2025 Rolling ALL-Australian Team

[Bald Headed Flog]

But the entire argument I'm seeing for Richards is 'offensive stats', which of course they're going to be good when the entire Bulldogs game plan is built around offence first. And most of those numbers are by virtue of big scores against lesser teams, whilst not being able to get his team over the line against better teams.

I look at players' performances in big games as a key measure. I've lost count of the number of times I've watched Adelaide and walked away thinking Dawson turned the match, or was the difference.

Collingwood and Freo both play defence-first. Does that mean Josh Daicos and Jordan Clark should have their output downplayed because of the system they operate within? You can’t really make the argument that Richards only looks good because the Dogs system enables that, but defend the selection of Daicos and Clark as if their own systems don’t enable them to be better players.

The Dogs actually have one of the best percentages in games vs top 8. Better than most of the finalists. So to act like they’re not producing offensively against better sides is wrong. The issue is they don’t stop the opposition from scoring, which is the fault of other mids (eg Libba, who I said in other comments should not be in the squad) and defenders.

 

[Maddo11]

Heeney and Kossi have the HF flank positions sewn up you'd imagine. I'd love to see Grundy on the field over Gawn but would settle for a bench spot.

You could probably argue for a Wilkie type over a Darcy or Libba in the 44 but otherwise a pretty solid 44

 

[Foxman98]

Collingwood and Freo both play defence-first. Does that mean Josh Daicos and Jordan Clark should have their output downplayed because of the system they operate within? You can’t really make the argument that Richards only looks good because the Dogs system enables that, but defend the selection of Daicos and Clark as if their own systems don’t enable them to be better players.

The Dogs actually have one of the best percentages in games vs top 8. Better than most of the finalists. So to act like they’re not producing offensively against better sides is wrong. The issue is they don’t stop the opposition from scoring, which is the fault of other mids (eg Libba, who I said in other comments should not be in the squad) and defenders.

Richards is also 15th for clearances 9th for centre clearances 12th for pressure acts 23rd for contested possessions

 

[HairyO]

Hard to compare him with Farmer, as I've never watched him. From what I know, he changed the game.

As for Madden - probably the most overrated player in history. A dinosaur loved by the media before any real analysis on player impact on the game was done..

Tap ruckman have always been given way too much credit - the best ruckman in the game - the ones that the media talk about giving "silver service" to their midfield, hit as many taps to disadvantage as advantage, and a great tap ruckman has little impact on centre clearances.

The best ruckman impact around the ground - covering the field like a ridiculasly tall midfielder, not lumbering around in a slow jog.
The most valuable ruckman provides the "get out kick" - when no other options, kick it to the one player who is going to win it more than lose it. Gawn is one of the grreat all time at this, also being the stopper behind the ball and a target to draw 3 defenders down forward. Madden vs Gawn would be an absolute embarrassment; Gawn would run free all day.

Gawn's endurance has not been seen in a ruckman before, Jimmy Stynes the only one close.

Madden was a phenomenal ruckman. And I say this as someone who is very happy to hate on Essendon.

 

[Fadge]

I again love how you then also try and include Richards in the forwards mix and not midfield when he will be named in the starting midfield

My starting midfield is
Gawn
Dawson
Anderson
Daicos

Who's your 4th starting midfielder to join English, Bont and Richards?

 

[ray_purchase]

Their stats are totally warped by all those soft Marvel kills v crap sides like North, Ess and St K

Exactly. They play under the roof in perfect conditions every 2nd week so of course they will kick highs scores. The dumbass selectors got sucked in by their inflated stats.

 

[Corn Cobbers]

Madden was a phenomenal ruckman. And I say this as someone who is very happy to hate on Essendon.

Madden could also go forward and do serious damage, and didn't spud his kicks like Gawn

 

[adogsfan5]

Exactly. They play under the roof in perfect conditions every 2nd week so of course they will kick highs scores. The dumbass selectors got sucked in by their inflated stats.

Lucky the selectors are more intelligent than this.

 

[Foxman98]

My starting midfield is
Gawn
Dawson
Anderson
Daicos

Who's your 4th starting midfielder to join English, Bont and Richards?

Lets compare Richards to your 3 there then hey Fadge

Goals:
Richards: 22
Dawson: 17
Anderson: 8
Daicos: 16

Goal Assist:
Richards: 35
Dawson: 20
Anderson: 19
Daicos: 20

Score Involvements:
Richards: 192
Dawson: 143
Anderson: 153
Daicos: 183

Pressure Acts:
Richards: 476
Dawson: 506
Anderson: 414
Daicos: 348

Centre Clearances:
Richards: 58
Dawson: 48
Anderson: 62
Daicos: 55

Clearances:
Richards:131
Dawson: 101
Anderson: 151
Daicos: 146

Contested Possesions:
Richards:252
Dawson: 225
Anderson: 275
Daicos: 243

The only one Richards isn't in the top 2 on is total Clearances which given he plays with another 3 players with over 100 compared to Daicos 0 Anderson 2 Dawson 2 is a pretty good effort

Please tell me what your measuring stick is for Midfielders then if they are in over him?

