AA (no, not a thread about my alcohol abuse and what I arguably need but . . . )

[i'm-uninformed2]

Rather, All Australian. Five Swans named and all deserved. The one player who has every right to be peeved is Reg.

AFL All Australian 40-man squad named - AFL.com.au (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-29/afl-all-australian-40man-squad-named)

[bloodspirit]

Not about Aliir either, I see.

A very quick turnaround between naming the 40 man squad and trimming it to 22. Is it usually so short?

[stellation]

SYDNEY SWANS
Lance Franklin. All Australian 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014. 22 games in 2016. 276 kicks, 128 marks, 112 handballs, averaging 12.5 kicks, 5.8 marks, 5.1 handballs. 74 goals (second in the AFL in goals) 49 behinds. Five clearances, 101 inside 50m, Four rebound 50m. 56 tackles.

Dan Hannebery. All Australian, 2013, 2015. 22 games in 2016. 317 kicks, 83 marks, 371 handballs (sixth in the AFL in handballs, third in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 14.4 kicks, 3.8 marks, 16.9 handballs. 12 goals 15 behinds. 114 clearances, 114 inside 50m (fourth in the AFL in I50), 33 rebound 50m. 100 tackles.

Josh Kennedy. All Australian 2012, 2014. 21 games in 2016. 267 kicks, 52 marks, 389 handballs (fourth in the AFL in handballs, seventh in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 12.7 kicks, 2.5 marks, 18.5 handballs. 16 goals Five behinds. 163 clearances (second in the AFL in clearances), 107 inside 50m (seventh in the AFL in I50), 26 rebound 50m. 120 tackles.

Luke Parker. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 291 kicks, 82 marks, 326 handballs, averaging 13.2 kicks, 3.7 marks, 14.8 handballs. 21 goals 17 behinds. 138 clearances (eighth in the AFL in clearances), 84 inside 50m, 34 rebound 50m. 136 tackles.

Dane Rampe. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 247 kicks, 106 marks, 144 handballs, averaging 11.2 kicks, 4.8 marks, 6.5 handballs. One Goal Two behinds. One clearances, 28 inside 50m, 141 rebound 50m (second in the AFL in R50). 52 tackles.

Completely agree on Reg- I thought he should at least get a nod for the list of 40.

[bloodspirit]

I would love to see Rampe selected; ditto Joey - I always feel he doesn't get enough love from outside the club compared to Hanners. Interesting that Joey and Hanners have been selected in alternate years the past 4 seasons: I wonder if the panel feels they can't justify, or it would be too controversial, to select two Swans in these key midfield roles?

Interesting to see the Giants get 5 noms too - although I wouldn't be surprised if only Heater makes the final cut.

[Doctor]

I also agree on Reg. He's had a brilliant year.

[Meg]

I too am very disappointed Reg has not been named. He deserved to be in at least the 40-man squad.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Yep - the point re the squad is my point. I'll cop Rance and Talia getting the final two KPD slots. But to say - which they've done in leaving him out - he's not far from them, or that Tarrant and McGovern have had better seasons . . . horse crap.

[Plugger46]

Darcy, Ling, Frawley and KB still on the selection panel. What would you expect? Overrated award.

[Doctor]

Anyway, let's celebrate the 5 nominations we did get. Only Adelaide had more. It's great recognition for Rampe and Parker in particular, even if they don't make the final 22.

[Meg]

Anyway, let's celebrate the 5 nominations we did get. Only Adelaide had more. It's great recognition for Rampe and Parker in particular, even if they don't make the final 22.

Agree on both points.

[Industrial Fan]

Kennedys form since the gws game has been exceptional.

Spent a lot more time forward and hitting the scoreboard as well.

[ScottH]

Not about Aliir either, I see.

He's waiting for the AS team to be announced.

[mcs]

Very unlucky for Reg - his best season in my book, and has been a rock in the absence of Ted.

[Levii3]

The fact that Rance and Martin have been selected has to be the biggest joke ever. Seriously how does Reg not get in and Rance and McGovern make it in. Other than Jakovich and Tredrea that whole panel is Melbourne based

Also Zach Merrett is unlucky

[Triple B]

The fact that Rance and Martin have been selected has to be the biggest joke ever. Seriously how does Reg not get in and Rance and McGovern make it in. Other than Jakovich and Tredrea that whole panel is Melbourne based

Also Zach Merrett is unlucky

Reg unlucky for sure, but if you think Rance hasn't earnt his place than surely you're having a lend...

[dejavoodoo44]

Rather, All Australian. Five Swans named and all deserved. The one player who has every right to be peeved is Reg.

AFL All Australian 40-man squad named - AFL.com.au (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-29/afl-all-australian-40man-squad-named)

Yes, when I looked at the squad, I also thought that Reg was unlucky. Nick Smith too. Both beat their opponents week in and week out, but probably don't have enough rebounding flair to attract the notice of the AA selectors.

[aardvark]

. . . horse crap.

I thought he's been pretty good this year!

