Hypothetical Victorian state-of-origin side

[ucanchoose 1,803]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/blogs/hit-the-post/the-biggest-vics/20100512-uxil.html

How does this work when he is a South Australian?

Is this worst piece of journalism ever or am I missing something?

[DemonDave 1,078]

I read that article with disbelief as well, sloppy sloppy journalism that has now been rectified.

They now have Hamish McIntosh as the ruckman, someone must've pointed out their error.

[ucanchoose 1,803]

Idiots had Lake and Enright in there too, another 2 south Australians that have now been edited out of the team.

Truely a terrible piece of journalism....

[Johnny Karate 559]

I read that article with disbelief as well, sloppy sloppy journalism that has now been rectified.

They now have Hamish McIntosh as the ruckman, someone must've pointed out their error.

If true that's a double fail as Hamish Mac is New South Welsh.

[Keyser Söze 0]

hahahaha they now have Shane Mumford as the ruckman!

What a [censored] up

[jnrmac 19,064]

The Original Article:

What would a hypothetical Victorian state-of-origin side look like after seven rounds of 2010? We've had a go at picking a team - see what you think.

Criteria: We picked a team to beat a good, modern opponent, so we were looking for the best in-form, available Victorian native in each position.

There is an embarrassment of riches in the midfield and forward line, so please don't think we didn't consider your favourite ball-winner. There's just not room for everyone in such elite company.

This means we do not necessarily have the 22 best footballers from Victoria in our team - instead, we've picked the players we think are the best in each position at the moment.

On this occasion, we opted to go without a tagger, backing our superstars to win enough ball themselves. We have gone with two ruckmen, despite the lack of riches in that department at the moment in this state.

Here's our team - now tell us where we went wrong!

VICTORIA

B: James Frawley (Melbourne) Matthew Scarlett (Geelong) Dustin Fletcher (Essendon)

HB: Corey Enright (Geelong) Troy Chaplin (Port Adelaide) Heath Shaw (Collingwood)

C: Jimmy Bartel (Geelong) Joel Selwood (Geelong) Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)

HF: Paul Chapman (Geelong) Jonathan Brown (Brisbane) Adam Goodes (Sydney)

F: Eddie Betts (Carlton) Daniel Bradshaw (Sydney) Steve Johnson (Geelong)

R: Mark Jamar (Melbourne) Gary Ablett (Geelong) Chris Judd (Carlton)

I: Luke Hodge (Hawthorn) Brendon Goddard (St Kilda) Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne) Dane Swan (Collingwood)

Emerg: Brendan Fevola (Brisbane) Michael Barlow (Fremantle) Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs)

James Frawley

Demon half-back has emerged from three years of development (for 40 games) to become a classy backline general in 2010. Frawley is now stopping players of the ilk of Jonathan Brown whilst providing plenty of run and rebound, averaging 18 disposals and five marks. Possibly the most improved player in the league.

Unlucky: Dale Morris (WB) is as reliable and courageous as ever, and stops talls and smalls for the Dogs with a minimum of fuss. Nick Maxwell (Coll) Inspiring skipper has become an elite rebounder and brave stopper, especially good in the air.

Matthew Scarlett

Daniel Bradshaw kicked six goals and made Brisbane look silly in round six. In round seven he came up against the genius of Scarlett, and had two kicks. The Cat veteran is still blanketing opposing forwards and launching Geelong attacks as brilliantly as ever.

Unlucky: Chris Tarrant (Frem). Tarrant, along with Luke McPharlin, has been a big part of the Docker defence becoming a force. Strong, quick and experienced, he is an excellent spoil and has the aggression to boost younger teammates. Brian Lake (WB) is superior to most full-backs in every statistic, and his run and creativity makes him invaluable to the Dogs. But he’s also strangely prone to shaky spells, where his ambition overcomes his judgement, and there have been more of them than usual so far this season. Alipate Carlile (PA) is big, strong and more mobile than many expect. His maturation is helping form a sturdier Power back half.

Dustin Fletcher

He’s 35, and weighs 100 kilos if the records are to be believed, but the smoothest mover in the frenetic 2010 backlines has been the Bomber veteran. He seems more composed the more helter skelter the game becomes, and the more pressure his young Essendon backline finds itself under, as on Anzac Day, when he was superb mopping up against Collingwood. Outstanding so far in 2010, with a midfielder’s figures of 19 possessions a game.

