AFL Team of the 21st Century (Rolling)

[RUNVS]

I tend to think of these kind of teams less like squads with positions, but in terms of roles. In a back six IMO you need a lockdown KPD, a lock down small defender, a third-man up type interceptor, a mid-sized hybrid defender, a rebounding defender, and a CHB type with a bigger tank than the lockdown KPD. Seventh defender on the bench is just the next best defender.

(BTW IMO that is Scarlett, N Smith, Stewart, Enright, Hodge and Rance. Seventh no idea)

I think ideally the best teams have two rebounding defenders. I remember Kennelly/Malceski together were such a weapon for the Swans, and later Shaw/Mattner too. Not saying any of them are in contention for this team, but the two rebounding defenders worked well for us and I think work well for any team that has them too (if they are good quality).

 

[Sttew]

The problem is for some reason rebounding/attacking half backs often don't make the AA team despite being super important. I am not sure why.

Tom Stewart?

 

[RUNVS]

I tend to think of these kind of teams less like squads with positions, but in terms of roles. In a back six IMO you need a lockdown KPD, a lock down small defender, a third-man up type interceptor, a mid-sized hybrid defender, a rebounding defender, and a CHB type with a bigger tank than the lockdown KPD. Seventh defender on the bench is just the next best defender.

(BTW IMO that is Scarlett, N Smith, Stewart, Enright, Hodge and Rance. Seventh no idea)

Also it is an interesting question.

What if some Space Jam shite happens and we needed to pick a current list of players to play in the game for the survival of the species as a whole. What team do we pick and how different would it actually be to the AA side that was selected this year?

 

[My_Username]

I tend to think of these kind of teams less like squads with positions, but in terms of roles. In a back six IMO you need a lockdown KPD, a lock down small defender, a third-man up type interceptor, a mid-sized hybrid defender, a rebounding defender, and a CHB type with a bigger tank than the lockdown KPD. Seventh defender on the bench is just the next best defender.

(BTW IMO that is Scarlett, N Smith, Stewart, Enright, Hodge and Rance. Seventh no idea)

And that several of those players should be able to fill multiple roles as required (and do them well).

 

[JackOutback]

A running defender would be better. Others may disagree but I think someone like Murphy, H.Shaw or Hurn would be better. They are more attacking weapons than Hodge and can provide more drive out of defence.

The problem is for some reason rebounding/attacking half backs often don't make the AA team despite being super important. I am not sure why.

Stas-wise, I don't think anyone is making a case for Hurn in the team of the century, that said, he was an absolute weapon off half-back in his prime, his kick-outs were pinpoint over long distances and he could shut players down. Would never be out of place playing alongside the best.

 

[Lingsface]

As good as Johnson was, not sure I'm having him in my team at the expense of Aker, regardless of what the stats say...

I see what your saying because Akers speed and footskills are amazing no wonder bulldogs got too 2 prelims with those two on the flanks and not much else.

 

[KissKiss]

Who would you have on the other HBF?

Like most of the others I'd probably be selecting Hodge as my second HBF over Mcleod, C.Johnson and probably a few others. So I have Hodge as the second HBF which is relevant to he's not the first player I'd select in the team. He's probably an easy in but not in the first 5-6 I would have picked if that makes sense

 

[Guardian Hawk]

A running defender would be better. Others may disagree but I think someone like Murphy, H.Shaw or Hurn would be better. They are more attacking weapons than Hodge and can provide more drive out of defence.

The problem is for some reason rebounding/attacking half backs often don't make the AA team despite being super important. I am not sure why.

This is a curious post to me, especially the bolded. My perception is the exact opposite is true - the AA side almost always selects attacking/rebounding half back flankers and are much more likely to ignore the more defensive players.

The 2023 team, for example, had Jack Sinclair and Dan Houston - 2 attacking players.
2022 team had Sinclair and Saad - also 2 running, attacking players
2021 team had Daniel Rich and Bailey Dale
Coud keep going to basically every year before that being full of Laird, Docherty, Hurn, Whitfield, etc, etc. Nearly every HBF selection is an attacking, rebounding player so no idea what you mean really?

On top of that, whilst Hodge was obviously more defensive (and better defensively) than the guys you've named, he was still pretty attacking in his own right. I mean, he averaged more of the ball than any of those you've named, kicked more goals than those you've named and more score involvements than those you've named (acknowledging he spent more time through the middle).

He also has more AA's than all those named, much more than double the Brownlow votes of any of those named, much more than double the Coaches votes of any of those named, the only one with MVP votes and has 4 flags, including a threepeat as captain and 2 Norm Smiths.

I think it is very clear his resume is miles ahead of at least those alternate suggestions.

