Two Half-Backs – An All-Australian Tale

A strange thing occurred in 2022.

Well, not that strange, when you think about it. Despite playing every game and having his best season by a long way, James Sicily failed to make the All-Australian team.

He was dominant in defence for the Hawks, regularly their best player and owned the defensive 50 in some games, yet he was unable to catch the eye of the AA selectors often enough. When the names of the six defenders and four interchange players were read out at the AFL Awards ceremony, there were some looks exchanged amongst players.

Sexy looks.

Nah, looks of amazement.

Adam Saad got a gig, as did Brayden Maynard. However, absent from the team was James Sicily.

As he will be again this season.

Tom Stewart, on the other hand, has little to worry about. He is doing what he does and it has always been exactly what the AA selectors are after. It will be again.

 

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