2026 Rolling All-Australian Team

[Guardian Hawk]

In isolation yes, and he'd be deserving but I'll say this and they have said this for a few years, in a real game are you playing Gawn and Grundy together lol, Melbourne tried that. I'd rather just pick the best one and then the best second ruck (Jackson the front runner but Thilhorpe is a huge shot)

I personally think you should pick the best players by position and not worry how well they would function together in an imaginary game. We don't worry if the key forwards complement each other well or if the mids have the right balance (speed vs contested/left vs right foot/offensive vs defensive, etc). We also don't pick a defensive forward, a tagger and the defensive mix, if a playing a real game, would likely look different too.

By the same token, if Gawn and Grundy are the clear two best rucks and they are both top 15 players in the comp, I don't think it should matter if we think they would function as the most complimentary combo in a 'never to be played' game (especially with the change to the rules where many clubs, including my own, are time sharing two genuine first rucks)

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I personally think you should pick the best players by position and not worry how well they would function together in an imaginary game. We don't worry if the key forwards complement each other well or if the mids have the right balance (speed vs contested/left vs right foot/offensive vs defensive, etc). We also don't pick a defensive forward, a tagger and the defensive mix, if a playing a real game, would likely look different too.

By the same token, if Gawn and Grundy are the clear two best rucks and they are both top 15 players in the comp, I don't think it should matter if we think they would function as the most complimentary combo in a 'never to be played' game (especially with the change to the rules where many clubs, including my own, are time sharing two genuine first rucks)

Fair but I wish then they would actually stop saying it the other way. I don't disagree with you, if they just said flat out one position is the best ruck, and the other is the second best one and so on. My main gripes with these teams are them not picking wingers and half forwards. There should be no excuse not picking two of each in the side with a 5 man bench.

I'd actually like them to consider a defensive mid, who that is stuffed if I know though

 

[Mr Meow]

Are we thinking Maximum Holmes has more of a chance getting selected if he continues to play as a halfback who chops out midfield, rather than being Smith's full time running mate at stoppages?

He's up to 6th on the coaches votes leaderboard, averaging: 29.5 disposals at 74% DE, 5.7 inside 50s, 4.7 rebound 50s, 596.7 metres gained, 4.2 intercepts, 4.2 tackles, 1.3 goal assists and 7.2 score involvements.

High for turnovers is the argument against, but I think the above stats and general positive impact offsets that.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Are we thinking Maximum Holmes has more of a chance getting selected if he continues to play as a halfback who chops out midfield, rather than being Smith's full time running mate at stoppages?

He's up to 6th on the coaches votes leaderboard, averaging: 29.5 disposals at 74% DE, 5.7 inside 50s, 4.7 rebound 50s, 596.7 metres gained, 4.2 intercepts, 4.2 tackles, 1.3 goal assists and 7.2 score involvements.

High for turnovers is the argument against, but I think the above stats and general positive impact offsets that.

He’s one where his last few games he’s in but his first few were awful. But like Bailey who has had some dreadful games and some fantastic ones as a HFF/mid. Think Holmes is more likely this season though

 

[Rash]

Are we thinking Maximum Holmes has more of a chance getting selected if he continues to play as a halfback who chops out midfield, rather than being Smith's full time running mate at stoppages?

He's up to 6th on the coaches votes leaderboard, averaging: 29.5 disposals at 74% DE, 5.7 inside 50s, 4.7 rebound 50s, 596.7 metres gained, 4.2 intercepts, 4.2 tackles, 1.3 goal assists and 7.2 score involvements.

High for turnovers is the argument against, but I think the above stats and general positive impact offsets that.

He would be the best half back in the league Sinclair closely behind, if he stays half back he would have to be picked in the AA team off of a half back flank. Was incrediblely stiff to miss out last year as a pure midfielder, so many mids had good years last year it was a squeeze to fit everybody in

 

[Sphynx]

Are we thinking Maximum Holmes has more of a chance getting selected if he continues to play as a halfback who chops out midfield, rather than being Smith's full time running mate at stoppages?

