All Australian squad of 40

[Grantysghost]

No Wallis - Macrae, Daniel, Bontempelli for dogs.

The squad

Brisbane Lions
Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, Lachie Neale
Carlton
Jacob Weitering
Collingwood
Taylor Adams, Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, Scott Pendlebury
Essendon
Jordan Ridley
Fremantle
Nat Fyfe, Luke Ryan, Matt Taberner
Geelong
Mark Blicavs, Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie, Tom Hawkins, Sam Menegola
GWS
Nick Haynes
Hawthorn
Jack Gunston
Melbourne
Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca
Port Adelaide
Travis Boak, Zak Butters, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Charlie Dixon, Tom Jonas
Richmond
Dylan Grimes, Dustin Martin, Nick Vlastuin
St Kilda
Dan Butler, Jack Steele
Sydney
Tom Papley
West Coast
Andrew Gaff, Nic Naitanui, Liam Ryan, Brad Sheppard
Western Bulldogs
Marcus Bontempelli, Caleb Daniel, Jack Macrae

[comrade]

Well done to our 3, Bont & Daniel locks IMO. Macrae should also get in, but probably a bench spot most likely.

[GVGjr]

I like this squad, there are a lot of terrific players that tend to fly under the radar

Sheppard, Steele, Vlastuin, Byrne-Jones, Jonas and Maynard for starters seem to be under appreciated by others outside of their own supporters

Is Taberner a bit on the lucky side?

[Happy Days]

Butters is going to be a really good player but that’s a ridiculous selection.

[GVGjr]

Butters is going to be a really good player but that’s a ridiculous selection.

Yep, it doesn't seem to match

[bornadog]

Players for the final 22 should be picked for the position they play. Extras can go on the bench.

I really hate when they can't decide and for example put in two talls in the FF and FP, or Bontempelli on the wing.

[1eyedog]

Haynes has had a terrible last six weeks.

[Grantysghost]

Is no Cripps a surprise? I haven't seen a lot of the Blues this season.

[comrade]

Is no Cripps a surprise? I haven't seen a lot of the Blues this season.

Looks like he's been carrying a niggle all year. Wasn't voted as one of the Blues 3 MVP candidates by his own playing group, either.

A down year for sure.

[bornadog]

Looks like he's been carrying a niggle all year. Wasn't voted as one of the Blues 3 MVP candidates by his own playing group, either.

A down year for sure.

Pretty sure he is already gone in for surgery - I think shoulders, but could be wrong

[Hotdog60]

I thought Libba has done well.

They should pick the team on who plays best in that position not just because they've had a good year.

[Axe Man]

Is no Cripps a surprise? I haven't seen a lot of the Blues this season.

No surprise at all.

Some of the more notable omissions are: May, Whitfield, Goldstein, Saad, Duncan.

[Twodogs]

I like this squad, there are a lot of terrific players that tend to fly under the radar

Sheppard, Steele, Vlastuin, Byrne-Jones, Jonas and Maynard for starters seem to be under appreciated by others outside of their own supporters

Is Taberner a bit on the lucky side?

I've always been a huge Vlastuin fan. He's a gun and very underrated.

[mjp]

Is Taberner a bit on the lucky side?

Ummm - he's been unbelievably good so I vote no.

[GVGjr]

Ummm - he's been unbelievably good so I vote no.

I haven't watched much of him this year but by the sounds of things he was a good out for us last week

[soupman]

Taberner is great.

Macrae probably shouldn't be in there.

Goldstein also unlucky, although has had a quieter finish to the season and plays for North.

[bornadog]

I haven't watched much of him this year but by the sounds of things he was a good out for us last week

Kicked around 2 goals a game had a very good year

[Happy Days]

Taberner has been really good for a few years now, he can just never stay healthy. He should be the sort of player that Schache looks to model his game on, as they were in similar positions at Schache’s age now.

[Happy Days]

Taberner is great.

Macrae probably shouldn't be in there.

Goldstein also unlucky, although has had a quieter finish to the season and plays for North.

Macrae absolutely should be in. He was incredible in the middle of the year when we were not and has played probably one bad game since the restart.

[Grantysghost]

Jake Niall has anointed Marcus as his AA captain.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bont-supplants-pendles-no-fyfe-max-gone-in-this-all-australian-side-20200923-p55yl3.html

[jeemak]

Jake Niall has anointed Marcus as his AA captain.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bont-supplants-pendles-no-fyfe-max-gone-in-this-all-australian-side-20200923-p55yl3.html

At the same time putting Dusty and Danger in to appease his sycophantic colleagues and leaving Daniel and Macrae out.

[Bulldog4life]

Macrae absolutely should be in. He was incredible in the middle of the year when we were not and has played probably one bad game since the restart.

Yes agree. He has had an excellent year.

[bornadog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EirAkTgWsAEUDAT?format=jpg&name=large

[bornadog]

No Caleb Daniel on backline.

Macrae picks up wing -

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EirCc-lX0AItcrj?format=jpg&name=medium

[comrade]

DBJ from Port getting a backline gig over Daniel & Maynard is a little surprising, to say the least.

