Sheeds Says put on an All-Star game

G'Day Footy Fans -

Essendon Coach Kevin Sheedy said this season's AFL bye weekend had been a lost opportunity, which could have featured a match of Anzac Day proportions at the MCG.
He said the AFL should have staged a match between a Victorian team and an Aboriginal All-Star team
He said reintroducing the state of origin, which was scrapped in 1999, would give football the chance to be "played to a different rhythm".
Earlier this month, Sheedy argued the AFL was giving a free kick to rugby union by not staging gameslast weekend. But his main concern was seizing the chance to encourage the game's development among indigenous Australians.

AFL Players Association chief executive Rob Kerr said about 80 per cent of players and coaches surveyed last year showed strong support for state-of-origin football. But he said the bulk of players also appreciated the break.

Sheedy named his teams, and said he was "sure" the listed players would still love to represent their state. "If some players don't want to be a part of it, then stuff them - leave them out - there are plenty of players who would like to play," he said.

Kevin Sheedy's All-Star Teams
VICTORIA:
B: Mark Johnson (ESS) Matt Scarlett (GEEL) Glenn Archer (KANG)
HB: Rohan Smith (WB) Anthony Koutoufides (CARL) Nigel Lappin (BRIS)
C: Kane Johnson (RICH) Robert Harvey (STK) Chris Judd (WCE)
HF: Brad Johnson (WB) Barry Hall (SYD) Chris Tarrant (COL)
F: Nathan Brown (MELB) Matt Lloyd (ESS) Brent Harvey (KANG)
FOL: Steven King (GEEL) Adam Simpson (KANG) Nick Stevens (PA)
I/C: Peter Everitt (HAW) Jason Johnson (ESS) Joel Smith (HAW) Scott West (WB) Luke Power (BRIS) Adem Yze (MELB) David Neitz (MELB) Jess Sinclair (KANG) Cameron Ling (GEEL) Paul Licuria (COL)

ABORIGINAL ALL-STARS:
B: Chris Johnson (BRIS) Antoni Grover (FRE) Dion Woods (FRE)
HB: Gavin Wanganeen (PA) Daryl White (BRIS) Byron Pickett (PA)
C: Dave Wirrpunda (WCE) Peter Burgoyne (PA) Xavier Clarke (STK)
HF: Ashley Sampi (WCE) Michael O'Loughlin (SYD) Shaun Burgoyne (PA)
F: Shannon Motlop (KANG) Che Cockatoo-Collins (PA) Phil Matera (WCE)
FOL: Adam Goodes (SYD) Andrew McLeod (ADE) Daniel Kerr (WCE)
I/C: Ronnie Burns (ADE) Justin Murphy (CARL) Andy Krakauer (RICH) Dean Rioli
(ESS) Des Headland (FRE) Leon Davis (COL) Daniel Wells (KANG) Roger Hayden (FRE) Steven Koops (FRE) Graham Johncock (ADE)

One writer for afl.com came up with his own listing of state teams with comments on why they were selected and those who were omitted

The Allies
(Representing the ACT, NSW, NT, QLD & TAS)

B: Ben Mathews (Sydney), Mal Michael (Brisbane Lions), Leo Barry (Sydney)
Mathews remains an underrated player in the competition and again he is one of The Allies leading rebounders and possession winners, who can shut down an opponent in defence or push up into the midfield. Michael continues to be the best full-back eligible for the The Allies, while ‘Leaping’ Leo Barry has arguably had his best season this year. Barry is the leading rebounder for The Allies and is able to play on talls or smalls, and he will be pushing for an All-Australian berth this year.

HB: Dean Solomon (Essendon), Clint Bizzell (Melbourne), Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney)
Solomon has fought back from a serious knee injury last year to play every game thus far in 2003, and has been one of the Bombers’ better players, adding toughness and strength to the side. In a disappointing year for Melbourne, Bizzell has almost played a lone hand in defence. Another who can play on taller or smaller opponents, he is second to Barry as The Allies leading rebounder. Kennelly continues to be a revelation for the Swans and has proved plenty of dash from half-back. The Irishman will be pushing for an All-Australian berth this year and was aligned to The Allies because he first played in NSW.

