Analysis Rolling All-Australian team for 2021

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Do people realise that to be in the AA team you are essentially saying that the player is the best player in the competition for their position. Not just someone having a good year, but actually the best in the comp. Yes there are two back pockets, two wings, etc, but there's also different roles in those spots too (ie: intercept defender vs lock down defender vs rebounding defender) and if you can't at least argue that your guy is THE guy then they don't belong in the conversation

As an example,: Taberner from Freo isn't even remotely worth considering. No one thinks he's the best goal kicking forward - so far this year that's probably McKay. No one thinks he's the best CHF or mobile tall either. Nor is he the best combo ruck/forward or offer anything else. He's just a solid guy having a great year.

Just to avoid bias, Sam Walsh is in the same category too. He's having a very fine year, had another nice game today against a good midfield. But he just isn't in the conversation for best midfielder in the comp, no matter how you slice it. Same with Weitering. Only Carlton player even close is McKay wand given he brings essentially nothing beyond goals, he probably has to win the Coleman to get jn.

Weitering would be in the best 22 and deservedly so.

 

[btdg]

I mean Taberner made the squad last year and you could easily say that was just him having a good year, but he still made it.

I think the squad is a bit silly to be honest - it's almost built to acknowledge guys who definitely aren't AA but who had a nice year. That's definitely Taberner. And he could almost get there again. Nothing wrong with being the 5th best tall forward in the league but it's not a hugely relevant position either. Teams don't win flags by having the 5th best guy, then win them by having 4-5 of the best. If you cam rely on having the best guy on the field in 4-5 spots each week you can win the flag, and that's why AA matters imo

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Do people realise that to be in the AA team you are essentially saying that the player is the best player in the competition for their position. Not just someone having a good year, but actually the best in the comp. Yes there are two back pockets, two wings, etc, but there's also different roles in those spots too (ie: intercept defender vs lock down defender vs rebounding defender) and if you can't at least argue that your guy is THE guy then they don't belong in the conversation

As an example,: Taberner from Freo isn't even remotely worth considering. No one thinks he's the best goal kicking forward - so far this year that's probably McKay. No one thinks he's the best CHF or mobile tall either. Nor is he the best combo ruck/forward or offer anything else. He's just a solid guy having a great year.

Just to avoid bias, Sam Walsh is in the same category too. He's having a very fine year, had another nice game today against a good midfield. But he just isn't in the conversation for best midfielder in the comp, no matter how you slice it. Same with Weitering. Only Carlton player even close is McKay wand given he brings essentially nothing beyond goals, he probably has to win the Coleman to get jn.

spot on.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Weitering would be in the best 22 and deservedly so.

you guys need to take the rose coloured glasses off. Wietering is having a good year but he leads a leaky defence. Ditto Walsh is a good winger but not AA yet.

 

[btdg]

Weitering would be in the best 22 and deservedly so.

I don't think so. He's very good but imo he's a b grader. Lacks that extra special fire or leadership or whatever it is that commands a backline and makes it special.

Harris Andrews is better- when he's playing well and fit, it's like trying to get past Gandalf - not just because he intercepts but because the other players around him feed off it. Darcy Moore at his best is the same. Tom Stewart, Stephen May (when fit) - all form a wall and their team's defence is just great for their presence.

Weitering - he does a good job beating his man every week on one of the worst defences in the league, but he doesn't pull the defence up around him. He also just quits on plays, particularly when his man isn't involved. Never makes that lunging, diving play to pull up a running opponent, or pops up to beat a small forward on the ground. Still nice, but not the MAN this year imo

 

[HTPunter]

Should really be 7 and I think it applies if you look at roles:

- best contested ballwinner (centerman) = Macrae, Oliver, maybe Mitchell
- best all rounder (ruck-rover) = Bont, Fyfe, Danger ,
- best small/run and carry mid (rover) = Merrett, Petracca, Kelly, etc
- best defensive mid (tagger)
- best wings = McLuggage, Gaff,
- could also argue that Martin's role is included too even if it is just for him
If you can't at least have a good 'I can't split them argument over those spots you aren't in the team imo. Best gets in, guys who you can argue join them in the bench.

Mitchell is not the contested pig you think he is. It's not 2018 anymore. He got 2 or 3 contested possessions on the weekend, averaging 23 or so uncontested. Lol.

Petracca is a contested ball beast, not a small run and carry mid like Kelly or Merrett lol.