 

[Fadge]

This is a curious post to me, especially the bolded. My perception is the exact opposite is true - the AA side almost always selects attacking/rebounding half back flankers and are much more likely to ignore the more defensive players.

The 2023 team, for example, had Jack Sinclair and Dan Houston - 2 attacking players.
2022 team had Sinclair and Saad - also 2 running, attacking players
2021 team had Daniel Rich and Bailey Dale
Coud keep going to basically every year before that being full of Laird, Docherty, Hurn, Whitfield, etc, etc. Nearly every HBF selection is an attacking, rebounding player so no idea what you mean really?

On top of that, whilst Hodge was obviously more defensive (and better defensively) than the guys you've named, he was still pretty attacking in his own right. I mean, he averaged more of the ball than any of those you've named, kicked more goals than those you've named, more assists than those you've named and if the data was available over their careers, I'm certain more score involvements than any of those named (acknowledging he spent more time through the middle).

He also has more AA's than all those named, much more than double the Brownlow votes of any of those named, much more than double the Coaches votes of any of those named, the only one with MVP votes and has 4 flags, including a threepeat as captain and 2 Norm Smiths.

I think it is very clear his resume is miles ahead of at least those alternate suggestions.

Yep.

Hodge and Enright surely the two locks for the half back flanks.

I'd pick Hodge before Enright.

 

[RUNVS]

This is a curious post to me, especially the bolded. My perception is the exact opposite is true - the AA side almost always selects attacking/rebounding half back flankers and are much more likely to ignore the more defensive players.

The 2023 team, for example, had Jack Sinclair and Dan Houston - 2 attacking players.
2022 team had Sinclair and Saad - also 2 running, attacking players
2021 team had Daniel Rich and Bailey Dale
Coud keep going to basically every year before that being full of Laird, Docherty, Hurn, Whitfield, etc, etc. Nearly every HBF selection is an attacking, rebounding player so no idea what you mean really?

On top of that, whilst Hodge was obviously more defensive (and better defensively) than the guys you've named, he was still pretty attacking in his own right. I mean, he averaged more of the ball than any of those you've named, kicked more goals than those you've named and more score involvements than those you've named (acknowledging he spent more time through the middle).

He also has more AA's than all those named, much more than double the Brownlow votes of any of those named, much more than double the Coaches votes of any of those named, the only one with MVP votes and has 4 flags, including a threepeat as captain and 2 Norm Smiths.

I think it is very clear his resume is miles ahead of at least those alternate suggestions.

A lot of those were because Hodge spent more time in the middle though and midfielders get more Brownlow votes than half back players, they also kick more goals and have more score involvements. I mean in 6 seasons Hodge averaged more than 2.5 clearances a game and they only began recording that stat on footywire in 2010 so in the seasons we know of 60% of them he was clearly spending a lot of time in the centre.

I am not saying Hodge is a bad player at all, he obviously isn't, but I think team structure wise I would prefer a more attacking half back in the team. Someone like Murphy always seemed so poised with the ball. He was an attacking player who setup a lot of scores from halfback. Murphy and Hurn for instance were much more genuine half back players who basically played their careers in that position.

 

[Guardian Hawk]

A lot of those were because Hodge spent more time in the middle though and midfielders get more Brownlow votes than half back players, they also kick more goals and have more score involvements. I mean in 6 seasons Hodge averaged more than 2.5 clearances a game and they only began recording that stat on footywire in 2010 so in the seasons we know of 60% of them he was clearly spending a lot of time in the centre.

I am not saying Hodge is a bad player at all, he obviously isn't, but I think team structure wise I would prefer a more attacking half back in the team. Someone like Murphy always seemed so poised with the ball. He was an attacking player who setup a lot of scores from halfback. Murphy and Hurn for instance were much more genuine half back players who basically played their careers in that position.

Robert Murphy spent a good chunk of his career playing CHF actually (and still has fewer goals and fewer score involvements). Clearance data is also available for the entirety of his career (and I did acknowledge his midfield time). Even if you only select the years he averaged more rebound 50's than clearances, Hodge still has more Browlow votes and coaches votes, despite it eliminating half (and the more prolific parts of) his career. I think this underlines that his quality was higher in general. Hodge also turned a finals series and won a Norm Smith in the backline, a rare feat for his position.

Anyway, you're entitled to your view - I personally don't believe someone like Robert Murphy (with all due respect to his fine kicking skills) is anywhere near a side like this, whilst someone like Hodge is one of the easier* selections (as evidenced by his presence in nearly every team in this thread).