C: Paul Williams (Sydney), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Shane Crawford (Hawthorn)
Williams continues to play the best football of his career at Sydney and deserves a spot in the midfield after another fine season, while Hayes is the The Allies highest possession winner. He is also second in possessions amassed in the AFL and has become one of the competition’s elite midfielders. Despite constant scrutiny, Crawford remains one of the game’s best midfielders and has arguably been Hawthorn’s best player in 2003. He has racked up the most handballs for The Allies.

HF: Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Jade Rawlings (Hawthorn), Michael Voss (Brisbane Lions)
Riewoldt continues to shine as the best young-gun in the competition and is destined to become one of the game’s greats. He has played at full-forward, across the half-forward line, down back and even in the midfield. He has taken the most marks of any Allies’ player this season. Rawlings has been one of Hawthorn’s most consistent players this season and has stood tall, even when the side has struggled. He has played the majority of his football this year at centre half-forward and has taken the second most marks for The Allies, behind Riewoldt, while he can also play down back. Voss has been the game’s best player in 2003 and could already have as many as 25 Brownlow votes – such has been his awesome year. He gets a berth across half-forward, as he is the best midfielder from The Allies to also play up forward, where he has also played and kicked 14 goals.

F: Brad Green (Melbourne), Alastair Lynch (Brisbane Lions), Russell Robertson (Melbourne)
Green is somewhat of a surprise selection, but of any small Allies forward this year, he has kicked the most goals with 22, and he has also played some solid games in the midfield this year. He has been one of the Demons better players in a poor year. Lynch keeps on keeping on, having booted 32 goals for the Lions. Now 35 years-old, Lynch kicked eight majors in the Lions’ last game before the mid-season break, while he tops The Allies for the most number of goals. Robertson has been Melbourne’s most consistent player this year and is on target to win his first best-and-fairest for the club. He has 22 goals for the Dees this year and has played across half-forward or closer to goal.

FOLL: Greg Stafford (Richmond), Nathan Buckley (Collingwood), Andrew McLeod (Adelaide)
Stafford has bounced back to the sort of form he showed several years ago with the Swans and is clearly the form ruckman for The Allies this season. Buckley remains one of the game’s elite performers and tops The Allies for the most number of kicks, clearances and inside 50s. He has been among Collingwood’s best almost every week. McLeod continues to shine as one of the competition’s best and has arguably been the Crows’ finest this season.

I/C: Matthew Richardson (Richmond), Joel Bowden (Richmond), Brett Kirk (Sydney), Jason Akermanis (Brisbane Lions)
Richardson is one of the game’s great forwards and is unlucky to miss out on a berth in the starting 18, but he has missed three games through injury and hasn’t converted as well as he would have liked. He works tirelessly and remains a superstar of the game, when fully fit and on song. His teammate Bowden cops plenty of unfair criticism, yet he has had another consistent season and is among the top stats’ winners for The Allies. Kirk is unlucky not to start on the ground, as he has had his best AFL season in 2003, having claimed plenty of big-name scalps in his run-with role with the Swans. Akermanis, at his explosive best is one of the best in midfielders in the business, but he has been down in form a little this season, yet he still figures in The Allies’ key stats’ winners.

EMG: Mitchell Hahn (Western Bulldogs), Craig Bolton (Sydney), Dean Rioli (Essendon)
In an otherwise luckless year for the Bulldogs, Hahn has been one shining lights for the sons of the west, taking his game to another level in 2003. He has been a fine player for the Dogs in the middle and is unlucky to miss out in the final 22. In that same category is Bolton, who has relished his first season with the Swans, after being a bit-part player with the Lions. He is an unsung type who was desperately unlucky to miss out. Rioli is probably a little lucky to make the final 25, but he has been one of Essendon’s better players this season, having started the season in fine form.