He's up to 6th on the coaches votes leaderboard, averaging: 29.5 disposals at 74% DE, 5.7 inside 50s, 4.7 rebound 50s, 596.7 metres gained, 4.2 intercepts, 4.2 tackles, 1.3 goal assists and 7.2 score involvements.

High for turnovers is the argument against, but I think the above stats and general positive impact offsets that.

His ball use numbers have improved the last few games.

However he gets marked harshly in the advanced ratings because he has high uncontested ratios, relatively lower clearance numbers and ball use and range numbers read like a heavy contested midfielder rather than one that wins plenty of ball on the outside. Most players of his type have much higher damage per possession.

Doesn’t hit the scoreboard either.

 

[Rash]

He’s one where his last few games he’s in but his first few were awful. But like Bailey who has had some dreadful games and some fantastic ones as a HFF/mid. Think Holmes is more likely this season though

This is holmes this season, no bad games this year all of them have been elite, not sure what you mean by awful lol

 

[Mr Meow]

He’s one where his last few games he’s in but his first few were awful. But like Bailey who has had some dreadful games and some fantastic ones as a HFF/mid. Think Holmes is more likely this season though

Holmes has had 4 coaches votes games and 2 mediocre ones. I think most of the top players have been somewhat similar realy.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Holmes has had 4 coaches votes games and 2 mediocre ones. I think most of the top players have been somewhat similar realy.

The mediocre ones have stood out. Wouldn’t be in yet but a chance there are a few blokes like this at this stage

 

[Mr Meow]

His ball use numbers have improved the last few games.

However he gets marked harshly in the advanced ratings because he has high uncontested ratios, relatively lower clearance numbers and ball use and range numbers read like a heavy contested midfielder rather than one that wins plenty of ball on the outside. Most players of his type have much higher damage per possession.

Doesn’t hit the scoreboard either.

I acknowledge his weaknesses, but Holmes has also played half back a fair bit - including almost full time over the past fortnight. He should never really be thought of as a full time midfielder - instead more of a hybrid outside midfielder/wingman/back flanker utility.

The intercept/rebound 50/inside 50/metres gained/score involvement/goal assist combo is insanely high and I doubt any player in the comp goes close to matching that.

 

[Mr Meow]

The mediocre ones have stood out. Wouldn’t be in yet but a chance there are a few blokes like this at this stage

Which players haven't had a couple of mediocre games so far? Bearing in mind those were still high disposal games where his ball use effectiveness was just a bit off. He's been one of our most important players in all 4 wins, which is something that should be considered.

As far as utilities (so a bench spot), I'm interested in other nominees who are clearly ahead.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

JL a master coach once again
Best defence in the league and no defenders in peoples AA teams or 1 defender in 44 man squad
Pearce, Clark and Ryan should be in squad.
Haven’t seen enough of other teams to yet to say if in any in AA 23

Ryan should not be in the squad after not being picked for a few games. Its not like hes been BOG in every game hes played either

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Which players haven't had a couple of mediocre games so far? Bearing in mind those were still high disposal games where his ball use effectiveness was just a bit off. He's been one of our most important players in all 4 wins, which is something that should be considered.

As far as utilities (so a bench spot), I'm interested in other nominees who are clearly ahead.

There are just so many mids that they will plonk on the HB/HfF and the bench. Chance but don’t trust these selectors to not put a genuine mid there?

 

[Mr Meow]

There are just so many mids that they will plonk on the HB/HfF and the bench. Chance but don’t trust these selectors to not put a genuine mid there?

