jod23
2 Sep 2002, 00:09
Pick the error in this shocking article from Rohan Connelly.
All-Australian script up in air
By Rohan Connolly
September 1 2002
The selection of the All-Australian team always sparks debate, but brace yourselves for more than usual this year.
Season 2002 has refused to follow the script, Essendon reduced to mid-table status, two of last year's preliminary finalists missing the eight, and the AFL-endorsed best 22 could go the same way.
Injuries have ruined the 2002 hopes of All-Australian regulars such as James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Brett Ratten and perhaps Nathan Buckley, while form has evaded others, including Richmond's Brad Ottens and Darren Gaspar, and Hawthorn defender Jonathan Hay.
And it's in the back line that selectors face their toughest task. Last year's defensive six was Gavin Wanganeen, Hay, Gaspar, Joel Smith, Sean Wellman and Andrew McKay. From that group, only Wellman might even be considered this time.
I tried the All-Australian exercise, and pencilled in at least eight midfielders and forwards before the first defender. This year, selectors will have to look beyond the usual suspects, or revisit some older ones.
Adelaide's Ben Hart hasn't received a gong for three years, the Kangaroos' Glenn Archer since 1998, but both are in the mix, Hart unflappable all year, Archer at his aggressive, confident and intimidating best.
Full-back is a vexed question. Dustin Fletcher, on reputation the AFL's best full-back, has had better seasons and missed six games. Port Adelaide's Darryl Wakelin, meanwhile, conceded only 21 goals in his 20 games before having his season ended with a smashed jaw.
His teammate Brett Montgomery deserves a spot on a half-back flank, where he has taken more marks a game than any Port player bar key forwards Warren Tredrea and Chad Cornes, switching defence to attack.
Brisbane's Chris Johnson has been the stand-out running back-pocket, while teammate Justin Leppitsch might claim centre half-back ahead of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich.
Picking the attack is easier. David Neitz has few rivals for full-forward, nor Tredrea at centre half-forward. Western Bulldog Brad Johnson occupies one half-forward flank, Jason Akermanis the other, after a season with plenty of off-field highlights, but 43 goals onfield, as well.
The specialist forward pocket is a tight call. St Kilda's Stephen Milne, an early certainty, might have been overtaken by Bulldog Nathan Brown, a more rounded player who has kicked more goals.
Perhaps the biggest debate looms over the No. 1 ruck spot: Luke Darcy's brilliant athleticism versus Matthew Primus' physical presence and leadership? I give the points to Primus, whose ruckwork had a bigger impact on his team's stop-play clearances.
Voss strolls into the ruck-rover berth, while the rover has to be Port's Josh Francou, his work in-close approaching Greg Williams' class. Across the centre, Brisbane dominates. Nigel Lappin did enough in 15 games to earn a wing beside teammate Simon Black, with Melbourne's Adem Yze on the other wing.
That leaves an interchange bench of Darcy, prolific Kangaroo midfielder Adam Simpson, Essendon dynamo Jason Johnson, and rock-solid Adelaide midfielder Simon Goodwin. There is a score of unlucky omissions.
It's easy to see why Brisbane and Port Adelaide dominated the ladder's top rungs, with six and five representatives respectively. Eight clubs do not have a representative at all, including Hawthorn (no Shane Crawford), Geelong (no Matthew Scarlett) and Sydney (no Paul Williams). In this strange season, emerging St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt could just win the Rising Star award and an All-Australian gong in the same year.
All-Australian script up in air
By Rohan Connolly
September 1 2002
The selection of the All-Australian team always sparks debate, but brace yourselves for more than usual this year.
Season 2002 has refused to follow the script, Essendon reduced to mid-table status, two of last year's preliminary finalists missing the eight, and the AFL-endorsed best 22 could go the same way.
Injuries have ruined the 2002 hopes of All-Australian regulars such as James Hird, Matthew Lloyd, Brett Ratten and perhaps Nathan Buckley, while form has evaded others, including Richmond's Brad Ottens and Darren Gaspar, and Hawthorn defender Jonathan Hay.
And it's in the back line that selectors face their toughest task. Last year's defensive six was Gavin Wanganeen, Hay, Gaspar, Joel Smith, Sean Wellman and Andrew McKay. From that group, only Wellman might even be considered this time.
I tried the All-Australian exercise, and pencilled in at least eight midfielders and forwards before the first defender. This year, selectors will have to look beyond the usual suspects, or revisit some older ones.
Adelaide's Ben Hart hasn't received a gong for three years, the Kangaroos' Glenn Archer since 1998, but both are in the mix, Hart unflappable all year, Archer at his aggressive, confident and intimidating best.
Full-back is a vexed question. Dustin Fletcher, on reputation the AFL's best full-back, has had better seasons and missed six games. Port Adelaide's Darryl Wakelin, meanwhile, conceded only 21 goals in his 20 games before having his season ended with a smashed jaw.
His teammate Brett Montgomery deserves a spot on a half-back flank, where he has taken more marks a game than any Port player bar key forwards Warren Tredrea and Chad Cornes, switching defence to attack.
Brisbane's Chris Johnson has been the stand-out running back-pocket, while teammate Justin Leppitsch might claim centre half-back ahead of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich.
Picking the attack is easier. David Neitz has few rivals for full-forward, nor Tredrea at centre half-forward. Western Bulldog Brad Johnson occupies one half-forward flank, Jason Akermanis the other, after a season with plenty of off-field highlights, but 43 goals onfield, as well.
The specialist forward pocket is a tight call. St Kilda's Stephen Milne, an early certainty, might have been overtaken by Bulldog Nathan Brown, a more rounded player who has kicked more goals.
Perhaps the biggest debate looms over the No. 1 ruck spot: Luke Darcy's brilliant athleticism versus Matthew Primus' physical presence and leadership? I give the points to Primus, whose ruckwork had a bigger impact on his team's stop-play clearances.
Voss strolls into the ruck-rover berth, while the rover has to be Port's Josh Francou, his work in-close approaching Greg Williams' class. Across the centre, Brisbane dominates. Nigel Lappin did enough in 15 games to earn a wing beside teammate Simon Black, with Melbourne's Adem Yze on the other wing.
That leaves an interchange bench of Darcy, prolific Kangaroo midfielder Adam Simpson, Essendon dynamo Jason Johnson, and rock-solid Adelaide midfielder Simon Goodwin. There is a score of unlucky omissions.
It's easy to see why Brisbane and Port Adelaide dominated the ladder's top rungs, with six and five representatives respectively. Eight clubs do not have a representative at all, including Hawthorn (no Shane Crawford), Geelong (no Matthew Scarlett) and Sydney (no Paul Williams). In this strange season, emerging St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt could just win the Rising Star award and an All-Australian gong in the same year.