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I wrote on Sunday about rugby league players that could convert to rugby union. AFL is a different case. This team is based on the size, temperament and attitude of the players and not necessarily their skills.
There’s a lot of talk about NRL players going to AFL but what about vice versa? There are the tough players, the skilful players, rough players, fast players, workhorses, it’s the same in both sports. If the best of the best of the AFL at the moment had played rugby league this is what the team would be.
Front Row
Barry Hall and Aaron Sandilands.
The fact is, Hall probably should’ve signed up for league in the first place. His size, strength and ability to muscle off any defender would make him an excellent asset to a league team. He would be the sort of player that would take the first hit-up of each set and be frothing at the mouth to have another.
He would also be an excellent defender but I’d say his shoulder would do more tackling than his arms.
Aaron Sandilands is picked because of size alone. 211cm and 122kg… unbelievable. With his pace and fitness as an AFL player he would be absolutely unstoppable in attack and unpassable in defence.
It might even possible to put him on the wing for the fifth tackle because no one could leap above him.
Hooker
Luke Ball. He has the right speed and size, also renowned for his tackling. He would show leadership qualities after his experience of captaining St Kilda. I imagine he’d have a good quick pass from dummy-half and take some good quick runs through the middle. Wouldn’t recommend him to an NRL club though just in case he decides your rival team is better.
Second Row
Jonathan Brown and Dean Cox
Brown is probably the toughest player in the whole of the AFL, if not Australian sport altogether. His hard running at 195cm and 104kg would make him an excellent second rower. He would be able to take anything that is thrown at him and would be an excellent team player and leader.
One of the top ruckmen and biggest players in the AFL at 201cm and 106kg, not many can muscle out Cox in a one-on-one challeng. He would be dominant on contact with the defence. Seeing Cox and Brown would make the opposition run sideways.
Lock
Luke Hodge. In 2010 he was named All-Australian captain and would bring undeniable leadership to NRL. He is renowned for his extremely high work rate and ability to pump out a high level performance every week, leading the Hawks in nearly all stats.
Five-eighth and halfback
Probably the easiest decisions to make in this team. Chris Judd and Gary Ablett. Judd would play the five-eighth position, controlling the backline and showing leadership. He and Gary would be a great combination and it would be hard for any defence to keep them controlled.
Ablett would play halfback and I imagine he wouldn’t be unlike Allan Langer. The perfect example for workrate in the AFL and his mind and body never stop running. Would be able to conjure up plays at the click of a finger.
Centres
Lance Franklin and Dale Thomas
Lance Franklin wouldn’t be unlike Israel Folau. At 196cm and 101kg he would be a lethal centre. You can’t score 100 goals in a season without being very fast and strong. Would break the line on many occasions and Judd and Ablett would be kicking to his wing at nearly every opportunity.
Dale Thomas at 185cm and 86kg wouldn’t be as big Lance but would be a strong asset in the centres. A very fast player and a tireless tackler and also known for his intensity towards the end of the match.
Wings
Brett Deledio and Jack Riewoldt
Brett Deledio is one of the fastest and toughest players of the AFL and would be an excellent asset on the wing. At 188cm and 88kg, would have the strength to bust through tackles and once through the gap would be very hard to stop.
Jack Riewoldt is one of the toughest full-forwards in the game with a combination of fierce contesting and strong marking. Would be very hard to stop in one on one confrontations and would be put on the other side to Lance Franklin to ensure that both sides would have players that wouldn’t lose a high kick to their corner.
Fullback
Cyril Rioli. He wouldn’t be much different at all to Matty Bowen and Ben Barba. Extremely fast and skilful, would be a fantastic attacking fullback. Running back from a kick he would be very hard to catch let alone stop. Known for his brilliance around goal, I’m sure he could conjure up some brilliance on a rugby field as well.
1. Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn)
2. Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)
3. Dale Thomas (Collingwood)
4. Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)
5. Brett Deledio (Richmond)
6. Chris Judd (Carlton)
7. Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
8. Barry Hall (Bulldogs)
9. Luke Ball (Collingwood)
10. Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)
11. Jonathan Brown (Brisbane)
12. Dean Cox (West Coast)
13. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
Bench
14. Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)
15. Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
16. Nic Naitanui (West Coast)
17. Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
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