OVER THE past fortnight we have selected the defenders and midfielders in our AFL Media Four'N Twenty All Australian team, and this week it's the forwards' turn.
Choosing our two key forwards was straightforward, with Coleman Medal leaders Josh Kennedy and Jarryd Roughead slotting straight in at full-forward and centre half-forward.
The Eagle and the Hawk got the nod ahead of Collingwood's Travis Cloke – whose poor kicking for goal has let him down – and the Riewoldt cousins Nick and Jack.
We have selected Greater Western Sydney young gun Jeremy Cameron in a forward pocket as a third marking option, narrowly edging out Fremantle's Chris Mayne.
Mayne has had a super season. He is the leading player in the AFL for pressure acts inside forward 50, kicks beautifully for goal, and can count himself unlucky not to win selection.
Geelong's Steve Johnson is just as stiff to miss a spot on the forward flank or interchange.
The brilliant Cat's best has been extraordinary, but his habit of picking up silly suspensions, combined with a high turnover rate from his disposals, tipped him out.
Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)
Averaging over 30 disposals a game, Griffen was unlucky to be squeezed out of the midfield, so we've found him a spot here. Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney summed up the 27-year-old's impact perfectly in late July. "He's quite clearly our most dynamic player, he's nearly our most courageous player, he's nearly our toughest player and he's certainly our most consistent player… he's leading brilliantly as well," McCartney said.
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
The versatile Hawk is having what is widely regarded as his best season. His tally of 59 goals after 20 rounds has him just one off the pace in the Coleman Medal, and on track to pass his career-high mark of 75 goals, set in 2008. He will act as our team's back-up ruckman when Will Minson needs a rest, and we might throw him into the square as a ruck-rover at times, too.
Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)
Easily the most improved player in the AFL, the second-year Power half-forward has shown it all this year: keen goal sense, ball-winning ability, class, strength overhead and at ground level, and polished use of the ball by hand and foot. Has booted 36 goals and averaged 22 disposals per game, highlighted by a match-winning five-goal haul in the round 19 Showdown win over Adelaide.
Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne)
The most consistent small forward in the competition, Thomas' tally of 48 goals has included seven hauls of four or more, and just three goalless games. "I think he's just developing into a super player – if he's not an All Australian small forward, I don't know who is," Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said recently. And we agree.
Josh Kennedy (West Coast)
The Coleman Medal leader (60 goals) not only presents a strong attacking option, his defensive pressure is also incredible for a 196cm, 99kg key forward. The 25-year-old has laid more tackles inside forward 50 than any other player this year, making him a coach's dream. The Eagles would be increasingly happy with their return from the Chris Judd trade.
Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney)
Greater Western Sydney has had only 760 inside 50s this season – 95 less than 16th-ranked St Kilda and 337 behind first placed Geelong – making 20-year-old Cameron's effort in averaging 3.2 goals per game all the more remarkable. The young Giant has won many admirers, including one of the game's greatest key forwards, Wayne Carey. "His understanding of the game, his understanding of how to lead, when to lead – he's just a super, super athlete," Carey has said. "He's as exciting as 'Buddy' Franklin; he's right up there."
Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) – interchange
The explosive Crow has shown his versatility this season, playing both forward and through the midfield, for a return of 26 goals and 400 disposals from 17 games. One of the most exciting players around, he is eighth in the AFL Coaches' Association award, and a strong chance to win his first club best and fairest.
Unlucky: Steve Johnson (Geelong), Chris Mayne (Fremantle), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Jeff Garlett (Carlton)
