AFL.com.au's predicted All Australians

• Our 2015 All Australian defenders
• Our 2015 All Australian midfielders and ruckman

WHEN AFL.com.au reporters put their heads together to pick a 2015 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian Team, there was one serious point of contention – Jeremy Cameron or Taylor Walker at centre half-forward?

While Cameron kicked more goals in a lower ranked team, Walker's form at the end of the season and his outstanding leadership after the tragic loss of senior coach Phil Walsh got him over the line.

West Coast star and Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy was a unanimous selection at full forward, with the judges opting for only two key forwards.

The other unanimous selections were small forward Eddie Betts and half-forward Chad Wingard, while Jake Stringer earns his place in a pocket as a versatile target.

Patrick Dangerfield missed out in the midfield, but his explosive ability running forward (he has kicked 20 goals and averages five inside 50s) justifies selection at half forward.

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Midfielders Sam Mitchell, Lachie Neale and David Mundy earn spots on the bench having been the best-performed players next in line, edging Cyril Rioli, Dustin Martin, Robbie Gray and Brett Deledio.

The panel opted for a second ruckman and West Coast's Nic Naitanui got the nod as the only other big man selected in the 40-man squad.

Half-forwards

CHAD WINGARD (Port Adelaide) - Another superb season from the electrifying 22-year-old, who kicked 53 goals in a team that battled for form and inside 50s early in the season. He kicked a goal in each of the first 21 rounds, only failing to trouble the scorers in the final round and 180 of his 414 possessions were contested. The young star is brave and also has the uncanny ability to turn half-chances into goals.

TAYLOR WALKER (Adelaide) - Eyebrows were raised when he was made captain at the start of 2015 but by the end he was among the most highly regarded players in the game. Despite the trauma of Phil Walsh's death, Walker somehow found a way to play at a high standard to inspire those around him with his leadership. Kicked 55 goals in the home-and-away season but his presence gave Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron numerous opportunities.

PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Adelaide) - The champion's battle with Nat Fyfe in round nine was one of the year's highlights as the two stars went head to head. He won 322 contested and 255 uncontested possessions, displaying his brilliance whatever the situation. A raging bull, he did not let speculation about where he might play in 2016 rattle him for one second. Capable of winning a vital clearance or kicking a team-lifting goal, he is a star.

Forwards

EDDIE BETTS (Adelaide) - Now recognised as one of the game's most exciting players, he kicked 58 goals in the home-and-away season. He had a forward pocket at Adelaide Oval unofficially named after him because of his ability to kick goals from the tightest of angles, and he crumbed packs with boyish excitement. Betts is becoming better with age and even gets the odd run in the middle when the team needs a spark.

JOSH KENNEDY (West Coast) - Won the Coleman Medal as well as undisputed recognition as the game's most effective forward. He kicked 75 goals and took 144 marks in the home and away season, but he also put defensive pressure on when required. That he played a lone hand up forward for the Eagles early in the season and then refused to succumb to a troublesome elbow made his performance all the more meritorious.

JAKE STRINGER (Western Bulldogs) - Stringer kicked 54 goals in just his third season playing as a medium sized forward. The 21-year-old has most bases covered. He is good in the air, has explosive pace, can read the ball off hands and tackles hard. It makes him a nightmare to match up on and was the reason he could be so consistent in a position that so often lends itself to disappearing acts.

THE UNLUCKY - Cyril Rioli, Jeremy Cameron, Shaun Higgins, Jack Gunston



Interchange

NIC NAITANUI (West Coast) - The 2012 All Australian ruckman played 20 games in the home and away season and was fourth in the AFL for hit-outs with 676, while contributing 17 goals. His effectiveness in the centre square has influenced the Eagles' dominance at the centre clearances, and his athleticism at the bounce and around the ground - combined with his high leaping ability and knack of finding his midfielders - made him a hard task for any opposing ruckman.

SAM MITCHELL (Hawthorn) - The veteran midfielder is no stranger to All Australian selection, having been named in the team in 2011 and 2013. This year, the 32-year-old had another consistent season across 20 games for 306 kicks and 305 handballs, which placed him ninth in the AFL. He also laid 80 tackles and averaged more than 30 disposals. He was particularly dominant against Fremantle in round 15 with 39 disposals; the game where he was fined for kneeing Nat Fyfe.

LACHIE NEALE (Fremantle) - It's quite the achievement for the 22-year-old to finish eighth in the competition for total disposals, with 604 for the season. In just his fourth year, the small midfielder averaged more than 27 disposals a game and won his second Ross Glendinning Medal in round three against the Eagles. He also played every game after missing just one last season and kicked 15 goals – the most he's managed in his 68-game career.

DAVID MUNDY (Fremantle) - Another selected for the first time, the 30-year-old experienced midfielder played all but one game in 2015 and was one of the competition's best at the stoppages. Racked up 152 clearances to be sixth in the AFL - 16 more than he managed last season - and averaged nearly 27 touches a game. Was simply consistent week-in, week-out, and had 10 or more clearances in one game on four occasions.

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