AFTER settling on our back six on Wednesday, we turn our attention to the hotly-debated midfielders for the official Virgin Australia 2014 AFL All Australian team.

 

Like in most seasons, the midfield is loaded with talent, but these men we chose in our starting 18 made things relatively easy with unanimous selections from our reporters.

 

While the battle for the ruck position was a toss of the coin, the other five mids selected in our starting line-up stood head and shoulders above the competition.

 

With so much ability in the middle of the ground, midfielders also pack our interchange bench.

 

Really took the next step this season to become an elite player. Despite often receiving the opposition's tagging attention in the absence of injured skipper Jobe Watson, Heppell thrived to average 28 disposals. His second half spree against West Coast in round 21 to lift Essendon off the canvas will live long in the memory bank of Bombers fans.

 

Another terrific season from the Cats skipper earns him the captaincy of our team as well. At his inspirational best in averaging 26 touches and is right in the hunt for his first Brownlow Medal. Selwood also kicked 21 goals, including a memorable match-winner against Carlton in round 12.

 

After living in the shadows of teammates Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell for so long, Lewis jumped free in 2014. His phenomenal workrate allowed him to rove between the 50m arcs and help in both attack and defence. Gathered 25 touches or more on 15 occasions and was a unanimous choice.

 

One of the most tightly contested positions in the team, but the big Crow got the nod slightly in front of Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands. There's a split hair between them, but Jacobs gets a touch more ball (16 touches to 13), and Adelaide is statistically the best centre clearance team in the league – something Jacobs has a lot to do with.

 

Missed seven games following shoulder surgery, but the 15 he played were without equal - there was no way we couldn't start with the little champion in the middle of the ground. Ablett carried his team to the brink of finals on the back of 32 disposals a game and was just as damaging when he rested forward, kicking 24 goals. Is now 30, but shows no signs of slowing down.

 

He might be ineligible for the Brownlow, but winning the coveted AFLPA MVP shows just the kind of impact Fyfe has had. Can do it all from winning the contested ball (third in the AFL), to taking high marks and kicking goals (21). An all-around player that demands selection.

 

Very unlucky to miss out on a starting role, but Kennedy was a lock for the 22. Third in average disposals (28.6), second in contested possessions (16.1) and the driving force behind the Swans' vaunted midfield.

 

Much like Heppell, took his game to new heights in 2014. In a very young midfield that was decimated by injuries, Rockliff racked up more disposals a game than anyone in the league (32.7). He is not only a clever footballer, but a terrific decision-maker and well and truly earned his selection.

 

The Port skipper backed up his 2013 selection with an equally productive 2014. Now one of the elite captains in the league, Boak gets better as the competition does, averaging 29 disposals and a goal in six matches against the top-four teams throughout the regular season.

The lucky last spot was contentious, but nothing short of thoroughly deserved. The prolific Eagle just pipped unlucky Swan Luke Parker, but you can't argue with his output this year – or the previous three. Top-five in disposals, clearances and contested possessions, Priddis was a shining light in a West Coast midfield that was on the wrong end of some bad beatings in the first half of the season.