There are only three games left in the home-and-away season for players to prove their case to the All-Australian selectors.
After Collingwood’s successful year, the club boasts several candidates for the 2009 All-Australian team.
Under the format introduced in 2007, the All Australian selectors are asked to nominate the leading players in each section of the field – 12 forwards, 12 defenders and 16 midfielders / ruckmen -- with the final team of 22 named on September 14.
The All Australian selection panel includes Andrew Demetriou, Adrian Anderson, Mark Ricciuto, Kevin Bartlett, James Hird, Gerard Healy, Glen Jakovich and Robert Walls.
Simon Prestigiacomo
The 31-year-old is arguably having his most successful and consistent year in his 14th season at the AFL level. The fullback has played in 94.7% of possible game time this year and has only been interchanged four times (these numbers include the match when he was injured in the early stages of the opening quarter against Brisbane in round 18).
A look at previous All-Australian defenders indicates the selection committee elects to nominate only one centre fullback for each side. With that in mind, this week’s “Magpies for AA” will feature Prestigiacomo up against four-time All-Australian (2003, 04, 07, 08) Matthew Scarlett from Geelong and inform Western Bulldogs defender Brian Lake.
The case for Prestigiacomo to be awarded All-Australian is a compelling one.
A look at the statistics indicates that what the defender lacks in disposal output, he makes up with goals allowed and spoils. The table below illustrates a comparative look at the three lending contenders for the fullback position.
| Prestigiacomo | Lake | Scarlett | |
| Games played | 19 | 19 | 16 |
| Interchanges | 4 | 26 | 22 |
| Goals allowed | 24 | 33 | 20 |
| Disposals difference | -76* | 99 | 89 |
| Spoils | 79 | 72 | 51 |
*Prestigiacomo has accumulated 76 disposals less than his opponents across his 19 matches.
Defenders against the top-five forwards
The table below illustrates that Prestigiacomo has taken the most dangerous forward (top five current leading goal kickers in the AFL) more times this season than his competitors Lake and Scarlett.
| Prestigiacomo | Lake | Scarlett | |
| Jonathan Brown | 1g, 88mins, 0 goals* | NA | NA |
| Brendan Fevola | 2g, 223mins, 1 goal | NA | NA |
| Lance Franklin | 1g, 91mins, 4 goals | 1g, 108mins, 0 goals | 1g, 66mins, 1 goal) |
| Nick Riewoldt | 1g, 102mins, 4 goals | 1g, 57mins, 2 goals | NA |
| Jarryd Roughead | NA | NA | 1g, 42mins, 1 goal |
| Summary | 504 mins - 9 goals | 165 mins – 2 goals | 108 mins – 2 goals |
*Prestigiacomo was injured in the opening minutes of the round 18 match against Brisbane and moved to forward when he came back on in the fourth. Statistics from this match do not count in the table above.
The last Collingwood defender to receive All-Australian status was 230 game legend James Clement. The former Magpie vice captain was selected for the All-Australian team in 2003 and 2005.
The 2009 Four’N Twenty All Australian team will be named on Monday September 14.
Next week’s “Magpie for All-Australian” will highlight the 2009 efforts of captain Nick Maxwell and Harry O’Brien.
Join the unofficial Facebook fan page "Simon 'Presti' Prestigiacomo for AFL All-Australian.
