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.
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)
Anthony Maguire
Guest
Cale Hooker? Kicked more goals than anyone after Round 14 and dominated in defence?
Gofreo
Guest
hill
Anonymous
Roar Pro
Nope, certainly not a Freo supporter. I assume you say that because there are four players in my team but which of them don’t deserve their spot?
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
And I bet you follow the Dockers!
Anonymous
Roar Pro
No Sandi or Armitage? That’s a big call. Both had massive years, Armitage is severely underrated. Who would you replace them with?
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Good team Anonymous. I wouldn't include Sandilands or Armitage and I think I would have had McGovern ahead of McPharlin, purely because he really dominates West Coast's backline, whereas McPharlin is aided more by the choking team defense deployed by Ross Lyon (but either player is deserving). I like the inclusion of Cameron and reckon he was really stiff to miss the AA team (along with Kennedy).
Anonymous
Roar Pro
I’m not as big of a Blicavs fan as many others. I agree he’s agility gives you the option to play him elsewhere, but as a ruckman he doesn’t come close to the best. The way Goldstein monstered him in the semi-final last year was ominous. On reflection that could just go to show how dominant Goldstein can be, but I also think it shows he can’t match it with the bigger ruckman in the comp. If I’m picking a second ruck with the ability to play as the third tall forward, I would still take Nic Nat. Stef Martin is an interesting one though. He’s been a bit of a revelation the last two seasons and certainly wouldn’t be out of place in the team. I still think Sandi offers that bit of extra class with his ruckwork, but would be happy with either ruckman.
Gofreo
Guest
Hill, Higgins, Matin....honestlly neale shouldve been in actaul AA team
Anonymous
Roar Pro
No doubt, but the team still has to be picked on merit. Using your logic I would have also picked Ablett and Franklin, but there’s no validity to that.
Steve J
Roar Guru
Freo?
Anonymous
Roar Pro
McGovern was a tough call. I seriously contemplated putting him in over McPharlin but in the end went with the latter. McGovern’s form really dropped in the second half of the year, albeit hindered by injury, which made the decision easier. The bench was an option but I didn’t really want a KPP taking that spot, hence the honourable mention.
Jamie Radford
Roar Pro
Nice first up article A. Although for what its worth I would have Martin starting ruck, and Blicavs (stole that one from Josh Elliott), on the bench. No disrespect to Nic Nat and Sandi, but both would be far more dangerous around the ground, and in Martin's case would not lose much in the ruck contests. And Blicavs of course can play anywhere as well.
DB
Guest
If you were picking players to take on the AA team, no doubt you would have J. Selwood, might not of had his best year but still one of the best midfielders going around. Selwood V Armitage, no brainer
jax
Guest
I agree, good call and good team. No McGovern was a surprise? LMac and Talia deserve their spots but Gov deserved one to for mine, even if it's on your bench.
Anonymous
Roar Pro
See my comment to Jack. Who would you drop from the team to fit him in?
Anonymous
Roar Pro
Good call. There’s a reason its called the ‘B’ team though. Nonetheless I think they could give the AA team a real run. The big discrepancy however is the midfield, the AA team trumps in that area. Forward and back though I think they are pretty much on par.
Anonymous
Roar Pro
Neale was unlucky. I wanted to get him on the bench but in the end I went with Cunnington. The main reason being Cunnington leads the North midfield where Lachie is the beneficiary of having possibly the best midfield in the comp next to him. Nonetheless he had a fantastic season. Who would you drop from the team to fit him in?
Gofreo
Guest
Neale not in A or B team???
pat malone
Guest
there is only one team in the world that would beat these guys
Stewie
Guest
More than 10 of those players would've made my All-Australian team. Says a lot.