[bornadog]

DBJ from Port getting a backline gig over Daniel & Maynard is a little surprising, to say the least.

The whole thing is a joke once more. Macrae is as much a wingman as I am

[bornadog]

Bont as a HFF. How does Petraca get best mid and Bont on HFF

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EirJIatXgAABK8U?format=jpg&name=medium

[Sedat]

DBJ from Port getting a backline gig over Daniel & Maynard is a little surprising, to say the least.
He's been very good for the last couple of years and exceptional this year. Port are a bit out of sight out of mind with the Melbourne media mafia.

That's taking nothing away from Daniel and Maynard, who have both been excellent as well. The bigger issue is Haynes making the starting 18 off the back of a rubbish last month of footy.

EDIT - Caleb makes the bench, well deserved. Maynard awfully stiff.

[EasternWest]

Caleb Daniel EXPOSED in the All Australian side.

Sorry HD.

[bornadog]

Caleb Daniel - Interchange

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EirM8YBWsAANXEs?format=jpg&name=medium

[comrade]

Caleb is a freak. AA at his size is almost incomprehensible.

[angelopetraglia]

No genuine wings. One genuine small/mid forward. Team of midfielders. Also, Dixon ain’t a CHF. However who is a a genuine CHF? Does the position exist anymore?

[Grantysghost]

Congrats to all the guys, especially Caleb what a story he is. We are very lucky to have him in our side, and I'm sure all those that passed on the chance are now regretting it.

[Happy Days]

Had to hide him on the bench so no one on the imaginary opposition could take him to the goalsquare.

[Ozza]

Had to hide him on the bench so no one on the imaginary opposition could take him to the goalsquare.

He'd get exposed in that team. Particularly against the Irish.

[Ozza]

Great to have 3 in the side. Well done fellas.

[jeemak]

Had to hide him on the bench so no one on the imaginary opposition could take him to the goalsquare.

It's funny how defender positions are strictly for defenders who defend with rigour, but once you cross the half back line it's anarchy!

Happy to have three in the side, each player deserved to be in it.

[soupman]

I know, I know it's the AFL but seriously what a dumb side.

Three actual forwards in the entire lineup, two solo ruckmen who don't play anywhere else, no wingers, nobody in the midfield or forwardline with actual genuine pace excluding Ryan and virtually no recognition of one of the hardest roles in the league to play; the high pressure, pacy, goalkicking small forward. It reads like a supercoach side where you have just crammed in as many mids as possible.

[Grantysghost]

I know, I know it's the AFL but seriously what a dumb side.

Three actual forwards in the entire lineup, two solo ruckmen who don't play anywhere else, no wingers, nobody in the midfield or forwardline with actual genuine pace excluding Ryan and virtually no recognition of one of the hardest roles in the league to play; the high pressure, pacy, goalkicking small forward. It reads like a supercoach side where you have just crammed in as many mids as possible.

Plus the captain isn't a captain.

[SquirrelGrip]

I know, I know it's the AFL but seriously what a dumb side.

Three actual forwards in the entire lineup, two solo ruckmen who don't play anywhere else, no wingers, nobody in the midfield or forwardline with actual genuine pace excluding Ryan and virtually no recognition of one of the hardest roles in the league to play; the high pressure, pacy, goalkicking small forward. It reads like a supercoach side where you have just crammed in as many mids as possible.

I'd be more than happy to have Danger, Dusty and the Bont in my forward line ahead of most other forwards in the league.

[Axe Man]

Damo on the Mitch Wallis bandwagon:

IF ...
a 24-goal return from a forward pocket from 17 matches may not at first look seem sufficient enough for All-Australian consideration ...

THEN ...
a deeper study of how, and when, those goals were kicked would be cause for a rethink. Reckon Mitch Wallis should've been in the 22, and certainly the squad of 40.

[Axe Man]

I'd be more than happy to have Danger, Dusty and the Bont in my forward line ahead of most other forwards in the league.

Agree. I don't mind the likes of Danger, Dusty, Bont, Petracca or Fyfe being named there as they all spend time forward (some more than others) and all are elite when they play there. This is different to plonking a full time mid on the half forward flank as they have in the past.

[jeemak]

Plus the captain isn't a captain.

Yeah not a captain of an AFL side, he's the captain of the AFL!

[comrade]

Yeah not a captain of an AFL side, he's the captain of the AFL!

Geelong teammates: Sorry Danger, you're not one of our best 3 this year.
AFL: Chin up Danger, have an AA spot and screw it, here's the captaincy for good measure.

[Grantysghost]

Yeah not a captain of an AFL side, he's the captain of the AFL!

And therefore....
THE WORLD !

[soupman]

I'd be more than happy to have Danger, Dusty and the Bont in my forward line ahead of most other forwards in the league.

Yeah thats not the point of the side though is it? The side is meant to be a snapshot of the best players of the year collated into a team which could theoretically take the field.

