Allies State team - 4 Tigers named

[Bulluss]

Our Allies state team
9:49:08 AM Mon 19 June, 2006
Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au

THE ALLIES
Selection based on form from rounds one to 11, 2006. The Allies are made up of players heralding from States and Territories other than Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia

B: Andrew Raines (Richmond/Queensland), Mal Michael (Brisbane Lions/Queensland), Leo Barry (Sydney/NSW)

Raines is a much-improved small defender, while Michael remains a strong performer at full-back. Barry's rebound and possession-winning ability is high, although he has had a number of goals kicked on him this season. Craig Bolton was unlucky to miss here, as was Lion Jason Roe, who has played just six matches, but has been very impressive.

HB: Patrick Bowden (Richmond/Northern Territory), Joel Bowden (Richmond/Northern Territory), Andrew McLeod (Adelaide/Northern Territory)

The Bowden brothers - Joel and Patrick - have been standouts for the Tigers this season, particularly Joel, who could win his third successive Jack Dyer Medal this year, while McLeod has been nothing short of superb for the Crows across half-back. He is having one of his finest AFL seasons.

 
C: Justin Sherman (Brisbane Lions/Tasmania), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda/New South Wales), Brad Green (Melbourne/Tasmania)

Of the new wave of Lions, Sherman has again stood tall in 2006, after an impressive first season last year. Hayes was one of the premier midfields in 2006, before a knee injury ended his year in round nine. Brad Green has been ultra-consistent for the Demons this season, winning plenty of possessions and showing leadership in his play.

HF: Nathan Buckley (Collingwood/Northern Territory), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda/Queensland), Aaron Davey (Melbourne/Northern Territory)

Buckley has been outstanding since coming back from a debilitating hamstring injury last season, either in the midfield or up forward, while Riewoldt is the Allies' leading goalkicker with 30 majors. Davey has taken his game - yet again - to another level, booting 19 goals and shining with his defensive pressure.

F: Russell Robertson (Melbourne/Tasmania), Matthew Richardson (Richmond/Tasmania), Trent Hentschel (Adelaide/Northern Territory)

Coming off a stellar season in 2005, Robertson has battled knee problems this season, yet he has still jagged 19 goals and demands enormous attention. Richardson has booted 17 goals - the fifth best by an Allies' player - before a wrist injury sidelined him in rounds 10 and 11. Hentschel is second to Riewoldt in the Allies' goalkicking.

FOLL: Jamie Charman (Brisbane Lions/Queensland), Brett Kirk (Sydney/NSW), Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs/NSW)

Charman has had more hit outs than any other Allies player this season and deserves the nod, while 'Captain' Kirk has again led with his authority in the midfield. Bulldog Daniel Cross is only second in the competition to club teammate Scott West for the most handballs in 2006.

I/C: Michael Voss (Brisbane Lions/Queensland), Adam Schneider (Sydney/NSW), Jason Akermanis (Brisbane Lions/Queensland), Peter Street (Western Bulldogs/Tasmania)

Although age is catching up with Voss, his numbers are still impressive, while Schneider has been energetic, either out of defence or up forward. Akermanis, although in the headlines for non-football reasons, has still been solid, especially in the past month, while Street is the Allies' second leading ruckman in terms of hit outs.

EMG: Shane Crawford (Hawthorn/NSW), Craig Bolton (Sydney/ACT), Brady Rawlings (Kangaroos/Tasmania)

Crawford has missed three matches and that probably pushed him out of the 22, despite some solid performances, while Craig Bolton was unlucky not to edge out Swans' teammate Leo Barry. Roo Brady Rawlings gets the nod as the final emergency after a consistent season.


http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=274685

[mightytiges]

Agree all 4 Tigers deserve their  inclusion but that Allies side would get pumped by Vic, SA or WA.

[one-eyed]

Our WA state team
10:29:31 AM Tue 20 June, 2006
Justin Chadwick and Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Selection based on form from rounds one to 11, 2006

B: Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood), Darren Glass (West Coast), Nathan Carroll (Melbourne)

Lockyer has been an underrated performer for the Pies this season and gets the nod as a small defender, while Glass is now a key part of the Eagles' make-up at full-back. Carroll has been a revelation for the Demons this season and has claimed several key scalps. He had just 15 goals kicked on him in 11 matches.

HB: James Clement (Collingwood), Michael Johnson (Fremantle), Mark Nicoski (West Coast)

Clement remains one of the premier defenders in the AFL, being able to quell small or tall forwards, while Johnson and Nicoski have blossomed this season, particularly with their attacking run out of defence. Antoni Grover, Jaymie Graham and Scott Stevens were all unlucky to not be named in defence.

