All Australian defenders Daniel Talia and Brodie Smith have been reunited in the AFL’s Team of the Week for Round 17.
The backmen, who earned their first All Australian blazers in 2014, were named at half-back in this week’s side after starring in Adelaide’s 28-point victory over Collingwood.
Smith was rewarded with his first Team of the Week selection of the season for his fine performance against the Pies.
The 24-year-old defender collected 23 possessions, had six inside and rebound 50ms, and claimed eight marks, including two intercepts. Smith also gained 647 metres for his team – the second-most by any player on the ground behind only teammate Jarryd Lyons.
Talia returned to the AFL’s Team of the Week for the third time this year after another leading role in defence.
The 196cm Crow was the general down back at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, claiming an equal-team high marks, alongside Smith, including four intercept marks. Talia also had 17 disposals, a match-high 11 spoils and 11 intercept possessions overall.
Talia wasn’t beaten one-on-one all night and regularly peeled away from his direct opponent to support his teammates inside defensive 50.
Smith and Talia were the only Crows to earn spots in the Round 17 Team of the Week. Several others, including Brad Crouch, Rory Sloane, Tom Lynch and Jarryd Lyons, could consider themselves unlucky to be overlooked.
Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney led the way in the Round 17 Team of the Week with three players included. Adelaide, Geelong, Richmond, Port Adelaide, Sydney and the Western Bulldogs all had two representatives each.
Rory Laird (seven times), Rory Sloane (four times), Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins (three times each), Rory Atkins (twice), Scott Thompson, Tom Lynch, Jake Lever and Taylor Walker are the other Crows who have been recognised in the AFL Team of the Week throughout the course of the season so far.
Visit AFL.com.au to see the full Team of the Week for Round 17
