Hawthorn great Luke Hodge has selected his ruckman and key forwards and defenders for this year’s All-Australian team.
A 44-man squad was announced on Monday with reigning premiers Melbourne the most represented club with six players up for selection.
Speaking on SEN’s Whateley, Hodge – a three-time All-Australian – went through the rucks, defenders and forwards for the 2022 side.
RUCKS
“It’s a tough one, Jarrod Witts has been excellent, so has Max Gawn.
“Because ‘Gawny’ hits the scoreboard and gets more of the ball, I’ve got Gawny as the number one ruckman.
“But taking nothing away from Witts, his season this year has been sensational and coming back off a serious injury, it’s a credit to him how hard he has worked to get back there.”
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KEY DEFENDERS
“The toss up for the full-back line was (Tom) Barrass, (Sam) Taylor or (Jacob) Weitering. All three have had really good years.
“I’ve probably watched more of Carlton, so I’ve gone Weitering.
“I thought they were depleted with their backline for a lot of this year.
“He stood up, played massive roles. I thought he was very, very stable down there.
“At centre half-back, I’ve got (Steven) May.
“I think how he controls Melbourne’s backline, how he sets up, how he drops off, but also can take a man.
“And for the rebounder, I’ve got James Sicily.”
KEY FORWARDS
“I could not split them.
“I’ve looked at goals and goal assists … it was that even I went down to top eight teams and who had impact against top eight teams.
“I’ll start at centre half-forward, I’ve gone for (Tom) Lynch.
“Played 18 games, kicked 60 goals, so he was only four off the Coleman playing four less games than (Charlie) Curnow.
“You go back and look at what he did against top eight teams, he averaged 3.8 goals a game against top eight teams.
“You can split them, one will be full-forward, one will be forward pocket. I’ve gone for (Tom) Hawkins and Curnow and unfortunately left out (Jeremy) Cameron.
“Hawkins played 22 games, kicked 59 goals, but he had 26 goal assists, such a selfless forward.
“And Curnow, the Coleman Medallist, 64 goals and had 12 goal assists, played 22 games.”
The 2022 All-Australian side will be named at the AFL awards on Wednesday night.
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