Almanac Teams: Very good players who were never All Australians

 

 

 

This week team is based on very good players that have never being selected in the All-Australian side. I am not saying they should have been All Australian as that would mean someone from the original team misses out, the idea of the side is if I told you this player was never All Australian you would be surprised.  The team is based from 1991 as the present way of selecting the All-Australian team come into effect then. Before then All Australian selection was based on State of Origin matches while the AFL Media Guide has listed the VFL Team of the year from 1982-1990. Since 2007 the All-Australian selectors have released a squad 40 (44 in 2022).The team may need a rejig at the end of the week as Taylor Walker and Tom Liberatore are strong chances to make the team. I selected Walker and Liberatore as they are in the twilight of their careers even though they are a huge chance to be All Australians this year. Sicily, McCluggage I have put in, others as they are only about halfway through their career with Sicily a chance this year anyway. Other current players in the team like Howe, Vlastuin, Ward and Prestia are probably unlikely to be All Australians in the twilight of their career (though we may have said the same for Taylor Walker a couple of years ago). There is plenty of names I came up with that ended up been unlucky players that were unlucky to miss the unlucky All Australian Players side.

 

Some champions that played since 1991 but never made an All-Australian team I didn’t put in because they did make the team in VFL team of the year from 1982-1990 include Gary Ayres, Mark Bayes, Andrew Bews, Dermott Brereton, Andy Collins, Terry Daniher, Danny Frawley,  Doug Hawkins, Chris Lewis, Brett Lovett, Simon Madden,  David Murphy, Gary O’Donnell, Gary Pert, Tim Watson, Dale Weightman.

 

 

FB:       Jeremy Howe (Melb/Coll)         Max Hudghton (St.K)                  Nick Vlastuin (Rich)

 

CHB:   John Blakey (NM)                       Phil Davis (GWS)                          Kade Simpson (Carl)

 

C:        Tyson Edwards (Adel)                Luke Shuey (WCE)                       Andrew Embley (WCE)

 

CHF:    Peter Burgoyne (PA)                  Scott Lucas (Ess)                          Brett Heady (WCE)

 

FF:       Peter Daicos (Coll)                     Peter Sumich (WCE)                    Taylor Walker (Adel)

 

Ruck: Sam Jacobs (Adel)           Callan Ward (WB/GWS)                    Tom Liberatore (WB)

 

Interchange: Ben Cunnington (NM), Peter Dean (Carl), Dion Prestia (GCS/Rich), Jack Ziebell (NM)

 

Emergencies: Brad Green (Melb), Paul Licuria (Coll), Saverio Rocca (Coll/NM), Shane Woewodin (Melb/Coll)

 

 

Jeremy Howe

230 Games Melbourne & Collingwood 2011-

A forward at Melbourne and a defender at Collingwood, Howe made the squad in 2017 as intercept defender and finished 4^th in the Best & Fairest that year. Injuries have restricted him the last couple of years but was at his peak for Collingwood 2017-2019

 

Max Hudghton

234 Games St Kilda 1997-2009

A lock down tall defender rated by the likes of Matthew Richardson and Brendan Fevola as one of the best defenders of his era. Hudghton made the All-Australian squad in 2008 and finished 4^th in the Best & Fairest. The following year Hudghton played just 7 games and was not picked for the finals.

 

Nick Vlastuin

210 Games Richmond 2013-

Vlastuin has being an intercept marking defender in backline for several years, being at his peak in Richmond premiership era from 2017-2020. Vlastuin made the All-Australian squad in 2020. In Richmond premiership years of 2019 & 2020 Vlastuin came 4^th and 3^rd in the Best & Fairest.

 

John Blakey

359 Games Fitzroy & North Melbourne  1985-2002

Blakey was an underrated running defensive half back at both Fitzroy & North Melbourne who represented Victoria in 1998 against South Australia. Blakey best finish in Best & Fairest was third in 1998 and 2000 in very strong North Melbourne sides.

 

 

Phil Davis

192 Games Adelaide & GWS 2010-2022

Davis was the inaugural GWS co-captain aged 21 and just 18 games into his career. Davis was rarely beaten in his key defensive post and finished third in the Best & Fairest in 2017 & 2018. I was surprised to read Davis was never nominated for All Australian squad.

 

Kade Simpson

342 Games Carlton 2006-2000

Simpson was a half back/wing who made the All-Australian squad in 2016 and was Carlton Best & Fairest in 2013. Simpson would come 2^nd in 2016 & 2018 and 3^rd in 2014 and in his final year he finished 2020.

 

Tyson Edwards

321 Games Adelaide 1995-2010

Edwards was a super consistent midfielder for Adelaide, who may have made the first cut squad if they were announced prior to 2007. Surprisingly Edwards best result in a Best & Fairest was 4^th in 2008.

 

Luke Shuey

247 Games West Coast 2010-2023

Shuey was the Norm Smith Medallist in 2018. Shuey would make the All-Australian squad in 2016 and was West Coast Best & Fairest in 2016 and 2019.

