Imagine a starting 18 of players with one player from every AFL team.
Stop imagining, as we’re about to bring it to fruition, albeit hypothetically.
In May I theorised an all-18 for the season, which you can read here. From that team, only four players have remained in the side at season’s end: Zach Merrett, Clayton Oliver, Dustin Martin and Jeremey McGovern.
There are two captains for this exercise: Sam Menegola and Caleb Daniel.
The all-AFL starting 18 of 2020
Adelaide Crows: Reilly O’Brien
Brisbane Lions: Harris Andrews
Carlton Blues: Sam Walsh
Collingwood Magpies: Brayden Maynard
Essendon Bombers: Zach Merrett
Fremantle Dockers: Matt Taberner
Geelong Cats: Sam Menegola (co-captain)
Gold Coast Suns: Sam Collins
Greater Western Sydney Giants: Lachie Whitfield
Hawthorn Hawks: Jack Gunston
Melbourne Demons: Clayton Oliver
North Melbourne Kangaroos: Shaun Higgins
Port Adelaide Power: Charlie Dixon
Richmond Tigers: Dustin Martin
St Kilda Saints: Jack Steele
Sydney Swans: Tom Papley
West Coast Eagles: Jeremey McGovern
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Daniel (co-captain)
B: Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions), Sam Collins (Gold Coast), Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
HB: Lachie Whitfield (Giants), Jeremy McGovern (West Coast), Brayden Maynard (Collingwood)
C: Sam Menegola (Geelong), Zach Merrett (Essendon), Sam Walsh (Carlton)
HF: Dustin Martin (Richmond), Matt Taberner (Fremantle), Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne)
FF: Tom Papley (Sydney Swans), Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
Foll: Reilly O’Brien (Adelaide Crows), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne Demons)
Backs
Harris Andrews will be in strong contention for the AFL All Australian team in 2020. His intercept marking looked effortless.
Sam Collins made Gold Coast a better team with him in it during 2020. They were in finals contention up until later in the season thanks to him.
Caleb Daniel had a season no words could do justice. He continually provided run out of defence for the Western Bulldogs.
Halfbacks
Lachie Whitfield is a strong chance of winning the Giants best and fairest. What epitomised his season was amassing 28 disposals in a never-say-die effort in the side’s Round 17 obliteration by St Kilda.
Jeremy McGovern is a massive asset for West Coast. There’s no doubt they are a more formidable team with him in the side.
Brayden Maynard deserves to be in the AFL All Australian team based on his consistency.
Jeremy McGovern (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Centres
Sam Menegola rarely turns the ball over. It’s been remarkable how easy he makes playing on the wing look. He leads by example.
Zach Merrett has been a shining light for Essendon. His endeavour never wavers, even when they’re losing and the result is a foregone conclusion.
Sam Walsh is a chance to win Carlton’s best and fairest. In Round 18 he showed he is capable of playing on the ball, amassing 31 disposals.
Half-forwards
Dustin Martin was first picked. It’s difficult to think of any other Richmond player who has nearly as much impact on the game as him. It was a forgone conclusion that he was in this team.
Matt Taberner makes Fremantle look a more formidable team with him in it.
Shaun Higgins was the best player for North Melbourne. They need to keep him going forward, even if they aren’t in the premiership window, as he’s an extremely consistent performer.
Dustin Martin (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Forwards
Tom Papley may not have got as many goals as he could have had he played slightly better, but he was a pivotal part of the Sydney Swans structure. To put it simply, they are a better team with him in it.
Charlie Dixon didn’t only kick goals, he also proved he can play as a second ruck. Dixon should definitely be in the 2020 All Australian team.
Jack Gunston was outstanding for Hawthorn. The game was indicative of what an asset he has been to Hawthorn was Round 18 – the game didn’t mean much to Hawthorn given they couldn’t make the finals, but two of their loyal servants were retiring. Gunston didn’t only kick four goals, he also set up a goal for the retiring Ben Stratton, a selfless act.
