs. But it was Hickey's shoot-out with Jonathan Giles that was eye-catching – and led to his rating of 27.7 - with the two big men slotting three goals each before half time.
 
Last five years - Nick Dal Santo (round 18 v the Western Bulldogs, 2012)
The former Saint, who is now running around in a North Melbourne jumper, reached a rating of 30.5 in the Saints' 76-point win over the Dogs at Etihad Stadium back in 2012. It was a game where the experienced Saints shone with Nick Riewoldt slotting four goals and Lenny Hayes three, while Justin Koschitzke and Adam Schneider joined Dal Santo in kicking two each and Brendon Goddard had 33 touches. But it was Dal Santo's clean handling that led to his accumulation of 28 disposals – 11 of which were contested - at 86 per cent efficiency. - Jennifer Phelan

SYDNEY SWANS
2014 – Lance Franklin (round three v Adelaide) It seems almost comical now to remember how much criticism Franklin was copping in his first few games in red and white. That is emphasised by the fact his efforts against the Crows in round three remains the highest ratings tally by a Swan this season. 'Buddy' finished with four goals, three assists, six marks and six inside 50s, along with 20 possessions and three tackles for a total of 26.4 Ratings Points. He kicked a goal in each quarter, including one in a run of seven unanswered in the final term, as the Swans ran out 63-point victors in Adelaide.
 
Last five years – Adam Goodes (round 20, 2011 v Essendon) If anyone is tailor-made to dominate a single game in the Official AFL Player Ratings, it is surely dual Brownlow medallist Goodes. When he hits top form, there are few if any in the AFL that can match his all-round abilities. Against the Bombers at Etihad Stadium, he finished with 29 disposals, 15 of them contested, seven clearances, nine inside 50s, five tackles, three goals and 33.6 Ratings Points. Just imagine if he'd converted more of his four behinds, including a set shot after the final siren that missed by inches as Essendon stole a thrilling one-point win. 
– James Dampney
 
WEST COAST
2014 – Josh Kennedy (round eight v Greater Western Sydney) This was the highest-rated performance of any player in the AFL this season according to the ratings points. The match itself wasn't a particularly memorable contest, with the Eagles winning by 111 points, but Kennedy ensured it would go down in the annals of history. His 11-goal haul was a career best, surpassing his bag of 10 against the Western Bulldogs in 2011. He also took 11 marks, seven of which were on the lead. All of that added up to 35.4 points, just 0.1 point more than Jack Riewoldt's 10-goal display against the same opponent in round 10.

Last five years – Mark LeCras (round 16, 2010 v Essendon) LeCras finished third in the Eagles' best and fairest in 2009 and was the club's leading goalkicker however this was the night when he really made his name. He kicked 12 goals from 22 touches, and also claimed four contested marks, to tally 43.2 points. LeCras had Etihad Stadium mesmerised and helped West Coast secure just its fourth win, by 32 points, in a season when the club claimed the wooden spoon. LeCras ended up winning the Eagles' best and fairest with 63 majors for the season and was also named All Australian. – Alex Malcolm

WESTERN BULDOGS
2014 -Tom Liberatore (round 10 v Gold Coast) 
The contested-ball dynamo was one of the few Bulldogs to give a yelp in the 45-point thrashing at the hands of Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. The 22-year-old was at his in-and-under best against the Suns' formidable midfield, picking up 27 possessions (21 contested), eight clearances and 12 tackles. All this hard work was completed at an amazing 89 per cent efficiency rate for 24.7 Player Ratings points.
 
Last five years – Luke Dahlhaus (round 18, 2013 v West Coast) 
It is hard go past Dahlhaus' performance against the Eagles last year as his best game for the club. The dangerous small forward is known for his ability to sniff out a goal and apply fierce forward pressure, but on this Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium, Dahlhaus delivered a complete performance and earned 33 Player Ratings points. Playing a high half-forward role, he picked up 29 disposals (16 contested), six tackles, seven inside 50s, slotted four goals and had a hand in three others, to lead the Dogs to a 22-point victory. – Ryan Davidson