4 Saints in AA squad (40man)

[wheels4]

OFFICIAL ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD JUST ANNOUNCED ON SEN:

DEFENDERS (12):
Nathan Bock (Adelaide)
Luke McParhlin (Fremantle)
Matthew Scarlett (Geelong)
Andrew Mackie (Geelong)
Corey Enright (Geelong)
Tom Harley (Geelong)
Darren Milburn (Geelong)
Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
Daniel Pratt (North Melbourne)
Sam Fisher (St.Kilda)
Max Hudgthon (St.Kilda)
Dale Morris (Western Bulldogs)

MIDFIELDERS (16):
Simon Black (Brisbane)
Chris Judd (Carlton)
Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)
Gary Ablett (Geelong)
Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)
Joel Corey (Geelong)
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
Drew Petrie (North Melbourne)
Brett Deledio (Richmond)
Matthew Richardson (Richmond)
Lenny Hayes (St.Kilda)
Brett Kirk (Sydney)
Dean Cox (West Coast)
Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs)
Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)

FORWARDS (12):
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane)
Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane)
Brendan Fevola (Carlton)
Paul Medhurst (Collingwood)
Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
Steve Johnson (Geelong)
Lance Franklin (Hawthorn)
Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide)
Nick Riewoldt (St.Kilda)
Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney)
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs)

From bigfooty

[Saintschampions08]

Thought Goddard was a chance...

[Dan Warna]

medhurst had his best year of his career, and still didn't perform as well as milne ><

if milne is a one trick pony and the criticise him for his lack of around the ground possessions, what is motlop?

i find it amusing that milne is criticised for his lack of touch around the ground and motlop is praised for his 'efficiency'.

what was even more interesting is milne averaged 2.2 goals against the the TOP 8 teams, and while his form against the bottom 8 teams is better, thats still a smack in the face to those who say he goes missing in the 'hard games'.

motlop, johnson, boomer and aker are more your wing/midfield/goalkickers so their value to the team would be ahead of yappers but definately milne ahead of medhurst and motlop.

[St DAC]

medhurst had his best year of his career, and still didn't perform as well as milne

Well,that depends on how you appraise form. Medhurst has had a fantastic year as a small/medium forward. Milney's been good too, but I'd give Medhurst the nod myself by a hair. It's not just about goals, otherwise Roo is no chance for CHF, and IMO he's the standout this year, in front of Brown, Pav, and Roughy. (Buddy doesn't play as a CHF)

[Schillaci]

My team...6 Backs, 6 Forwards, 6 Mids and any 4 others for balance

FB Harley (Geel) Scarlett (Geel) Milburn (Geel)
HB Hodge (Haw) Bock (Adel) Enright (Geel)
C Black (Bris) Cooney (WB) Corey (Geel)
HF Reiwoldt *(St.K)Franklin (Haw) Harvey (Kang)
FF Johnson (Geel) Fevola (Carl) Motlop (Port)

Cox (WCE) Ablett (Geel) Bartell (Geel)

Inter: Richardson (Rich), Selwood (Geel), Judd (Carl), Sandilands(Frem)

*captain

[Winmarvellous]

You'd think it will come down to Roo, Judd and Boomer for the captaincy.

[mad saint guy]

My guess

B: Dale Morris, Matthew Scarlett, Sam Fisher
HB: Luke Hodge, Nathan Bock, Andrew Mackie
C: Matthew Richardson, Simon Black, Adam Cooney
HF: Brent Harvey, Nick Riewoldt, Steve Johnson
F: Daniel Motlop, Brendan Fevola, Lance Franklin

Foll: Dean Cox, Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel
Int: Drew Petrie, Joel Corey, Sam Mitchell, Daniel Bradshaw

[TimeToShineFellas]

