Well, another year of the AFL Awards are in the books, and as always, there is a mixed reaction to them.
You had a player accruing the second highest number of fines in the history of the game taking out the Most Courageous Player Award, an All-Australian Team with some puzzling selections – and omissions – and we had a coaching decision potentially changing the outcome of the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award.
Plenty to get through in this wrap up, and probably plenty you’ll disagree with, but let’s jump into it.
DID RESTING ISAAC HEENEY COST HIM THE ALFCA AWARD?
Most likely, yes.
Heeney was leading heading into the final round, but John Longmire’s decision to rest his star for the final round saw him fall to third, with Patrick Cripps leaping into second place, and Nick Daicos jumping into first place and taking out the award.
Firstly, I understand the arguments that this does not matter, but it kind of does. If the Swans go on to win the premiership, and they’re a great chance to do just that, no one bats an eyelid. Heeney gets his Premiership Medallion, and all is well.
But what if they don’t?
So much of how a player is remembered is dependent on these types of awards. Recognised by those who control the game – the coaches – this award carries a bit of weight, so to see Heeney sitting out the final game of the year to get him another week’s rest (just ahead of a week’s rest, mind you) could seem a little like overkill.
Of course, this may not matter to him, and that’s fine, but in ten years, people will look back at the 2024 season and see Nick Daicos was the coaches’ decision as the best player of the year, and they probably won’t remember that Heeney sat on the sidelines to give himself an extra week.
Legacies matter. Daicos built on his.
Heeney now has to win a flag to justify the decision.
SPEAKING OF NICK DAICOS
Renowned wingman, Nick Daicos… yeah, not right, is it?
Again, I understand the thinking behind it, and I get the feeling some have a massive voice in that AA Selection room, and sway the discussion this way. Some are advocates for filling the team with the best players, and not the best players at the position they play. As a result, we have an All-Australian wingman who spent enough time on the wing in 2024 to maybe have a cup of coffee, but not enough time to warrant this selection. Or to read an article in a newspaper.
Part of me wanted to see Nick get interviewed after the decision and say “the wing should be reserved for players who play on the wing.” After all, he has a brother who plays that role each and every week for his team.
Alas, we didn’t get to see it.
This is part one of the If you’re not good enough to be selected at your position, you’re not good enough to be in the team line that’ll be used several times throughout this article.
ZAK BUTTERS AS THE MOST COURAGEOUS
Personally, I have no issue with this – I love the way Butters plays. However, it was brought to my attention by several people that they didn’t think it was right that a bloke who keeps accruing fines for cheap shots is rewarded by being hailed as courageous.
Yeah, I get that.
Still, I love a player with mongrel in them, and I was content with Butters getting the nod, here. He plays a style that is on the edge and accepts the penalties that come with it. Plus, I have never, ever seen him pull out of a contest. Great competitor – great result.
TWO SWANS MIDS AT HALF-FORWARD
This is such a cop out from the selectors. Weak as piss.
Heeney was arguably in the top three players in the game this season, but he can’t crack a spot in the midfield? That’s where he did his damage. That’s where he made the big difference. That’s where he should have been named.
Instead, the on-ball spots went to Bont, Cripps, and Caleb Serong.
Hard to argue about the merits of those three, but should they displace Heeney from the guts?
The trickle down effect here is that it robs a genuine forward of the opportunity to be in the side.
Charlie Curnow had another very good season, but was bumped out. Gryan Miers and Tyson Stengleboth have really solid claims on an AA forward spot. Brent Daniels from GWS, as well.
But no… two Sydney midfielders occupy the places these blokes could have taken.
If you’re not good enough to be selected at your position, you’re not good enough to be in the team
GAWN OVER XERRI
Heard some strange takes on this, one being that Xerri played in a vastly inferior team, and should not be rewarded with an AA selection over someone helping their team win.
Okay, so how does Jeremy McGovern or Jake Waterman get a run, if that’s the case?
Personally, I think Gawn had more impact than Xerri. The big Kangaroos’ numbers were great, but Gawn is an aerial presence that Xerri is not, and as a ruck, I think that holds sway. I’m cool with this one.
JACOB WEITERING AS AA FULL BACK
Yeah… I think this is more a “body of work” kind of reward for Weitering, who has had better seasons and missed out.
Harris Andrews was painfully unlucky again – the second straight year he had a massive claim on the spot – and Sam Collins (top two in both one percenters and intercepts) would have to be wondering what else they have to do to get the attention of selectors.
Weitering missed two games, hobbled around in two others like he’d been shot in the leg (had corkies… horrible to play with) and whilst he had a couple of dominant defensive games, wasn’t at his best all season.
I think this is a make-up pick for being snubbed in years prior.
Hopefully Harris Andrews or Sam Collins get similar treatment next year.
KICK IN CHEAPIES REWARDED?
Stumbled upon this.
The top four kick-in/play on players of the year all made the AA team.
How does that sit with you?
Luke Ryan – 149 kick ins with 138 play ons
Lachie Whitfield – 142 kick ins with 132 play ons
Jeremy McGovern – 117 kick ins with 111 play ons
And Nick Blakey – 99 kick ins with 95 play ons.
Now, you can make of that what you will, but if, at any time, selectors are using stats to back up their decisions, then this is skewing the results.
THINGS I LOVED
Dylan Moore making the side. A fantastic story after being overlooked in the draft.
Errol Gulden on the wing. Makes them play him where he is actually playing. Also gives them a bit of a cop out to say “See, we picked a wingman.” You didn’t pick him – Errol picked himself!
Adam Treloar in the team. About bloody time.
Okay, that’s me done. Hit me with what you’ve got.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. It is a labour of love for me, and having you guys as members of the site basically keeps me going. So sincerely… thank you – HB
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