Yes Dangerfield, Bont, Petracca, Martin, Fyfe etc. would all be good forward and no one would say no to playing them there, but this is a representative side of the best players this season and naming three of those guys forward is not representative of where they predominately played this year nor where they had the most impact (and thus the reason they were selected in the lineup for starters).

I mean as an example Bont was great this year, and is deserving of selection, but would he even be the best performed forward at our club? No. Would he be the best performed mid? Yes. So why is he named as a forward? I don't disagree that naming a mid/forward or two in the side is somewhat representative of how modern sides line up, but they shouldn't just be shoehorned in there because they rest there occasionally and there certainly shouldn't be three of them named in the starting lineup. In Bonts case most of our worst quarters coincided with him resting forward, and can anyone remember a single game he played this year where he was the best forward on the ground? English has arguably had more impact forward than Bont and would anyone consider him to be in AA forward form?

The side has long had a reputation for featuring a goalkicking midfielder or two on the half forward flank, which is borderline ok, I mean maybe one or two of those types is representative of how teams setup now, but to only have 3 forwards named in the entire lineup while 12 mids/rucks are named is ridiculous. If they want the side to favour mids that's fine, but cram them onto the bench. For someone like Dan Butler to have the amazing season he did, but miss out because they insisted on naming 3 mids ahead of him in his position, then two inside mids ahead of him on the bench, then a second solo ruck in the lineup is dumb. If they want to just shove the top 22 players regardless of positions into a side thats fine, but make it a top 22, not a side where you just name players in positions they rested in for maybe a quarter a game.

[GVGjr]

I just had a quick check, the average scoring effort for the forwards selected is just a combined 8 goals

Wouldn't you expect the best of the best to score a bit more heavily?

[Axe Man]

Caleb must be happy with the extra inches the photoshop guy has given him.:D

https://i.postimg.cc/7Y2MnHj6/aa-5.png (https://postimages.org/)

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Caleb must be happy with the extra inches the photoshop guy has given him.:D

https://i.postimg.cc/7Y2MnHj6/aa-5.png (https://postimages.org/)

He's taller than Guthrie.

Fancy putting him next to a ruckman.

[EasternWest]

Caleb must be happy with the extra inches the photoshop guy has given him.:D

https://i.postimg.cc/7Y2MnHj6/aa-5.png (https://postimages.org/)

I'd be annoyed. What absolute whitewashing of one of the defining factors in his remarkable story.

[Axe Man]

I just had a quick check, the average scoring effort for the forwards selected is just a combined 8 goals

Wouldn't you expect the best of the best to score a bit more heavily?

Not really a great measure given the likes of Dusty, Danger and Bont would have inevitably kicked more goals as full time forwards.

Perhaps an extra forward and one less mid in the forward line would have been a better balance.

[bornadog]

He's taller than Guthrie.

Fancy putting him next to a ruckman.

I was walking into a local coffee shop late last year and Gawn was walking out. I can tell you I am taller than Caleb (not by a lot) and Gawn is a monster to look up at him.

[jeemak]

Nic Nat is tiny!

[comrade]

Liam Ryan towering over Dustin Martin is also a funny one.

[bornadog]

Liam Ryan towering over Dustin Martin is also a funny one.

and towering over Hawkins :D

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Interesting they photoshopped Caleb to look taller but they didn't bother photoshopping a neck onto Guthrie.

[Rocket Science]

Caleb must be happy with the extra inches the photoshop guy has given him.:D

https://i.postimg.cc/7Y2MnHj6/aa-5.png (https://postimages.org/)

Rad how the AFEL managed to gather everyone together on the set of Tron.

[Go_Dogs]

The forwards debate is an interesting one - my counter is: how many forwards to most sides actually play? I’d say most play 4 specialist forwards on the field at any given time.

[Bulldog4life]

Congrats to Jack, Marcus and Caleb. Great effort to them and also our Club to have 3 representatives in the 22.

[soupman]

The forwards debate is an interesting one - my counter is: how many forwards to most sides actually play? I’d say most play 4 specialist forwards on the field at any given time.


I took a random round this season and looked through all the sides. The average that round was 4.75 proper forwards in teams named sides, rising to 5.18 if you included second rucks that spend the majority of their time forward.

Only one side named less than 4 forwards, which was Hawthorn (although if you add Ceglar it brings it up to 4). 3 teams named 6, and a further 4 named 5 plus a second ruck that would play mostly forward. Just three sides named 4 with no second ruck.

[jazzadogs]

I still don't really understand how Danger got the captaincy? It's probably just because I don't find him likeable, but I don't see him as a strong leader. Great player, but I would have had Boak and Bont (#2 captain in the comp according to AFLPA) ahead of him.

[GVGjr]

I still don't really understand how Danger got the captaincy? It's probably just because I don't find him likeable, but I don't see him as a strong leader. Great player, but I would have had Boak and Bont (#2 captain in the comp according to AFLPA) ahead of him.