B: Milburn (Geel), Scarlett (Geel), Harley (Geel)
HB: Hodge (Haw),Bock (Adelaide), Corey (Geel)
C: Bartel (Geel), Mitchell (Haw), Selwood (Geel)
HF: S Johnson (Geel), Riewoldt (St K), Richardson (Rich)
F: B. Harvey (N Melb), Franklin (Haw), Fevola (Carl)
Rucks: Cox (WCE), Kirk (Sydney), Ablett (Geel)
Bench: Cooney (WB), Pavlich (Freo), O'Keefe (Syd), Judd (Carlton)

[AlpineStars]

I think Milne is stiff not to be in the 40, he has won games off his own boot this year, The Richmond game he won by himself. Roo is a certainty Fish 3rd most marks in the comp (I think) must be a massive chance. Max will get overlooked again I think.

[maverick]

Why are people putting Harley in the team?
In the words of Plough, if he gets in before Sammy then I will spew up...
He is their weak link in defence along with Hunt, whoever they pick up, must present and kick straight, because they will get the ball.

[Schillaci]

B: Milburn (Geel), Scarlett (Geel), Harley (Geel)
HB: Hodge (Haw),Bock (Adelaide), Corey (Geel)
C: Bartel (Geel), Mitchell (Haw), Selwood (Geel)
HF: S Johnson (Geel), Riewoldt (St K), Richardson (Rich)
F: B. Harvey (N Melb), Franklin (Haw), Fevola (Carl)
Rucks: Cox (WCE), Kirk (Sydney), Ablett (Geel)
Bench: Cooney (WB), Pavlich (Freo), O'Keefe (Syd), Judd (Carlton)

The AA team needs to consist of 6 defenders,6 forwards, 6 midfielders/ruckman and any further 4 from the squad lists previously posted. As such Corey can't be selected for the backline. Maybe you can find a place for Max or Fisher then Simarlarly Richo is listed as a Mid/Ruck not a forward....not an easy task is it?

[n1ck]

FB: Fisher - Scarlett - Morris
HB: Hodge - Bock - Milburn
C : Cooney - Corey - Judd^
HF: o'Keefe - Riewoldt* - Harvey
FF: Johnson - Fevola - Franklin
R : Cox - Ablett - Bartel
B : Richardson - Medhurst - Harley - Sandilands

*Captain
^VC

[The_Dud]

why does Harleys name always get brought up?

Can't beat an opponent, his whole game revolves around taking uncontested marks in the backline and occasionally being the third man up

without Scarlett and Egan in the backline, Geelong would be stuffed

[Legendary]

Riewoldt and S. Fisher I would think.

[fonz_#15]

why does Harleys name always get brought up?

Can't beat an opponent, his whole game revolves around taking uncontested marks in the backline and occasionally being the third man up

without Scarlett and Egan in the backline, Geelong would be stuffed

which means they are half stuffed since Egan hasn't played this year

[mad saint guy]

which means they are half stuffed since Egan hasn't played this year

I don't think their defence stocks matters one bit as long as they keep their midfield on the park. It's not Harley, Milburn and Mackie winning them games, it is Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Ling and Selwood.

[Teflon]

which means they are half stuffed since Egan hasn't played this year

I don't think their defence stocks matters one bit as long as they keep their midfield on the park. It's not Harley, Milburn and Mackie winning them games, it is Ablett, Bartel, Corey, Ling and Selwood.

Its also Johnston....

[mad saint guy]

Its also Johnston....

I'm not quite convinced on Johnson. He does play some incredible games, but there are plenty of times when he hardly gets a kick until the game is well and truly over and he manages to boost his stats in junk time. He's good, but not the superstar many seem to think.

Hopefully he doesn't make me eat my words on Sunday.

[Teflon]

Its also Johnston....

I'm not quite convinced on Johnson. He does play some incredible games, but there are plenty of times when he hardly gets a kick until the game is well and truly over and he manages to boost his stats in junk time. He's good, but not the superstar many seem to think.

Hopefully he doesn't make me eat my words on Sunday.

Hes a mercurial pest who saves his best for us - hes done it numerous times to us.