* and by easier I'm not suggesting he is one of the best players in these selected sides but in the position he is available to be selected (HBF), there is really only a couple of genuine options whose whole career stacks up well enough for selection in a side like this (Hodge, Enright, McLeod, Wanganeen, etc), with half of those featuring more in the 90's.

 

[RUNVS]

Robert Murphy spent a good chunk of his career playing CHF actually (and still has fewer goals and fewer score involvements). Clearance data is also available for the entirety of his career (and I did acknowledge his midfield time). Even if you only select the years he averaged more rebound 50's than clearances, Hodge still has more Browlow votes and coaches votes, despite it eliminating half (and the more prolific parts of) his career. I think this underlines that his quality was higher in general. Hodge also turned a finals series and won a Norm Smith in the backline, a rare feat for his position.

Anyway, you're entitled to your view - I personally don't believe someone like Robert Murphy (with all due respect to his fine kicking skills) is anywhere near a side like this, whilst someone like Hodge is one of the easier* selections (as evidenced by his presence in nearly every team in this thread).

* and by easier I'm not suggesting he is one of the best players in these selected sides but in the position he is available to be selected (HBF), there is really only a couple of genuine options whose whole career stacks up well enough for selection in a side like this (Hodge, Enright, McLeod, Wanganeen, etc), with half of those featuring more in the 90's.

To be honest I think in some ways it all comes down to how each of us individually balance a side. We all would have similar names but there could be people who say "no, I want 3 key forward in this side" and then another person who prefers 2 key forwards and some more medium and smaller forwards around them.

Also down back, do you include a small lock down defender, or what about the half backs, do you go for a more defensively minded halfs backs, more attacking halfbacks or a combination of the two.

I don't think there are right or wrong answers as such, but for me I would include a lock down small defender, I would include two tall defenders, one defender who is medium sized but can play tall or small (sort of the Gibson and Rampe style) and I would include two attacking half backs who get the ball and immediately want to move it or run with the ball. It is just me but I prefer that style of lineup and while Hodge is a great player he just doesn't quite fit in what I would view as my ideal team from a style/structure point of view.

 

[RUNVS]

and to put up or shut up, this is the team I would go for

FB: Enright, Scarlett, Gibson
HB: McLoud, Rance, Murphy
C: Buckley, Voss, Cousins
HF: Dangerfield, Franklin, Martin
FF: Betts, Hawkins, Akermanis
FOLL: Gawn, Judd, Ablett
Int: Goodes, Fyfe, Rioli, Bontempelli

though in truth I am not sure about Buckley and Voss only because I am not sure they are 21st century players or 20th century players, but other than that this team feels like a better balance for me.

Also I will say straight away I desperately want to put Nick Smith in that team, desperately, but I won't as I suspect that is bias on my part, but he really was an exceptional small defender who could and would shut down every small forward in the league week in week out. It feels wrong he only got 1 All Australian and in truth I am struggling to think of a better small defender, but that could just be me forgetting someone obvious.

 

[Mr Meow]

and to put up or shut up, this is the team I would go for

FB: Enright, Scarlett, Gibson
HB: McLoud, Rance, Murphy
C: Buckley, Voss, Cousins
HF: Dangerfield, Franklin, Martin
FF: Betts, Hawkins, Akermanis
FOLL: Gawn, Judd, Ablett
Int: Goodes, Fyfe, Rioli, Bontempelli

though in truth I am not sure about Buckley and Voss only because I am not sure they are 21st century players or 20th century players, but other than that this team feels like a better balance for me.

Also I will say straight away I desperately want to put Nick Smith in that team, desperately, but I won't as I suspect that is bias on my part, but he really was an exceptional small defender who could and would shut down every small forward in the league week in week out. It feels wrong he only got 1 All Australian and in truth I am struggling to think of a better small defender, but that could just be me forgetting someone obvious.

I wouldn't mind Murphy as a HBF selection but 2005-2010 is a lot of this century spent as a half forward. 2012 onwards he just about kept pace with veteran Enright (which is a big compliment) as a rebounding back flanker but that's probably not quite enough.

He wouldn't need to be picked for this team to accept a medal anyway.

 

[Cleansweep17]

and to put up or shut up, this is the team I would go for

FB: Enright, Scarlett, Gibson
HB: McLoud, Rance, Murphy
C: Buckley, Voss, Cousins
HF: Dangerfield, Franklin, Martin
FF: Betts, Hawkins, Akermanis
FOLL: Gawn, Judd, Ablett
Int: Goodes, Fyfe, Rioli, Bontempelli

though in truth I am not sure about Buckley and Voss only because I am not sure they are 21st century players or 20th century players, but other than that this team feels like a better balance for me.

