One of the great debates of the AFL season is the All-Australian snubs. Those players who were close to selection but ultimately got pushed out by an equally worthy player.
A number of other sports around the world have the right idea in that they have a second representative team. This is a way to reward more deserving players, while also ensuring that players who do have truly outstanding seasons are aptly rewarded.
After selecting a role-based All-Australian team on Tuesday, with a number of worthy candidates missing out, this is the All Australian second team.
Three forward targets: Tom Hawkins, Josh Kennedy and Nick Riewoldt
Hawkins rallied in an up and down season to finish equal second place in the Coleman medal race with a number of big goal games helping his tally. Likewise, Josh Kennedy had a series of dominant goal kicking games. In what was a tough season, Nick Riewoldt rounds out the forward targets with his willingness to continually inspire an unheralded story of the 2014 season.
A small forward: Eddie Betts
In his first season with Adelaide, Betts was outstanding both in front of goals and in helping assist teammates. His leadership showed real development and potential across the season.
Pressure forward: Ben McGlynn
While McGlynn was released up the ground and did enjoy more time in the midfield, for the most part it was his unrelenting pressure forward of centre that was the catalyst for his big name teammates to enjoy stellar seasons.
Midfield-forward option: Dustin Martin
The one midfielder who presented the greatest threat when he went forward this season was Martin, who became the league’s most dominant one-on-one player, and combined that with an uncanny ability to know where the goals were. His clutch goals across the year were unmatched by any other midfielder.
Three defensive stoppers: Daniel Talia, Steven May and Joel Patfull
In terms of young defenders Talia and May might have the greatest potential in the league, and each enjoyed career best seasons in 2014. On the verge of winning his third straight best and fairest award it is worth noting the outstanding consistency and leadership shown by Joel Patfull over the season.
Small defender: Michael Hibberd
While he is seen more as an attacking threat, it is worth recognising and rewarding the defensive work that Hibberd does in the defensive 50. His ability to stop small forwards and then attack off a key piece of the Essendon back six is crucial.
Two rebounding defenders: Shannon Hurn and Heath Shaw
Given some more time up the ground Hurn has developed into the most dangerous weapon in turning defence into attack by foot. Meanwhile, he may not have had the same level of appreciation, but Shaw actually had a more valuable season in both being able to lead by example in a young Giants team and combining his drive from behind.
Ruckman: Sam Jacobs
Finishing second in total hit-outs across the season, Jacobs had a typically strong season for the Crows. His influence in the tackle department gave Adelaide an extra body around stoppage situations.
Three inside midfielders: Gary Ablett, Nathan Fyfe and Travis Boak
If not for injury Ablett would have almost single-handedly carried the Suns to a breakthrough finals appearance. He produced some typically outstanding games early in the year before a shoulder injury. Likewise, Fyfe’s presence was missed when he sat out four games with suspension but was a consistent contributor for Fremantle all over the ground. Rounding out the inside midfield options is Travis Boak, who led the Power to their best home-and-away season since 2007.
Two outside midfielders: Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom
In what was a tough season for Collingwood, the ongoing development of young midfield duo Beams and Sidebottom was a crucial step in the progress of the club. Both can win their own ball but are proving to be dangerous players on the outside.
2014 All-Australian first team
Franklin, Roughead, Schulz, Bruest, Ballantyne, Gray, Hooker, MacKenzie, Taylor, N. Smith, Malceski, B. Smith, Goldstein, J.P. Kennedy, Selwood, Lewis, I. Smith, Heppell.
2014 All-Australian second team
Hawkins, J.J. Kennedy, Riewoldt, Betts, McGlynn, Martin, May, Talia, Patfull, Hibberd, Hurn, Shaw, Jacobs, Fyfe, Ablett, Boak, Beams, Sidebottom.
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