Unlucky: Scott Thompson (NM) is making giant strides in the back half for North Melbourne, his rebounding effort against Melbourne in round six showing off his toughness, poise and defensive nastiness. No one mentions that Michael Jamison (Carl) is "short for a key position player" any more – he plays tall every week and is one of the best stoppers in the business.

Corey Enright

Still keeps a low profile, despite playing for the all-conquering Cats, but his poise, ball-winning (26 possessions a game) and exquisite delivery make him our first picked on a flank.

Unlucky: Brady Rawlings (NM) Has thrived since being moved to the backline this season, beating his opponents and providing rebounding drive with 27 touches per week.

Troy Chaplin

Port’s unfashionable but highly effective left-footer is fast growing into one of the best rebounding big men in the league. Averaging 21 disposals and seven marks per game, he was central to the round five win over St Kilda, holding his nerve and skill level whilst distributing the ball 32 times.

Unlucky: Matt Maguire (Bris) The former Saint's return to AFL footy has been tremendous with Brisbane. Often taking on number one key backman duties, he has taken six marks a week while nullifying opposition talls.

Heath Shaw

Occasionally prone to inexplicable mistakes, but in every other regard an elite half-back, happiest when taking on the game and creating attack out of defence. Good in the air, quick across the ground, brave, daring and possessed of good vision, he remains one of Collingwood’s biggest weapons.

Unlucky: Jack Grimes (Mel) Brilliant start to the year for this highly-skilled former number 14 draft pick. Great in traffic, good by hand and foot, and sets up play well down the ground.

Jimmy Bartel

More of the same from the gifted Cat in the Geelong midfield in 2010, which means more breath-taking courage in the packs, clever ball use outside them, and hard-running all over the field. Averaging 25 disposals and six tackles per game.

Unlucky: Previously maligned Dale Thomas (Coll) is in career-best form, consistent and prolific on the wing; David Mundy (Frem) is lifting his game to a new level in the Docker midfield; Ryan O’Keefe (Syd) continues to perform at an elite level for the Swans; James McDonald (Mel) is back to his tenacious best in the Demon engine room; Andrew Carazzo and Kade Simpson (Carl) are as consistent as ever for the Blues in roles as varied as winger, tagger, half-back and half-forward; James Kelly (Geel) is pushing his silky talents further up the ground for the Cats since the return of Josh Hunt to the Geelong backline.

Joel Selwood

Superstar in the superstar midfield, Selwoood continues to play with ferocity and rare vision in the clinches. Had a couple of down games, particularly against Carlton in round five, but otherwise it has been business as usual for the prolific right-footer. Hard to believe it is only his fourth senior season.

Unlucky: Matthew Boyd (WB) Tough, creative, the heart of the Bulldog ball-winning machine, he missed a couple of games, and the Dogs badly missed him. Scott Pendlebury (Coll) Smooth-moving iceman who loves working a way through midfield mazes. Jobe Watson (Ess) Just keeps getting better, now growing in stature in response to being made Bomber skipper. Rare ball-extraction skills overcome any ragged edges on his disposal.

Leigh Montagna

Tougher than he looks at first, because he is such a silky mover. Prolific ball-winner, uses it well, and works hard. Grabs the footy nearly 30 times a game, and pumps the Saints inside fifty five times a week.

Unlucky: Daniel Giansiracusa (WB) reminded everyone of his talents with a brilliant 36-possession game in the centre when replacing Matthew Boyd; Travis Boak (PA) is living up to early rave billings with a productive season as a skilled linkman; Michael Rischitelli (Bris) has been consistently effective for the ageing Lions midfield.

Paul Chapman

This elite talent is rising to new levels in 2010, if that is possible. He leads the league for kicks, has booted 11 majors and laid 35 tackles. In his high half-forward role, combines aggression with skill to be the number one small forward menace in football.

Jonathan Brown (captain)

You can measure just how good Brown’s season has been by its two quiet games. He was so dominant in the other encounters that we came to expect match-winning exploits every week. He is second on the goalkicking table and third for most marks, but leads, as always, for inspiring deeds of skill, bravery and audacity.

