All Australian side 2009

You know it's nearing the end of the footy season when the All Australian side has been announced for another year. I reckon it would have been a hard decision for this year's side considering the candidates in the squad were of the highest quality. I wouldn't want to be on the selection panel that's for sure.

As I was looking at the team that was being announced, there were a couple of surprises but not really when it comes to the year that they've had but rather the players that missed out. I agreed with a lot of the team as you can see in my previous post which said my side, so I was happy that I got some right (doesn't happen very often) but I did get some really wrong. Below is the All Australian Team for 2009 with what I honestly thought:

B: Corey Enright (Geelong)- Good choice had a great year. I didn't have him in the back pocket but rather on the half back flank. You can say I got him correct for being in the backline but not for the actual position. This was a good choice as he doesn't get the recognition that he deserves and this is the first time that he is in the All Australian Team.
Matthew Scarlett (Geelong)- One of the best Full Backs of all time, some would argue the best, but that's another discussion all together. He had a great year. Not as good probably as 2007 but it was still a year that has put him out in front for the All Australian team.
Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs)- Good choice, had him in the back pocket in my team. In 2009 he took his game to the next level playing on some good quality opposition and winning. Finally getting the recognition that he deserves and maybe a few extra dollars in his contract Rodney? Has a big task this week against Kosie or Roo and it will be interesting to see who he picks up.

HB: Simon Goodwin (Adelaide)- I don't know about this choice to be honest. Granted he has had a good year but I cannot give him credit. What is it I don't know? I personally think that this position should have been someone else's maybe that's it. In this position I had Corey Enright who has already been named in the back pocket and I totally overlooked Simon Goodwin.
Craig Bolton (Sydney)- Interesting choice but warranted choice. I had him in the back pocket but believed that he had a great year and thoroughly deserved his spot in the team. One of the lesser profile players in the Swans team but he maybe a more senior player to the young ones coming through Sydney.
Nick Maxwell (Collingwood)- Had probably one if not the best year ever. I put him on my bench in the squad that's because I originally couldn't name him in the backline. Nick was probably a little surprised at his selection but humility is something that I have admired with his captaincy.

C: Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)- Good choice, was one of the reasons why in that midfield of theirs that St Kilda flourished. I had him in my midfield because you couldn't deny the stats and how him with the others in the midfield fed it to a awesome forwardline.
Lenny Hayes (St Kilda)- This guy gets better as he gets older. He has always been good but this year has been his best. Throughly loved watching his run and carry to the forwardline (need I say anymore than that) and that's why they won the games they did.
Joel Selwood (Geelong)- Great Choice First All Australian. One of the most Fearless players in the AFL. For only 21 and what he has done this guy to me will win a Brownlow before his more decorated teammates Gary Ablett. Big call I know but it's what I believe. The midfield is exactly how I had it.

HF: Paul Chapman (Geelong)- People were surprised that I didn't have him in the side considering that I am a Geelong supporter but I thought that he didn't play enough games to warrant it. Mind you what he did in the games he played was great I personally thought there were others that for me should have been in the team. But well Done Paul anyway.
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)- Obvious choice for me for the Centre half forward position. Has had a good year. Has been criticised for his kicking at times but boy wouldn't you love to have him in your side. Someone like Nick to kick to would be awesome because he has a good chance of kicking it. One of the players that I admire in the AFL.
Dane Swan (Collingwood)- My choice for the brownlow really. Had a wonderful year in the midfield but because that's full he has to fit in the forward position. Really he deserves it with his stats and he can kick goals as well to me really deserved to be in the starting team.

F: Leon Davis (Collingwood)- Had Leon Davis in my Supercoach team some time into the year but not in my All Australian Team. Not too sure really why maybe ran out of positions. I must admit he has had a good year and was one of the players that really needed to lift and has answered beautifully. With the goals that he kicks and the plays he sets up he is vital for the Collingwood set up.
Brendon Fevola (Carlton)- Man he is a good player. Backing up 99 goals last year and over 80 this year is a mighty effort. One thing that he had improved on was his forward pressure which had set up goals for himself or his team mates. Plus he should get goal of the year, I personally think Ablett's should win but his was mighty good.
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane)- For me I couldn't fit him into the starting squad but I did put him on the bench. Coming second in the Coleman Medal behind Brendon Fevola has meant that he thoroughly deserved being in the team. Love his mark and I always enjoy watching him kicking for goals as I reckon he has one of the best actions I have seen.

Foll: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle)- Well it does help Aaron that he's the tallest player in the league! Really he has had a good couple of years which has put him ahead of all other ruckmen. I had Hamish McIntosh as my pick as I thought he also had a good year. But when you look at it the likes of Sandilands who is tall (which does help) can play well around the grounds kicking goals as well.
Chris Judd (Carlton)- Couldn't go past having this guy in the team he is amazing! Love watching Chris Judd play he just reads the ball well and sets up a lot of play as well. He works hard and he is a good leader which I believe has helped the Blues over the last couple of years. It would be interesting to see how he goes in 2010 and how he will poll in this years Brownlow.
Gary Ablett (Geelong)- Another obvious choice. Had both Judd and Ablett in my team both All Australian and Supercoach. Worked hard this year and has had his best year. Champion data has indicated that he will poll well in the Brownlow after the stats gave him a glowing report. Ablett has more important things to worry about than a Brownlow like winning another premiership.

Int: Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)- Had him on my bench, had to be included in the team and I'm glad he was. Would go close to winning the Dogs Best and Fairest after having a consistent year.
Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda)- Only because he couldn't be fit into the orginal 18, he had to be fitted on the interchange. Has had his best year like the Saints after being dropped half way through the year, he has recovered well taking his game to the next level. Good choice for Nick to be in the side.
Brendon Goddard (St Kilda)- I had him at Centre half back and to me should have been in the starting side. But due to the quality of players there he could only manage to be on the Interchange. Definately a good choice.
Adam Goodes (Sydney)- Had him on the half forward flank but due to a quality forwardline in this case Adam could only manage to be on the interchange. One of the best players I have ever seen and he again is consistently good hense the name Goodes.

Captain: Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda). Obvious choice
Vice Captain: Chris Judd (Carlton). As above.

There we have it the All Australian team for 2009. Overall I would give the team 8 out of 10 as there is still quality but to me there were some players that missed out that should have been in the team. Ones like Sam Gilbert from St Kilda who had a fantastic year across the backline. I thought that Mark Le Cras from West Coast and Jason Porplyzia were a little stiff. Maybe next year.