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My best 22 if I was picking a team based on the 2018 season

Andrew Gaff (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Roar Guru
7th September, 2018
15

This is my best 22 players if I was picking an All-Australian team based on the 2018 season.

To be a member of this team a player must have played a minimum of ten games for the season.

FB: Neville Jetta (Demons), Daniel Talia (Crows), David Astbury (Tigers, vice-captain)
HB: Liam Duggan (Eagles), Matthew Scharenberg (Magpies), Jimmy Webster (Saints)
M: Chris Masten (Eagles), Tom Mitchell (Hawks), Lachie Hunter (Bulldogs)
HF: Sam Menegola (Cats), Tim Membrey (Saints), Angus Brayshaw (Demons)
FF: Josh Caddy (Tigers), Eric Hipwood (Lions), Jade Gresham (Saints)
Foll: Toby Nankervis (Tigers, captain), Jack Steven (Saints), Andrew Gaff (Eagles)
Int: Shaun Grigg (Tigers), Jack Macrae (Bulldogs), Josh Kelly (Giants), Will Hoskin-Elliott (Magpies)

Backs
Neville Jetta always plays his role for the team and should have been in the All Australian squad of 40. Daniel Talia is an important part of the Crows structure. David Astbury is underrated, as he is one of the best tall defenders in the competition.

A top-four finish for the Eagles was made possible by Liam Duggan, while Matthew Scharenberg was a revelation for the Magpies, providing runs off the half-back line. The Saints are a better team with Jimmy Webster in it as he accumulates plenty of the ball and creates a lot of movement out of defence.

Midfielders
Chris Masten had his career on the line coming into this year and proved that he deserves to remain at the top level. Tom Mitchell not only accumulated possessions but also used the ball well and made them count. Bulldogs star, Lachie Hunter is a quality midfielder who only missed one season game had the most disposals for his team.

Tom Mitchell

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Forwards
By playing every game in the season and having an impact in most of them, Geelong’s Sam Menegola became one of their most important players. Both Tim Membrey and Jade Gresham had solid seasons and would have been more highly regarded if they played in a better team than the Saints.

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Angus Brayshaw is an integral part of the Demons team and one of the key elements for them having such a successful 2018. Josh Caddy showed that he should never have been let go by the Cats, having a significant impact playing for Richmond. Brisbane’s leading goalkicker, Eric Hipwood, also makes the cut.

Followers
Toby Nankervis is the Tigers’ second most important player as his work around the ground is impressive and the Tigers need him in for their system to function to an optimum level. Always showing great endeavour, Jack Steven is the only elite player at the Saints. Andrew Gaff is simply one of the best players in the competition.

Interchange
Another important player for the Tigers, Shaun Grigg, will fill the second ruck role. Jack Macrae makes the Bulldogs a better side and would be a walk-up start in any team in the competition. Josh Kelly is a barometer for the Giants, while Will Hoskin-Elliott had an impressive season, kicking 39 goals and not missing a game.

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