ROLLING ALL-AUSTRALIAN ROUND EIGHTEEN
The season is rapidly nearing the final stanza. We have six home and away matches left for all teams. Many teams are still in the running for finals football, so there is hope for some high-quality football to be played. The Prophet has been busy watching back the tapes, factoring in some statistics, consulting experts (The Mongrel Punt Team), and, utilising the esteemed eye test. So, what does the team look like?
I’m glad you’ve asked. The AFL Team and their so-called expert panel who pick a team of midfielders, at the Mongrel Punt, we value players who are the role players, who excel at what they are picked to do, and celebrate those who dominate their position. So, I am endeavouring to pick players in the position they spend most of their time. Unlike the Australian T20 side where they picked on reputation over performance, this side is about who is shining in their position, and bringing balance to the force … well, the team as a whole.
Some players will inevitably miss out – especially midfielders. I may or may not justify my decisions, but know that I have picked this 23 and could have picked a second side with the names left out. Given we have nine remaining games, there are clear breakaways. The list of those who remain in the squad shortens every week, so, as I seek to bring the collective best 23, by position, at the conclusion of the 2024 season, I don’t foresee too many times when there are big changes to the team.
Here is what the team looked like at the culmination of Round Fifteen:
FB: Sam Collins Jacob Weitering Luke Ryan
HB: Jordan Clark Alex Pearce Nick Blakey
C: Errol Gulden Chad Warner Massimo D’Ambrosio
HF: Gryan Miers Ben King Dylan Moore
FF: Tyson Stengle Charlie Curnow Jake Waterman
Foll: Max Gawn Isaac Heeney Caleb Serong
Int: Dan Houston Marcus Bontempelli Nick Daicos Jesse Hogan Zach Merrett
What has changed? Who is now more firmly entrenched? There have been a lot of compelling arguments about different players, and I even recognise that the first team was a little too midfielder-heavy, so, like Anakin was supposed to, I will endeavour to bring balance to the force.
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 Eighteen.
FB: Sam Collins Jacob Weitering Luke Ryan
HB: Jordan Clark Harris Andrews Nick Blakey
C: Errol Gulden Chad Warner Massimo D’Ambrosio
HF: Gryan Miers Ben King Dylan Moore
FF: Tyson Stengle Charlie Curnow Jake Waterman
Foll: Max Gawn Isaac Heeney Caleb Serong
Int: Dan Houston Marcus Bontempelli Patrick Cripps Jesse Hogan Zach Merrett
Last time we looked at this team, there were 10 changes. This time round, there are just the two. What this communicates is that the team is stable, and we are seeing consistent performances from those in the side.
Alex Pearce has been a relative mainstay in this team. His injury came at an inopportune time and, as such, Harris Andrews stumbles, like he did upon an Izak Rankine dodge, into the side at centre half back. This position is by no means secure. So, pending the return of Pearce and the form of both of them, there is a race to the finish.
The other change will no doubt upset Collingwood fans. Not only is their player replaced by their mortal enemies skipper – Patrick Cripps – but Nick Daicos is the poster boy of the club and has now been dropped. cue the outrage Daicos has done little wrong, but Cripps has been better. A few quieter weeks in terms of impact from the junior Macedonian Marvel, sees Cripps jump into the side ahead of him. Cripps, like Daicos and others, is a Bontlow Medal fancy and continues to perform for his team.
Honourable Mentions:
Josh Treacy has been one of the great improvers in season 2024. With a consistent run of games, greater consistency in his performance, and his sides increased desire to score, we are seeing him put together a fantastic season. Should any of the tall forwards falter in the room home, here’s your next man in.
Much has been made of Tom Stewart’s return to form, and I could perhaps justify his return to the side, the same with Jeremy Cameron – well, sort of – he’s coming from further back. Both has helped Geelong’s season renaissance. However, one of the leaders of said movement is Max Holmes. His stint in the middle has cost him selection currently, but with his recent return to the back flank, he is closing on Dan Houston and Jordan Clark very quickly.
Brodie Grundy and Lloyd Meek are two of the leading ruck challengers, and they are gaining on Max Gawn every week – especially with Max out of action currently. While they have been very good, it does remain to be seen whether or not they can usurp Gawn as the pre-eminent ruckman in the game, and in this team.
Izak Rankine – that’s it, that’s the comment.
With six weeks of football to come, thee are numerous spots that remain to be settled. Can the incumbents all remain, or will some be replaced by thos who finish strongly?
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.
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.
You can buy Jimmy a coffee for his efforts if you like? He puts in the hard yards to bring you these free articles… and he does like a coffee.
Hit the link below and give Jimmy his caffeine fix.
Or, you could join The Mongrel as a member and leave the mainstream echo chamber behind