 

Andrew Embley

250 Games West Coast 1999-2013

Embley was the Norm Smith Medallist in 2006 and would make the All-Australian squad for West Coast in 2011 in a year he finished 8^th in the Best & Fairest. Embley best result in Best & Fairest was 4^th in 2008.

 

Peter Burgoyne

240 Games Port Adelaide 1997-2009

Burgoyne started his career as a forward and finished as a defender. As a forward his best season was 41 goals in 2002. Burgoyne was a regular in the top ten in the Best & fairest with his best result 3^rd in 2003 & 2007.

 

Scott Lucas

270 Games Essendon 1996-2009

Lucas started his career as a forward before moving to the backline in 2002 where he won a Best & Fairest in 2003. Lucas was moved back to the forward line in 2006 where he won another Best & fairest kicking 67 Goals. Lucas was nominated in 2007 when he kicked 61 goals  and finished third in the Best & Fairest.

 

Brett Heady

156 Games West Coast 1990-1997

Heady was a damaging half forward/midfielder with a great goal sense. Heady was under rated player who always seemed to play well when I saw him live especially in finals. Heady finished 5^th in the Best & Fairest in 1991 and 1997.

 

Peter Daicos

250 Games Collingwood 1979-1993

Daicos made the VFL team of the year in 1982, 1988 and 1990. I have added Daicos in for Luke for his season in 1991 where he kicked 75 goals as a small forward but did not make the team.

 

Peter Sumich

150 Games West Coast 1989-1997

Peter Sumich kicked 111 goals in 1991 and 82 goals in 1992 but would miss out to Tony Lockett with 127 goals (from 17 games) in 1991 and then Dunstall with 145 and Lockett with 132 goals in 1992.

 

Taylor Walker

259 Games Adelade 2009-

Walker has been nominated in the All-Australian squad in 2015, 2017 and 2022. With 67 goals up until Round 23 Walker is a strong chance to be the 2023 All Australian Team this year.

 

Sam Jacobs

2008 Games Carlton, Adelaide & GWS 2007-2020

Jacobs made the All-Australian squad in 2012, 2014 & 2017 and in each of those years he finished 4^th in the Adelaide Best & Fairest. Jacobs also won a Showdown Medal as Best on Ground in those three years.

 

Callan Ward

291 Games Western Bulldogs & GWS 2008-

Ward is one of the most under rated players in the competition. Ward with Phil Davis was co-captain of GWS from 2012-2019. Ward made the All-Australian squad in 2014. Ward won Best & Fairest in 2012 and finished second in 2013, 2014, 2017 & 2018 and third in 2015.

 

Tom Liberatore

215 Games Western Bulldogs 2011-

Liberatore like Taylor Walker is considered a strong chance to make the All-Australian team this year, at the very least the squad. Liberatore made the squad in 2014 in the year he won the Best & Fairest. Liberatore would finish second in 2022 and third in 2013 & 2020.

 

Ben Cunnington

238 Games North Melbourne 2010-2023

Tough in and under midfielder who made the All-Australian squad in 2019. Cunnington would win Best & Fairest in 2014 and 2019 and come second in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2021.

 

Peter Dean

248 Games 1984-1998

Dean was a player I was surprised didn’t make the VFL team of the year. I am sure if there was a squad for the All Australian, he perhaps may have made it in 1994-1995. Dean played in 1987 & 1995 premiership but missed 1993 Grand Final with injury. Dean played for Victoria in 1986 & 1995 and his best finish in the Best & Finish was 1994 coming 3^rd.

 

Dion Prestia

212 Games Gold Coast & Richmond 2011-

Prestia was a Best & Fairest in a premiership year in 2019 for Richmond. Prestia would also make the All-Australian squad in 2019. Prestia would also finish 3^rd in 2022 missing out on spots higher due to injuries. Prestia also showed promise early at Gold Coast coming 2^nd and then 3^rd in 2013 & 2014.

 

Jack Ziebell

280 Games 2009-2023

Ziebell was a footballer I was surprised with that hadn’t made the All-Australian squad before. Ziebell was a player who could play either end or as a midfielder. His best result in the Best & Fairest was 2^nd in 2016.

 

Brad Green

254 Games Melbourne 2000-2012

Green was a smart small forward who was an accurate kick. Green had his best year in 2010 kicking 55 goals and making the All-Australian squad and winning the Best & Fairest.

 

Paul Licuria

192 Games Sydney & Collingwood 1997-2007

Licuria is another tough onballer in the mould of others in this team. Licuria was a Best & Fairest at Collingwood in 2001 but would do better the following year, winning the Best & Fairest again in a side that made the Grand Final. Licuria also came 2^nd in 2004.

 

Saverio Rocca

257 Games Collingwood & North Melbourne 1992-2006

Rocca was a very good full forward who was unlucky to be behind the likes of Lockett, Dunstall, Ablett and Modra behind the Coleman Medal and All Australian consideration when at his peak. Rocca kicked 93 goals in 1995 and won the Best & Fairest but was behind Ablett 122 and Lockett 110. Rocca came second in the Coleman in 1996 with 76 with Modra winning with 84.

