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Ablett worthy All-Australian, but not as starting rover

Roar Guru
17th September, 2014
5

Gary Ablett is undeniably the best player of his generation. In becoming the first player to make eight consecutive All-Australian teams, his case for the title of greatest AFL player ever is strengthened.

But should he have made the team this year?

It’s almost a blasphemous premise. He was so good that he was selected as starting rover. A couple of points to consider though.

Ablett only played 15 games this season. That’s significantly less than Luke Parker (22), Callan Ward (20) and Dayne Beams (19), all of whom were stiff to miss selection.

Also consider the Supercoach points comparison. It’s too simplistic to argue a player’s worth based on one stat but the aggregates of each player gives some sort of indication of how much they contributed to their team for the season.

Parker finished with 2,386 points, Ward with 2,255, Beams with 2,195 and Ablett with 2,050.

Looking at averages, Ablett is clearly out in front. That serves as proof there is at least some validity in using Supercoach points to judge midfielders, because Ablett is clearly better than Parker, Ward and Beams.

But the AA team should include the players who have contributed more than anyone else this season.

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It could easily be argued that Ablett had a better season than Parker, Ward and Beams. Gold Coast lost six of its last seven games when Ablett was out. Clearly both his footballing ability and leadership had a massive impact on the young team.

Ultimately though, Parker’s contribution, playing 100 per cent of the season, was better than Ablett’s, who played just under 70 per cent.

However Ablett was better than Ward and Beams and should remain in the team. Not as the starting rover though.

The two wingmen Nathan Fyfe (18 games) and Dyson Heppell (21) had better seasons, purely because they had more chances to play well. Jordan Lewis (21 games) was mighty in an injury-ravaged season for the Hawks.

Ablett on the wing, Lewis as starting rover and Heppell on the bench would be more fair than the current team.

Picking Ablett in the starting 18 in an AA team despite a season curtailed by injury recognises just how insanely good he is, while giving Lewis the spot he deserves in the centre square.

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