Unlucky or justified? These are just some of The Allies players to miss out on selection due to injuries, poor form and close calls:
Ronnie Burns, Wayne Carey, Marcus Ashcroft, Jamie Charman, Clark Keating, Darryl White, James Hird, Mark McVeigh, Steven Koops, Cameron Mooney, Richard Vandenberg, Brady Rawlings, Matthew Whelan, Che Cockatoo-Collins, Justin Blumfield, Ray Hall, Xavier Clarke, Aaron Hamill, Trent Knobel, Justin Koschitzke, Steven Lawrence, Brett Voss, Daryn Cresswell, Nick Davis, Adam Schneider, Brad Seymour, Josh Wooden, Mark Alvey, Patrick Bowden, Ben Harrison

South Australia
B: Graham Johncock (Adelaide), Nathan Bassett (Adelaide), Darryl Wakelin (Port Adelaide)
Incredibly Johncock was not nominated for a rising star nomination last year, but he continues to be a fine young player for the Crows in 2003, having played every game thus far and providing plenty of drive out of defence. He has also played in the middle and up forward. Bassett remains an underrated defender, but he continues to shine as a key defender for the Crows and deserves recognition in the competition’s third best defence. Another key defender in that scenario is Wakelin, who was desperately unlucky not to gain All-Australian selection in 2002. He forms an integral part of the Power’s make-up, which is statistically the best in the AFL.

HB: Andrew McKay (Carlton), Ben Hart (Adelaide), Gavin Wanganeen (Port Adelaide)
McKay has again been an outstanding performer across half-back for the Blues in 2003 and has arguably been the club’s best player this year. He is the leading rebounder in the AFL. In a similar mould to McKay, for his ultra consistency, is Hart, who has been one of the competition’s most reliable players over the past 10 years. He has again stood tall for the Crows in 2003, while Wanganeen is in better form than his Brownlow winning season in 1993. He has been awesome this season across half-back and gained the most possessions of any South Australian this year. The dynamic Power veteran is Voss’ greatest rival for his second ‘Charlie’.

C: Tyson Edwards (Adelaide), Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Scott Camporeale (Carlton)
Edwards remains an underrated player outside of his own state, but he continues to be one of the most consistent players in the game, who is able to play in the midfield, up forward or in defence. Many believe Pavlich is the prototype player of today and his inclusion in the middle – at 192cm and 100kg – shows just how versatile he is. Pavlich has moved into the middle this season with success, while he has also played down back and up forward. After an indifferent season in 2002, Camporeale has bounced back this season for the Blues and is the leading South Australian for the most inside 50s, while he is equal second to teammate McKay in the rebound 50s.

HF: Martin Pike (Brisbane Lions), Warren Tredrea (Port Adelaide), Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide)
After a stellar 2002, Pike continues to flourish across half-forward for the Lions, having registered his 200th game before the mid-season break, while Tredrea is a genuine superstar of the game, having booted 25 goals for the year, as well as raking in 85 marks – the most by a South Australian. Ricciuto, like Voss, is the best equipped midfielder to play across half-forward, having notched up the second most disposals by a Croweater, while he has booted 18 goals for the year. He remains one of the game’s elite players.

F: Peter Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Chad Cornes (Port Adelaide), Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)
Peter Burgoyne has had a stellar year for the Power, whether it’s near goal or in the midfield. He has 18 goals for the year and has taken his game to another level. Cornes is another who has shone for Port Adelaide this year, having played across half-forward or in front of goal. He has taken 77 marks this year – the third best by a South Australian – while he can also push up into the midfield. Like his older brother, Shaun Burgoyne has been a revelation for the Power this year and has booted 28 goals, which is the equal most by a South Australian. He has also played in the middle and in defence with great success.