 

Shane Woewodin

200 Games Melbourne & Collingwood 1997-2005

While Woewodin was considered a surprise Brownlow Medallist in 2000, he was still possibly a surprise omission as he also won Melbourne Best & Fairest and Melbourne would make the Grand Final. Woewodin as a running midfielder averaged 23 disposals a game in 2000 kicking 20 goals.

 

Others  Squad Members Considered to make the squad of 44.

 

Marcus Ashcroft

318 Games Brisbane 1989-2003

Extremely reliable player who was still playing well at the end of his career when Brisbane was winning premierships. Ashcroft had 10 top ten Best & Fairest finishes.

 

Jack Crisp

223 Games Brisbane & Collingwood 2012-

Running Midfielder/Half Back Crisp has not missed a game since joining Collingwood. Crisp has won the Best & Fairest in 2021 & 2022 with his result in 2022 being in a top 4 side.

 

Matthew Kreuzer

189 Games Carlton 2008-2020

Kreuzer was a very good ruckman who unfortunately had several injuries that restricted him. When fit like in 2017 Kreuzer would make the All-Australian squad and come 3^rd in the Best & Fairest.

 

Jake Lloyd

221 Games Sydney 2014-

Lloyd is a great small running rebound defender who made the All-Australian squad in 2018 and was Best & Fairest winner in 2018 and 2020.

 

Hugh McCluggage

151 Games Brisbane 2017-

While McCluggage is only 25, he has made the All-Australian squad from 2019-2022 in the years Brisbane has made the Finals. Unlucky not to be in starting 18 based on that his time surely will come while he is still young.

 

Michael McLean

183 Games Footscray & Brisbane 1983-1997

With a nickname of Magic, you are sure to be a very good footballer. McLean peaked as a small defender at Brisbane winning Best & Fairest in 1991 and 1993.

 

Mal Michael

238 Games Collingwood, Brisbane & Essendon 1997-2008

Michael was a key component at Full Back for Brisbane in their premiership years from 2001-2003 and though no squad were announced over this period he surely would have been in them in each of those years as he was rarely beaten.

 

Shane Mumford

216 Games Geelong, Sydney & Brisbane 2008-2021

Mumford was a physical ruckman who made the All-Australian squad in 2010 when he finished third in the Best & Fairest. Mumford would be traded to GWS in 2014 and made the All-Australian squad as well as winning the Best & Fairest.

 

Brent Reilly

203 Games Adelaide 2002-2014

Reilly was a reliable wingman/small defender who made the All-Australian squad in 2012 and finished 4^th in 2012 Best & Fairest.

 

Peter Riccardi

288 Games Geelong 1992-2006

Riccardi was very reliable speedy wingman for Geelong who played in 1992, 1994 & 1995 Grand Finals. From his 288 games Riccardi kicked 286 goals and won the 1998 Best & Fairest.

 

Russell Robertson

228 Games Melbourne 1997-2009

Robertson was a high flying forward capable of playing third tall on a flank/pocket or playing key position. Robertson won the Best & Fairest in 2003 with 41 goals and had his best year in 2005 kicking 73 goals coming third in the Coleman and 2^nd in the Best & Fairest.

 

Brad Sewell

200 Games Hawthorn 2003-2014

Sewell was a midfielder that could tag and won the Best & Fairest for Hawthorn in 2007 in a year the Hawks made the Finals. Sewell was considered Hawthorn Best Player in 2012 Grand Final.

 

Heath Scotland

268 Games Collingwood & Carlton 1999-2014

Another running rebound defender that could play midfield, Scotland made the All-Australian squad in 2011 and finished 4^th in the Best & Fairest that year before winning the Best & Fairest in 2012.

 

Jayden Short

152 Games Richmond 2016-

Short is another small running rebound defender that has being unlucky to miss All Australian selection. Short didn’t even make the squad in 2020 yet was named Best & Fairest for Richmond who won that year’s premiership.

 

James Sicily

133 Games Hawthorn 2015-

Sicily is a strong intercept defender for Hawthorn who made the All-Australian squad in 2019 & 2022 and won the Best & Fairest in 2022. Unlucky to possibly make the starting 18, Sicily at 28 is in the prime of his career and is strong chance to make the All-Australian side this year competing with Darcy Moore, Sam Taylor, Harris Andrews, Jacob Weitering for tall defender spot.

 

Jack Steven

192 Games St Kilda & Geelong 2009-2020

Jack Steven was probably St Kilda best player in 2010’s. A prime midfielder Steven made the All-Australian squad in 2013 and won St Kilda Best & Fairest in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018.

 

Nick Stevens

231 Games Port Adelaide & Carlton 1998-2009

Stevens was a high disposal winner for both Port Adelaide & Carlton, who came second in Carlton Best & Fairest in 2004 and 2005.

 

Bernie Vince

229 Games Adelaide & Brisbane 2006-2018

Vince was a very good midfielder for both Adelaide & Melbourne. Vince won Best & Fairest for Adelaide in 2009 and made All Australian Squad. In 2015 Vince won Best & Fairest for Melbourne.

 

 

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