This age group was a difficult one as there are so many quality players to pick from. It was surprising, as it looked like an easy task on paper.
There are three co-captains: Nat Fyfe, Luke Shuey and Luke Parker. The captaincy decision was probably the easiest of the choices. The magnets had to be moved around at times, but the team came to fruition eventually.
AFL 27 to 29 line-up
B: Dylan Grimes (Richmond Tigers), Dane Rampe (Sydney Swans), Brad Sheppard (West Coast Eagles)
HB: Nick Haynes (Greater Western Sydney Giants), Jeremy McGovern (West Coast Eagles), Tom Stewart (Geelong Cats)
C: Andrew Gaff (West Coast Eagles), Nat Fyfe (Co-Captain- Fremantle Dockers), Mitch Duncan (Geelong Cats)
HF: Michael Walters (Fremantle Dockers), Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney Giants), Kane Lambert (Richmond Tigers)
F: Dustin Martin (Richmond Tigers), Tom J. Lynch (Richmond Tigers), Jack Darling (West Coast Eagles)
Foll: Max Gawn (Melbourne Demons), Luke Shuey (Co-Captain- West Coast Eagles), Luke Parker (Co-Captain- Sydney Swans)
IC: Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne Kangaroos), Dion Prestia (Richmond Tigers), Adam Treloar (Collingwood Magpies), Nic Naitanui (West Coast Eagles)
Emg: Dylan Shiel (Essendon Bombers), Daniel Talia (Adelaide Crows), Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood Magpies), Daniel Rich (Brisbane Lions)
Backs
Dylan Grimes was an important part of the Tigers winning the 2019 AFL premiership.
Dane Rampe was in the All Australian squad in 2019 and is capable of playing at fullback.
Brad Sheppard is a pivotal part of the West Coast Eagles back six.
Halfbacks
Nick Haynes is capable of providing a lot of run out of defence.
Jeremy McGovern is the best centre halfback in the competition.
Tom Stewart is a quality player in Geelong’s back six.
(Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Centres
Andrew Gaff is one of the best players in the competition.
Nat Fyfe is a pivotal part of the Fremantle midfield.
Mitch Duncan usually starts on a wing. He showed his quality in Round 1 of 2020 when he kicked three goals.
Half-forwards
Michael Walters is a pivotal part of the Fremantle Dockers forward line and also has the capability of playing on the wing.
Jeremy Cameron won the Coleman Medal in 2019.
Kane Lambert is a pivotal part of the Richmond team and can play on a half-forward flank and through the midfield.
(Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )
Forwards
Dustin Martin is a quality part of the Richmond Tigers team who often plays midfield but is extremely dangerous in the forward 50.
Tom Lynch justified the Richmond Tigers decision to recruit him by helping to lift the premiership cup in 2019.
Jack Darling isn’t just a structurally important player but also finished high on the goal kicking list for the 2019 season.
Followers
Max Gawn is universally regarded as a quality ruckman.
Luke Shuey is a quality player and a good leader.
Luke Parker is a sensational player who also has leadership qualities.
Interchange
Ben Cunnington showed his quality in Round 1. He isn’t only a tough player but also someone with a heap of ability.
Dion Prestia showed he may well be Richmond’s most important player with his performance in Round 1.
Adam Treloar has been a revelation for the Collingwood Magpies since joining them.
Nic Naitanui would be suited to playing less game time so he doesn’t get injured and can have even more impact on games than he already does.
Emergencies
Dylan Shiel would have been expected by Essendon to be in this team’s best 22 when they recruited him, so he can improve slightly, despite being a talented player.
Daniel Talia is a key player for the Adelaide Crows playing at fullback.
Steele Sidebottom being picked as an emergency shows how talented this team is.
Daniel Rich has plenty of ability. He creates a lot of run out of defence for the Lions.
RT
Roar Rookie
We can agree to disagree on the importance of Lynch. I only say he was crucial last year because of all the injuries, especially when Jack was out. If it wasn't for injuries, we probably still would have won the Premiership without him. As for Treloar or any other trade, it is such a sliding doors moment. If Treloar went to Richmond, we wouldn't have received a free agency pick for Vickery, which was used on Shai Bolton. Would Richmond have traded for Prestia if they had secured Treloar? Maybe not. So maybe Treloar woudn't have won 2 Premierships with Richmond and things instead would have worked out with Collingwood winning a couple of flags instead. What a horrible thought.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Cameron has some real courage and mongrel which is why I believe his signature is the most important in the competition. Darling is a beast and a hell of a player too .
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
It’s funny isn’t I? Treloar could have two flags with the Tigers but at the end of his career will he achieve that with the Pies? Who is to say. Would you have still beaten the Cats in the prelim without Lynch? I still say Jack is more important and a better overall player and leader
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I reckon you still win last year without Lynch Richie but look AFL can be a game of inches. Luke Ball transfers to the Pies for a flag thanks to a wonky bounce or would have forever been the Saint that left before their fairytale.
RT
Roar Rookie
But could you have put that jumper on? I meant we never would have made top 4 without him. He also kept us in the Prelim to half time.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Luke Parker shouldn't be anywhere near this team.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Richie you could have played me in his place and still beaten the Giants by 70
RT
Roar Rookie
Oh Pete, still pouting that Lynch chose Richmond over Collingwood? Tigers wouldn't be reigning Premiers without him. Pies might have been with him.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Thanks; it’s great to have differing opinions and views!
Brunswick Dragon
Guest
This age group does appear to have their fair share of the gun forwards. But i’d have Brown ahead of Lynch as well. He’s been consistently better for a non finalist in North for a long period of time, than Lynch ever was for GC. Lynch’s output with Richmond versus what he’d been doing with Gold Coast is a good, live example of how an elite team makes such a difference to a key forward. Lynch had a good year in 2016 with GC, but nowhere the consistency of Brown with North. Brown has been within 6, 4 and 3 goals of the Coleman in each of the last 3 years. What ifs are inevitably subjective, but if he had the benefits of being in a top club in 2017, 2018 and 2019 - like the other big forwards in this team of Cameron, Darling, and now Lynch - it’s likely we’d be talking about a three-peat Coleman medalist. And probably an All Australian for at least a couple of them.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Me too. Brown is better on the ground. Lynch turns like a Mac truck
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Brown has a longer run up than Merv Hughes.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
I would take Brown over Lynch.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Lynch because he's a dork.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
You’re only saying that due to me picking Sicily over Darcy Moore!
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Ben Brown needs to improve his work around the ground and importance structurally to North Melbourne; I think Larkey is more important for North Melbourne at this stage structurally. Who would you take out of the team I selected in order to pick Ben Brown?
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Luke Breust was considered, but didn’t quite make it as this is time I picked as if they were playing now, but not necessarily based on history. You make a good point though.
Brunswick Dragon
Guest
A top team. But Ben Brown stiff to miss. Top 3 in the Coleman for the past three years, All Australian squad for each of those years, more goals than anyone else in that time by a considerable margin. All as a forward in a team that hasn’t played finals and where supply hasn’t been as reliable as what it’s been for the big forwards who made this team. Not the most aesthetically pleasing of forwards, but the big fella seems to be perennially underrated.
1DER
Guest
Very talented list this grouping. Luke Bruest also missing the cut, so consistent in games year in year out with total games played per year and his above average performance for a pressure goal kicking forward.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Good work Doran . I reckon this team beats your younger team by about 8 goals