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My 2015 All-Australian B team

Roar Pro
23rd September, 2015
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Roar Pro
23rd September, 2015
22

As always the announcement of the All-Australian team has sparked much debate. While many of selections were predictable, there are always a few surprise omissions and inclusions that get the debate raging. My All-Australian B team is no different.

Some of the surprise All-Australian omissions, such as Taylor Walker and Josh P Kennedy, walk straight into my team, while another can only make my bench.

Walker takes the captaincy and centre half forward spot, with Luke Dahlhaus and the recruit of the year Shaun Higgins on each flank.

Despite three forward pockets already being named in the All-Australian team, looking west we find two of the silkiest small forwards in the game in Mark LeCras and Michael Walters. Neither could crack the 40-man squad but come straight into my team, along with Jeremy Cameron at full forward.

Two other surprise omissions from the 40-man squad were Daniel Talia and Luke McPharlin, who come straight in and occupy the full back and centre half back spots respectively. Two old timers Mathew Boyd and Luke Hodge take the half back flanks, with the ever-reliable Garrick Ibbotson and Rory Laird slotting into the back pockets.

Through the middle we have possibly the unluckiest player to miss the All-Australian team, Kennedy. He starts in the centre with Aaron Sandilands, Scott Pendlebury as vice captain, and the most shocking omission from the 40-man squad, David Armitage. On each wing we have the run and carry and polished foot skills of Stephen Hill, and the attacking prowess of Dustin Martin.

I have named Nic Naitanui on the bench for his versatility as a backup ruckman and a third tall forward option, given the relative lack of height in my forward line. He is joined by Dane Swan, who was back to his prolific best this year, Ben Cunnington, who backed up his 2014 best and fairest with another solid year, and Swan Luke Parker.

Honourable mentions must go to Jeremy McGovern, who had a breakout year but fell away late in the season with constant injuries, Dyson Heppell, who was colossal for Essendon through one of their darkest periods, and Patrick Cripps for an incredible first full season at the lowly Blues.

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2015 All-Australian B team
B: G Ibbotson (Fre) D Talia (Adel) R Laird (Adel)
HB: M Boyd (WB) L McPharlin (Fre) L Hodge (Haw)
C: S Hill (Fre) J P Kennedy (Syd) D Martin (Rich)
HF: S Higgins (NM) T Walker (Adel, capt) L Dahlhaus (WB)
F: M LeCras (WC) J Cameron (GWS) M Walters (Fre)
R: A Sandilands (Fre) S Pendleburry (Coll, VC) D Armitage (Stk)
I: N Naitanui (WC) D Swan (Coll) B Cunnington (NM) L Parker (Syd)

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