THE ROLLING MONGREL PUNT ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM
We are a third of the way through the season, and there is a sufficient body of work to help select players and recognise those who are dominating their position and the teams that are leading the way. Interestingly, some of the top teams are so well-balanced that they have very few entrants in this team, while others are more reliant on individuals to get the team over the line.
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 Four, I launched this side for the year. Here is a recap of the side after Round Four – our inaugural iteration in 2025.
FB: Jack Henry Sam Collins Harris Andrews
HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera Sam Taylor Dayne Zorko
C: Patrick Lipinski Zach Merrett Brad Hill
HF: Touk Miller Ben King Paul Curtis
FF: Jack Higgins Riley Thilthorpe Jesse Hogan
Foll: Tom De Koning Will Day Matt Rowell
Int: Jordan Dawson Tom Liberatore Zach Guthrie Sam Darcy 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.
FB: Connor 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
While there were only three injuries (Jack Henry, Will Day, and Sam Darcy) there is a total of eight changes to this team. That feels like a lot, but I’m also happy with the balance of this team.
Connor Idun has been fantastic for the Giants – one of their leading lights in an up-and-down, to this point, season. He is a natural fit into the lineup, given the injuries, and he was stiff to miss out earlier. Lachie Whitfield is the other who comes into the defensive lineup, albeit from the bench. He has been so good, teams are now starting to tag him. He was quiet on the weekend, but has put together a more consistent body of work than Zach Guthrie who has been a victim of defensive injuries at the Cats and hasn’t quite had the same impact in recent weeks.
Through the middle, Ollie Dempsey joins Pat Lipinski on the wing. Dempsey plays with flair, but is also an elite runner. He’s kicked 14 goals from the wing, takes marks in the defensive goal square, and is somewhat of a barometer for the Cats – when he plays well, they usually win. Caleb Serong comes in for the injured Will Day – and Serong was the player I got the most feedback about after Round Four. He is just exceptionally good at what he does, and it’s a shame that he and Andy Brayshaw (who is stiff to miss) are wasting away in a side like Freo. The other change, and I consulted the Mongrel Writers with this one, is Matt Rowell being dropped, and replaced by the most marketable player in the game, Bazlenka. Bailey Smith has been outstanding this year and looks to be in the form of his life. He’s clearly got a chip on his shoulder and is trying to remind everyone how good he is. Baz adds some much-needed character to this team.
Up forward is where the overly controversial changes have been made. Jesse Hogan and Riley Thilthorpe are VERY unlucky to be dropped, but they have stalled a little bit. They have also been forced out by the form of Josh Treacy, Brody Mihocek (who is one of the more underrated players in the game) and the Cats skipper, Patrick Dangerfield, who continues to defy time. While the two dropped are unlucky, the incoming players have been vital to their sides’ form and output. Dick Cyclone (Treacy) is having to literally carry his side given how inept they have been. Mihocek makes Collingwood better – he showed on Saturday Night how damn good he is with some clutch contested marks and goals that almost got his side across the line. And then there’s The Danger. What a last quarter he played on Saturday Night, and what a season he is having. If he maintains this form, continues to kick goals, and if he remains a game-changer, he will become the first and only nine-time All-Australian. Ever.
The Missing
Now, to those who are unlucky to miss out, and there are some familiar names and some I’ve been reading a lot about in either other people’s teams or in social media comments.
I’ll list their name and then a brief statement about why they weren’t picked.
The Bont – while in OUTSTANDING, best-player-in-the-competition form, he hasn’t played enough … yet!
Jack Macrae – accumulating, but not as damaging or game-changing as other mids.
George Hewett – has been VERY good for the Blues, but still falls just short.
Toby Time – the Giants skipper is next in line up forward. He’s back to his brilliant and belligerent best. He likely will be in, at the next iteration, given Paul Curtis’ suspension for a LEGAL TACKLE.
Max is not Gawn – the Dees skipper has played some of his best footy over the past three or so weeks. He’s very close, and I expect that, should his form continue, he will be in the side in four weeks.
Jacob Weitering – next in line for the key defenders. Collins is probably a little lucky to keep his spot, but the incumbents get a little more leeway form-wise than the chasing pack.
Matt Kennedy – this is the name I’ve struggled with the most, in terms of not having him in the side. I’m not convinced I’m right in not having him in there; I just don’t know who I would drop, either.
Jack Sinclair – it was a coin toss between him and his teammate, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. I just feel NAS has more impact in his role, and he’s the incumbent. Sinclair needs to clear NAS consistently to take his place.
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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