Ratugolea had 100 per cent disposal efficiency for his 13 touches, taking eight marks (three contested) and collecting eight intercept possessions.
While his stat line might not be the most eye-catching, Ratugolea’s impact on the game was undeniable.
So good was it, in fact, that Ratugolea earned a perfect 10 in the coaches votes for the game, with Chris Scott and Matthew Nicks adjudging him as best-on-field.
Clayton Oliver (Mooroopna) had a another good day out as Melbourne survived an almighty scare against Gold Coast Suns.
Oliver had a game-high nine score involvements on Saturday, each of them vital as the Dees just got over the line by five points at Metricon Stadium.
The Melbourne midfielder led his side in disposals (28) and contested possessions (13), with six marks and six clearances as well.
Oliver’s efforts against the Suns were recognised by both coaches as he earned seven coaches votes, bringing his total season tally to 36.
Oliver is in third spot on the leaderboard, behind Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (45 votes) and Marcus Bontempelli of Western Bulldogs (43 votes).
Invergordon’s Lachie Ash was another standout performer in round eight, tallying 28 disposals for the Giants against the Bulldogs
Meanwhile, Jy Simpkin and North Melbourne have paid tribute to the Kangaroos skipper’s roots as part of the club’s 2023 Indigenous guernsey.
The Yorta Yorta totem, a long-necked turtle, features as part of the design.
“The jumper is called ‘Connecting Through Identity’, it looks great” Simpkin told NMFC media.
“Each one of us three Indigenous boys have our own totems on the jumper which is really cool, mine being the long-necked turtle, which is awesome. It represents where I am from, my community, my family.
“So to have that individualised for Tarryn (Thomas), Phoenix (Spicer) and myself is really special.”
Simpkin had 14 disposals, six tackles and six total clearances against the Saints.
He was also involved in a comedic and bizarre incident when he removed and then threw away the GPS unit of St Kilda’s Mattaes Phillipou.
Around the grounds, Brodie Kemp (Echuca) had 14 touches and seven intercept possessions for Carlton.
Fellow former Murray Bomber Ollie Wines had 21 touches, 10 contested possessions and five marks for Port Adelaide.
In Perth, Lachie Schultz (Moama) kicked 1.2 and had 10 touches and six score involvements as the Dockers earned a comfortable win over Hawthorn.
Harry Morrison (Benalla) had 25 disposals, eight marks, five inside 50s, six intercept possessions and a huge 551m gained for the Hawks.
Jarman Impey (Shepparton and Shepparton Swans) had 15 possessions for Hawthorn as well.
Jordon Butts (Shepparton) and Josh Rachele (Shepparton Swans) had 11 and eight disposals each for the Crows.
Jamie Elliott (Euroa) had 15 touches, one goal and six marks, while Steele Sidebottom (Tallygaroopna) had 21 disposals for Collindwood.
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