Based on the first 11 rounds of the 2019 AFL season, I have picked my All Australian team.
Only three players maintain their spot in the side from the team I formulated at the end of Round 6: Mitch Duncan, Ricky Henderson and Travis Boak.
My All Australian side after Round 11
B: Daniel Rich (Lions), David Astbury (Tigers), Michael Hurley (Bombers)
HB: Liam Duggan (Eagles), Jeremy McGovern (Eagles), Alex Witherden (Lions)
C: Mitch Duncan (Cats), Brad Crouch (Crows), Ricky Henderson (Hawks)
HF: Travis Boak (Power), Tom Hawkins (Cats), Michael Walters (Dockers)
FF: Jeremy Finlayson (Giants), Jeremy Cameron (Giants), Gary Ablett (Cats)
Foll: Brodie Grundy (Magpies), Ben Cunnington (Kangaroos, co-captain), Andrew Gaff (Eagles, co-captain)
Int: Rory Lobb (Dockers), Marcus Bontempelli (Bulldogs), Lachie Neale (Lions), Caleb Daniel (Bulldogs)
Backs
Daniel Rich has been outstanding for the Lions this season. The defender has provided plenty of run out of defence.
David Astbury is a big reason why the Tigers sit sixth on the ladder.
Michael Hurley is an outstanding defender who accumulates plenty of the ball and plays an important role in the Bombers back six.
Liam Duggan is a quality player who deserves more recognition for the role that he plays.
Jeremy McGovern is a stand-out as far centre half backs are concerned.
Alex Witherden is an important part of the Lions team and definitely a reason why they are fifth on the ladder.
Midfielders
Mitch Duncan managed to retain his spot in my All Australian team from the end of Round 6, starting on a wing, hitting the scoreboard and averaging some descent stats in terms of possession.
Brad Crouch is a big reason why the Crows sit in the top eight.
Ricky Henderson has arguably been Hawthorn’s best player this season and he retains his spot in my All Australian side from the end of Round 6. Henderson has been promoted from my interchange bench onto the wing.
Forwards
Travis Boak has arguably been the most consistent player from any team after Round 11 and therefore retains his spot in my All Australian team.
Tom Hawkins has been outstanding for the Cats kicking at least one goal in every match. Hawkins has provided a target for players up the field.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Michael Walters has kicked a goal in all but one game. In Round 10 he managed to kick a match-winning point, while in Round 11 Walters kicked a match winning goal, which indicates that he is an extremely composed player.
Jeremy Finlayson has been a revelation in his role as a forward for the Giants.
Jeremy Cameron has been the stand-out full forward in the competition. Cameron is leading the Coleman Medal. He has kicked 14 goals in the last five games, despite going goalless in two of the five games.
Gary Ablett has been one of the Cats’ most important players this season.
Followers
Brodie Grundy has been the stand-out ruckman in the competition, working hard around the ground.
Ben Cunnington is one of the best midfielders in the AFL. Cunnington continues to work hard and lead the Kangaroos well despite not being the captain of the club.
Andrew Gaff has been brilliant for the Eagles since returning from his suspension. Gaff has been nothing short of impressive in his approach to his footy.
Interchange
Rory Lobb has been a pivotal part of the Dockers team. Round 11 was indicative of Lobb’s importance to the Dockers as he played a key role in curtailing the influence of Brodie Grundy.
Marcus Bontempelli has played a key role for the Bulldogs as a forward who plays through the midfield at times.
Lachie Neale could be leading the Brownlow Medal, which is an indicator of how strong a season Neale has had.
Caleb Daniel has embraced his role as a halfback flanker who provides plenty of run.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
There was a guy called Patrick Cripps running around today might be worth checking him out - he goes ok
Joe
Guest
Better than the last attempt, but absolutely no clue how you don't have Tim Kelly or Tom Stewart.
Sylvester
Roar Rookie
Alex Keath extremely stiff not to get a spot in that back line, I would be picking him over David Astbury.
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
Im happy with those two, key position players who will be key to the next generation of success in a few years time... Would have loved to have Kelly, but Im glad we didnt give up two picks for him.
