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Opinion
With the regular season done and dusted, we move towards the pointy end of the season. This year’s finals series shapes up as an absolute beauty and I can’t wait.
But this time of the year also brings us to the awards season. I thought I would take on the tough task of putting together an All Australian squad of 40 and then getting that down to a team.
Adelaide Crows – Rory Laird
Brisbane Lions – Jarryd Lyons, Hugh McCluggage, Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko
Carlton Blue – Harry McKay, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering
Collingwood Magpies – Jack Crisp
Essendon Bombers – Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Jake Stringer
Fremantle Dockers – David Mundy, Sean Darcy
Geelong Cats – Patrick Dangerfield, Cameron Guthrie, Tom Hawkins, Joel Selwood, Tom Stewart
Gold Coast Suns – Touk Miller
GWS Giants – Toby Greene
Hawthorn Hawks – Luke Breust
Melbourne Demons – Max Gawn, Jake Lever, Steven May, Clayton Oliver, Christrian Petracca
North Melbourne Kanagaroos – Jack Ziebell
Port Adelaide Power – Aliir Aliir, Travis Boak, Ollie Wines
Richmond – Jack Riewoldt
St Kilda – Jack Steele
Sydney – Tom Papley, Luke Parker
West Coast – Nic Naitanui
Western Bulldogs – Marcus Bontempelli, Caleb Daniel, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae
All clubs are represented in the 40-man squad.
Next step: picking the final team.
I can only imagine the debates that go on in the All Australian panel. I know I had plenty of debates with myself. There was multiple changes throughout those debates.
In the end, I settled on picking the team that would most likely structure up in a game and needing a rotation for each line.
Backline: Jack Crisp (COL), Steven May (MEL), Caleb Daniel (WST)
Jack Crisp has been a shining light for Collingwood this season. Averaging 27.4 disposals, Crisp has shown real poise in what has been a really difficult year playing in Collingwood’s backline. With the loss of players to injuries, Crisp was often the one that kept Collingwood in games for long periods.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Steven May has shown what a class player he is. He backed up last year’s outstanding season with another this year. May has become part of what is arguably the league’s best defensive duo with Jake Lever. Their ability to intercept mark has really taken Melbourne’s game to a new level.
Caleb Daniel has continued to be one of Western Bulldogs’ most important players. He continues to be able to find the footy even with the close attention he now demands after his best and fairest winning season from the year before. Daniel is calm and precious with footy in hand.
Halfback line: Jake Lever (MEL), Aliir Aliir (POR), Daniel Rich (BRI)
Jake Lever
Lever has stepped up again for the Dees. Between him and Steven May, Melbourne’s once shaky defence has gone from strength to strength. While he has always been known as a great intercept defender, Lever has made improvements this season in his one-on-one defensive contests.
Aliir Aliir
He has taken his game to a new level down at Alberton. Aliir has found consistency that he probably lacked a little at the Swans. His ability to intercept has certainly provided a new aspect to Port’s game.
He’s also been important at different stages, being shifted in ruck, but also forward on the occasion.
Daniel Rich
The quarterback of the Lions team. His strong left foot has been a cornerstone of his game. A veteran of the Lions, he’s really provided the Lions an attacking option out of the backline with his penetrating left foot.
The Lions set up often around Rich and one would argue this has been his most damaging season of his career.
Centre line: Zach Merrett (ESS), Ollie Wines (POR), Hugh McCluggage (BRI)
Zach Merrett
Merrett’s return to the Bombers’ leadership group has seen him take his game to a new level. Been a big driving force in the development of the Bombers in season 2021.
He has re-signed with the Bombers, having seen a great improvement in the team’s form this season. One of the smooth movers of the competition.
Ollie Wines
Wines has been a midfield bull this year. His ability to win the contested ball and get it to outside for Port has been tremendous. Wines has been second in the league for contested possessions and third in the league for total possessions. Every chance to add a Brownlow to his list of achievements.
Hugh McCluggage
McCluggage’s continued improvement has been there for everyone to see. Will crack the All Australian this year after making the squad the last two seasons.
Early in the season, he was the hot favourite for the Brownlow with a fast and strong start to the season. He’s also finished the year extremely strong, one of the big reasons for Brisbane’s recent hot form.
Half-forward line: Jake Stringer (ESS), Harry McKay (CAR), Christian Petracca (MEL)
Jake Stringer
Well, he’s delivered well and truly this season. A guy who, at times, has shown glimpses of his unbelievable talent previously but never truly been able to put it together week to week.