It's an excellent point but the AFL probably want to keep the president of the PA happy
I think he's an almost permanent fixture in the AA selection process if he plays enough games

[jazzadogs]

It's an excellent point but the AFL probably want to keep the president of the PA happy
I think he's an almost permanent fixture in the AA selection process if he plays enough games

That is definitely what my cynical hat says. FWIW, and trying to make minimal changes to their selections, I would have gone with:

B: Brad Sheppard (West Coast Eagles), Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions), Luke Ryan (Fremantle)

HB: Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs), Darcy Moore (Collingwood), Darcy Byrne-Jones (Port Adelaide)

C: Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs), Travis Boak [c] (Port Adelaide), Cam Guthrie (Geelong Cats) / toss a coin for Menegola

HF: Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats), Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide), Christian Petracca (Melbourne)

F: Liam Ryan (West Coast Eagles), Tom Hawkins (Geelong Cats), Dan Butler

FOLL: Nic Naitanui (West Coast Eagles), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) [vc] , Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions)

I/C: Nick Haynes (GWS Giants), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Taylor Adams (Collingwood), second ruck out, add your next best mid - from their squad it is either Fyfe, Pendlebury or Martin

Out Dusty and Gawn, in Butler and an extra rotation on the bench (Dixon as Nicnat's backup).

[bornadog]

AFL ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD FOR 2021 (club by club)


Adelaide Crows: Rory Laird, Paul Seedsman


Brisbane Lions: Charlie Cameron, Jarryd Lyons, Hugh McCluggage, Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko


Carlton: Harry McKay, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering


Collingwood: Nil


Essendon: Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Jake Stringer


Fremantle: Sean Darcy, David Mundy


Geelong Cats: Tom Stewart, Tom Hawkins


Gold Coast Suns: Touk Miller


GWS Giants: Toby Greene, Jacob Hopper


Hawthorn: Tom Mitchell


Melbourne: Bayley Fritsch, Max Gawn, Jake Lever, Steven May, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Christian Salem


North Melbourne: Nil


Port Adelaide: Aliir Aliir, Karl Amon, Ollie Wines


Richmond: Nil


St Kilda: Jack Steele


Sydney Swans: Lance Franklin, Callum Mills, Tom Papley, Luke Parker


West Coast Eagles: Nic Naitanui


Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Dale, Jack Macrae

[Grantysghost]

Keath stiff.

Stringer before Liberatore? What does Libba have to do? (Libba is ranked 6 currently in the AFL ratings btw)

Jake's had a good year, and maybe he's forward but Liberatore was unbelievable for so long, and on avg #1 clearance player in the game this year.

Reiwoldt kicked 51 goals - think I'd have him before Fritsch.

[ratsmac]

Keath stiff.

Stringer before Liberatore? What does Libba have to do? (Libba is ranked 6 currently in the AFL ratings btw)

Jake's had a good year, and maybe he's forward but Liberatore was unbelievable for so long, and on avg #1 clearance player in the game this year.

Reiwoldt kicked 51 goals - think I'd have him before Fritsch.

That is unbelievable that Libba doesn't make the squad. Criminal infact

[Eastdog]

That is unbelievable that Libba doesn't make the squad. Criminal infact

He has had a great year again like he did in 2020. Unlucky not to be selected.

[bornadog]

That is unbelievable that Libba doesn't make the squad. Criminal infact

Only one of these players didn't make the AA squad.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9dkL88VgAM4FqF?format=png&name=900x900

[Grantysghost]

Only one of these players didn't make the AA squad.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9dkL88VgAM4FqF?format=png&name=900x900

Pardon the name drop but it's relevant. I spoke to Tony at the season launch re this very thing (Tom's lack of appreciation) and here it is 6 months later.
He didn't even get a rising star nomination, something's amiss here.

[EasternWest]

Pardon the name drop but it's relevant. I spoke to Tony at the season launch re this very thing (Tom's lack of appreciation) and here it is 6 months later.
He didn't even get a rising star nomination, something's amiss here.

He's too old.

[Grantysghost]

He's too old.

https://media.giphy.com/media/beioFFLyB9O0M/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47swle5wcyu8gqvm529nrfuvfkajhh2pbeohvvse dl&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

[bornadog]

Did you know the club has to nominate a player for AA.

Another award with no credibility.

[comrade]

No Libba in the squad is a disgrace.

[mjp]

I think the All-Australian team should be the 22 (or 23) who end up the winners on GF day.

I hate these awards and the only players who care about them are the ones who have missed out on the flag. I mean, Nat Fyfe is a good player but who cares if he increases his Brownlow count from 2 to 5 over the next 5 years...does it matter? I guess historically you might look back and say 'player x was better than player y', but those are arguments for the pub. Liber is a gem. He is OUR gem and I could care less if anyone outside of the Whitten Oval knew about it.

[Mofra]

Travis Boak very stiff
Some players actually have a contract bonus if they make the AA squad and AA team (Dane Swan mentioned getting a $50k bonus one year for making the team)

[1eyedog]

Keath stiff.