FOLL: Matthew Clarke (Adelaide), Mark Bickley (Adelaide), Scott Burns (Collingwood)
‘Doc’ Clarke has returned to some outstanding form for Adelaide this year and is the dominant South Australian ruckman in 2003, having won 278 hit-outs – 80 more than his nearest rival. He also missed the last two games before the break through injury. A great return from a player who has struggled at times since crossing to Adelaide from the Brisbane Lions. Although Bickley has stated that 2003 will be his final AFL season, the dual premiership captain should reconsider, as his form has been outstanding. He has notched up the most handballs by a South Australian and is arguably in career-best form. Burns continues to blossom from his outstanding 2002 season, having been one of the Magpies most consistent performers this season as a versatile type.

I/C: Luke Darcy (Western Bulldogs), Simon Goodwin (Adelaide), Kane Cornes (Port Adelaide), Roger James (Port Adelaide)
After a stellar 2002 season that many believed was good enough to win the Brownlow Medal, Darcy has again been a solid contributor, although his form has been down a little. However, he is South Australia’s leading clearance winner and is right up there in the disposals and marks for the state. Although a wrist injury will sideline him for most of the second half of the year, Goodwin was again a fine midfielder for the Crows in the opening half of the season. Cornes has really taken another step in his football this season, playing every game in 2003, having claimed several scalps and showing strong versatility in his game, while James remains an integral member of Port Adelaide’s midfield.

EMG: Dean Brogan (Port Adelaide), Nic Fosdike (Sydney), Corey Enright (Geelong)
Brogan is unlucky not to make the final 22, as he is the most improved ruckman in the competition. With Port Adelaide skipper Matthew Primus injured for much of the season, Brogan has flourished with the extra responsibility and has been a fine player in a strong Power side. Fosdike is another Sydney player who has stepped up in 2003 and has spent more time in the midfield and is another who was unlucky to miss out, while Enright has been among Geelong’s better players this year in a disappointing season for the Cats.

Unlucky or justified? These are just some of South Australian players to miss out on selection due to injuries, poor form and close calls:

James Begley, Rhett Biglands, Matthew Bode, Brett Burton, Ken McGregor, Nigel Smart, Jason Torney, Scott Welsh, Craig McRae, Barnaby French, Trent Sporn, Alan Didak, Matthew Lokan, Shane Wakelin, Sean Wellman, Byron Schammer, Clive Waterhouse, Tom Harley, Kent Kingsley, Brenton Sanderson, Simon Cox, Nick Holland, Luke McCabe, Nathan Brown, Peter Vardy, Stuart Cochrane, Stuart Dew, Brendon Lade, Byron Pickett, Jared Poulton, Michael Wilson, Aaron Fiora, Ben Holland, Brad Ottens, Matthew Rogers, Jared Crouch, Matthew Nicks, Michael O’Loughlin, Scott Bassett, Nathan Eagleton, Jordan McMahon

Victoria
B: Chris Johnson (Brisbane Lions), Matthew Scarlett (Geelong), Stephen Paxman (Port Adelaide)
After gaining All-Australian selection in 2002, Johnson continues to be one of the competition’s premier small-men in defence. His attack and dash out of the back half is a key part of the Lions’ make-up. Although the Cats have struggled in 2003, Scarlett has been a standout performer in defence, having claimed several scalps and provided great drive in his best season yet. Paxman has been as solid as a rock in defence, having had just 11 goals kicked on him for the season. An unfashionable type, Paxman forms an integral part of Port Adelaide’s defence, which is statistically the best in the business.

HB: David Wirrpunda (West Coast), Justin Leppitsch (Brisbane Lions), Rohan Smith (Western Bulldogs)
Wirrpunda has provided great dash and drive for the Eagles this season and is second in Victoria’s leading rebounders, despite missing three games through injury. He has been among West Coast’s most consistent players this season. Leppitsch remains one of the best key defenders in the competition, as he continues to have the ability to cut out an opponent and provide forward thrusts, while he can also switch up forward and be a match-winner. Smith is possibly in the best form of his career, or at least bordering on his form in the late 1990s. He has been one of the Bulldogs’ most consistent players this year, with his dash out of defence, his attacking style of play and ability to win the ball.

