Rhyce Shaw
Lack of numbers forced his inclusion. Has okay pace so he'll be pretty handy in the backline and he's been around a while, so he gives the side some experience.
Simon Prestigiacomo (vice-captain)
The old timer has been around since Pagan's Paddock, playing on the key forwards and continuing to do a great job.
Ben Johnson
A dashing redhead. I grew up with him and I think he'd be pretty angry if I didn't put him in. He's a left footer and you always need a couple of left footers down back.
HALF-BACKS
Heath Shaw
I think he actually played more games than me at the Knights, so he's probably one of the best to come out of the club in the past 10 years. He's doing really well.
Michael Hurley
I've met Michael a couple of times and he's a good bloke. He can play either forward or back so he's pretty handy in this side.
Jack Grimes
Grimesy is doing well down there at Melbourne. He seems pretty mature for his age and he's really holding it together well in defence for a young kid.
CENTRES
Ricky Dyson
Another left footer who played in the same year as my brother Heath. I've played on him a couple of times. We've had some pretty good battles and we seemed to come into the side at the same time to play on each other.
Brent Harvey (captain)
What else is there to say? He's definitely our captain, the little master. He's done so well over a long period. He played in a number of premierships at the Knights.
Trent Cotchin
He had a year of injuries but he's done really well at the Tigers. He seems a real midfielder of the future.
HALF-FORWARDS
Brett Meredith
He adds a bit of dash. He showed a fair bit in his couple of games at the Swans but he just can't get on the park at the moment. Hopefully he'll be up and about soon.
Adam Pattison
Patto's mum taught me all the way through primary school, so she'd be pretty filthy if I didn't put him in. He's got another chance at the Saints and hopefully he'll do well.
David Zaharakis
I was really glad to see him kick that goal on Anzac Day last year to rub it in to my old mates at Collingwood. He seems to be working really hard at the Bombers and he's making a name for himself.
FORWARDS
Ben McKinley
My old man coached him at the Knights so there's a bit of a connection there. He came through last year and did really well. He's always there to kick three or four goals.
John Anthony
Comes from the same local club as me and Heath - Diamond Creek. He kicked 50 goals last year as a real focal point for the Pies but he's had a bit of bad luck this year.
Pat Veszpremi
'Quadzilla', we call him at the Swans, because of his huge quads. Certainly drinks too much Red Bull. Loves a goal, loves celebrating and I'm surprised he hasn't jumped into the crowd yet.
FOLLOWERS
Matthew Kreuzer
He's going to be an established ruckman for the next 10 or 15 years. He's mobile, handy around the ground, reads the ball well and attacks it in the air. He is the only No.1 pick in this team.
Leigh Montagna
Another one I've had a few battles with. He's a premier midfielder now and he's really taken the Saints to a new level through the midfield and copping tags every week, just like Boomer.
Brent Stanton
He's another one out of Heath's year, along with Dyson. Those three boys came through together. He's going well at the Bombers and has finished top five in several best and fairests.
INTERCHANGE
Daniel Currie
The big ruckman hasn't cracked it for a game yet but he's still working hard towards earning his senior debut. He has only played a handful of games at the Knights, so he's in the same boat as me.
Dylan Grimes
If his brother Jack is any guide, he should be a good player for Richmond. He can replace me on the back flank if I get tired.
Michael Still
Every team needs to bring along its promising youngsters and the young Essendon forward fits the bill nicely as a key forward coming off the bench.
Andrew Lovett
He's an absolute talent who's struggling a little bit at the moment. But he's been a fantastic player over his career, with great pace and a fantastic kick for goal.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
