Why is Clement considered an automatic choice for AA?

[Jabso]

In my opinion he has had an indifferent year compared to his 2004 and 2005 season. He has had a few great games but he hasn't quite been the dynamo he was the last two years. To be honest he'll be lucky to make it in the top 5 of the Copeland.
This is another example of reputation skewing people's views of players' seasons.
As far as small defenders/medium defenders go Bassett, Johncock, H.Shaw, Michael Johnson, Whelan, Raines, Hudghton and Gilbee have had equal or better seasons.
Now don't get me wrong I think Clement is the best defender in the competition, but I don't think he's had a clearly better season than any of those names mentioned. The AA team should be judged on seasons, not careers. Leppitch got a gig once because he was the only true CHB and they didn't have the guts to name a tall defender who every second week plays at CHB depending on matchups.

 

[djdarren]

In my opinion he has had an indifferent year compared to his 2004 and 2005 season. He has had a few great games but he hasn't quite been the dynamo he was the last two years. To be honest he'll be lucky to make it in the top 5 of the Copeland.
This is another example of reputation skewing people's views of players' seasons.
As far as small defenders/medium defenders go Bassett, Johncock, H.Shaw, Michael Johnson, Whelan, Raines, Hudghton and Gilbee have had equal or better seasons.
Now don't get me wrong I think Clement is the best defender in the competition, but I don't think he's had a clearly better season than any of those names mentioned. The AA team should be judged on seasons, not careers. Leppitch got a gig once because he was the only true CHB and they didn't have the guts to name a tall defender who every second week plays at CHB depending on matchups.

Agree about him being automatically considered for AA but he is NOT the best defender in the league. Eddie and some members of the media (Dermott, Gary Lyon, Dennis Cometti, Brian Taylor and Michael Christian etc) Talk him up soo much that it gets in peoples psyche that Clement really is that good.........

He is good but not the best.

 

[sethlad]

He's the new Ben Hart.
For a while there it was harder to get out of the AA team than in.

seth

 

[94_Eagles]

Because he's had a great season.

 

[gopies90]

Another great year by Clement and deserves AA.

 

[RECORDS!]

This is a great thread. The reason is the Collingwood PR machine. You will notice that everyone in the media pumping him up is either connected to Collingwood or employed by Eddie. Ben Johnson has had a better year than Clement.

 

[Hadders]

Agree about him being automatically considered for AA but he is NOT the best defender in the league. Eddie and some members of the media (Dermott, Gary Lyon, Dennis Cometti, Brian Taylor and Michael Christian etc) Talk him up soo much that it gets in peoples psyche that Clement really is that good.........

He is good but not the best.

Ahhh another West Australian with a large chip on the shoulder.

Clement is pumped up by the media for one simple reason. He is one of, if not the premier defender in the league. Sure there are better full backs than Clement, but Clement's true strength lies in his versatility. IMO no current defender in the league can neutralise a tall or a small in the same game better than Clement.

And jabso just because this season hasn't necessarily been as good as some of his past ones, he has still had a standout season and has done more than enough to earn an AA guernsey.

 

[Schneiderman]

Craig Bolton >>>>> Clement

 

[Schneiderman]

IMO no current defender in the league can neutralise a tall or a small in the same game better than Clement.

Craig Bolton. Three years running.

 

[Jabso]

I just don't think he has had a standout season compared to the rest of the players. I think Clement and any of those players have had equal quality seasons.

This thread is not about your Jello Biafra-esque Collingwood PR or Anti-WA/SA conspiracy theories.

 

[Effes]

Everyone in the media gets a woody over James Clement

 

[dockerzrule]

Craig Bolton. Three years running.

Agree. Also Shane Parker

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

He's had a good first half of the season and an outstanding second half of the season. He's being playing superbly over the past 4-6 weeks when the rest of the team lost form big time. It may not be his best season, but its still been an outstanding season, and one still worthy of AA status.

If he's not an automatic choice, he's damned close. He's miles ahead of those players Jabso mentioned.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

This is a great thread. The reason is the Collingwood PR machine. You will notice that everyone in the media pumping him up is either connected to Collingwood or employed by Eddie. Ben Johnson has had a better year than Clement.

I'm not sure if you are aware of this but the AA team is selected by position. If it was the 22 best players in the game, there'd be 22 midfielders named.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Craig Bolton. Three years running.

Good defender but does not have the rebounding ability of Clement.

 

[GoSydneySwans]

Leo Barry probably fits the bill better than. Plays on smalls and talls (normally talls because he's our best at it) and he has amazing creativity when rebounding.

Dale Morris has shown more versatility than Clement this year. Dale Morris is a gun.

 

[RECORDS!]

I'm not sure if you are aware of this but the AA team is selected by position. If it was the 22 best players in the game, there'd be 22 midfielders named.

Am I wrong in thinking that Johnson is part of your back 6. That is crap anyway, Pavlich got named at full back a couple of years ago.

 

[djdarren]

Agree. Also Shane Parker

As much as it pains me, Yep Shane Parker (one of the most under rated players in recent years) and Craig Bolton too.

This season Ben Johnson better and Heath Shaw good too.

Just because he appears amazingly articulate when compared to his team mates, doesn't make him a star!

Good but not great.

 

[Minkus_Swan]

Good defender but does not have the rebounding ability of Clement.

You've just proved that you don't watch football

 

[Minkus_Swan]

Leo Barry probably fits the bill better than. Plays on smalls and talls (normally talls because he's our best at it) and he has amazing creativity when rebounding.

Leo's had an aweful year though and it would be a travesty if he was even mentioned as an All-Australian this year.

 

[Crow-mo]

He's the new Ben Hart.
For a while there it was harder to get out of the AA team than in.

seth

Seth, go away do some research and see how idiotic that statement is.

 

[MarkT]

Clement will be AA and he will place in The Copeland at least.

 

[Crow-mo]

Clement is pumped up by the media for one simple reason. He is one of, if not the premier defender in the league. Sure there are better full backs than Clement, but Clement's true strength lies in his versatility. IMO no current defender in the league can neutralise a tall or a small in the same game better than Clement.

so he's not the best in any one position, so why should the guy who is better than him in his actual position miss out? deeply flawed jack fo all trades argument.

And jabso just because this season hasn't necessarily been as good as some of his past ones, he has still had a standout season and has done more than enough to earn an AA guernsey.

well he's only made it the last 2 seasons, so if he drops below that standard you have to wonder if he's done enough.

 

[Crow-mo]

Clement will be AA and he will place in The Copeland at least.

statistically if he only places in the copeland, and does not win it, he cannot make AA.

 

[MarkT]

statistically if he only places in the copeland, and does not win it, he cannot make AA.

Didak and Clement will both be AA. You need more than 16 players and some clubs won't have anyone in the AA side. If he's not been one of the best 6 defenders and/or best 4 non KP defenders then I don't know what defenders are juded on. He's been beaten 1 in round 1 by a champ off the top and proved a lot of run. IMO he's the best alround back in the comp.