If I picked a team based on the first six rounds of the 2019 AFL season, this is what the 22 would look like.
B: Shane Savage (Saints), Daniel Talia (Crows), Jimmy Webster (Saints)
HB: Jack Crisp (Magpies), Jack Hombsch (Suns), Ryan Burton (Power)
C: Lachie Whitfield (Giants), Zach Merrett (Bombers, co-captain), Mitch Duncan (Cats)
HF: Travis Boak (Power), Brad Ebert (Power), Alex Sexton (Suns)
FF: Gary Rohan (Cats), Matt Taberner (Dockers), Jordan de Goey (Magpies)
Foll: Jarrod Witts (Suns), James Worpel (Hawks), Angus Brayshaw (Demons, co-captain)
Int: Harry McKay (Blues), Ricky Henderson (Hawks), Sam Walsh (Blues), Nic Newman (Blues)
Backs
Shane Savage has been a big reason why the Saints have won four out of their first six games this season, and Daniel Talia is an outstanding key defender – possibly the best in the competition.
Jimmy Webster often goes under the radar for some reason. He has to be one of the most underrated players in the AFL.
Jack Crisp is an important part of the Magpies team, Jack Hombsch has been a revelation at his third AFL club, while Ryan Burton has to be the best recruit for any team in the competition this season.
Midfielders
Lachie Whitfield has been outstanding for the Giants this season. Unfortunately, the GWS star suffered from a corked thigh in Round 6, but battled on playing a role up forward and still chipping in for the team.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
Zach Merrett is an elite player in the competition, while Mitch Duncan has registered fewer than 20 possessions on only one occasion this season. The Cats mid often flies under the radar, but he shouldn’t, as he is a quality player.
Forwards
Travis Boak could be leading the Brownlow Medal after Round 6 in his new role, playing on a half forward flank. Brad Ebert has also played on the half forward line for the Power.
Alex Sexton has kicked a goal in every game this season, then Gary Rohan has to be in this team as he has been a star for the Cats.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Matt Taberner hasn’t gone goalless in any of the opening six games of the 2019 AFL season, and Jordan De Goey is the best match-winner in the AFL.
Followers
Jarrod Witts has relished his role as co-captain of the Suns, James Worpel goes about his role with no fuss and does his job for the Hawks, while Angus Brayshaw has been a shining light for the Demons.
Interchange
Harry McKay has provided a target for the Blues, Ricky Henderson has been an important player for the Hawks, Sam Walsh has been a revelation for Carlton in his first season in the AFL, and so has Nic Newman, who is proving an astute recruiting move by the Blues.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Calm down Chewy. Doran has got some debate happening. What's wrong with that? Submit your own article and AA team if you wish. Anyone can do that in The Roar. Have a crack yourself and then defend your points. You have to put yourself out there for critique and most are happy to throw stones from a distance but not cop any heat themselves. I got savaged with an article I wrote predicting the Pies reappointing Buckley for two years and subsequent rise at the end of 2017 and it makes interesting reading going back to those comments now. (Many by the same posters as in this article).
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Thanks Peter, that's exactly why there isn't one person on the All Australian panel.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
in Doran's defence Booney you can have high half forward mids and high back mids in modern footy. Buckley recently said the Pies starting 18 has 10-12 playing different midfield roles any given game, it's not just about centre bounces.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Darcy Moore AA CHB! I'd love it if that happens by end season but there's a bloke called Gov who will probably be hard to beat.
Chewyhawks
Guest
Clearly looking at this article and the "quality" arguments put forward by the author, I am shocked you didn't include Casboult and name him Captain!
Nick
Guest
I'd you are using the fact that Savage is the reason the Saints are in the top 8 then it follows Neale should be in your team as he would be the main reason Brisbane is in the top 8.
Macca
Roar Rookie
"Cripps gets a lot of the ball, but I don’t think he impacts the game as much as Walsh." Now you are just taking the pi55. Walsh 60% of Walsh's possessions are uncontested yet he is going at just 69% DE. Just 37% of Cripps possessions are uncontested yet he is going at 72.2% DE. But more importantly Cripps is averaging 9.5 clearances a game and 19.7 contested possessions, the clearances and contested possessions are setting up players like Fisher, SPS and Walsh to get involved in the game - take Cripps out and Walsh's impact drops,it doesn't work the other way,
Greeny
Roar Rookie
This is the worst AA team i've ever seen in over 30 years of watching football and checking out representitive sides. You seem to have based it on someone's importance to their team, or based it off one game, as opposed to actual form. I can only assume when you say "player x was super important in game Y" that these are the only games you've actually watched. It's all well and good to be controversial, but this is just embarrassing.
Dimitri Buckets
Roar Rookie
Port could name Boak at fullback, it doesn’t preclude the fact he has been back playing as a pure midfielder this year, hence his whopping disposal and associated engine room numbers. Should be named in a proper midfield slot.
Dimitri Buckets
Roar Rookie
Boak’s new role this year is back in the midfield finally. He was half-forward last year. Beyond that, I can honestly say I have not seen a worse attempt at one of these, across any sport, in the 30-odd years I’ve been cognitively aware of men chasing imprisoned air around courts and fields.
Billy Mumphrey
Roar Rookie
Yeah look how the Dockers are playing without Neale but don't forget to look how the Lions are playing with him. Rohan in ahead of Ablett but he wouldn't be anywhere without Ablett this year.
JamesH
Roar Guru
That's pretty close. I'd personally have Hurley over Moore but not by any significant margin. I also think Stringer has been much more consistent than Walla over six rounds - he just hasn't had that blinder of a game that Walla had vs the Roos.
I agree, good on you for putting a side up but its simply not a true reflection of who has been most influential this year. Im from SA and can categorically tell you that none of Talia, Burton or even Ebert deserve to be in the AA side. Any AA side without Cripps and Neale seriously lacks credibility!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Shiel had ten turnovers against the Pies. Ten. We got at least two goals from his turnovers Anzac day. He has conceded over 50 points this year from his direct turnovers.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I'd be pretty sure Cripps is leading the Brownlow at this stage. He may be unbackable by round 11.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yeah a bit surprised Doran is getting a belting in here. It's got everyone thinking and debating and that is interesting listening to others defend their points.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Lynch full forward 13th? Based on the season I'd rather another small in there.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
A fair enough comment Dean. I believe Clarko wanted Wingard to become the new Burgoyne. I don't think he will but have nothing against the bloke.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Witts is a great story. Pies seriously rated Witts ahead of Grundy at one stage but in the end let him go to fulfill his potential. It's been a win-win for both clubs. Quality character Witts.
IAP
Guest
Bont is leading the AFLCA votes, or very close to; so the coaches don't agree.