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With each team now having played 11 of 22 games, it seemed like a good week to put together a mid-season All-Australian squad.
It’s always a difficult task, but I found this one relatively straightforward to put together in the end, with key position players being the most difficult aspect of the team to select.
However, something I’m 99 per cent certain of is that the team is bound to spark a bit of controversy.
B: Shaun Burgoyne, Scott Thompson, Michael Hibberd
HB: Brodie Smit,h Michael Johnson, Kade Simpson
C: Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Rockliff
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Gary Ablett, Josh P. Kennedy
HF: Robbie Gray, Nick Riewoldt, Luke Parker
F: Brent Harvey, Tom Hawkins, Chad Wingard
Int: Patrick Dangerfield, Daniel Hannebery, Daniel Talia, Luke Breust
Shaun Burgyone – Back Pocket
At 31 years of age this guy is having arguably his best career to date, as an attacking defender. He’s been Hawthorn’s best player to the mid-point of the season and if he keeps up this form will be an automatic selection in the side.
Scott D. Thompson – Full Back
The 2013 All-Australian full back has maintained his excellent form into 2014 and has been a leading factor in North’s increasing defensive success. His performance on Lance Franklin in Round 4 is one of the best individual performances of the year to date.
Michael Hibberd – Back Pocket
Has been dominant for the Bombers this year in defence with his marking skills and his ability to direct attacking play out of the backline. A thoroughly deserved spot at this point of the year.
Brodie Smith – Half Back
I had a feeling 2014 would be a big year for Brodie but I really didn’t see this coming. He’s been probably the most improved player at the Crows, with efficient delivery from half back and is second in the league for rebound 50s.
Michael Johnson – Centre Half Back
Looks like he’ll be backing up his 2013 guernsey with a second straight selection at this rate. Has been a key part of the Dockers defensive unit and also provided some great attacking work from the back half. Fifth in the competition for rebound 50s.
Kade Simpson – Half Back
Has been dominant in more than a few games, and generally serviceable in most. Not an automatic selection so far but definitely in the team at this point of the year.
Dayne Beams – Wing
An automatic selection. His efforts this year have been excellent as a high-production midfielder, he is arguably Collingwood’s most important midfielder now.
Scott Pendlebury (C) – Centre
Has provided his usual class and ball winning ability in 2014 that has rendered him an automatic selection in the past. Gets the captaincy nod mostly because the All Australian panel likes to spread it around.
Tom Rockliff – Wing
One of the big improvers of the year, Rocky has been incredible in the first half of 2014. Really racks up the disposals and on top of that is second in the competition for both total and average tackles, with nine per game.
Aaron Sandilands – Ruck
In close contention with Sam Jacobs for this spot. Jacobs probably offers more in terms of around the ground presence, but in terms of winning taps and giving his midfielders first access, Sandi has been the guy.
Gary Ablett, Jnr. – Ruck Rover
Do I really need to explain? It’s Gary. He’s the first picked.
Josh P. Kennedy – Rover
Has been excellent this year and could make a serious play for the Brownlow at this rate. His contested ball winning ability is without par.
Robbie Gray – Half Forward
Great story for this guy who has suffered so much with injury in the past. He has simply been electric so far this year as a high half forward, providing a vital bit of work through the midfield but also having a ton of scoreboard impact. Lock him in.
Nick Riewoldt (VC) – Centre Half Forward
KPFs are far from cemented at this rate, and Nicky has been a little more inconsistent than I’d like. That said, his first month or so of footy was simply incredible, and his form since then while a little patchy has been decent enough to hold him in good stead, especially given the lack of other genuine options.
Luke Parker – Half Forward
After winning a flag in ’12 as the sub, Parker has cemented himself in the best 22 for the Swans and would be within their top five best players at the moment. He gets plenty of the ball and knows how to find the goals, can tackle with the best of them too.
Brent Harvey – Forward Pocket
‘Boomer’ is enjoying arguably his best season to date, picking up plenty of ball in his midfield time but also remaining dangerous around goals. A must have in the AA squad this year if he keeps up this form.
Tom Hawkins – Full Forward
Still wide open for the KPF players at the moment, but Hawkins is a class above the rest at the moment, with his excellent display last Friday night pushing him ahead of the rest. Still plenty of time for the likes of Roughead, Schulz or any other to make up ground.
Chad Wingard – Forward Pocket
Chad’s got the best goal sense in the competition, and while his disposal numbers are down on last year due to him playing closer to goal, his goal numbers are up. I almost think he shoots better when he’s upside down with three men tackling him than he does off a set shot.
Patrick Dangerfield – Interchange
Has been tagged out of it at times, but his impact on the game when he does get going has been undeniable.
Daniel Hannebery – Interchange
Had a quiet first month but his form in the time since has been undeniable. If he keeps up this pace, he’ll cement a spot in the on-field side and could be a serious Brownlow chance.
Daniel Talia – Interchange
It’s a bit odd to put a key defender on the bench but I felt Talia had to get in here somewhere. Is competing very closely with Scott Thompson for the full back spot, but I think Thompson still has a nose in front. Second half of the season will determine that one.
Luke Breust – Interchange
Narrowly makes the cut based off some truly electric performances earlier on in the year, and has generally been in reasonable form in the time since. In serious danger of being pushed out if he doesn’t crack back into his best from in the second half of the year. Would be the sub of this side.
Team by Team
Adelaide
Selected: Daniel Talia, Patrick Dangerfield, Brodie Smith
Nominated: Sam Jacobs
Brisbane
Selected: Tom Rockliff
Carlton
Selected: Kade Simpsons
Nominated: Marc Murphy
Collingwood
Selected: Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams
Essendon
Selected: Michael Hibberd
Nominated: Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard
Fremantle
Selected: Aaron Sandilands, Michael Johnson
Nominated: Nathan Fyfe, Michael Barlow
Geelong
Selected: Tom Hawkins
Nominated: Jimmy Bartel, Matthew Stokes
Gold Coast
Selected: Gary Ablett
Nominated: Tom Lynch
Greater Western Sydney
Nominated: Callan Ward, Devon Smith, Adam Treloar
Hawthorn
Selected: Luke Breust, Shaun Burgoyne
Melbourne
Nominated: Nathan Jones
North Melbourne
Selected: Scott Thompson, Brent Harvey
Port Adelaide
Selected: Robbie Gray, Chad Wingard
Nominated: Brad Ebert, Jay Schulz
Richmond
Nominated: Dustin Martin
St Kilda
Selected: Nick Riewoldt
Sydney
Selected: Daniel Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker
West Coast
Nominated: Eric Mackenzie
Western Bulldogs
Nominated: Luke Dahlhaus
As a final few thoughts – each club had a least one nominee/selection, although this may have been at least partially due to my OCD. 13 clubs had at least one inclusion, Adelaide and Sydney had the most with three each.