Stringer before Liberatore? What does Libba have to do? (Libba is ranked 6 currently in the AFL ratings btw)

Jake's had a good year, and maybe he's forward but Liberatore was unbelievable for so long, and on avg #1 clearance player in the game this year.

Reiwoldt kicked 51 goals - think I'd have him before Fritsch.

Fritsch has kicked 47 and has had an unbelievable year. I know he gets more opportunities playing for the Dees but he is so creative setting up play as well.

[Grantysghost]

I think the All-Australian team should be the 22 (or 23) who end up the winners on GF day.

I hate these awards and the only players who care about them are the ones who have missed out on the flag. I mean, Nat Fyfe is a good player but who cares if he increases his Brownlow count from 2 to 5 over the next 5 years...does it matter? I guess historically you might look back and say 'player x was better than player y', but those are arguments for the pub. Liber is a gem. He is OUR gem and I could care less if anyone outside of the Whitten Oval knew about it.

He is a gem. Amazing player and you're right stuff them if they can't see it for themselves. We know..!

Re awards I think maybe once you're retired they're more meaningful? I know personally that was the case for my very pathetic career. (Leading goalkicker in a bottom side you can't take that off me !) .

[comrade]

Good to see Aliir in the squad. Who would have thought playing a tall, athletic intercepting key defender in his best position instead of in the ruck would pay rich dividends!

[Ozza]

Travis Boak very stiff
Some players actually have a contract bonus if they make the AA squad and AA team (Dane Swan mentioned getting a $50k bonus one year for making the team)

Boak was one of the players mentioned that his team didn't nominate (Riewoldt also).

It seems weird to me that players have to be nominated by their clubs....and from what I understand there is no limit to how many hey can nominate....which makes me think why wouldn't you nominate all of them?

[Grantysghost]

Boak was one of the players mentioned that his team didn't nominate (Riewoldt also).

It seems weird to me that players have to be nominated by their clubs....and from what I understand there is no limit to how many hey can nominate....which makes me think why wouldn't you nominate all of them?

Wow that's weird.

Can I naively ask why they wouldn't nominate? Players request?

[Ozza]

No idea.

[soupman]

I find it always helps to remember that despite the ludicrous money and sickening self importance involved so much of the AFL is amateur standard.

[Bulldog4life]

Did you know the club has to nominate a player for AA.

Another award with no credibility.

Bit like the WWE Hall of Fame

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Congrats Bailey Dale for making the All Australian team in defence. Amazing turnaround.

[bulldogtragic]

Bailey Dale, HBF

Congrats BD!

[bulldogtragic]

Last few games hurt Bonts. So runner up in the AFLCA MVP to Clayton Oliver.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Last few games hurt Bonts. So runner up in the AFLCA MVP to Clayton Oliver.

Going to cost him the Brownlow too I reckon.

[Grantysghost]

Going to cost him the Brownlow too I reckon.

Most predictors I see have him getting pipped in the last game.

Oliver had a monster game whereas Bont was pretty poor.

[ratsmac]

Congratulations Bailey Dale. Well deserved.

I thought for sure Salem would get that spot over Bailey just because of all the Melbourne gushing going on. Bailey thoroughly deserves his spot.

[bulldogtragic]

Most predictors I see have him getting pipped in the last game.

Oliver had a monster game whereas Bont was pretty poor.

But did Oliver ruck? That goes in Bonts favour surely.

[Grantysghost]

But did Oliver ruck? That goes in Bonts favour surely.

Ha channelling Scott Wynd maybe for the win?

[jeemak]

I'm getting around our lads and think it's wonderful we have three representatives who all truly deserved their place in the All Australian team this year.

Yes I know the game isn't about individual awards blah blah blah, but seriously, all three were major reasons why we won 15 games this year and are massive reasons why we can win a few more.

Special congratulations to Bailey Dale, outstanding effort to resurrect your career in a different position and become one of the best players in the competition.

I get it's shit in lockdown and we've recently lost three games (and Bevo this, and Sweet that, and whatever), but these guys deserve some kudos for an excellent season and a bit of recognition.

[soupman]

AA is deeply flawed but still a pretty big achievement.

For Bailey Dale to go from a so so mid sized forward to AA half back seemingly on a whim prior to the last pre-season game is huge.

[MrMahatma]

It’s a remarkable achievement by Dale, and the other lads are guns of the highest order.

With Stringer in there too… our drafting over that period was pretty spot on!

[GVGjr]

It’s a remarkable achievement by Dale, and the other lads are guns of the highest order.

With Stringer in there too… our drafting over that period was pretty spot on!

It's a good point. We have been very good with our talent identification.

[jeemak]

I'm loving the ongoing glorification of Jake Stringer as well. Yes, he had a good season by his standards and his second half of the season was excellent, but the Ch7 carry on about him being snubbed is next level.

[Grantysghost]

I'm loving the ongoing glorification of Jake Stringer as well. Yes, he had a good season by his standards and his second half of the season was excellent, but the Ch7 carry on about him being snubbed is next level.

Nauseating. Why is he so marketable? His own peers didn't even think he was in their best 3. (Laverde, Merrett Parish).