As for your original point:
I'd pretty happily have Walsh as the 3rd best "ruck rover" type after Bont and Macrae.

Oliver and Libba best 2 inside mids, followed by Lyons. Some debate about the run and carry mid - I'd say McCluggage 1st, Guthrie 2nd, Merrett 3rd. McCluggage could be an all rounder though, Guthrie pure outside.

Don't bother raising a tagger lol.

Wings hard - I'd say Langdon is the best wing I've seen though this year for influence.

So Walsh makes it.

 

[HTPunter]

you guys need to take the rose coloured glasses off. Wietering is having a good year but he leads a leaky defence. Ditto Walsh is a good winger but not AA yet.

Walsh is not a winger though lol. You need to put glasses on. Any kind will do.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Walsh is not a winger though lol. You need to put glasses on. Any kind will do.

lol... people keep naming him on the wing tho.

 

[blueiris]

Should really be 7 and I think it applies if you look at roles:

- best contested ballwinner (centerman) = Macrae, Oliver, maybe Mitchell
- best all rounder (ruck-rover) = Bont, Fyfe, Danger ,
- best small/run and carry mid (rover) = Merrett, Petracca, Kelly, etc
- best defensive mid (tagger)
- best wings = McLuggage, Gaff,
- could also argue that Martin's role is included too even if it is just for him
If you can't at least have a good 'I can't split them argument over those spots you aren't in the team imo. Best gets in, guys who you can argue join them in the bench.

When do you think Lyons will start to be recognised the guy has been amazing this season Never gets mentioned with the contested beasts

 

[btdg]

Mitchell is not the contested pig you think he is. It's not 2018 anymore. He got 2 or 3 contested possessions on the weekend, averaging 23 or so uncontested. Lol.

Petracca is a contested ball beast, not a small run and carry mid like Kelly or Merrett lol.

As for your original point:
I'd pretty happily have Walsh as the 3rd best "ruck rover" type after Bont and Macrae.

Oliver and Libba best 2 inside mids, followed by Lyons. Some debate about the run and carry mid - I'd say McCluggage 1st, Guthrie 2nd, Merrett 3rd. McCluggage could be an all rounder though, Guthrie pure outside.

Don't bother raising a tagger lol.

Wings hard - I'd say Langdon is the best wing I've seen though this year for influence.

So Walsh makes it.

I included those players as examples, not necessarily my nominations. I think everyone understands the point of Mitchell being an inside mid, even if he's not where he was a few years back. In terms of player noms, I'm happy to accept yours to be honest, seems fair enough and its all opinion at this point.

Defensive mids: they come and go. Brett Kirk, Cameron Ling - defintely deserved that spot. My including that spot was more that you could use it as an argument for why someone should be AA - as in, Player X is definitely the best defensive mid in the comp, and therefore should be in the team.

On Walsh - if he's the third best of his type, that's not an 'auto' spot in the team for me. Third best and I don't think anyone reckons he is in the same conversation as Bont/Macrae... to me that has to be reserved for someone doing something pretty special - either playing a uniquely memorable role, or who is a critical part of a good team. Dusty for example - he might not be the best at any one mid spot, but what he does is fairly unique.

I'm totally ok with saying Walsh is playing great, in a team that sucks, and isn't AA yet. There's a level he needs to go up for that to be the case. McLuggage has gone there this year, as has Macrae. Walsh is 20 - there's plenty of time...

 

[btdg]

When do you think Lyons will start to be recognised the guy has been amazing this season Never gets mentioned with the contested beasts

Lyons might prove my argument though - he's great. Can you really argue he is the BEST contested beast in the league, though? Nope? Then he isn't AA, unless he's doing something else special, or part of something special (and I don't think he is).

(By the way, I haven't seen enough of Brisbane this year to comment. But unless you are making a case he is better than Macrae, better than Oliver - he's still just a really, really good player, not AA calibre).

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

you guys need to take the rose coloured glasses off. Wietering is having a good year but he leads a leaky defence. Ditto Walsh is a good winger but not AA yet.

Harry leads a forward line that doesn’t kick winning scores but he’d be first picked. It’s an individual award, he and Weitering would deservedly be AA if picked today. Not their fault they play with and largely carry slackers week in week out.

I wouldn’t have Walsh in the side. Started well enough but has slowed down a touch, enough to knock him out of calculations. There are plenty of gun mids around who are just as deserving. A position in the squad would be cool.

