As we know in football, predictions are often right but at the same time they are wrong. I thought with the season just over the halfway mark it would be a good time to pick my All Australian team.
As one would expect, it contains mainly players from clubs in the top eight like West Coast, Collingwood, Essendon and the much-improved Adelaide. This team, which is obviously not set in stone, contains players we haven't seen before at All Australian level, but there are still some familiar names.
Ben Rutten (Adelaide): This would be his second All Australian selection. He has led the Crows' backline magnificently so far this season
Darren Glass (West Coast): Arguably the best full-back in the comp. He's had another great season.
Scott Selwood (West Coast): He has become a fine player this year, although mainly as a defensive midfielder, but could easily play the small back role.
Brett Deledio (Richmond): He has been outstanding either off half-back or in the midfield to put the Tigers in finals contention.
Ted Richards (Sydney): What a season he's having. Hardly beaten.
Heath Scotland (Carlton): A number of players could fill this role, like Brent Reilly of the Crows and the Bulldogs' Robert Murphy, but maybe Scotland has been a tad more consistent.
Brent Stanton (Essendon): A brilliant outside midfielder. Averages 28 possessions a game and has kicked valuable goals.
Jobe Watson (Essendon): Like Stanton, he has been a star. What a combination they have been.
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood): Until injured, probably the best player in the league in the first half of the season.
Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide): He's now a star and is one of the reasons why the Crows are in the top four.
Lance Franklin (Hawthorn): Although his kicking has been poor, he virtually picks himself with those match-winning performances.
Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood): One of the main reasons why the Pies have won eight in a row. He has loads of class and is a wonderful decision-maker.
Taylor Walker (Adelaide): Another massive improver, which is why the Crows have improved.
Jack Riewoldt (Richmond): Hasn't always been at his best this year, but like Franklin has still had some big moments. Just ahead of cousin Nick for mine at this stage.
Lewis Jetta (Sydney): Fast becoming a star. Very exciting.
Ivan Maric (Richmond): Tossed up between him and Dean Cox, but went for the former Crow, who has been more consistent. What a revelation for the Tigers!
Scott Thompson (Adelaide): If possible has taken his game to another level. Averaged more than 30 touches a game.
Gary Ablett (Gold Coast): Speaks for himself. His side has been an easybeat but he has been superb, picking up nearly 40 possessions a match.
Josh Kennedy (Sydney): One of the best contested ball players in the league. A Brownlow medal prospect.
Trent Cotchin (Richmond): Always going to be a star. He's arrived.
Dane Swan (Collingwood): Like Ablett, he continues to be consistently outstanding.
Nick dal Santo (St Kilda): Already a three-time All Australian. He constantly delivers at a high level. Team-mate Lenny Hayes was in contention as well in an amazing return so far from his knee reconstruction.
This is of course an opinion exercise, but I am confident that this team stands up well.
Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted June 21, 2012 22:09:51