C: Nigel Lappin (Brisbane Lions), Scott West (Western Bulldogs), Adam Simpson (Kangaroos)
Lappin remains one of the best running players in the game and has continued on from his outstanding seasons in 2001/02. He has amassed the most inside 50s in the competition. West has led the Western Bulldogs admirably in the absence of Chris Grant and has let his football do the talking, having notched up the most handballs in the AFL, while he is equal second in the competition for the most number of clearances. He is also one of seven players in the league to gain over 300 touches. Simpson is no longer the most underrated player in the game, having elevated his game to another level, which ranks him among the finest midfielders in the AFL. He has been a standout performer with the Roos in 2003. Like West, he has over 300 disposals to his name.

HF: Brad Johnson (Western Bulldogs), Adam Goodes (Sydney), Chris Judd (West Coast)
The ever-smiling Johnson continues to shine for the Bulldogs and has been among the Bulldogs’ top few players each week. He has 22 goals to his name and 279 touches for the year, playing up forward or in the midfield. After winning the Rising Star award in 1999, Goodes has taken his game to new heights in 2003, having been one of the game’s best performers in the first half of the season, either up forward or in the ruck. In only his second season, Judd has taken the football world by storm with his maturity and ability to turn a game. He is equally as damaging in the midfield or up forward and this was shown with his five-goal performance against the Lions in the last game before the mid-season break.

F: Nathan Brown (Western Bulldogs), Matthew Lloyd (Essendon), Chris Tarrant (Collingwood)
Brown remains the best Victorian small forward and is jostling with Phil Matera for the honour of the best small forward in the game. He has 35 goals for the season, while he is also a damaging player when he shifts into the midfield. Injuries to key forwards has seen Brown play ‘tall’ this season, in another outstanding year. Lloyd remains the premier full-forward in the game, but he is equally as imposing if moved further up the ground. Despite missing two games this season through injury, he is still on top of the goalkicking table with 42 goals. Tarrant is another player who has taken the extra step in his career. The Magpie forward is the only player in the competition to crack the 100-mark barrier thus far, with 113 grabs to his name. He also has 29 goals and can play anywhere in the forward line.

FOLL: Peter Everitt (Hawthorn), Robert Harvey (St Kilda), Nick Stevens (Port Adelaide)
Everitt’s crossing to Hawthorn has similar overtones to Paul Salmon’s move to the Hawks in 1996. Despite missing two games this season, Everitt has been one of the premier big men in the competition, having been one of Hawthorn’s best this season in an up-and-down year for the club. He can also play up forward and has 14 goals to his name. After some injury-riddled seasons, Harvey has returned to the type of form that netted him back-to-back Brownlow Medals in 1997/98. He has claimed the most number of kicks of any Victorian this season and is equal with Nick Stevens for the most number of possessions in the competition. Stevens’ form has been nothing short of sensational this year with the Power, while he has one more handball than Harvey to his credit.

I/C: Anthony Koutoufides (Carlton), Brent Harvey (Kangaroos), Luke Power (Brisbane Lions), Brad Scott (Brisbane Lions)
After playing just three games last year due to a knee injury, Koutoufides has returned to some outstanding form in recent times and his form continues to get better as the year progresses. His versatility is crucial to the side, where he has shone on the ball, up forward and even in defence. After an outstanding season in 2002, Harvey again remains one of the shining lights for the Kangaroos. He is among the state’s leading ball winners and has the ability to push forward and kick vital goals. Power is one of the more unsung heroes of the Lions’ outfit, but further time in the midfield this season has seen him become one of the club’s most consistent players for the year. Like Harvey, he has also pushed forward this year and remains dangerous around goal. Scott is another underrated player at the Lions, but his ability to cut out key opposition players and win the ball himself is instrumental to his side’s fortunes. His hardness at the ball is invaluable.

EMG: David Neitz (Melbourne), Cameron Ling (Geelong), Jason Johnson (Essendon)
Neitz has been one of the few highlights for the Demons this year, with some fine performances in front of goal. However, his form tapered a little towards the break, but he remains third on the goalkicking table with 36 goals, behind Lloyd and Matera. Ling has been a shining light for the Cats this season, having been a fine performer in the middle. He is second to West for the most number of handballs by a Victorian and he was unlucky not to gain a berth in the 22. Johnson is another who was extremely close, but just misses out. Aside from Lloyd, he has been Essendon’s best player this year, collecting the most touches at the club.