[matrix]

chips will get the nod for sure in the final team....
knowing the selectors max will get left out, and ill spit the dummy calling them dumb twats.
he has to be in the top three defenders in the league surely...ok he doesnt run off the back line like bock but F*** me he is the best stopping defending in the league, hands down.

roo will get in, thats pretty obvious.
lenny will sadly miss out i feel......and ill call someone a dumb ass twat again

[bozza1980]

Good to see Max finally given some recognition.

Can't see him squeezing into the final 22 but I hope that Fisher gets rewarded.

I think Lenny will be unlucky and would be suprised beyond belive if Rooey missed out.

[Otiman]

Good to see Max finally given some recognition.

Can't see him squeezing into the final 22 but I hope that Fisher gets rewarded.

I think Lenny will be unlucky and would be suprised beyond belive if Rooey missed out.

Sounds about right to me.

Chances of making the final team..

Riewoldt - 90%
Fisher - 45%
Hudghton - 20%

[n1ck]

I think Chips is more of a chance than 45%

Sure there are alot of rebounding defenders in the AFL... and alot of good ones.

But, not alot of them are his size, and have his ability to read the play and be the 3rd man up at the contest.

He also hasthe ability to take the 2nd best forward - and sometimes even the best if they are a monster size.

Closer to a 70% chance IMO.

[mad saint guy]

Roo is a certainty, Chips is more likely than not, Max is a slight chance and Lenny is making up the numbers.

Sam Fisher IS the best tall rebounding defender in the competition, and surely couldn't be placed behind the like of McPharlin, Harley and Milburn.

[BAM! (shhhh)]

medhurst had his best year of his career, and still didn't perform as well as milne ><

if milne is a one trick pony and the criticise him for his lack of around the ground possessions, what is motlop?

i find it amusing that milne is criticised for his lack of touch around the ground and motlop is praised for his 'efficiency'.

what was even more interesting is milne averaged 2.2 goals against the the TOP 8 teams, and while his form against the bottom 8 teams is better, thats still a smack in the face to those who say he goes missing in the 'hard games'.

motlop, johnson, boomer and aker are more your wing/midfield/goalkickers so their value to the team would be ahead of yappers but definately milne ahead of medhurst and motlop.

Dan, most times I love seeing your support for Milne. Most times he doesn't get enough credit for what he does, and I'll always have a soft spot for him: he provided some excitement during some very bleak times.

His recent form has been great to see - you always know that Milne wants to be a contributor, and so to see him getting the job done in all areas, and being rewarded with good goal totals as well has been fantastic. In fact, if Milne's recent form were his yearlong form, he'd be a no brainer on par with Steve Johnson '07 (and while he's certainly earned his nomination this year I'm surprised so many have simply put Johnson straight in - his '08 has been well below his stellar '07).

I'm not sure how much Collingwood you've watched - but Medhurst has had the year in '08 that Johnson did in '07... he's done everything, he's been FF at times, he's been mid size HFF at times, he's been running through the midfield... and in every role, he's looked comfortable and dangerous.

Medhurst and Johnson both have the wood over Milne in terms of a complete game, contributing goals (Milne beat them both), Assists (Johnson, Medhurst, Milne by the stats), and tackling... Milne through a lot of the season did not deliver enough offensively to make up for these guys being ahead of him defensively.

As far as Motlop goes, probably more importantly than more tackles, he's got a South Australian selector desperate for a Port player ... (I'm not a big Motlop fan)

If Milne had delivered yearlong the way he has since coming back from his game for Casey, he'd be a very strong chance (though ironically, given what I'm saying, statistically, he's tackled less since then... but a 3 goal a game average is good for anyone in today's AFL... and the rise from 12 to 15 disposals a game says he's finding the ball better too)... but in fairness, when it comes to AA, he probably still has to step back in favour of the more complete players.

Besides, I'd rather his current form (in my view career best) went under the radar for just a little while longer