This is a hypothetical exercise where I have selected a team outside the AFL All Australian Squad of 40- Players Outside the Squad in AFL Season 2021:
Best 22- Team of Players (Outside the AFL All Australian Squad of 40- Season 2021) – Who Wins?
B: Brodie Smith (Adelaide Crows), Sam Taylor (GWS Giants), Brayden Maynard (Collingwood, co-captain)
HB: Jordan Dawson (Sydney Swans), Nick Haynes (GWS Giants), Jordan Ridley (Essendon)
C: Isaac Smith (Geelong Cats), Ben Keays (Adelaide), Ed Langdon (Melbourne Demons)
HF: Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs), Harry Himmelberg (GWS Giants), Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
FF: Tim Taranto (GWS Giants), Josh Bruce (Western Bulldogs), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
Foll: Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide, co-captain), Joshua Kelly (GWS Giants, co-captain)
Int: Nick Hind (Essendon), Lachie Whitfield (GWS Giants), Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle Dockers), Jack Crisp (Collingwood)
Coach- Brett Ratten (St Kilda- Best Coach outside of the Top 8 in AFL Season 2021)- Since the Premiership coach is automatically the coach of the All Australian coach, I didn’t select any coach inside the top 8, as any of the 8 teams can win the Premiership. I chose Ratten, as St Kilda finished tenth and just missed out of the finals; St Kilda played some good footy in Season 2021.
Backs
Brodie Smith is an extremely underrated player and a key part of the Crows team.
Sam Taylor of the GWS Giants is an important key defender for them.
Brayden Maynard displayed leadership qualities, even though Collingwood had a disappointing season.
Jordan Dawson should never have been left out of the AFL All Australian squad in season 2021 as he has been instrumental in the Swans making finals.
Nick Haynes is a no fuss quality defender for the GWS Giants.
Jordan Ridley of Essendon has played some good footy in AFL season 2021.
Midfielders
Isaac Smith has proved to be a good recruit for the Cats.
Ben Keays has been a revelation for the Crows.
Ed Langdon has had a good season on the wing for the Demons.
Forwards
Bailey Smith is an extremely consistent player in season 2021 for the Western Bulldogs.
Harry Himmelberg proved to be an important part of the GWS Giants structure.
Caleb Daniel always impacts the game for the Western Bulldogs.
Tim Taranto played the ‘Toby Greene role’ in the last couple of games; having showed he can play in the forward pocket for the GWS Giants.
Josh Bruce has been an instrumental part of the Western Bulldogs team in Season 2021; his value to the team has been felt since he suffered a knee injury. He can also pinch hit in the ruck.
Patrick Dangerfield can play up forward as well as in the midfield for the Cats.
Followers
Scott Lycett is a pivotal part of Port Adelaide’s team, in the ruck.
Travis Boak has been a great leader for Port Adelaide in Season 2021; he leads by example.
Joshua Kelly was rewarded for his good form and leadership with a long contract for the GWS Giants.
Interchange
Nick Hind creates plenty of run out of the Essendon defence.
Lachie Whitfield of the GWS Giants can play on a half back flank or on a wing.
Andrew Brayshaw was exceptional for the Dockers in AFL Season 2021.
Jack Crisp has been extremely consistent for Collingwood.
AFL (Squad of 40- Players Outside the Squad of the AFL All Australian Squad for Season 2021)
Adelaide Crows: Tom Doedee, Ben Keays, Reilly O’Brien, Brodie Smith (4)
Brisbane Lions: Harris Andrews, Joe Daniher, Oscar McInerney, Mitch Robinson (4)
Carlton Blues: (0)
Collingwood Magpies: Jack Crisp, Brayden Maynard (co-captain) (2)
Essendon Bombers: Nick Hind, Jordan Ridley (2)
Fremantle Dockers: Andrew Brayshaw, Luke Ryan (2)
Geelong Cats: Patrick Dangerfield, Cameron Guthrie, Isaac Smith (3)
Gold Coast Suns: Jack Lukosius (1)
Greater Western Sydney Giants: Nick Haynes, Harrison Himmelberg, Joshua Kelly (co-captain), Tim Taranto, Sam Taylor, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield (7)
Hawthorn Hawks: (0)
Melbourne Demons: James Harmes, Ed Langdon (2)
North Melbourne Kangaroos: Aaron Hall, Nick Larkey, Jy Simpkin (3)
Port Adelaide Power: Travis Boak (co-captain), Scott Lycett (2)
Richmond Tigers: Jayden Short (1)
St Kilda Saints: Tim Membrey (1)
Sydney Swans: Jordan Dawson, Dane Rampe (2)
West Coast Eagles: Andrew Gaff (1)
Western Bulldogs: Josh Bruce, Caleb Daniel, Bailey Smith (3)