Followers
Reilly O’Brien would get a lot more credit if he played in a team higher on the ladder. O’Brien carried the Crows at times – he didn’t know the meaning of being deflated by the scoreboard. In Round 18 he was exceptional in a one-sided loss to Richmond.
Jack Steele is one of the favourites to win the Brownlow Medal for a reason: he had an extremely consistent season.
Clayton Oliver was outstanding for the Melbourne Demons. It’s clear that Oliver never gave up, as he averaged exactly 25 disposals a game.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
nope....
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Come on, did I at least get a smile?
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
No. You get to call Ablett God, so we get to name our lads. Simples.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Surely it would be Sodom. Son of Daicos of Macedonia.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
I call him SOMM (Son Of Macedonian Marvel), but people think I'm speaking of WWI battles and it loses its effect......
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
I’m a Collingwood supporter! Objectively speaking, I agree with everything you say. The most important thing for a young star is to keep their feet planted firmly on the ground and stay humble, which I believe that Daicos can do!
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Daicos has gone to another level. Been to a few Pies games at the Gabba this year, and the Collingwood faithful lift when he gets the ball. Might be a bit of nostalgia, but there seems to be a real belief in this kid. Looks a star.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Taberner doesn’t get the credit he deserves; he makes Fyfe even more effective when Fyfe rests up forward and takes the pressure off Lobb. You make some good and viable ideas; ie Merrett on the wing. I wouldn’t replace Menegola or Sam Walsh though. Although, I did consider Tom Stewart on a half back flank and Daicos on a wing or Treloar in the middle of the ground and also De Goey in the forward pocket. With regards to Andrews or Neale, you could mount a case for either and I know that Neale will most probably win the Brownlow Medal barring a miracle, which made it a tough decision; it’s mostly won by midfielders! When Andrews was at his best in Season 2020, he was the player that the Brisbane Lions could least afford to lose. The different “permutations” are never ending, literally!
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Yep all fair points. Fremantle without Taberner might be a lesser team, but would this team be better or worse with Fyfe or Tabs at CHF?? But it relies on me trying to shoe-horn Fyfe into a position he doesn't line up in (although could argue he plays that role from time to time). Especially after I shoe-horned Boak into the midfield (BTW I moved Merritt out onto the wing in my example, I didn't mention that). Although can we just remove Essendon players and play one-short...??? Can see why Andrews over Neale. If he wins the Brownlow might be some questions as to why you left him out... :happy: :happy:
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Thanks for your input. “Permutations” is the right word; there were 100’s of combinations to experiment with, but I tried my best to make it as close to the positions that the players usually play in. Since when does Boak play on the wing? I considered picking him in Merrett’s position in the centre of the ground, but the only other Essendon player that could be considered was Jordan Ridley in Andrews position. Dixon has been one of the reasons why Port Adelaide are placed; he always makes a contest. Sorry, I can’t get rid of Menegola; he is a Co-Captain! The only reason I didn’t select Neale was due to how big an impact Andrews had, however, had I selected Jordan Ridley instead of Andrews it may have changed everything. I considered Fyfe to play in Merrett’s position, but there were no Essendon key forwards who warranted selection. Seeing Fremantle played without Taberner against the Western Bulldogs, with a weakness that is arguably their key defenders and the fact that Fremantle only kicked six goals was vindication for selecting Taberner in the team over Fyfe, but it was a long deliberation! The team that I settled on took a while to formulate, because if you change one team’s player then the whole team gets effected; it’s like the domino effect or a jigsaw puzzle to be exact!
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Nice concept, like it. Of course there are probably 100's of permutations with this format. Team looks solid, but hard to go with a team that has neither of the top two Brownlow fancies in Neale and Boak. Boak in Dixon out, Hawkins in Menegola out. Not sure with Neale, as you would lose Andrews. Tough one. Could Fyfe play CHF instead of Taberner?