Also I will say straight away I desperately want to put Nick Smith in that team, desperately, but I won't as I suspect that is bias on my part, but he really was an exceptional small defender who could and would shut down every small forward in the league week in week out. It feels wrong he only got 1 All Australian and in truth I am struggling to think of a better small defender, but that could just be me forgetting someone obvious.

Great team. Only technical thing I would change is Danger swap positions with Bont. Not because he is better just because Danger isn’t good as a HF.

I won’t get into J Riewoldt v Hawkins. I would’ve thought 3 Coleman’s v 1 is enough to slot him in but anyway.

 

[RUNVS]

Great team. Only technical thing I would change is Danger swap positions with Bont. Not because he is better just because Danger isn’t good as a HF.

I won’t get into J Riewoldt v Hawkins. I would’ve thought 3 Coleman’s v 1 is enough to slot him in but anyway.

Oddly enough I picked Hawkins for a very simple reason. I think he would fit better with Buddy.

Buddy was a forward who ran a lot, went up the ground, ran back, that sort of thing, and to a lesser extent Jack and Nick did the same thing. Hawkins though, he is the best stay at home marking key forward of the bunch, and since we already have the running Key Forward in Buddy I thought Hawkins would fit with him best, rather than having two running key forwards.

 

[Cleansweep17]

Oddly enough I picked Hawkins for a very simple reason. I think he would fit better with Buddy.

Buddy was a forward who ran a lot, went up the ground, ran back, that sort of thing, and to a lesser extent Jack and Nick did the same thing. Hawkins though, he is the best stay at home marking key forward of the bunch, and since we already have the running Key Forward in Buddy I thought Hawkins would fit with him best, rather than having two running key forwards.

Yep that makes sense. I agree with you there.

 

[Sttew]

Great team. Only technical thing I would change is Danger swap positions with Bont. Not because he is better just because Danger isn’t good as a HF.

I won’t get into J Riewoldt v Hawkins. I would’ve thought 3 Coleman’s v 1 is enough to slot him in but anyway.

Arguably neither Danger nor Bont are HFF’s but Danger has a superior goal average to Bont

 

[RUNVS]

Arguably neither Danger nor Bont are HFF’s but Danger has a superior goal average to Bont

Could probably easily put Rioli at Half Forward and have Dangerfield on the bench, not that it matters too much.

 

[Cleansweep17]

Arguably neither Danger nor Bont are HFF’s but Danger has a superior goal average to Bont

Hmm interesting I didn’t know that. Bont plays more fwd so I naturally thought he would be better. Can’t think of a better HF atm so keeping Danger there is fine I guess. I personally think he’s underrated, far better than Pendlebury who somehow gets rated better a lot of the time.

 

[doppleganger]

Team excluding guys like Buckley and Hird who were more 2000 and earlier.

FB: Stewart, Glass, Scarlett
HB: Hodge, Pavlich, Enright
C: Dangerfield, Pendlebury, Cousins
HF: Franklin, N.Riewoldt, D.Martin
FF: B.Johnson, Hawkins, S.Johnson
FOLL: Gawn, Judd, Ablett
Int: Goodes, Fyfe, S.Mitchell , Bontempelli

 

[Lingsface]

Team excluding guys like Buckley and Hird who were more 2000 and earlier.

FB: Stewart, Glass, Scarlett
HB: Hodge, Pavlich, Enright
C: Dangerfield, Pendlebury, Cousins
HF: Franklin, N.Riewoldt, D.Martin
FF: B.Johnson, Hawkins, S.Johnson
FOLL: Gawn, Judd, Ablett
Int: Goodes, Fyfe, S.Mitchell , Bontempelli

Good side here smart with Franklin HFF allows a couple of very good people.

 

[KissKiss]

Could probably easily put Rioli at Half Forward and have Dangerfield on the bench, not that it matters too much.

Or Akermanis to the flank and Rioli to the pocket with Danger on the bench. Just feels their more natural roles to me (but again its just minor tweaking at the edges of a pretty solid team)

 

[RUNVS]

Or Akermanis to the flank and Rioli to the pocket with Danger on the bench. Just feels their more natural roles to me (but again its just minor tweaking at the edges of a pretty solid team)

Thanks. I think the main reason my team is a bit different to the OP is I only wanted 2 key forwards in the team, more smaller craftier forwards too, and a slightly more attacking defence. Just a slight philosophical difference in how we view the perfect team as I personally don't think 3 key forwards in the same team has ever really worked.

If one of the key forwards goes down you have Goodes or Bont to be used as backup too.

 

[Cleansweep17]

I’ll be honest, I disagree with all the OPs IN/OUT changes except 2020.

I think people forget how good swan and McGovern were. Generally the whole 2018 WC flag team tbh.