Career highs in all statistical output; Stringer has driven the young Bombers side’s development, often willing his team across the line.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Harry McKay
The Coleman Medallist has been tremendous in a very inconsistent Carlton team. With fellow key forward Charlie Curnow being out for most of the season, McKay has been left to carry the load. His ability to compete has been great to watch. Will only get better with a bit more support from his teammates.
Christian Petracca
Career-high numbers for Petracca this season, with a move to playing more midfield time. Along with Clayotn Oliver, he has driven greater consistency and performance from his team. A player just as capable on the inside as he is on the outside, Petracca looms as a superstar and possibly the best player in the league.
Forward line: Toby Greene (GWS), Tom Hawkins (GEE), Tom Papley (SYD)
Toby Greene
A controversial figure on the field, but a genuine star of the competition. Toby has once again just about single-handedly carried the Giants to finals football. His ability to stand up at big moments of the game has him absolutely loved by his teammate s.
Also taking on the captaincy at different stages of the year, his importance to the Giants can’t be understated.
Tom Hawkins
Continues to be one of the most imposing key forwards in the League. Has followed up a mammoth 2020 with another consistent season.
Provided a contest at all times for the Cats, but ability to create goals from stoppages and his ruck work in the forward 50 has been outstanding. A real key ingredient if the Cats are to go one better than last season.
Tom Papley
Papley has been a huge part of Sydney’s resurgence in 2021. Playing in an exciting and young Swans line-up, Papley has continued to provide the Swans a spark in their forward 50.
Kicking the most goals in a single season of his career, Papley has struck up a great understanding with Lance Franklin in the Sydney forward line and looks primed for a big finals campaign.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Rucks: Nick Naitanui (WCE), Marcus Bontempelli (WSB), Clayton Oliver (MEL)
Nick Naitanui
Continues to provide highlights throughout his career. Has followed up a fantastic 2020 season with another consistent season. Continues to dominate at centre bounces and at stoppages. His ability to follow up is tremendous. His desire for the contest can never be doubted.
Marcus Bontempelli
The Bont is an absolute star. Tipped by many to become a Brownlow Medallist after a stellar home-and-away season for the Bulldogs. A midfield giant with a strong sense for the goals, Bont remains the Bulldogs’ No.1 player and heartbeat of the team. Expect a big finals campaign from him.
Clayton Oliver
A much maligned player during his time at the Dees, often criticised for not hurting the opposition with his continued ability to win the footy. Continues to grow as a player and has taken his game to a new level this season.
When Melbourne has struggled this year, genuinely, Oliver has been the one to step up and drive his team to victory. His second half against Geelong on the weekend was a perfect example of that.
Interchange: Max Gawn (MEL), Sam Walsh (CAR), Jack Ziebell (NTH), Dayne Zorko (BRI)
Max Gawn
With Nic Nat in the team, you will always need a second ruckman. Gawn has continued to be one of the best ruckmen in the competition. His leadership at Melbourne has helped them take it to next level.
Max has shown a great ability to influence the game when required. He’s often seen popping up in the forward line to kick in important goal, but just as likely to be found deep in defence to provide support in stopping opposition attacks.
Sam Walsh
Has continued to develop at rapid pace. Now becoming Carlton’s No.1 midfielder.
Will be a star of the competition for many years to come. He is strong around the ball, but also knows how to find the goals. His numbers in all statistical categories rate as elite in the AFL and to do that at just 21 years of age is fantastic.
Jack Ziebell
Has been reinvented as a backman this season. After an injury impacted 2020, Ziebell has bounced back this year.
Captain Ziebell has taken to water in his new role, really providing him with a spark. While North Melbourne struggled throughout the year, the genuine improvement could be seen in their performances in the back end of the season. Ziebell’s hunger and will to compete are a perfect example for his young teammates.
Dayne Zorko
Dayne Zorko is the real barometer of the Brisbane Lions. His leadership this season has allowed him to find probably his most consistent footy. His pressure alone is a big part of Brisbane’s game.
With Lachie Neale’s interrupted season due to injury, Zorko has seen much more midfield time and he’s thrived. His last month of football has been of the highest standard and has Brisbane ready for a finals campaign.
So, there you have it – my All Australian team for 2021.
So many players so very unlucky to miss out. Who do you think is the unluckiest? How many do you think will actually land in the All Australian team announced by the AFL All Australian selectors?
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.