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I'm loving the ongoing glorification of Jake Stringer as well. Yes, he had a good season by his standards and his second half of the season was excellent, but the Ch7 carry on about him being snubbed is next level.

Who’s in charge of Ch7? They have to be Essendon related. The carry on about Essendon from them is nauseating. It’s non-stop. Another reason I can’t stomach the thought of losing to those cheating scumbags.

[comrade]

Who’s in charge of Ch7? They have to be Essendon related. The carry on about Essendon from them is nauseating. It’s non-stop. Another reason I can’t stomach the thought of losing to those cheating scumbags.

Essendon generates revenue. Simple as that. Their fans are complete nuffies who just eat up all the hype, which means more eyeballs, more clicks, more ad dollars for the TV channels and publishers.

[bornadog]

The Bont and Macrae in squad. Can’t believe Bont is in the squad

Libba misses again - unbelievable
Ed and Dale I thought had a shot but miss.

[Happy Days]

Dale missing is a joke. When you compare his numbers to Saad’s, who has been anointed to the side for about 10 weeks, then he should have been a no brained for a spot on field.

[Axe Man]

Dale missing is a joke. When you compare his numbers to Saad’s, who has been anointed to the side for about 10 weeks, then he should have been a no brained for a spot on field.

I would have thought Dale's 2022 was pretty similar to his 2021 where he made the team, yet this year he doesn't even make the squad.

[jeemak]

Dale missing is a joke. When you compare his numbers to Saad’s, who has been anointed to the side for about 10 weeks, then he should have been a no brained for a spot on field.


I would have thought Dale's 2022 was pretty similar to his 2021 where he made the team, yet this year he doesn't even make the squad.

Yeah but Saad played for a side that performed more consistently across the year until it didn't and that's the most important thing.

[jeemak]

Dale kicked seven goals to Saad's zero as well. Apart from tackles, Dale is either aligned or has it well over him.

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=8&playerStatus2=A&tid2=4&type=A&pid1=4072&pid2=4119&fid1=S&fid2=S

[Happy Days]

Dale also smoked him by about 150m gained a game despite Saad taking a million bounces each week.

[jeemak]

Dale also smoked him by about 150m gained a game despite Saad taking a million bounces each week.

Yeah but you gotta love what he brings to the game each week.

[EasternWest]

Yeah but you gotta love what he brings to the game each week.

Yeah good call Darce.

[jeemak]

Yeah good call Darce.

But, I mean I just love the way he goes about it.

The typical AFL commentariat response when presented with objective facts that don't align with their views.

[Grantysghost]

Essendon generates revenue. Simple as that. Their fans are complete nuffies who just eat up all the hype, which means more eyeballs, more clicks, more ad dollars for the TV channels and publishers.

Even Woof gives them way more airtime than most other sides.
But it's for the lolllzzzz so it's ok.

[Grantysghost]

Wait Macrae and Bont in the squad?

Libba was the best?

Naughton kicked 50!

Dale was superb all season...

This isn't even trying now.

They just went, who are the dogs good players again?

Um..Bont..

Yeah yeah got him.. There's that other guy.

Cooney?

No no the quiet one.

Ahh Macrae.

[bornadog]

Wait Macrae and Bont in the squad?

Libba was the best?

Naughton kicked 50!

Dale was superb all season...

This isn't even trying now.

They just went, who are the dogs good players again?

Um..Bont..

Yeah yeah got him.. There's that other guy.

Cooney?

No no the quiet one.

Ahh Macrae.


How the hell does Taylor Walker get in?

[Happy Days]

How the hell does Taylor Walker get in?

He’s a piece but he has unfortunately had a pretty good year. Missed a few games but not so many to write his claims off.

[jazzadogs]

How the hell does Taylor Walker get in?

Naughton, Peter Wright, Max King all kicked more goals - obviously more to the game than goals but surprised he was in there.

Bont has had an objectively good year, just that it was below his outstanding 2021 level. I won't be surprised if he is in the team. Elite for score involvements, inside 50s, metres gained and above average in almost all other categories. 22 goals from a midfielder.

Macrae has been below his best. Would have had Libba ahead of him (and I'm sure there are a few other mids from around the comp who were unlucky).

[jeemak]

Naughton, Peter Wright, Max King all kicked more goals - obviously more to the game than goals but surprised he was in there.

Bont has had an objectively good year, just that it was below his outstanding 2021 level. I won't be surprised if he is in the team. Elite for score involvements, inside 50s, metres gained and above average in almost all other categories. 22 goals from a midfielder.

Macrae has been below his best. Would have had Libba ahead of him (and I'm sure there are a few other mids from around the comp who were unlucky).

Take your reasonable caca elsewhere. Jacko's amazing and should definitely be in there no matter wot!

