Team of the week

THERE are notable absentees in AFL.com.au's Team of the Year, which has been picked using 22 editions of Team of the Week as a guide.

Popular and worthy tips for All Australian selection, Taylor Walker and Mark LeCras have been overlooked in a forwardline that instead includes Jarryd Roughead. 

Roughead was overlooked by selectors for the 40-man All Australian squad, but he has enjoyed a strong season pushing up the ground and playing a combined role as a half-forward and big-bodied midfielder.

He forces Walker out, while Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray has been selected ahead of LeCras, who is unlucky to miss after booting 41 goals.

Sydney Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh is the only other player selected who missed out on selection in the All Australian squad, taking a bench spot.

Backs

MATTHEW BOYD (Western Bulldogs) - Selected in five teams this year, Boyd has enjoyed an excellent season in a new backline role. He averaged 4.4 rebound 50s (No.1 at the club) and lifted his average possessions to 27.5 a game (also No.1 at the club).   

ALEX RANCE (Richmond) - A complete player who has claims as the best defender in the game, Rance combined attack and defence brilliantly in 2015. He was selected in 10 teams, more than any other defender, and beat the likes of Travis Cloke, Jeremy Cameron and Drew Petrie.

RORY LAIRD (Adelaide) - A consistent season from the small defender, who can intercept, rebound and lock down in the back half, as well as push into the midfield. Selected in four teams, he averaged 24.3 possessions and 5.8 marks.

Half-backs

SAM MITCHELL (Hawthorn) - One of the AFL's premier midfielders again, and a Brownlow Medal fancy, Mitchell was able to dominate behind the ball at times and has been selected across half-back as a result. Named in seven teams, he averaged 30.5 possessions (No.1 in the AFL).

MICHAEL HURLEY (Essendon) - The bullocking Bomber worked in partnership with Cale Hooker for most of the season and was the Bombers' No.1 rebounder with 5.6 a game (No.2 in the AFL). He was selected in eight teams for the year.

HEATH SHAW (Greater Western Sydney) - The AFL's best rebounding defender in 2015, Shaw enjoyed a career-best year statistically with 7.4 rebound 50s and 23.5 disposals a game. Selected in four teams, his possessions were damaging, averaging 500m a game.



Centres

PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Adelaide) - Had his most complete season, averaging career-highs in clearances (7.2) and uncontested possessions (11.6). Selected in eight teams, the star Crow was tagged out of some early games but rarely beaten thereafter, coming home with a wet sail.

MATT PRIDDIS (West Coast) - The leading handballer in the AFL (20 a game), Priddis has enjoyed an even better season than his Brownlow Medal year of 2014. He is a leading contender again and was selected in seven teams this year.

DAN HANNEBERY (Sydney Swans) - The coaches' pick for player of the year, Hannebery pipped Nat Fyfe by one vote after a strong end to the season. Won more total possessions (666) than any player and was selected in eight teams.

Half-forwards

CHAD WINGARD (Port Adelaide) - Selected in nine teams this year, more than any forward, Wingard kicked 53 goals (No.6 in the AFL and No.1 at Port Adelaide). He was able to push up the ground like he did in 2013 and is on track for his second All Australian selection in three years.

JARRYD ROUGHEAD (Hawthorn) - Overlooked for selection in the 40-man All Australian squad, Roughead is one of two key forwards in our team. He was selected in the Team of the Week six times and was excellent pushing up the ground to average a career-high 18.8 possessions and kicking 43 goals.

ROBBIE GRAY (Port Adelaide) - Continued to average more than a goal a game and ramped his inside 50s up to a career high 4.4, making him an ideal half-forward selection. Spent more time in the midfield and was selected in six teams (twice as a forward, four times as a midfielder).

Forwards

CYRIL RIOLI (Hawthorn) - Played 20 home-and-away games, his equal highest since 2008, and kicked 35 goals, the second highest of his career. Selected in four teams, he kicked six goals in a memorable round 20 performance against Geelong.

JOSH KENNEDY (West Coast) - The Coleman medallist kicked 75 goals in an ultra-consistent season, despite suffering an elbow injury early in the year that he had to manage. Averaged a career-high marks inside 50 and was selected in three teams.

EDDIE BETTS (Adelaide) - Continued to flourish at his second club with a career-high 58 goals (third in the AFL and No.1 at Adelaide). He was selected in five teams and pushed up the ground well to average a career-high 13.8 possessions.

Followers

TODD GOLDSTEIN (North Melbourne) - The standout ruckman this season, Goldstein is on track to break the VFL/AFL record for hit-outs (952, held by Gary Dempsey) in the first week of the finals. He has averaged 44.6 taps and a career-high 15.5 possessions, earning selection in five teams. Got the job done at ground level too.

NAT FYFE (Fremantle) - The best player this season and the Brownlow Medal favourite, Fyfe was selected in 10 teams, including six of the first eight. He thrilled with his contested marking, kicked brilliant goals, and averaged an AFL-high 8.7 clearances.

JOSH KENNEDY (Sydney Swans) - Played every game and won more clearances (176) than any player, earning selection in nine teams. His uncontested possessions were at a career-high (13.8) as he did more damage with his possessions, going inside 50 more than four times a game.

Interchange

JAKE STRINGER (Western Bulldogs) - One of the most exciting players in the game, Stringer kicked four goals or more on eight occasions to finish with 54 for the season (No.5 in the AFL). He was selected in six teams.

BRETT DELEDIO (Richmond) - The Tigers' most important player, Deledio ignited the Tigers from round seven onwards, both as a midfielder and a forward. He kicked 26 goals and averaged a career-high 1.5 inside 50s. He imposed himself on games at the right time consistently and was selected in five times (twice as a forward, three times as a midfielder).

ANDREW GAFF (West Coast) - Ranked equal fifth in the AFL for disposals (30), Gaff took a massive step individually and became one of the game's most damaging runners. Selected in three teams, he ranked No.1 in the AFL for uncontested possessions (22.2).

JARRAD McVEIGH (Sydney Swans) - Overlooked for the 40-man All Australian squad, McVeigh has been a star for the Swans across half-back, half-forward and in the midfield. He was selected in six teams (once as a forward), and averaged 24.4 possessions.

• Check out how fans voted on every 2015 team of the week
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