 

[TheWhiteRhino]

The bloke who has now destroyed:

1. Papley
2. de Goey
3. McDonald-Tipungwuti
4. Gray
5. Betts
6. Rankine

Must be getting closer to a spot.

He did not destroy Papley. Not even close.

 

[KissKiss]

Lyons might prove my argument though - he's great. Can you really argue he is the BEST contested beast in the league, though? Nope? Then he isn't AA, unless he's doing something else special, or part of something special (and I don't think he is).

(By the way, I haven't seen enough of Brisbane this year to comment. But unless you are making a case he is better than Macrae, better than Oliver - he's still just a really, really good player, not AA calibre).

Realistically I'd have him 3rd or 4th in that role. He was good before and shining more Neale out. But he's likely behind Libba and Oliver at least for that pure contested inside mid. He's probably just short of the team but def should be squad worthy.

Maybe similar to the Tabener discussion. Hes not the pure best but haven't a great year and squad would be a great recognition for being 4th or 5th best

 

[Sea fog]

Lever is definitely in for mine, almost the best intercepter in the league. Healthy amount of bias on my part, but think he’s a very safe certainty up to this point.

Agree, if you went purely on number of games played in defence, Moore would probably have the best average but Lever has been consistent. It probably helps him being supported by good midfielders but maybe he's finally found full confidence in himself after the last major knee injury.

 

[wattoxi]

He did not destroy Papley. Not even close.

Papley kicked one goal when his team scored 125 points? unless you are happy with that output from your leading goal kicker.

 

[t_94]

Haven’t read this thread but is the vibe of it still ‘5 players from my team that I like and are having above average years should be in despite currently being ranked in the bottom half of the ladder.’?

 

[citizen-erased]

Stewart May Aliir
Salem lever rich
Clug petracca merrett
Mundy Hawkins Greene
Kosi McKay tippa
Gawn libba Oliver
Lyons bont macrae Duncan
Sub: Parish

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Haven’t read this thread but is the vibe of it still ‘5 players from my team that I like and are having above average years should be in despite currently being ranked in the bottom half of the ladder.’?

absolutely

 

[JT_the_Man]

Tippa.

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

May - Weitering - Rich
Stewart - Aliir - Salem
Mcgluggage - Macrae - Duncan
Greene - Darling - Petracca
Tippa - McKay - Pickett
Gawn - Bontempelli - Mundy

Oliver - Liberatore - Guthrie - Lyons

Only a couple of changes this week.

 

[StringyDog]

Stewart May Aliir
Salem lever rich
Clug petracca merrett
Mundy Hawkins Greene
Kosi McKay tippa
Gawn libba Oliver
Parish bont macrae Duncan

Hawkins would be lucky to be in the AA thirds team, he is no where near the AA team this year

 

[00Stinger]

Harry leads a forward line that doesn’t kick winning scores but he’d be first picked. It’s an individual award, he and Weitering would deservedly be AA if picked today. Not their fault they play with and largely carry slackers week in week out.

I wouldn’t have Walsh in the side. Started well enough but has slowed down a touch, enough to knock him out of calculations. There are plenty of gun mids around who are just as deserving. A position in the squad would be cool.

McKay is the first key position forward picked, at this stage of the season he is almost first picked just because of how much he is in front of his positional peers. Even like today where he wasn't dominate he just has a way of bagging 3 goals, that is the sign of a great player

Walsh and Weitering are best 40 and very close to the final 22 if not in it, but are up against some great players

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

B: Lever Andrews Stewart
HB: Dale Weitering Salem
C: Clug Bont Dunca
HF: Darling Tex Dusty
F: Greene McKay Tippa
R: Hickey Mundy Libba

I/C: Gawn Oliver <your two favourite inside mids>

obviously they won’t pick two actual wingers but guys like Amon and Langdon wouldn’t be too far off if they did. May not far off

 

[citizen-erased]

Hawkins would be lucky to be in the AA thirds team, he is no where near the AA team this year

he's having an impressive season without being high in the goal count.

7th goal assists
3rd score involvements
1st ground ball gets inside 50 (stat reserved for small forwards normally)
2nd marks inside 50
2nd marks on lead
8th tackles inside 50
not too shabby as a forward ruck either.

while he's 7 goals off 2nd for goals, guy like Rohan & Cameron are kicking hauls on the back of his work.