[jazzadogs]

B: Tom Stewart (Geelong Cats, 1st time), Steven May (Melbourne, 2nd time), Brayden Maynard (Collingwood, 4th time)

HB: Jack Sinclair (St Kilda, 1st time), Sam Taylor (GWS Giants, 1st time), Adam Saad (Carlton, 1st time)

C: Touk Miller (Gold Coast Suns, 2nd time), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne, 3rd time), Callum Mills (Sydney Swans, 1st time)

HF: Christian Petracca (Melbourne, 3rd time), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats, 3rd time), Shai Bolton (Richmond, 1st time)


F: Charlie Curnow (Carlton, 1st time), Tom Hawkins (Geelong Cats, 5th time — captain), Tyson Stengle (Geelong Cats, 1st time)

FOLL: Max Gawn (Melbourne, 6th time), Patrick Cripps (Carlton, 3rd time — vice-captain), Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions, 3rd time)

I/C: Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans, 1st time), Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide, 1st time), Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle, 1st time), Mark Blicavs (Geelong Cats, 1st time)

[Grantysghost]

Dogs only team in 8 without a representative.

[ReLoad]

Dogs only team in 8 without a representative.

I think it’s probably a good reflection of where we are at.

Our normal AA level players have had a “down” year for sure.

[The Underdog]

I think it’s probably a good reflection of where we are at.

Our normal AA level players have had a “down” year for sure.

Yep. I can’t even bring myself to be faux outraged by it. Nobody has been consistent enough to warrant it

Call back next year when I’ll be arguing for Ed Richards to be Captain

[jazzadogs]

I would have had Bont in the conversation with rozee, and Dale/Richards in the convo vs Saad, but definitely not ROBBED.

I thought the choice of Hawkins as captain (ahead of club captains Cripps, Gawn, Mills, Miller) was interesting.

Sicily stiff to miss.

[GVGjr]

It's hard for us to mount a strong case for any of our players and the selected team is a very strong one as you would expect.
Would Heeney be the luckiest of the players selected? He had a very good season but was it that good?

I know midfielders are the most prominent players and there is always a logjam but Rory Laird must be stiff not to make the best 22.

[bornadog]

It's hard for us to mount a strong case for any of our players and the selected team is a very strong one as you would expect.
Would Heeney be the luckiest of the players selected? He had a very good season but was it that good?

I know midfielders are the most prominent players and there is always a logjam but Rory Laird must be stiff not to make the best 22.

What is the AA team? Is it a team that you would put on the field? Or do you stick in the best players in positions that they normally would not play in?

Would you put a Petraca in at HFF, and he can't kick goals, or a Brody Mihocek who we know can kick goals.

Personally, I think each position should have the best player in the AFL that normally would play that role.

[azabob]

What is the AA team? Is it a team that you would put on the field? Or do you stick in the best players in positions that they normally would not play in?

Would you put a Petraca in at HFF, and he can't kick goals, or a Brody Mihocek who we know can kick goals.

Personally, I think each position should have the best player in the AFL that normally would play that role.

Our footy club for example plays midfielders like Bailey Smith on a HFF. You haven't specifically said you are for or against this but I assume you are ok with it.

Maybe Bevo selects the AA team?

[bornadog]

Our footy club for example plays midfielders like Bailey Smith on a HFF. You haven't specifically said you are for or against this but I assume you are ok with it.

Maybe Bevo selects the AA team?

We have little choice to rotate the mids through HFF, but the AFL has over 700 players to work with.

[Axe Man]

What is the AA team? Is it a team that you would put on the field? Or do you stick in the best players in positions that they normally would not play in?

Would you put a Petraca in at HFF, and he can't kick goals, or a Brody Mihocek who we know can kick goals.

Personally, I think each position should have the best player in the AFL that normally would play that role.

There's no straightforward answer to that age old question. For me it depends. I'm not going to pick a wing or half forward who is clearly well behind a midfielder that is capable of playing in that position. If the margin is more narrow then sure, pick the player who plays in that spot.

I'm not sure the Petracca example is a great one. I would absolutely play him or Bont forward in a real team over Mihocek (assuming the team already has gun key forwards) because they do spend time forward and they kick goals and they are both top 5 players in the league. If you had have said Jack Macrae, then no, he can't play forward.

[GVGjr]

What is the AA team? Is it a team that you would put on the field? Or do you stick in the best players in positions that they normally would not play in?

Would you put a Petraca in at HFF, and he can't kick goals, or a Brody Mihocek who we know can kick goals.

Personally, I think each position should have the best player in the AFL that normally would play that role.

Picking 40 well performed players for the season and trying to assemble the best 22 understanding that there will be some players selected out of position. I get it's not ideal but I really can't challenge too many of the players selected.
For example one of Oliver, Miller and Cripps had to be selected on a wing
Petracca on a flank isn't much of a problem because you have Heeney and Rozee on the bench.

It's never going to be perfect.

[Happy Days]

Yeah I mentioned Dale as being stiff to miss out on the squad but it was as much about showing why Saad, who got anointed with the the Will Minson “wow he doesn’t suck now” spot in about round 13, had no business being picked.

Hard to complain about our guys (and especially Dale) missing when James Sicily got absolutely hosed anyway.

