The All-Australian team is a highly anticipated event in the AFL, and as we reach the halfway point of the season, the picture is starting to become clearer. The selection process is always a hot topic, and this year's team is no exception. Personally, I think the selection committee has done a great job of recognizing the talent on the field, but there are a few surprises and snubs that have caught my eye. The team features a mix of experienced players and rising stars, with a few surprises in the selection. One thing that immediately stands out is the inclusion of two midfielders on the flanks instead of pure wingmen. This is a bold move, and I think it shows the committee's willingness to experiment and recognize the changing nature of the game. The full-backline comprises names we’re accustomed to, while McCartin - looking for his first All-Australian blazer - has earned a spot at centre-half-back in an admirable season to date. While unfortunately struck down by another concussion, the crucial stopper’s work to this point can’t be ignored - averaging 20.1 disposals and 7.4 marks per game; both ranking in the top-six among key defenders - in a vaunted Swans team. Andrews is the highest-rated key defender in the competition, while Sicily sits third, as two of the most reliable tall stoppers going around - still. Blakey, meanwhile, is the highest-rated defender in the competition, flaunting his rebounding flair and ability to play taller in a more accountable role. Sinclair and Dale are the designated ball-users coming out of the back half, using their dash and dare to kickstart front-half opportunities for their sides. Only Archie Roberts and Lachie Ash get more of the footy than Sinclair among defenders, while Dale ranks second in the AFL for retained metres gained. Bailey Smith, Isaac Heeney, and Jordan Dawson make up the midfield, with Smith's ball use sometimes being questioned, but his territory-playing style and impeccable work rate make him a valuable asset. Heeney has been on a tear this year and remains the competition’s best dual threat player. Among midfielders, he has the best player rating and is averaging an unmatched 2.0 goals per game. Dawson, meanwhile, hasn’t only been a superstar on the field, but easily the sport’s most courageous player in what’s been a devastating year for him personally. Performing at the level he is - fifth in player rating among midfielders - while going through what he is, is truly as admirable as it gets. Shai Bolton, Josh Treacy, and Nick Watson are the true power forwards, with Treacy performing at an unparalleled level this year. Among key forwards, he ranks first for player rating, second for marks per game behind only Jezza, and first for coaches’ votes. Gunston, meanwhile, continues to do incredible things as a 35-year-old - clearly the competition leader for marks inside-50, while averaging 7.8 score involvements. His teammate, the Wizard Watson, has taken his game to a scary new level in year three. He is the highest-rated forward in the AFL, and arguably the game’s best pure small forward with damaging stints in the midfield. Pickett has expanded his game, going from small forward to midfield machine - with his latest performance on King’s Birthday a perfect example of the destructive dual force he has become. He’s powering towards his second All-Australian jacket. Max Gawn, Marcus Bontempelli, and Zak Butters make up the forward line, with Gawn yet to be usurped as the game’s number one ruckman. Bontempelli and Butters are a daunting combination in theory, and it’s every chance of becoming a reality at the Bulldogs next year. Bont sits behind only Heeney as the game’s highest-rated player this year, while only Daicos has earned more coaches’ votes. Butters, meanwhile, ranks fourth in the competition for player rating and has already tallied 50 coaches’ votes, proving he’s unfazed by the persistent talk around his playing future. Luke Jackson, Nick Daicos, Christian Petracca, Chad Warner, and Lachie Ash make up the interchange, with Daicos' disposal sometimes being questionable, but he has won the most coaches’ votes in the competition to this point. Jackson, who earns the second ruck spot over Brodie Grundy in a tight call, has been destructive as the league’s most nimble big man, playing an integral role in Fremantle’s dominance. Heeney is in a league of his own, but Petracca hasn’t been far off in terms of dual threats - sitting second for score involvements among midfielders, and second in the competition for direct score assists. Similar goes for Warner, who’s equal-fourth for score involvements and is averaging 1.3 goals per game. Ash remains one of the game’s preeminent rebounders, with few better proponents of the ‘tsunami’ ball movement mindset than the dashing Ash, who’s averaging 30 disposals per game this year - second-most of any defender. The honorable mentions include Brodie Grundy, Clayton Oliver, Jai Newcombe, Ed Richards, Callum Wilkie, Wayne Milera, Bodhi Uwland, and Justin McInerney. One had to miss out of Gawn, Jackson and Grundy, and for us, it’s the latter. Gawn is still the best of the bunch, while Jackson offers more as a versatile, athletic beast to leave Grundy on the outer. Oliver and Newcombe are having tremendous clearance seasons, each setting the tone at stoppage. But the array of dual-threat midfielders in this side means they narrowly miss out. Richards is right up there for player rating, but hasn’t quite had the campaign he had last year. Wilkie is the unlucky name in the key defender conversation. There’s an argument to be made that he could replace Sicily, but McCartin deserves his place in the mid-year team, while Uwland has also been quietly fantastic - sitting sixth among defenders for player rating. Milera has been highly impressive as a back-half decision-maker this year, but is just beaten out by a few of his rebounding peers. In conclusion, the All-Australian team is a reflection of the talent on the field, and the selection committee has done a great job of recognizing it. However, there are a few surprises and snubs that have caught my eye, and I think the team could have been more balanced in certain areas. Overall, the team is a fascinating reflection of the AFL's current state, and I can't wait to see how the rest of the season plays out.
