HB: Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Sam Gilbert (St Kilda), Simon Goodwin (Adelaide)
C: Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Joel Selwood (Geelong), Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda)
HF: Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Dane Swan (Collingwood)
F: Paul Chapman (Geelong), Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions), Brendan Fevola (Carlton)
FOLL: Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle), Chris Judd (Carlton), Gary Ablett (Geelong)
I/C: Marc Murphy (Carlton), Mitch Clark (Brisbane Lions), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
Captain: Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions)
Vice-Captain: Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda)
BACKS
Corey Enright (Geelong) – Backed up his inaugural All-Australian season with an even better 2009, accumulating a personal-high 546 disposals*. His ability to stymie opponents or provide dash was again a highlight, as was his consistency and durability. He has missed just one match since round one, 2006.
Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs) – The big man has been a revelation since transforming his dour style into attacking form in recent seasons, and he took that to another level in 2009. Claimed the second most marks and took the most marks from opposition kicks in the competition.
Matthew Scarlett (Geelong) – Should win his fifth All-Australian honour after another first-class season. Remains peerless in his ability to repel and rebound and is now regarded as one of the greatest full-backs of all time.
HALF-BACKS
Brendon Goddard (St Kilda) – Produced his finest AFL season, reinforcing his status as one of most versatile mid-sized players in the game. Not to be discounted for this year's Brownlow Medal. His career-best 582 disposals included a personal-high 37 disposals against the Western Bulldogs in round 17.
Sam Gilbert (St Kilda) – One of the competition's most improved players in 2009. Earmarked in pre-season for a position up forward, he became an integral part of the league's best defence. Can play tall or small and provides endless run out of defence.
Simon Goodwin (Adelaide) – Although he missed three matches with a knee injury from rounds 12 to 14, the Crow skipper and four-time All-Australian again turned in a consistent season. His move down back reinforced he can play anywhere on the ground.
CENTRES
Leigh Montagna (St Kilda) – Has improved ever since becoming a regular in 2006, and took his game to another level this year, becoming one of the competition's elite. His long kicking, tackling and run-and-carry style were features – perhaps enough to claim the Brownlow Medal.
Joel Selwood (Geelong) – Has played just three AFL seasons, already winning the NAB AFL Rising Star, a premiership and most recently the 2009 Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award. The 21-year-old racked up 30 or more disposals in seven consecutive matches this year (from rounds 4-10).
Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda) – Was probably the most in-form player in the competition after the first four rounds, and went on to play his finest season. A career-best 588 disposals included a personal-high 39 against the Western Bulldogs in round 17.
HALF-FORWARDS
Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans) – Whether up forward or in the midfield, the brilliant Swan had another outstanding season with 38 goals and 469 disposals. An All-Australian in Brownlow-winning years (2003 and 2006), he is a chance to join Bob Skilton as the club's second triple Brownlow Medalist.
Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda) – An inspiring leader for the Saints in possibly his finest season. Kicked a personal-best 68 goals in 22 rounds and proved his hands are the game's surest, taking a league-high 204 marks, including 102 on the lead. Is he now the game's best player?
Dane Swan (Collingwood) – Surprisingly overlooked for a berth in the midfield and named as a forward, Swan had a stellar 2009, amassing the most disposals in the competition (700), including a whopping 48 touches against Port Adelaide in round 10.
FORWARDS
Paul Chapman (Geelong) – Remarkably consistent despite missing five matches through injury. Averaged almost 28 disposals per match and booted 29 goals, switching between the forward line and midfield.
Jonathan Brown (Brisbane Lions) – The power forward remained an awesome figure and the epitome of a captain. A career-high 78 goals was enough for second in the Coleman Medal race: his best outing a haul of eight against North Melbourne. Took the most contested marks in the competition (49).
Brendan Fevola (Carlton) – Won his second Coleman Medal with 86 goals, topping Carlton's goalkicking for the seventh consecutive season. His biggest bag was nine against Richmond in round 15, while he also took 70 marks on the lead – second in the league.
FOLLOWERS
Aaron Sandilands (Fremantle) – After winning a spot on the bench in last year's All-Australian team, the competition's tallest player should take the No.1 ruck mantle in 2009. His season stats were career best: 348 disposals, 659 hit-outs, while he was second in the league for hit-outs and hit-outs to advantage.
Chris Judd (Carlton) – The champion midfielder had another outstanding season, winning 579 touches in 22 rounds – his best effort at either West Coast or Carlton.Also led the league in contested possessions (238) and inside 50s (129).
Gary Ablett (Geelong) – The player of the season, Ablett surpassed even his cracking 2007-08 campaigns. His fearsome numbers include a league-high 654 touches – 40 or more on six occasions – 402 handballs and 137 hard-ball gets. Already has his third consecutive AFLPA MVP – will the Brownlow Medal continue to elude him?
INTERCHANGE
Marc Murphy (Carlton) – There was hardly a more consistent player in the competition this year, amazingly being among Carlton's best in all but one match. He became a goalkicking midfielder, winning 563 touches and booting 30 goals in just his fourth AFL season.
Mitch Clark (Brisbane Lions) – With ruck teammates Matthew Leuenberger and Jamie Charman sidelined for the rest of the season by round four, Clark stepped up brilliantly. His form from round eight improved such that he ended the year as one of the game's best rucks. His mobility was a feature.
Lenny Hayes (St Kilda) – Among the most in-form players in the competition between rounds 5-18. Picked up plenty of admirers thanks to his leadership, courage and the spirit in which he plays the game.
Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) – Although he continues to fly under the radar, Boyd is now an elite midfielder. He accumulated 631 touches in 22 rounds: fewer than only Swan, Ablett and Sam Mitchell, and had fourth most handballs (338) and loose ball gets (77).
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
*Note: All stats are taken from the home-and-away season and do not include finals.
