‘The 18’ is an All-Australian team which can only have one player from each club.
After the inaugural 2013 selections, who makes it into the 2014 side?
Backs
Eric Mackenzie (West Coast)
At the age of 26, Mackenzie is ready to take Glass’ spot at fullback. Mackenzie has been averaging 15 disposals and seven marks this season. He is continually in the West Coast Eagles’ best as he has kept numerous spearheads quiet such as Jack Riewoldt and Matthew Pavlich.
Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide)
Carlile recently has been out of the side with injury and returned on the weekend. He was easily beaten against Cloke in many one on one contests. Carlile’s first half of the year is what has seen him selected.
He was key in many of Port Adelaide’s scalps. His best game was in Round 6 when he kept Tom Hawkins to three goals, two which were kicked in the fourth quarter when the Power looked to be likely winners.
Michael Hibberd (Essendon)
It is unfortunate Hibberd has recently struggled with injury. He could have finished an outstanding season with form. He averages 24 disposals a game which is impressive for tall defender.
Half-back
Nick Malceski (Sydney)
Sitting third for rebound 50s and has one of the longest kicks in the competitions. His experience and run off half back is extremely valuable to the Swans, the question is how much value?
Daniel Talia (Adelaide)
Talia is a smokey to win Adelaide’s best and fairest. He is crucial to Adelaide as he consistently takes out the best opposition forward. We saw what Kennedy did once Talia was subbed off with concussion during the weekend.
Kade Simpson (Carlton)
Simpson averages second for most disposals at his club behind Marc Murphy. He is Blues go to man to get the ball moving forward.
Midfielders
Tom Rockliff (Brisbane)
If Brisbane rises up the ladder in the near future, Rockliff’s Brownlow votes will rise with them.
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
The Magpies captain was widely known as the second-best midfielder in the competition behind Ablett in February. His year has been one of the most consistent out of any Collingwood player.
Jackson Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
Macrae’s year has gone under the radar although he received a lot of praise after his 43 possession performance against Gold Coast in Round 17. Macrae leads for most disposal at the Bulldogs and 10th for most kicks in the AFL.
Half-Forward
Dustin Martin (Richmond)
Martin is experiencing one of his most consistent seasons to date. At times during Richmond’s poor start to the season, he stood up and attempted to lift the team. He averages the most kicks in the competition while being the Tiger’s second-leading goal scorer in 2014.
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
Riewoldt is one of the hardest working players in the AFL. At the age of 31 he still managed to have thirty disposals and four goals when his team was firing against Fremantle in Round 18 which says something about his talent.
Brent Harvey (North Melbourne) (c)
The Kangaroos leader may have been questioned during the season but ‘Boomer’ lets his actions do the talking. His durability, speed and effort is amazing. He may end up being a 450-game player at this rate.
Forwards
Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
His accuracy makes him one of the best forwards in the competition. Has a great ability to kick a bag of goals while racking up possessions. On five occasions he has had more than 20 disposals and has had nine games where he has kicked more than two goals.
Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
With the Cats’ run home, Hawkins can easily win the Coleman medal, he’s currently sitting second – two behind Schulz. This weekend he has a chance to take advantage of a wobbly Luke McPharlin then he faces Carlton. He has a reputation against Hawthorn then finishes off the year against the youthful Brisbane Lions.
Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle)
He had a real purple patch in the middle there for a while. He is also a game changer.
Followers
Shane Mumford (GWS)
Mumford was cruelled by injury early in the year but has come back. He is second behind Aaron Sandilands for the highest hit-out average in the AFL.
Gary Ablett Jnr (Gold Coast)
Even if does miss out on the Coaches Association award and possibly the Brownlow Medal, Ablett potentially could win the Leigh Matthews trophy again. It’s hard to see any player overtaking Ablett’s disposal average of 32 this season.
Nathan Jones (Melbourne)
Jones is clearly the Demons’ best player. A brilliant captain for a struggling team, he has the most disposals, contested and uncontested possessions at Melbourne. After shutting down some of the best players in the country this year, he has added another feather to his hat. He would be a valuable asset to any club.
Field view
FB: Mackenzie Carlile Hibberd
HB: Malceski* Talia Simpson
C: Rockliff Pendlebury* Macrae
HF: Martin N.Riewoldt Harvey (c)
FF: Breust Hawkins Ballantyne
FOLL: Mumford Ablett* Jones*Was also in the 2013 team.
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