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
Exactly, it used to be Shep or Schoey but as we are seeing, they are both great players and we cant afford for either of them not to be in the side. Some very good players are going to miss out when we get back to full strength ;-)
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
MATE!! Thats almost word for word the same as something I wrote and I hadnt read your post .. Great minds think alike and Duggy is a gun ;-)
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
I gotta admit, I was annoyed when he went to that mob down the road...he would have looked great in an Eagles Guernsey ;-)
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
Mate , McGovern is up there now with Jacovich as the best centre half back ever to play for the club... plenty have rated Jaco as the best Eagle of all time, ahead of Peter Matera (I dont agree but hes a close third after Judd). So the Guv is one guy we really cant afford to lose. The side effect of that is we have some other guns down there who people tend to ignore, but Barras is as good as any fullback in the league and as other punters have mentioned,would be All Australian if he played for a big Melbourne club. Schofield and Sheppard rarely lose a one on one duel.. and then theres Duggan and Hurn who are both elite kicks of the football... its hard finding a spot for Jetta truth be told... who also has elite kicking and running skills. Sorry, that was a bit of a mouthful for a short question so the answer is yes, I dont think we can cover the talent of the Guv if he goes down. The guy is good enough to be an elite forward, he kicks a bag every time he goes forward ;-) Trivia time : Babe Ruth started out as a pitcher, and once threw a no hitter record that stood for 27 years.... the Guv is in that kind of mold.
Seymorebutts
Roar Rookie
Glad to see Liam Duggan get picked, the Eagles have a bunch of those second tier players who dont get much press but are good AFL players . No flash, just do the basics well week in week out.
Finno
Roar Rookie
Thanks Scott. I reckon the 3 talls on field have been the best so far this year and McGovern is on the bench. I'd have Danger as one of the emergencies at this stage but a couple of blinders and he's right back in contention.
Raimond
Roar Guru
Walla's best asset is his defensive pressure, and also his accuracy. Just below elite level at this stage.
Scott
Guest
I think that’s a pretty good team Finno. I’d say McGovern and Harris Andrews are miles ahead of the 3rd best key defender so I would change that, but I reckon that’s the best effort yet. Why has no one mentioned Dangerfield yet. He has been a victim of his own high standards. He has still played a fair few blinders. It’s the same thing with Fyfe and also perhaps Pendlebury. Fyfe has been the best player in the comp and is the 1st player picked in the AA team and Pendlebury has been a lot better then many of the players everyone in the comments section has mentioned
Scorching
Guest
Peter I don't think it is fair to say they had him stolen from their back yard and that he had been "missed". The year in the WAFL before he was drafted was his first year of any note. West Coast were tipped strongly to take Kelly with their pick after Geelong nabbed him. They wouldn't have too many regrets about the guys they took before (Allen and Brander)
JamesH
Roar Guru
I know, that's the problem. He's a reflection of the hot-and-(icy) cold team performances so far.
Peter Warrington
Guest
Strengths: Gets lots Likes to run Can lay a heavy tackle Has the ability to kick long and well Areas for improvement: Doesn't get all he could Can make poor decisions under pressure Can look like he is holding back in challenges Doesn't always hit targets - DE lower than could be. He is better than I thought and has played some big games including a grand final. But has room for improvement. As do we all...
Peter Warrington
Guest
like many teams, we struggle against elite forwrad lines especially with heright: Darling/Kennedy last year Cox PF night Cox/De Goey/Mihocek Cameron and Finlayson Naughton smashed us amd then Brown Astbury is suffering from role confusion. It is arguably more important to our backline than the forwards. Garthwaite in and out hasn't helped. Balta down the back doing a Rance might be a good option. especially when Nank comes back.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Keep your eye on Houston for Port in the 2nd half of the season, he's on fire at the moment.
Cat
Roar Guru
I saw this stat during an Essendon game last week: AMT in games Essendon has won: 16 goals 2 behinds AMT in games Essendon has lost: 0 goals, 1 behind Apologies if the numbers are not perfect, I am recalling by memory. That does not scream AA to me.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I (very begrudgingly) agree. His best has been brilliant but he's gone missing in too many games, in part due to poor ball use from the midfield. Teams have realised that with Fantasia out, they can lock down on Walla and massively reduce Essendon's offensive capability when the ball hits the deck. He has AA potential if he and his teammates can find a bit more consistency in the back half of the year.
JamesH
Roar Guru
That's not bad but I wouldn't have Stewart as a true CHB. Rich out, Stewart to the pocket and Andrews/Pearce at CHB.