 

[Bald]

Sam Darcy? Lol.

Reckon that one's very much on hype and not performance, considering how many weeks he missed with injury.

He'll be a feature for years to come but just like his team, beat down on a lot of shitty sides and failed to show up against good ones.

Sam Darcy had the highest goals per game gainst top 8 sides of any key forward in the league.

But sure, tell me more how much he beat down on shitty sides.

 

[Breretonisahood]

The Dogs for some reason have always been looked after by the AA selectors. It truly is a joke.

Maybe that’s their problem. Happy with AA spots. Finals meh…..

 

[Trav 20]

Madden could also go forward and do serious damage, and didn't spud his kicks like Gawn

Gawn has better kicking stats than Darcy Cameron.

He's one of the more reliable kicks for a ruckman.

 

[Orange crush]

Gawn has better kicking stats than Darcy Cameron.

He's one of the more reliable kicks for a ruckman.

6 goals 15 vs 6 goals 6 …. I’d prefer Cameron

 

[adogsfan5]

The Dogs for some reason have always been looked after by the AA selectors. It truly is a joke.

In 2021 we won 15 games, played in a grand final and had 2 less in the all Australian squad (3). Another season where we put big scores up at Marvel.

The posts going up based on “gut feels” are hilarious

 

[Fadge]

Please tell me what your measuring stick is for Midfielders then if they are in over him?

Influence in winning games of football, particularly against strong opposition.
1. Dawson
=2. Daicos
=2. Anderson
.
.
.
.
.
Somewhere well below. Richards.

 

[Foxman98]

Influence in winning games of football, particularly against strong opposition.
1. Dawson
=2. Daicos
=2. Anderson
.
.
.
.
.
Somewhere well below. Richards.

So where are Smith/Holmes/McCluggage/Dunkley?

 

[Foxman98]

Influence in winning games of football, particularly against strong opposition.
1. Dawson
=2. Daicos
=2. Anderson
.
.
.
.
.
Somewhere well below. Richards.

Also Anderson will finish a solitary win ahead and Daicos 2 you are really poor at articulating your opinion

 

[Fadge]

Also Anderson will finish a solitary win ahead and Daicos 2 you are really poor at articulating your opinion

I did say 'strong opposition'.

You are really poor at comprehension.

 

[Fadge]

Ed Richards

20

Ed Richards

Age

26

Ht

188cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.4

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.7

3star

D

11.3

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

5.3

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

2.5

3star

CL

1.1

3star

D

14.6

4star

K

9.8

4star

HB

4.8

4star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

has 77 Coaches votes in 2025.

18 of these votes are from games against top 8 teams...

 

[Foxman98]

I did say 'strong opposition'.

You are really poor at comprehension.

Fadge you really need to fact check before you write these

Record vs top 9 I will even give you a free win to both sides

Collingwood 5 wins 7 losses
Gold Coast 5 wins 6 losses

Neither team were really that good against good teams either

 

[Fadge]

Fadge you really need to fact check before you write these

Record vs top 9 I will even give you a free win to both sides

Collingwood 5 wins 7 losses
Gold Coast 5 wins 6 losses

Neither team were really that good against good teams either

So more than 100% better than Footscray?

With 4 of Collingwood's losses being by less than a goal.

 

[Mr Meow]

Ed Richards has 77 Coaches votes in 2025.

18 of these votes are from games against top 8 teams...

32 for Holmes (who seems certain to miss out...too many intercepts/rebound 50s and not enough goals) if you include the Bulldogs.

 

[Fadge]

32 for Holmes (who seems certain to miss out...too many intercepts/rebound 50s and not enough goals) if you include the Bulldogs.

Yep, and not enough flat tracking.

 

[Chronz]

I can't stomach Bontempelli inclusion, its almost a legacy call. 18 games technically meets the 70% threshold, but still......

Bont was the only Dog that should have been picked.

 

[Foxman98]

Ed Richards has 77 Coaches votes in 2025.

18 of these votes are from games against top 8 teams...

29 of Nicks are against top 8 teams

32 of Dawsons are against top 8 teams

That equates to 1 game and given how much fly likes to gift Nick extra votes is another backfire for you