Adelaide defenders Daniel Talia and Brodie Smith have been named in the 2014 All Australian team.
The talented Crows duo has been selected in the All Australian side for the first time.
Ruckman Sam Jacobs, who was included in the Virgin Australia All Australian squad of 40 for the second time this year, was incredibly unlucky to miss out on a place in the final 22. And unfortunately it wasn’t a case of third-time lucky for Eddie Betts, who was overlooked for the small forward position.
All six players picked in the backline – Cale Hooker (Essendon), Talia (Adelaide), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans), Nick Malceski (Sydney Swans), Alex Rance (Richmond) and Smith (Adelaide) – were first-time All Australians.
Midfielders Nat Fyfe (Fremantle) and Dyson Heppell (Essendon), forwards Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Luke Breust (Hawthorn) and Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle), and interchange options Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn) and Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions) were the other players to feature for the first time.
Talia and Smith share remarkable symmetry. Both are aged 22-years-old and have played 76 games.
Talia, who was crowned Crows Club Champion, was a rock in Adelaide’s inexperienced backline this season. Still in only his fourth AFL season, Talia kept star forwards, including Nick Riewoldt (Round 23), Jack Riewoldt (Round 21) and Jarryd Roughead (Round 17), goalless in head-to-head match-ups.
The dedicated defender ranked eighth in the AFL for spoils (135) and also improved the attacking side of his game. He averaged career-high disposals (11.8), rebound 50ms, intercept marks and inside 50ms. Recruited with pick No.13 in the 2009 AFL National Draft, Talia’s has played his last 44 games without miss in a reflection of his professionalism and meticulous preparation.
A first-round draft pick (No.13) in 2010, Smith enjoyed a breakout 2014, playing all 22 matches.
The skilful South Australian established himself as a damaging player across half-back, averaging a career-high 22.5 possessions and five marks per game. He ranked No.1 in the AFL for long kicks (136) and second for metres gained (12,131m), rebound 50ms (109), and combined inside and rebound 50ms.
The line-breaking Crow’s ball use was a highlight. Of all players to average 22 or more possessions this season, Smith had the second highest disposal efficiency (78.2 per cent) just behind North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey (78.3). He led Adelaide in handball receives (199), kicked 11 goals and assisted in 14 team scores.
Jacobs, who was also nominated in 2012, was overlooked in favour of Fremantle veteran Aaron Sandilands. Jacobs, who played all 22 games, was the No.1 ruckman according to Champion Data Rankings in 2014. The 202cm, 105kg, Crow led the AFL in hit-outs to advantage (257); collected more disposals (358); took more marks (90) and generated more rebound 50ms than any other dedicated ruckman.
He ranked second in the League in total hit-outs (763) behind Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands; third in clearances and inside 50ms, and fourth in score assists amongst genuine ruckmen. He was involved in 23.5 per cent of Adelaide’s scores this season. Jacobs, who has played 104 career matches, celebrated his 100th game in Round 19.
Betts, 27, played every game in his first season at Adelaide, kicking a career-high 51 goals – ranked eighth in the AFL. The lively forward led the competition in goal assists (29) and was second in score assists (42). He was ranked third for scoreboard impact according to Champion Data with 515 points behind only Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin (546) and Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins (516).
Betts’ defensive pressure remained a feature of his game, ranked third in the League for forward 50m tackles. He had more ground-ball gets and the second-most contested possessions inside attacking 50m of any player in the game.
The All Australian selectors were not asked to nominate the leading players in each section of the field -- forwards, defenders and midfielders / ruckmen – but simply to name the best players of the season. However, the final team of 22 was selected to best fit team balance as if to play a match.
The All Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.
The 2014 team is:
Backs: Cale Hooker (Essendon), Daniel Talia (Adelaide) and Nick Smith (Sydney Swans)
Half-backs: Nick Malceski (Sydney Swans), Alex Rance (Richmond), Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
Centres: Nat Fyfe (Fremantle), Josh Kennedy (Sydney Swans), Dyson Heppell (Essendon)
Half-forwards: Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
Forwards: Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle), Lance Franklin (Sydney Swans), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
Rucks: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Gary Ablett (Gold Coast)
Int: Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions)
Past All Australian Crows
2013 – Patrick Dangerfield
2012 – Patrick Dangerfield, Scott Thompson
2011 – Nil
2010 – Nil
2009 – Simon Goodwin
2008 – Nathan Bock
2007 – Andrew McLeod (captain)
2006 – Simon Goodwin, Andrew McLeod, Nathan Bassett
2005 – Mark Ricciuto (captain), Simon Goodwin, Ben Rutten
2004 – Mark Ricciuto (captain)
2003 – Mark Ricciuto
2002 – Mark Ricciuto, Ben Hart
2001 – Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin
2000 – Simon Goodwin, Mark Ricciuto, Andrew McLeod
1999 – Ben Hart
1998 – Shaun Rehn, Nigel Smart, Andrew McLeod, Mark Ricciuto
1997 – Mark Ricciuto, Tony Modra
1996 – Darren Jarman
1995 – Nil
1994 – Mark Ricciuto, Shaun Rehn
1993 – Ben Hart, Greg Anderson, Nigel Smart, Tony Modra, Tony McGuinness
1992 – Ben Hart, Tony McGuinness, Chris McDermott
1991 – Nigel Smart
There are only two days left in the Virgin Australia Film Festival. Please help the boys win by sharing, commenting on, liking and viewing our entry!
