He's in!

[Kurtis G]

Midfielders / Ruckmen
Gary Ablett, Geelong. All Australian 2007. 18 games in 2008.
Jimmy Bartel, Geelong. All Australian 2007. 22 games in 2008.
Simon Black, Brisbane Lions. All Australian 2001, 2002, 2004.
Adam Cooney, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008.
Joel Corey, Geelong. All Australian 2007. 22 games in 2008.
Dean Cox, West Coast. All Australian 2005, 2006, 2007. 22 games in 2008.
Daniel Cross, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008.
Brett Deledio, Richmond. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008.
Lenny Hayes, St Kilda. All Australian 2003, 2005. 21 games in 2008.
Chris Judd, Carlton. All Australian 2004, 2006. 21 games in 2008.
Brett Kirk, Sydney Swans. All Australian 2004. 22 games in 2008.
Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2008.
Drew Petrie, North Melbourne. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008.
Matthew Richardson, Richmond. All Australian 1996, 1999. 20 games in 2008.
Aaron Sandilands, Fremantle. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008.
Joel Selwood, Geelong. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2008.

Thats the midfield SQUAD for the All-Australian team. Six of whom will be selected. One of those spots will go to a ruckman, so thats five left.

Ablett, Bartel, Black and Mitchell would be the certainties. Obviosuly all of those boys have had strong seasons, but I reckon Richo has been just as good as anybody else on that list, especially considering the goals he has kicked! If he doesn't make the starting 18 I am confident he will take a place on the bench. Deserves it.

 

[Wally Matera]

Thats the midfield SQUAD for the All-Australian team. Six of whom will be selected. One of those spots will go to a ruckman, so thats five left.

Out of that list, you will have more than 6 selected. You have:

2 Wingman
1 Centreman
1 Ruck
1 Ruck Rover
1 Rover
and most likely 3 out of the 4 bench will be midfielders.

Therefore, my guess would be:

Centre: Richo, Bartel, Corey
Foll: Cox, Cooney, Ablett
Bench: Mitchell, Judd, Selwood + a Forward

My justifications:

- Dont reckon there will be a second ruckman selected for the bench this year as there was no standout performer after Cox. Sandilands doesnt deserve AA yet.
- Bartel, Ablett, Corey, Mitchell, Richo are certainties.
- Have taken Cooney over Black and Hayes
- Have taken Judd over Kirk and Cross, he won more games off his own-back
- Petrie and Deledio are no chance (one season wonders at present)
- Selwood gets a gig purely of the love-fest that most people have in him.

 

[froars]

I thought we already had a thread on this.