This is coming live from the suburbs of South Australia as the football world descends on Adelaide for Gather Round. We took a week’s break for the Rolling AA team in order to get more evidence to support our decisions, and that has been helpful.
We are seeing some big numbers from defenders and midfielders, and a few key forwards kicking goals for fun. It’s important to look at where players are spending the bulk of their time in order to bring recognition in true positions. None of this 90% midfielder who might venture inside 50 once or twice being picked as a forward. The league AA needs an overhaul and while we might just be regular punters, who love the game, we want to see all positions recognised.
To refresh your memories, here’s how the Round Two team looked:
FB: Luke Ryan, Jake Lever, Jack Sinclair
HB: Nick Daicos, Darcy Moore, Mason Redman
C: Errol Gulden, Clayton Oliver, Josh Daicos
HF: Tom Mitchell, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene
FF: Michito Owens, Nick Larkey, Charlie Curnow
Foll: Darcy Cameron, Darcy Parish, Luke Davies-Uniacke
Int: Kyle Langford, Daniel Rioli, Chad Warner, Harry Sheezel, Will Setterfield (sub)
Through the last two weeks, we have seen some inspired football. Controversy has been present. And the MRO is having an impact on teams. However. We are here to celebrate the key contributors. Many of these players are the reason we patrons tune into the footy, while others are role-players who don’t get enough recognition at all.
In instances of needing to decide between one or two players, we may look to the stats. However, that is not the sole vehicle for decision-making.
I guess I should stop stalling and dragging this out. *cue drum roll* here’s the Mongrel Punt’s Rolling All-Australian Team following Round Four.
FB: Max Michalanney, Jacob Weitering, Jordan Dawson
HB: Nick Daicos, Callum Wilkie, Jack Sinclair
C: Mason Wood, Clayton Oliver, Josh Daicos
HF: Izak Rankine, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene
FF: Michito Owens, Charlie Curnow, Jack Higgins
Foll: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Luke Davies-Uniacke
Int: Liam Baker, Patrick Cripps, Darcy Parish, Harry Sheezel, Mason Redman (sub)
The Changes
Some of the omissions boil down to injury, while others started the opening two rounds well, but have tapered off marginally. And in the case of this team, even just a marginal dip is enough to see someone jump ahead.
Jake Lever has had moments this year and is probably unlucky to lose his place, but the effectiveness that Max Michalanney has shown in his first four games of league football make him impossible to ignore. He is shutting down his opponents and they simply cannot get their hands on the ball. In 67 minutes on the weekend, he was matched up against Michael Walters, one of the better small forwards of the past decade. Michalanney kept him to 5 disposals and 0 goals in that time. And that was the deciding factor. In terms of Callum Wilkie, his selection is probably overdue. He has been fantastic for the Saints and wears the captaincy well. Speaking of captaining their side well and leading from the front, Jordan Dawson comes in off the back of some great form – even if he probably shouldn’t have got the Showdown Medal in Round Three. Rounding out the inclusions in the defensive part of the ground, Jacob Weitering has been unflinching and uncompromising in his diligence to marking his opponents, limiting their output, and then intercepting and setting up the game. All of those who have come out of the line-up could be considered unlikely and remain firmly in the selection frame.
As we move further up the field, only one position across the centre line changes, and that’s Saints wingman, and arguably the most improved player in the league, Mason Wood taking one of the wings. Errol Gulden is very stiff to miss, and remains in the mix.
Izak Rankine is probably the premiere small forward in the game at the moment, and will likely soon have his own pocket at Adelaide Oval. Jack Higgins has come alive in recent weeks, running amok in the Saints’ forward half, and, as his nickname suggests, has enjoyed the snags he’s been snagging. Nick Larkey is awfully stiff to come out of the side, and is one big haul away from likely re-entering the side.
As our selected ruckman each week seems to be falling apart the next week (and the same in my Supercoach) I apologise in advance to Dogs fans for selecting Tim English. It was a close race between he and Brodie Grundy, but the man from the kennel edges ahead after his performance against the Tigers. Joining his teammate, is Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli. The Bont was enormous on the weekend and continues a solid run of form through the year.
And rounding out the bench, Liam Baker, the enigmatic utility from the Tigers slots in and could come on and play in multiple positions. And Patrick Cripps features for the first time this year after his sheer weight of numbers has bashed the door down, forcing selection. Darcy Parish and Mason Redman remain in the side, just, and have moved from starting roles to the bench and sub roles respectively.
These selections reflect great output and role-playing contributions. There is always going to be unlucky players, that’s the nature of the game. And then, for some, your favourite player may not have been selected – I just can’t find a space to fit Relton Roberts, Henry Playfair, and others, even if I tried.
The Watch List
So, we’ve seen the team. What about those who are playing well and didn’t make it? They need to maintain the rage and keep doing what they’re doing. Here are some of the players awfully close to sneaking in.
Oscar Allen has been a shining light for the Eagles. He is reminding everyone east of the Nullabor just how talented he is. If any of our listed key forwards were to have an off week and he continues his form, he may just find his way in.
Dane Rampe has been solid across the opening part of the season. He has been consistent, and just doing Dane Rampe things. With some injuries to Swans’ key defenders, more responsibility falls on his shoulders and I reckon he’s up for the challenge.
Another defender who is building nicely is the recently returned Tom Stewart. The Cats vice-captain made a recovery worthy of Lazarus, missing just a solitary game after it was prophesied he’d miss up to six weeks and he has been immense. Watch this space.
Caleb Serong was part of the discussions this week and is very close to selection. The Dockers midfielder has been fantastic to start 2023.
As mentioned above, Brodie Grundy has been fantastic. He has gone to another level with the absence of Max Gawn. The question remains whether he can maintain this output and form when Gawn returns.
That’s all for this week. Let us know your thoughts – and I’m putting a caveat on that. Don’t just list someone who should be in/out, list who they replace/replaces them and why.
Stay tuned on our socials and find out who’s in next week.
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