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.
(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.
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.
Mark
Guest
I'll bite - and only respond with names from Hawthorn that are better than your selection for their appropriate position based on this season and your number of games criteria: Sicily - was in AA contention until the injru, a gun off the half-back line, excellent mark and kick and consisteently higher ceiling and performance than both Scharenberg and Webster, imo. Gunston and Breust - both AA, both bring goal scoring form, flexibility and consistency across the season. But you knew this, right? This team is a clickbait and I fell for it.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
That's two bits...bring back the edit function.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
By thise two nits of reasoning, where is Nat Fyfe? He could still lead the Brownlow voting.
User
Roar Rookie
Agree there matto, Shep has had a way better year, he's is ranked 11th in league for disposal efficiency so in real world Shep is picked in side way before duggo.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
It's all a matter of opinion, stats wise they are similar.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
There is no way he has had a better season than Shepp.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Hipwood and Membrey would have kicked over fifty goals each for the season in better teams. Hipwood kicked thirty-seven, while Membrey kicked thirty-four. Masten had a solid season; he was a big reason why the Eagles finished in the top four, while Hunter had a good year averaging nearly thirty possessions a game and Webster played well in a defence that was under siege and won plenty of the ball, providing run out of the Saints back line. Neville Jetta is underrated, Talia and Astbury always play their role and are important parts of their respective teams structure. Scharenberg was fantastic for the Magpies; they probably would have won if he was playing against the Eagles tonight. Josh Caddy is a star, he showed that on Friday night against the Hawks with two pivotal goals.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Hipwood & Membrey???? Wth? That’s just to start with..... Masten ???? Hunter.... Webster.... Awful. title should be all honest or all inconsistent team.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
So Doran you are picking some players not on form but because you think they would be better if they played in a top side and not a bottom side or if they had played every game and not missed games because of injury. Patrick Cripps played in the bottom side yet you haven’t included him despite him being a top 5 Brownlow contender. You picked Nankervis in the ruck ahead of Gawn & Grundy - the 2 standout ruckmen. You pick Shaun Grigg as the second ruck because he plays that position for a Richmond - not because he is a good ruckman. I could go on and on but it would end up being longer than your article. This side would not get within 20 goals of the real All Australian side.
Peter Hoole
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, I think this team is way off the mark. While no doubt the players are good, there are very few elite players named. I would love to see this team play the offical All Australian team, but I'm pretty sure it would be a blowout to the AA....
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Not deliberate at all, Menegola for instance doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, Brayshaw is a star, he was outstanding last night in the final against the Cats. Membrey and Hipwood would have kicked a lot more goals if they were playing in better teams. I deliberately made sure that the team had a few players who are capable of kicking multiple goals.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Players such as Macrae and Josh Kelly would have been All Australian if they had played a full season, as they were injured. Jack Steven is elite in my opinion, but unfortunately, he wasn’t recognized as his team was low on the ladder, same with Lachie Hunter.
PeteB
Guest
I’ve been trying to refrain from commenting. This supposed team of 2018 is so bad it has to be deliberate doesn’t it ??
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Doran, can you please explain your thinking behind this team? You have only included 2 players who actually made the All Australian team. Did you do this hoping to get a lot of comments?
User
Roar Rookie
Would not be surprised if duggan is a future captain at West coast, awesome player with a level head