THE ROLLING MONGREL PUNT ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM
It’s been a minute since the last iteration of the Mongrel’s Rolling AA Team. Every man and his dog have been releasing theirown versions … we have seen their teams, laughed at their incessant need for midfielders, and have been studying the tapes. There has also been much discussion about the viability of players in the side – have they missed too many games? What is the impact they are having on games? (I value overall impact to statistical measures) And assessed who has spent enough time in various locations on the field to be a viable option for selection.
I’ve been scouring the tapes, reading comments on social media about games (some of you are seriously unhinged and have terrible takes … and I’m here for it) and, reluctantly, consulting Champion Data for some stats. However, that form of insight pales in comparison to the good, old-fashioned eye test.
So, after Round Eight, this is what the team looked like – just as a refresher.
FB: Conor Idun Sam Collins Harris Andrews
HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Sam Taylor Dayne Zorko
C: Patrick Lipinski Zach Merrett Oliver Dempsey
HF: Patrick Dangerfield Josh Treacy Paul Curtis
FF: Jack Higgins Ben King Brody Mihocek
Foll: Tom De Koning Caleb Serong Tom Liberatore
Int: Jordan Dawson Bailey Smith Lachie Whitfield Touk Miller Tom Atkins
It’s a stacked team and highly talented. However, upon revealing this team, injury struck and numerous players here haven’t played since – I take no responsibility, albeit, choosing Geelong players is now fraught with risk for me.
So, with all that said *cue drum roll* here’s the updated and current version of the Mongrel Punt Rolling All-Australian Team at the culmination of Round Seventeen.
FB: Lachie Ash Sam Collins Harris Andrews
HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Sam Taylor Dayne Zorko
C: Jarrod Berry Bailey Smith Oliver Dempsey
HF: Patrick Dangerfield Jeremy Cameron Kysaiah Pickett
FF: Jack Higgins Ben King Jamie Elliott
Foll: Max Gawn Nick Daicos Hugh McCluggage
Int: Jordan Dawson Max Holmes Lachie Whitfield Luke Jackson Tom Atkins
Ten changes across ten weeks of football. That’s not too bad. Most of these players pick themselves, and then there are a few spicy and straight up controversial calls. I was told by my fellow mongrels that Nick Daicos should be in the side, I wasn’t convinced, but I have picked him because I know Collingwood fans would come for me and they are kinda scary.
That aside, Naicos has been very good, and does deserve his place in the side. The midfield is the area where there are the most changes and it leaves some players very stiff to miss out. However, all of Max Gawn, Naicos, Hugh McCluggage and Max Holmes deserve their place in the side.
The controversial picks are Jarrod Berry on the wing (controversial in that no-one else will have him, but he’s the highest rated wingman in the game on the Mongrel scale) and Tom Atkins keeping his spot as the 23rd man. His tackle and pressure numbers are through the roof, and so I stand by having him there because he has maintained this, and all sides need someone with the mongrel in them.
Up forward, there are a few changes. Coleman leader Jeremy Cameron rightly takes his place on-field, and is joined by Jamie Elliott and Kozzy Pickett in the side. Paul Curtis is unlucky, but has dropped off a little, and ‘Dick Cyclone’ Josh Treacy is very unlucky to miss out. The controversial aspect is Patrick Dangerfield keeping his place, but his body of work this year stacks up, even with a quiet fortnight of games. He is definitely on watch, though.
The backline is relatively settled, with only Lachie Ash coming in to replace his teammate Conor Idun. Idun is unlucky, but Ash has been very, very good. He rebounds, but he also shuts down his opponent very well.
And the other change is the introduction of Luke Jackson to the side. He has had an incredible season and seems to dominate wherever he plays. He comes in as a second ruck/additional forward option.
The Missing
There are always controversial omissions that lead to fans asking “what about …?” so, here are a few of the very good players who have missed out with a small snapshot of why they have missed.
Marcus Bontempelli – coming from too far back with the games he has missed.
Caleb Serong – very unlucky to lose his place, but others have been more impactful and damaging.
Ben Long – another who is right on the cusp of selection.
Jack Henry – missed a few games with injury and that may cost him re-entering the side.
Paul Curtis – the suspension messed up his form and he hasn’t quite recaptured the magic completely.
Josh Treacy – one big game away from removing Ben King; if Mitch Georgiades slows down too.
Callum Wilkie – one of the premier defenders over a long period of time. Very unlucky to miss. Sam Taylor narrowly holds his place, but will likely lose his place.
Bailey Dale – next in line for the rebounding defenders.
Ed Richards – very unlucky; a victim of picking players in their actual playing position.
Izak Rankine – his inconsistency has hurt him and other forwards being more impactful for longer.
There are many others who could be considered unlucky, and likely you’ll tell me in the comments. Remember: I don’t solely go by stats, and I pick players in their primary position. None of this 80% midfielders on the wing or up-forward nonsense.
Let us know your team, or who you’d replace and why – don’t just blindly change it because someone in your team wasn’t picked.
Stay tuned for more from The Mongrel Punt, and for additional reasons to tell me I must not watch footy because you don’t like the team I’ve selected.
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