[bornadog]

Yeah I mentioned Dale as being stiff to miss out on the squad but it was as much about showing why Saad, who got anointed with the the Will Minson “wow he doesn’t suck now” spot in about round 13, had no business being picked.

Hard to complain about our guys (and especially Dale) missing when James Sicily got absolutely hosed anyway.

How they missed Sicily is a mystery

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fa9cyneaQAEXsbB?format=jpg&name=large

[Grantysghost]

Stengle is a great story.

Have to had it to the Cats, their system is doing something right.

[bornadog]

Stengle is a great story.

Have to had it to the Cats, their system is doing something right.

We should be lining up Junior Rioli

[GVGjr]

Stengle is a great story.

Have to had it to the Cats, their system is doing something right.

Yep, they backed their system and Stengle repaid them wonderfully well.

[The Underdog]

How they missed Sicily is a mystery

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fa9cyneaQAEXsbB?format=jpg&name=large

Yeah, he’s a dickhead, but if you removed all the dickheads from an AA team, you’d be in trouble. Struggle to see how he was behind Maynard or Sinclair.

Also saw a news.com article using Twitter posts as evidence to create controversy about Hawkins being named AA captain when he isn’t captain of a team. If I ever reach a point in my life where I’m even vaguely concerned about who the All Australian captain is, leave me to die in a ditch (also, mods, can you delete my posting history :D)

[SquirrelGrip]

HB: Jack Sinclair (St Kilda, 1st time), Sam Taylor (GWS Giants, 1st time), Adam Saad (Carlton, 1st time)

HF: Christian Petracca (Melbourne, 3rd time), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats, 3rd time), Shai Bolton (Richmond, 1st time)



So how would that All-Australian half back line go against the All-Australian half forward line?

[bornadog]

So how would that All-Australian half back line go against the All-Australian half forward line?

The forward line would kick a bag

[GVGjr]

I thought GG might appreciate this given there is a reference to pressure acts


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FbCkqsbaAAATp5r?format=jpg&name=small

[Happy Days]

The half backs really feel like they get their one AA season and then are never considered again.

Anyway Saad blows and there isn’t a team in the AFL that would take him ahead of Dale.

[Grantysghost]

I thought GG might appreciate this given there is a reference to pressure acts


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FbCkqsbaAAATp5r?format=jpg&name=small

Operation get Karl Amon starts... now.

[Bulldog Joe]

The half backs really feel like they get their one AA season and then are never considered again.

Anyway Saad blows and there isn’t a team in the AFL that would take him ahead of Dale.

I suspect that is true even of Carlton.

[Grantysghost]

It's just a crappy award voted on by hacks like Gerard Healey.

I can't work out why I get so sucked in by it still.

It's like the Brownlow. I really don't care what the umpires think. I like the umpires, but I don't care about how they view player performance.

B and F and to a lesser extent coaches award I find interesting.

[bornadog]

It's just a crappy award voted on by hacks like Gerard Healey.

I can't work out why I get so sucked in by it still.

It's like the Brownlow. I really don't care what the umpires think. I like the umpires, but I don't care about how they view player performance.

B and F and to a lesser extent coaches award I find interesting.

The only thing with the Brownlow is it is a long tradition and can't be touched by ex players from the 80s and 90s

[Bulldog4life]

Yep, they backed their system and Stengle repaid them wonderfully well.

Appointing Eddie Betts to their coaching ranks and having Stengle live with Eddie and his family was a great move.

[GVGjr]

Appointing Eddie Betts to their coaching ranks and having Stengle live with Eddie and his family was a great move.

They're smart about it.

[mjp]

Appointing Eddie Betts to their coaching ranks and having Stengle live with Eddie and his family was a great move.

I don't want to dismiss what Geelong have done but is it perhaps the fact that he had been 'let go' by 2x previous clubs due to issues with discipline and poor off-field behaviour? And through that process he has gotten older, started looking in the mirror occasionally and made some personal changes?

Adelaide (camp aside) are a pretty good club and I think they did everything possible to help him...but when you are getting arrested for DUI's and all of that sort of stuff, what were they supposed to do? They knew he could play, that was never the problem.

I don't know - it's a time and place thing right. When the pupil is ready the master appears and all of that mumbo jumbo and I just thing Stengle finally reached a point in his own life where he realised 'all of this' was about to be taken away from him.

[boydogs]

I thought GG might appreciate this given there is a reference to pressure acts


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FbCkqsbaAAATp5r?format=jpg&name=small

LOL this was actually pretty credible until Bailey Banfield was pictured for being the sub the most

[GVGjr]

LOL this was actually pretty credible until Bailey Banfield was pictured for being the sub the most

He got there in the end because he was the sub the most this year.
There was some speculation that Ben McKay had averaged the most intercept marks this year.

[boydogs]

He got there in the end because he was the sub the most this year.

Yeah I get that. I mean the side doesn’t look half bad, and there is some objectivity to it, so I don’t hate the concept - until they gave a team’s 23rd best player an AA guernsey