My suspicion is that Holmes will stay around halfback a lot more, because our scores from turnover from that area have exploded since we made that move (we were worst in the comp at it before then). A 3rd year in a row where he's a 50/50 call might see him in. They do try to put defenders in the back 6. It's the forward line and bench where they will squeeze an extra 6 midfielders in.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

My suspicion is that Holmes will stay around halfback a lot more, because our scores from turnover from that area have exploded since we made that move (we were worst in the comp at it before then). A 3rd year in a row where he's a 50/50 call might see him in. They do try to put defenders in the back 6. It's the forward line and bench where they will squeeze an extra 6 midfielders in.

Just wait before random mid spends a quarter in the backline. They have been better lately but I hate this plonking mids forward, only one I can get onboard with would be a Petracca who has been more fwd

 

[RonnieRaven]

Ryan should not be in the squad after not being picked for a few games. Its not like hes been BOG in every game hes played either

If you follow the dockers you would know he missed only the first game to put a rocket up his arse.
We conceded 110 pts that day and lost.
The 5 games since we are undefeated, havent conceded more than 78 even though we have lost i50 counts and have had the number 1 defence (points against) by a country mile.
He’s polled coaches votes the last 2 games
(Polled 6 against pies daicos polled 6 to)
If you’re going to rebut at least come to the table with facts.
“Missed a few games” do you even follow dockers?

 

[Mr Meow]

If you follow the dockers you would know he missed only the first game to put a rocket up his arse.
We conceded 110 pts that day and lost.
The 5 games since we are undefeated, havent conceded more than 78 even though we have lost i50 counts and have had the number 1 defence (points against) by a country mile.
He’s polled coaches votes the last 2 games
(Polled 6 against pies daicos polled 6 to)
If you’re going to rebut at least come to the table with facts.
“Missed a few games” do you even follow dockers?

20 defenders have received more coaches votes than Luke Ryan.

37 defenders to play 3 or more games have a higher Player Rating average.

There's a couple of facts for you.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

If you follow the dockers you would know he missed only the first game to put a rocket up his arse.
We conceded 110 pts that day and lost.
The 5 games since we are undefeated, havent conceded more than 78 even though we have lost i50 counts and have had the number 1 defence (points against) by a country mile.
He’s polled coaches votes the last 2 games
(Polled 6 against pies daicos polled 6 to)
If you’re going to rebut at least come to the table with facts.
“Missed a few games” do you even follow dockers?

I think everything you've said clearly agree's with Luke Ryan NOT being in the squad, it's just a very glass half full spin on everything I said.

I also strongly disagree with Ryan getting votes on the weekend for what it's worth

 

[RonnieRaven]

I think everything you've said clearly agree's with Luke Ryan NOT being in the squad, it's just a very glass half full spin on everything I said.

I also strongly disagree with Ryan getting votes on the weekend for what it's worth

So you know more than the coaches yet don’t know what 23 run out each week.
Ok
Like the vic media that don’t watch the games but rate their opinion of games.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

So you know more than the coaches yet don’t know what 23 run out each week.
Ok

I can disagree with the coaches, they arent infallible. I find the fact someone gave him votes over Chapman to be ludicrous.

 

[RonnieRaven]

I can disagree with the coaches, they arent infallible. I find the fact someone gave him votes over Chapman to be ludicrous.

You said he missed a few games
When he missed one

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

You said he missed a few games
When he missed one

Ok, if you want to hang on that, yes, I confused not getting picked for the preseason games for an extra game of AFL. All my other points and opinion is now invalid

 

[RonnieRaven]

Ok, if you want to hang on that, yes, I confused not getting picked for the preseason games for an extra game of AFL. All my other points and opinion is now invalid

Of his season yeah.
But I’m sure you watch the derby so your 1 game analysis is valid

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Of his season yeah.
But I’m sure you watch the derby so your 1 game analysis is valid

I need an eyeroll emoji. Keep throwing them punches Ronnie

 

[Mr Meow]

I need an eyeroll emoji. Keep throwing them punches Ronnie

He derails all of these threads with this whinging BS, but usually doesn't turn the fury on his own club's supporters.