Adam Goodes

Not a stellar start to 2010 for the dual Brownlow medallist, but even though his efforts have been overshadowed by the spectacular success of Swans full-forward Daniel Bradshaw, the versatile superstar still figures as a goalkicker (two per game) and marking target. His consistent output has been crucial to Sydney’s rise.

Steve Johnson

Brilliant, elusive star forward who is uncommonly unselfish for a player with all the tricks. Has booted 19 majors and had a hand in many more, proving almost impossible for some defenders to tackle.

Daniel Bradshaw

Gets the nod at full-forward over Brendan Fevola because of the match-winning impact of his best performances, superior contested marking and ability to win, not give away, free kicks. Has snared 24 majors and been a huge factor in Sydney’s excellent start with his strong leading.

Unlucky: Without kicking a bag, Brendan Fevola (Bris), has remained a potent goalkicker (24 goals), revelling in his tag-team with fellow star Jonathan Brown. Barry Hall (WB) started brilliantly, and has since been a victim of double-and triple-teaming, as well as the 'confusion' of Bulldogs midfielders unused to such an imposing target near goals.

Eddie Betts

Gets the nod as pacy small forward ahead of Stephen Milne with more goals (16 to 14) and tackles laid (23 to nine). Has become a threat all over the front half for the new Carlton forward line, combining brilliantly with fellow indigenous crumbers Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran.

Unlucky: Stephen Milne (SK) is a menace for opposition defences, especially when he is forced to kick at goal under pressure, he now exerts enough defensive pressure to have become the complete modern small forward.

Mark Jamar

The big Russian is winning clearances and taking big grabs. The wait has been long (80 games in eight seasons), but he is delivering now, with ultra-competitive pack work, 200 hit-outs (second only to Fremantle’s man-mountain Aaron Sandilands) and the occasional big mark at either end of the ground.

Unlucky: Shane Mumford (Syd) has been a great pick-up for the Swans, winning the ball at ground level (89 possessions) as well as competing well in the air and laying enough tackles (29) to remain in the game in the packs.

Gary Ablett

Unsurpassed for speed, skill, delivery under pressure, evasive skills, he also tackles hard and kicks goals. The complete, irrepressible package. The numbers do him justice - 216 possessions, 13 goals, 32 tackles.

Chris Judd

The key to Carlton is in fine form after missing the first three rounds of the season. Has his blistering pace back and is using to such advantage that many teams are not bothering to try to tag him. Dynamic at stoppages, he also has the nous to find the ball in open field play, and he rises to the big moments in games

Luke Hodge (vice captain)

Started the season slimmer, with the promise he could return to his natural habitat on the ball, and promptly delivered a best on ground performance in round one. Has quickly found himself bailing out the Hawk backline once more as an undersized key defender. Brilliant ball user, brave, and a warrior in the clinches.

Brendan Goddard

Another on-baller being used in different role this season, finding himself made full-forward after the injury to key forward Nick Riewoldt. Has also been a backline rebounder and midfield generator – in all roles using his football smarts and elite kicking skills superbly. Thirteen goals, 22 tackles and 171 possessions so far.

Hamish McIntosh

Next best of the thin Victorian ruck stocks, performing solidly for the Kangaroos with 161 hit-outs, 30 marks and 96 possessions.

Dane Swan

Somewhat under the radar given the improved performances of the deepening Collingwood midfield, but Swan just keeps racking up the possessions (206, third in the AFL). And they are won all over the field, from the heart of the hottest centre bounce battle to the last line of defence and deep in attack.

Brendan Fevola (see above)

Cameron Ling – still the game’s best tagger, and a big possession winner (20 per game) in the toughest battles of the midfield.

Michael Barlow – revelation in the Dockers midfield. Tall, quick, strong, prolific ball-winner, and an honest, consistent performer, some feel he has as many as 11 Brownlow Medal votes after just seven rounds.

[praha 10,287]

They've changed it.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Now Michael Jackson is in the forward pocket and bigfoot is in the ruck. Stay tuned for more changes.

[Johnny Karate 559]

Betts is WA native.

Rawlings is actually unlucky not to be in the vic side because he is a Taswegian.

On an actual footy knowledge basis, surely Kruezer's been better than Mumford this year?