C: Daniel Wells (Kangaroos), Josh Carr (Fremantle), Daniel Kerr (West Coast)

Wells continues to emerge as an outstanding young talent at Arden St, despite the expectations placed on him, while Carr's ability and toughness has been outstanding in Fremantle's engine room this season. After finishing second in the Brownlow Medal last year, Kerr has continued his fine form in 2006 for the Eagles.

HF: Andrew Embley (West Coast), Adam Hunter (West Coast), Ben Cousins (West Coast)

Finding a centre half-forward for Western Australia is difficult at the moment, yet Hunter has become a match-winning pinch hitter for West Coast in attack that he gets the nod ahead of the injured Ian Perrie. Such is the wealth of midfield talent, Embley and Cousins can either play in the midfield or push forward, where they exude their brilliance.

F: Leon Davis (Collingwood), Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Mark Williams (Hawthorn)

Davis edges out Fremantle forwards Jeff Farmer and Paul Medhurst, as he has booted the second most goals - 22 majors - by a Western Australian. Williams has booted 32 goals - the most from his state. But with Lynch the most dominant key Western Australian forward this season, he claims full-forward, with the smaller Williams in the pocket.

FOLL: Dean Cox (West Coast), Joel Corey (Geelong), Simon Black (Brisbane Lions)

All-Australian honours beckon for Cox, with the West Coast ruckman having a stellar season, particularly early in the year. He thoroughly deserves his No.1 ruck position. Corey has won the ball more times than any other West Australian this season, while Black is the next Sandgroper in line.

I/C: Tyson Stenglein (West Coast), Peter Bell (Fremantle), Mark Coughlan (Richmond), Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)

Either in the midfield, shutting down or across half-back Stenglein has been a fine performer in 2006, while Bell and Coughlan remain key ball-magnets for their respective sides. Sandilands, despite missing three matches with a broken jaw from rounds seven to nine, is second only to Cox in hit-outs by a West Australian.

EMG: Chad Fletcher (West Coast), Antoni Grover (Fremantle), Daniel Chick (West Coast)

Fletcher is unlucky to miss out, having had another fine season for West Coast, but the considerable midfield talent the state possesses makes it a difficult task. Grover, as mentioned above has had a fine season in defence and pushed hard, while Chick has proved a fine pinch-hitter in attack this season, doing much of the grunt work.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=blog&spg=display&articleid=274939

[one-eyed]

No SA Tigers as yet but Clever, Meyer and Sarge will be pushing for a spot in years to come.

Our SA State team
10:12:55 AM Wed 21 June, 2006
Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au

The latest in our mid-season review of State of Origin line-ups - Matt Burgan presents his best South Australian selection...

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Selection based on form from rounds one to 11, 2006

B: Graham Johncock (Adelaide), Ben Rutten (Adelaide), Sam Fisher (St Kilda)

Johncock is having a super season for the Crows and is surely in All-Australian contention as a small defender, while teammate Rutten will also be looking for back-to-back honours this season at full-back - while Brian Harris was unlucky not to be in the 22. Fisher is vastly underrated but is having a great season for the Saints.

HB: Nathan Bassett (Adelaide), Jared Rivers (Melbourne), Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)

The run and drive from Bassett out of defence has continued this season - he is also able to play on smalls or talls - while Rivers' status for Melbourne is not to be underestimated, nor is his courage. He must surely rank as one of the most courageous players in the game. Either from defence or recently in the midfield, S.Burgoyne has been terrific.

C: Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide), Simon Goodwin (Adelaide), Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)

Goodwin and K.Cornes have won more ball than any other South Australian this season - both players are ranked in the top 10 disposals winners in the AFL after 11 rounds. Goodwin is second in the league and is one of the hot favourites to win this year's Brownlow. Cooney continues to rise as one of the premier young players in the AFL.

HF: Scott Thompson (Adelaide), Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Byron Pickett (Melbourne)

Thompson has been important either up forward or in the midfield, while Pavlich remains Fremantle's best player. He has booted 30 goals - the most by a South Australian. Warren Tredrea would normally be selected, but has been hindered by a knee injury. Pickett has been a revelation since moving to Melbourne and is clearly the trade of the season.

F: Alan Didak (Collingwood), Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide), Brett Burton (Adelaide)

Didak's class and goalkicking ability - a la Peter Daicos - has thrilled Pies' fans this year and he has been a vital cog in Collingwood's rise back up the ladder in 2006. Ricciuto has been Ricciuto - one of the all-time greats - while Burton's high-flying ability and goalkicking prowess has yielded the second most goals from a Croweater.