Unlucky or justified? These are just some of the Victorian players to miss out on selection due to injuries, poor form and close calls.

Daniel Bradshaw, Jonathan Brown, Blake Caracella, Matthew Allan, Brendan Fevola, Adrian Hickmott, Ryan Houlihan, Matthew Lappin, Brett Ratten, Lance Whitnall, Josh Fraser, Paul Licuria, Jarrod Molloy, Shane O’Bree, Simon Prestigiacomo, Anthony Rocca, Mark Bolton, Dustin Fletcher, Danny Jacobs, Mark Johnson, Scott Lucas, Mark Mercuri, Joe Misiti, Damien Peverill, Adam Ramanauskas, Trent Croad, Troy Simmonds, Gary Ablett, Ben Graham, Steven King, Peter Riccardi, John Barker, Luke Hodge, Angelo Lekkas, Sam Mitchell, Joel Smith, Rayden Tallis, Nathan Thompson, Glenn Archer, John Baird, Leigh Colbert, Shannon Grant, David King, Troy Makepeace, Drew Petrie, Ben Robbins, Jess Sinclair, Anthony Stevens, Shannon Watt, Cameron Bruce, Simon Godfrey, Travis Johnstone, Andrew Leoncelli, James McDonald, Jeff White, Adem Yze, Matthew Bishop, Damien Hardwick, Adam Kingsley, Brett Montgomery, Matthew Primus, Wayne Campbell, Mark Chaffey, Kane Johnson, Andrew Kellaway, Chris Newman, Greg Tivendale, Luke Ball, Heath Black, Nathan Burke, Fraser Gehrig, Brendon Goddard, Max Hudghton, Austinn Jones, Stephen Milne, Luke Penny, Stephen Powell, Andrew Thompson, Jude Bolton, Barry Hall, Stuart Maxfield, Jason Saddington, Andrew Schauble, Michael Braun, David Haynes, Chad Morrison, Paul Dimattina, Simon Garlick, Daniel Giansiracusa, Chris Grant, Robert Murphy, Matthew Robbins

Western Australia
B: Roger Hayden (Fremantle), Darren Gaspar (Richmond), Robert Haddrill (Fremantle)
After being elevated from the rookie-list late last year, Hayden has transformed into an integral part of Fremantle’s defence, adding plenty of pace and skill to an exciting back six. He will be one to watch as the years’ progress and his inclusion in the side is an outstanding achievement. Gaspar has had another consistent year for the Tigers, having picked up the opposition’s best forward each week. However, his season will now be over, after he injured his knee in round 11, yet he gets the nod after a solid start to the year. After missing last year with a knee injury, Haddrill has fought back to become a key member of Fremantle’s ‘no-name’ defence. An underrated player, Haddrill can play on the last line or provide attacking drive off half-back.

HB: Dion Woods (Fremantle), Graham Polak (Fremantle), James Clement (Collingwood)
Woods has become one of the most exciting young players in the competition, with his attacking style of play out of defence a feature of his game. He is Western Australia’s leading rebounder and has the ability to play on talls or smalls and is a genuine chance to be named All-Australian. Polak is another of Fremantle’s ‘no-name’ defence, yet he is destined to become one of the best key defenders in the game. An athletic, exciting defender, Polak is equally comfortable at rebounding off half-back or nullifying a key forward deep in defence. Clement enhanced his reputation with an outstanding season in 2002 and he continues to be a fine player for the Magpies. He is second to Woods as the leading rebounder for Western Australia this season and is capable of playing on taller or smaller opponents.

