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2018 All-Australian Thread

Straight Sets Simon
Straight Sets Simon
in Melbourne Demons

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I think our representation is about right.  Max and Clarry have been our clear standouts, while TMac and Gus probably needed to play all games to come into more serious consideration ........... and while I love Nev, I have to acknowledge he has had a couple quieter patches this year.  Lets face it, AA selection is a nice little accolade for the players concerned, but that's all it is.  I'm sure that none of our boys will lose sleep as a result of their non-inclusion in the squad.  They play a team game, where little and often inconspicuous acts make a world of difference.  We have taken these to a new level in recent weeks, and maintaining and advancing these 'team first' acts is what will really count over the next month!  

Edited by Deeoldfart
Typo

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    I really like Grimes. I saw him grow up as a junior footballer, and he has courage to burn. But he is a terrible kick and has his fair share of changers. Jetta would have been a better pick.

    Edited by Blinkybill

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      On 27/08/2018 at 00:56, Jibroni said:

    Just looking at other players Harris Andrews is an interesting one, didn't realise he had such a solid season.

    Will be interesting of Gaff makes the 22, he deserves to be there IMO.

    Brayshaw played more games than Harris Andrews.....

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    No surprise to see Brayshaw or Jetta miss out this year.  

    Nev was more consistent last year and had a few poor games early in the season.  With that said, he wouldn’t have missed by much and is now recognised by the footballing community as being one of the best small defenders in the comp.

    Brayshaw, in addition to missing early games, has essentially come from nowhere this year.  It’s exccedingly rare for a young player in a break out year to get an All Australian nod (see Clayton Oliver 2017).

    Still, this thread should be about celebrating Clarry and Max.  An outstanding achievement by the premier midfield combination in the AFL.

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    Gawn & Oliver have both had brilliant seasons and deserve to be in the starting 18.

    I can live with not having any other nominations. Jetta probably came closest, but was better last year. McDonald has been consistently good, but hasn't had any really big games. Brayshaw didn't do much before the Adelaide game, but has been good since - as Oliver has shown, you need a couple of strong years to get noticed by the selectors.

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    I think Jetta, Brayshaw and even Melksham are a little stiff not to make the 40. Plenty of good players in there though.

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      On 27/08/2018 at 02:30, jnrmac said:

    Brayshaw played more games than Harris Andrews.....

    Shows it a popularity contest.

    Gus is fantastic and not many are as solid as he is in the middle. Great to watch him play.

    Clarry shouldve been in the AA last year as well.

     

     

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      On 27/08/2018 at 07:43, Captain Todd said:

    Shows it a popularity contest.

    Gus is fantastic and not many are as solid as he is in the middle. Great to watch him play.

    Clarry shouldve been in the AA last year as well.

     

     

    Particularly when the narrative is that Brayshaw missed out on games (3) earlier in the season. Form has been stellar since then.

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      On 27/08/2018 at 03:45, Petraccattack said:

    Tom McDonald robbed.

    I've been trying to fly this flag on SEN since Robbo claimed Gunston should be in the starting 22. TMac's kicked the same amount of goals with 5 less games.

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      On 27/08/2018 at 07:43, Captain Todd said:

    Shows it a popularity contest.

    Gus is fantastic and not many are as solid as he is in the middle. Great to watch him play.

     

     

     

    I luv Gus's ability to win the ball but his disposal lets him down time and time again. If he could hit the targets he aims for - either by foot or by hand - i'd swear we'd be a 2-3 goal better side every week. To me that is the main reason he is not in the AA squad.

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      On 27/08/2018 at 02:30, jnrmac said:

    Brayshaw played more games than Harris Andrews.....

    What is the purpose of this comparison @jnrmac?

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      On 29/08/2018 at 01:28, Demonland said:

    The AA Team is announced tonight. Here is the team fans have collectively picked to this point through the AFL Pick Your 22 Tool.

    40259664_10155745001571417_1815147196123

    looks good to me . I have seen too many versions of the AA team with Tom Hawkins in it.

    Edited by Bates Mate
    spelling

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    Yeah really big congrats to Maxy and Clarry. Deserve all the accolades they can get. Really love their work. Same too to Nev, Tommy, and others who missed out.  Genuinely love them all, have done a great job this year.  So far...

    But unless I’m missing something, these guys play in a team game.  And isn’t about where the team finishes? 

    I would be happiest for us to get NO AA nominations - if it meant we were focussed, laser like, as a team, on the final goal.

    The rest - AA, Coleman, Brownlow, are all distractions from the team’s purpose.

    Might sound harsh, but that’s what a winning culture is built on, IMHO. 

    As just one example, I saw the effect that a Brownlow win to Shane Woewodin had on our readiness for the 2000 GF, and I believe it affected the whole team for that week.

    Just give me under the radar, determined, crunching, gut running, never say die, all you can give efforts.

    That’s all I ask as a loyal supporter. 

    Edited by bjDee

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    Brace yourself, Collingwood social media outrage is coming. 

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      On 29/08/2018 at 10:40, Deestroy All said:

    Brace yourself, Collingwood social media outrage is coming. 

    Spelling should be a joy to experience. 

    Well done Gawny. No doubt the best RUCKMAN in the competition. For pure ruck work there is nobody better. Not even close. 

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    Well done Max.

    But Dusty starting over Clarry is a travesty.

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    Absolutely deserved it. The position is for a ruckman and, in that role, Gawn was better than Grundy. It was the right decision. 

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    well done big max, best ruckman in the game. 

    Collingwood supporters forget that Grundy is merely a ruckman good at ground level and second efforts, but when it comes to hitouts (which is the bloody role of a ruckman) there is no one better than Mr 1000 hitouts Max Gawn. 

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    Congrats Maxy well  earned, has been amazing this season.

    If Clarry doesn’t make the bench I’m predicting a forum meltdown.

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