FOLL: Brendon Lade (Port Adelaide), Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide), Tyson Edwards (Adelaide)

What a season Lade is having. He has clearly been one of the most consistent performers in 2006 and is on target to be named All-Australian. C.Cornes has been released from centre half-back to the midfield in recent times - although he can play anywhere - while Edwards' reliability is as good as any in the AFL. He is having yet another top year.

I/C: Peter Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Michael Doughty (Adelaide), Nathan Eagleton (Western Bulldogs), Brad Ottens (Geelong)

Despite a recent hamstring injury, P.Burgoyne has been a beauty for Port Adelaide this season, while Doughty is clearly having his finest AFL season and deserves recognition. Eagleton's drive from the midfield and into attack remains crucial for the Bulldogs, while Ottens is the second most in-form South Australian ruckman behind Lade.

EMG: Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide), Corey Enright (Geelong), Jordan McMahon (Western Bulldogs)

Pearce's stature continues to grow in recent weeks - a fine effort after being a rookie in 2005 - and he was unlucky not to gain a berth in the 22, while Enright has been a consistent performer for the Cats. McMahon's drive out of defence for the Bulldogs was extremely close, but Johncock took his place in the final 22.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=blog&spg=display&articleid=275161

[one-eyed]

Our 'Big V' team
10:52:04 AM Thu 22 June, 2006
Jennifer Witham and Matt Burgan
Exclusive to afl.com.au
VICTORIA

Selection based on form from rounds one to 11, 2006

B: David Wirrpanda (West Coast), Matthew Scarlett (Geelong), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon)

The top three Victorian rebound 50 players in the AFL after 11 rounds are Fletcher, Wirrpanda and Scarlett. The trio is also in the top five in the AFL, along with Joel Bowden (NT/Allies) and James Clement (WA). Scarlett has also conceded just 12 goals from nine matches from rounds one to 11 this season.

HB: Heath Shaw (Collingwood), Lance Whitnall (Carlton), Dane Swan (Collingwood)

Whitnall, after being touted as a possible trade at the end of last season, has bounced back to have a scintillating season at centre half-back for Carlton. H.Shaw has been a model of consistency down back and has probably been pipped as the most improved player in the competition only by teammate Swan - what a year he has had.

C: Cameron Bruce (Melbourne), Scott West (Western Bulldogs), Travis Johnstone (Melbourne)

Bruce and teammate Johnstone have simply oozed class and consistency for the Demons and have been crucial to Melbourne's revival since round three. Bruce's year is even more outstanding, considering he came off a limited pre-season. West has been West - another amazing season. He is again the competition's leading disposal winner after 11 rounds.

HF: Adam Goodes (Sydney), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Gary Ablett (Geelong)

Many believe Goodes is having a better year than his 2003 Brownlow winning year, while Brown is arguably vying with Chris Judd as the game's best player - another stellar season from the Lion. Ablett's goalkicking prowess and sublime skills have again been terrific. But it was a tough call on Ablett and teammate Paul Chapman for this position.

F: Brad Johnson (Western Bulldogs), Barry Hall (Sydney), Brendan Fevola (Carlton)

Has there been a more consistent player in recent seasons than Johnson? He's certainly pushing his claim as strong as anyone. Pound-for-pound he is a beauty up forward - he has 30 goals in 11 rounds - while he remains a key disposal winner for the Dogs. Hall and Fevola are the two leading goalkickers in the game with 43 goals and 41 respectively.

FOLL: Jeff White (Melbourne), Chris Judd (West Coast), Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda)
The No.1 ruck mantle was one of the most difficult to select for Victoria. Jeff White got the nod - he has the second most hit-outs in the AFL - edging out Peter Everitt. The Hawk star also started the season, coming back from injury. As mentioned early Judd is vying with Brown at the best in it, while Dal Santo has been brilliant for the Saints.

I/C: James McDonald (Melbourne), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Troy Simmonds (Richmond)

McDonald has clearly had his best season in the AFL, since he made his debut in 1997. He is the competition's leading tackler, while Hodge and Mitchell have been outstanding for the Hawks all season. Simmonds was unlucky not to gain the No.1 ruck berth - he is in career-best form - while his ability up forward has also been important for Richmond.

EMG: Jude Bolton (Sydney), Paul Chapman (Geelong), Heath Scotland (Carlton)

Bolton was very unlucky not to be named in the 22, having stood tall for Sydney this season. Chapman was edged by Ablett for a small forward position - just, while Scotland's numbers cannot be ignored - he has the third most disposals in the AFL, is the second most effective kicker in the competition and is No.1 in long kicks.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=275437

[mightytiges]

HF: Adam Goodes (Sydney), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Gary Ablett (Geelong)

 But it was a tough call on Ablett and teammate Paul Chapman for this position.

Pettifer > Ablett, Chapman this year.