[veramex]

Joey is mr consistent, but I feel in the back end of the season, he takes it to another level. I remember feeling the same way past year - he knows how to peak at the right time of the year. Let's hope he has another blinder and wins the swans player of the finals again

[goswannies]

Joey is mr consistent, but I feel in the back end of the season, he takes it to another level. I remember feeling the same way past year - he knows how to peak at the right time of the year. Let's hope he has another blinder and wins the swans player of the finals again
They really should have an "All International team of, say, the 21st century, or since the first Gaelic international player was signed.
Surely Pyke & Tadhg would get in ... delay it 2 year & Aliir would be there.

& how would it be? First Irish & Canadian recruited premiership players ... & dare to dream ... 1st Sudanese ...

[Meg]

I thought he's been pretty good this year!

ROFL!

[Zlatorog]

It's funny if you think about it that we have the best defence in the competition and only one defensive player gets nominated.

[ScottH]

It's funny if you think about it that we have the best defence in the competition and only one defensive player gets nominated.

It is a champion defence, not a defence of champions.

[Faunac8]

It is a champion defence, not a defence of champions.
What Scott said + 1

[bloodspirit]

+2

[dimelb]

It is a champion defence, not a defence of champions.

Correct. And with the focus on individuals from elsewhere it comes as close as possible to flying under the radar. Not that we can expect much of that this season.

[Dosser]

A good tweet from Teddy saying "If All-Australian key forwards are judged on goals kicked, interesting to know which key defender had the least goals conceded? Surely the answer couldnt be Heath Grundy as he wasnt picked in the AA squad???"

[Industrial Fan]

It's been a top defensive unit but Grundy is the glaring omission.

[AnnieH]

Awesome that we have five players named.
That's a feat within itself.
Sad about Reg, but Rampe was a bit better. Must've been hard for the selectors.

[giant]

I also agree on Reg. He's had a brilliant year.

Unquestionably, but the number of outstanding KPDs has been unusually large this year. Dead unlucky but.

[dejavoodoo44]

On a related note, three of our AA nominations finished in the top ten of the AFLCA votes. Parker was 5th with 86 votes, Hannebery 7th with 83, and Kennedy finished equal 10th (er, with Josh Kennedy) on 69 votes.

[ugg]

Rampe in the back pocket

[stellation]

Backline announced- Dane rewarded for his wicked, wicked ways! Hoorah!

[stellation]

Hanners and JPK named in the midfield. Buddy at CHF. 4/4 so far!

[Markus26]

Hanners and JPK named in the midfield. Buddy at CHF. 4/4 so far! Just need Parker in now!

[Levii3]

If they name Dustin Martin instead of Parker that would be incredibly disappointing

[stellation]

Luke on the bench. 5/5, good night! :)

[mcs]

If they name Dustin Martin instead of Parker that would be incredibly disappointing

All 5 named - how awesome!

[giant]

Fantastic effort - thought one of the mids would miss out just because they would be reluctant to choose 3 from the same club, which would have been a shame as I think both Josh and Parker have missed out in the past for that reason. Great to see the panel acknowledge their respective outstanding seasons.

Rampe is really a remarkable story - hope the kid keeps getting better.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Great to see. Hanners is notching quite a record, and Rampe great reward.

And by the way, if you want to marvel one non-Swan, how amazing is Corey Enright

[stevoswan]

Rampe is such a great story, delayed success after at one stage, thinking it was all over, now his perseverance is rewarded with All Australian......what a legend!

[ernie koala]

Gee, I'm surprised Jack Steven missed out. Thought he definitely deserved a spot.

I'd have him in ahead of Martin.

Joel's Selwood's year has been a bit up and down,

I feel he was picked more on reputation than output...But I've only seen about half their games.

[bloodsbigot]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1elhvS2VtCc

Rampe has come such a long way.

For some weird reason, I still remember watching this video and thinking he's a great talker/promoter and would be good for the club. I also thought he'd have the confidence to make it at AFL level, judging from his mannerisms, body language and his weird hair.

I never imagined he'd be AA in only 3 years. Above and beyond expectations. One of the Sydney Swans best finds and best decisions.

There truly is talent in NSW yet to be unearthed in Australian Football.

Interesting to note that was apparently the replacement for the injured Alex Johnson. I'd forgotten all about that. Probably a blessing in disguise in hindsight. Otherwise Rampe may not have been given a shot. Ditto for players like Allir and Naismith.

[dimelb]

Our back six (made up of about 8 people) are quite a team within the team. They thoroughly deserve all the accolades they get, and Rampe is a terrific discovery, a classic diamond in the rough who has become a jewel of a player.

[swansrob]

Interesting to note that was apparently the replacement for the injured Alex Johnson. I'd forgotten all about that. Probably a blessing in disguise in hindsight. Otherwise Rampe may not have been given a shot. Ditto for players like Allir and Naismith.
AJ's spot was Tony Armstrong's for the taking. He'd been in the AFL system for five years at that point and a spot opened up for him. He didn't take the opportunity, Rampe did. I was shocked at the time, I thought Armstrong was going to step up. I remember we gave him a run in place of Rampe at the game in Hobart early that year, but Rampe - who wasn't injured, he'd travelled with the team - was quickly recalled. I thought he was a smoky for the 40-man team last year, this year he was a certainty for the 22 for most of it.