C: Paul Hasleby (Fremantle), Ben Cousins (West Coast), Chad Fletcher (West Coast)
Hasleby has had another outstanding season for the Dockers in the midfield and is second to Bell in the kicks department for Western Australia, while Cousins remains an automatic selection after another fine season. The Eagles’ captain is among the top stats winners for the Sandgropers and has sent the ball inside 50 on more occasions than any other player for his state. Although still underrated in many circles, Fletcher has become one of the game’s top midfielders and is second to only Bell for the most disposals by a West Australian.

HF: Andrew Embley (West Coast), Glen Jakovich (West Coast), Matthew Carr (Fremantle)
Embley has clearly had his best season in 2003, having booted 18 goals as a tall wingman-cum-half-forward, while his veteran teammate Jakovich has provided a strong contest at centre half-forward for the Eagles this season and has added extra strings to his bow, in what has been a stellar AFL career. After two solid seasons in 2001/02, Carr has taken his game to another level this year, having been among Fremantle’s most consistent performers. He has 13 goals for the year and can push forward or back when not in the midfield.

F: Phil Matera (West Coast), Justin Longmuir (Fremantle), Paul Medhurst (Fremantle)
Matera has had an outstanding season with 39 goals from 10 games – a fine achievement for a small forward. He is second to Lloyd on the goalkicking table and is on target to record his best individual goalkicking tally in a season. Longmuir is the leading tall forward from Western Australia this season with 25 goals to his name, while Medhurst also has 25 majors as he continues to shine as an exciting small forward for the Dockers. In just his second AFL season, Medhurst has become an integral part of Fremantle’s line-up.

FOLL: Michael Gardiner (West Coast), Simon Black (Brisbane Lions), Peter Bell (Fremantle)
Gardiner has become the game’s best ruckman this season, having produced his finest AFL year to date. He has notched up 363 hit-outs for the year, which is 80 more than his nearest rival, while he has taken the most marks by a West Australian. After winning the Brownlow Medal in 2002, Black has again produced another fine season for the Lions, having won the most clearances in the competition. He is also leading the state for the most number of handballs, while Fremantle skipper Peter Bell is arguably having his finest season, while he continues to be one of the most consistent players in the game. He has been among Freo’s best almost every week and is the leading possession winner and leading kick-getter of the Western Australian players.

I/C: Jason Ball (Sydney), Joel Corey (Geelong), Mark Coughlan (Richmond), Shane Woewodin (Collingwood)
After missing the entire 2002 season through injury, Ball has bounced back to be among Sydney’s key contributors as the club pushes towards September. He is second to Gardiner in the hit-outs department for Western Australia. Corey has arguably been Geelong’s best players this season and is among the top stats winners for the state, having been a fine player in the midfield. Coughlan began the season in a blaze of glory for Richmond and has been one of the Tigers’ best performers this season, particularly in the club’s winning streak, while Woewodin has become a fine contributor for the Pies in his first year with the club.

EMG: Troy Cook (Fremantle), Daniel Kerr (West Coast), Shaun McManus (Fremantle)
Cook has again been a solid in-and-under player for Fremantle this year and is unlucky not to make the final 22, as is Kerr who has been an integral part of West Coast’s running brigade. McManus has been a consistent performer in the Dockers’ midfield this year and was also pushing hard for a berth in the final 22.

Unlucky or justified? These are just some of the Western Australian players to miss out on selection due to injuries, poor form and close calls:
Ian Perrie, Tyson Stenglein, Beau McDonald, Ashley McGrath, Leon Davis, Tarkyn Lockyer, Paul Barnard, Jeff Farmer, Antoni Grover, Des Headland, Luke McPharlin, Shane Parker, Aaron Sandilands, Chance Bateman, Jonathan Hay, Matthew Burton, Digby Morrell, Daniel Wells, Steven Armstrong, Alistair Nicholson, Josh Carr, Jarrad Schofield, Andrew Krakouer, Drew Banfield, Trent Carroll, Daniel Chick, Dean Cox, Darren Glass, Kasey Green, Adam Hunter, Rowan Jones, Ashley McIntosh, Phil Read, Ashley Sampi, Troy Wilson, Daniel Bandy, Ryan Hargrave, Wayde Skipper

Lisa

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