All Australian thread

[samFFC]

Considering Ballaz has kicked the equal-most goals as a small forward this season (with Betts), he would surely have to be in the box seat for a spot in the final 22.

 

[pokerspiv]

Breust has kicked 49 goals

 

[samFFC]

Breust has kicked 49 goals

Touché.

 

[Freoforever86]

No way Betts and Thomas should be ahead of Balla. Thomas has had an OK year, Betts has had some good moments/games, but particularly early in the year was crap and neither has done anything close to what Balla does off the ball and in terms of bringing other players into it.

Bruest has had a great year and Gray has been superb - they are the only two I'd consider ahead of him in the small fwd spot (not that they care about positions as such, but you know).

Edit: Wingard is another good one, forgot him. Though he hasn't had as good a year as last year and has faded lately from what I can tell.

I agree they shouldn't, but when do the AA selectors get it right. I was just naming the small forwards in form. Thomas won't make the 40 I'd say, but never know. Betts has been in late season form, so hopefully that's not at the front of their minds.
If Ballaz can finish with 50 and have a solid 3 weeks, he's gonna get close.

 

[Mudd]

Only Fyfe will make it into the final team.

Bruest/Gray will make it ahead of Ballantyne, Sandilands might get a sniff though.

 

[Tonga Bob]

I'm calling it now... nobody in purple makes it in.

Man am I becoming bitter and jaded or what??

 

[GilG]

Fyfe, Mundy, Ballas, Sandilands, Johno.

 

[Nothing]

Jacobs will get the onfield ruck spot. If they take a second pure ruck then it will be between Sandi and Goldstein. More likely is that they take a 'versatile' second ruck so somebody like Ryder comes into the picture.

Fyfe will be put in as a HFF and Ballas wil be squad but not team.

 

[pokerspiv]

Breust is an absolute shoe-in. As is Robbie Gray. Whether or not Ballantyne gets a guernsey depends on how many small forwards they pick, and whether they class Gray as a small forward or a high forward/midfielder. If it's the latter than Ballantyne might get a spot, otherwise no.

 

[PeelnThunder]

If Mundy performs like he did on Sunday for the next two rounds he should make AA. Ablett, JPK, Selwood and Pendles are locks. Then assuming Fyfe is HFF, that leaves 2-3 spots for midfielders. So he's competing against; Gray, Heppell, Boak, Dangerfield and Lewis I guess.

 

[Frigate]

Breust, Ballas and Gray should be in the team without question IMO. They are all extremely important to their respective teams. Breust on 52 goals and Ballas 41, with Ballas playing 3 games less (his own doing but on average is close.

Small forwards are now more important than KP players for many teams because of the assists they provide and the pressure/ turnovers.

 

[leungtl]

Jacobs will make it over Sandi, no doubt in my mind.

Wouldn't even be a discussion if Stefan Martin played the full year though.

 

[Frank J Moose]

Jacobs will make it over Sandi, no doubt in my mind.

Wouldn't even be a discussion if Stefan Martin played the full year though.

Do you remember the Freo Brisbane game earlier this year? A free ruck lesson delivered to Martin by Sandi.

 

[Nickos66]

One swallow a summer does not make.

AA selectors don't make their decisions on who beat who on any given day, they do it based on who's had the most consistently good year (or at least this is how it should be...) Or was it a herd of manatees selecting balls of various names on them from a basket and putting them into an AA basket, I forget.

 

[jusjoshin]

One swallow a summer does not make.

AA selectors don't make their decisions on who beat who on any given day, they do it based on who's had the most consistently good year (or at least this is how it should be...) Or was it a herd of manatees selecting balls of various names on them from a basket and putting them into an AA basket, I forget.

It'd make mine.












...












Either David or Andrew, they both go ok.

 

[Taylor]

I don't think Pendlebury has been as good this year, the weight of carrying the team has reduced his effectiveness.

 

[freoextra]

If Mundy performs like he did on Sunday for the next two rounds he should make AA. Ablett, JPK, Selwood and Pendles are locks. Then assuming Fyfe is HFF, that leaves 2-3 spots for midfielders. So he's competing against; Gray, Heppell, Boak, Dangerfield and Lewis I guess.

I think you just showed why it is unlikely that Mundy will get picked. Heppell and Boak (Dangerfield before whatever injury is holding him back) were outstanding. Hardest place on the field to get a gig.

 

[freoextra]

Whoo hoo this is my 1,000 post of quality, better make it memorable!

I

 

[freoextra]

Damn

 

[Purple Suit]

Breust is an absolute shoe-in. As is Robbie Gray. Whether or not Ballantyne gets a guernsey depends on how many small forwards they pick, and whether they class Gray as a small forward or a high forward/midfielder. If it's the latter than Ballantyne might get a spot, otherwise no.

They only ever pick one genuine small forward, the other is a resting midfielder or tall option. Breust will get it, Ballas is no chance in my opinion unless he kicks 15 goals in the next two weeks.

 

[Freomaniac]

Sandi and Fyfe are Certain to get in the AA 22.

Ballantyne is an outside chance and more likely to get in if he gets 50 goals. Then again Vic media are biased anyway. Medhurst kicked 50 goals in 2003 as a forward pocket and didnt get mentioned yet kicked those same 50 goals in 2008 for collingwood and got AA.

Barlow and Mundy are outside chances. Even Spurr and Duffield too.

 

[Freo Dr]

Actually this could be the year for Ballas - AA selectors will be under pressure to throw an extra Freo player like him in so he can play in the International Rules match in Perth. AFL wants it to succeed and Perth fans are more likely to go if there are more Dockers and Eagles players playing but they cannot be selected if not an AA at least once under the rules agreed for this year. So ATM only Pav, McPharlin, Sandi and MJ are possible for the most successful Perth team of the last 7 years - bit of a problem for them.

 

[coldlunch]

Fyfe 95% chance
Sandilands and Ballantyne 20%
Barlow 1.5%

no one else a hope in hell

 

[Schauermann]

Fyfe 95% chance
Sandilands and Ballantyne 20%
Barlow 1.5%

no one else a hope in hell

Would agree. Perhaps add Mundy at about the same 1,5% as Barlow.

Think his performance against Hawthorn got him back in peoples minds...

 

[Allikat]

Actually this could be the year for Ballas - AA selectors will be under pressure to throw an extra Freo player like him in so he can play in the International Rules match in Perth. AFL wants it to succeed and Perth fans are more likely to go if there are more Dockers and Eagles players playing but they cannot be selected if not an AA at least once under the rules agreed for this year. So ATM only Pav, McPharlin, Sandi and MJ are possible for the most successful Perth team of the last 7 years - bit of a problem for them.

And out of the 4 that are currently eligible, I'd give 1/2 a chance any of them would play because at least McPharlin & MJ are carrying niggles this year that they wouldn't play a rep game with.