Over the course of the last three weeks, we’ve asked you to help us put together the Greatest All-Australian Team of the AFL Era.
In conjunction with our good friends at Red Energy, we have been searching for the 25 players and one coach to make up the best combined side possible since the AFL’s inception in 1990.
A player qualified for selection if he had been selected for an All-Australian side (including the 1990 Team of the Year).
You, the SEN faithful, have voted on each of the 18 starting positions and the seven interchange bench so without further ado, here his the Greatest All-Australian Team of the AFL Era.
DEFENCE
Port Adelaide and Essendon champion Gavin Wanganeen and North Melbourne’s Shinboner of the Century Glenn Archer fill the back pocket slots either side of Carlton’s full-back of the century Stephen Silvagni.
Further afield we have the stylish Adelaide great Andrew McLeod on one half-back flank with Hawthorn premiership hero and fellow dual Norm Smith Medallist Luke Hodge marshalling the other side. Geelong’s defensive star Matthew Scarlett slots in at centre half-back as the other key defender.
MIDFIELD
This midfield is stacked with star power.
Led by West Coast ruckman Dean Cox, the on-ball brigade consists of inspiring Brisbane captain Michael Voss in the centre, Eagles and Carlton superstar Chris Judd as ruck-rover with Geelong and Gold Coast gun Gary Ablett Junior as rover.
On the wings we have dynamic Eagles jet Peter Matera and classy Lions midfielder Simon Black to patrol either side of the centre square.
FORWARDS
The forward line is full of pure quality.
Essendon legend James Hird will float from his half-forward flank position with stellar Hawks and Swans forward Lance Franklin doing his thing on the other flank. If that’s not enough, imperious Kangaroos (and Crows) skipper Wayne Carey provides further presence at centre half-forward.
The skilled Eddie Betts, of Carlton and Adelaide fame, takes the small forward pocket slot where he will crumb at the feet of the game’s greatest goalkicker from St Kilda and Sydney - Tony Lockett - and Cats maestro Gary Ablett Senior.
BENCH
We wanted a seven-man interchange bench to give more stars of the game the chance to make this side.
The small/medium defender slot was taken by Cats games record holder Corey Enright while West Coast’s Glen Jakovich took the key defender bench spot.
Brisbane premiership hero (and Bulldogs player) Jason Akermanis is the small/medium forward next to Hawthorn goal machine Jason Dunstall as the key forward.
The two midfield bench positions were taken by Swans and Blues champ Greg ‘Diesel’ Wiliams alongside modern day Richmond great Dustin Martin. Legendary Essendon ruckman Simon Madden also nabbed a seat on the interchange.
COACH
And finally, four-time Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson took the majority of the vote to be named coach of this incredible side.
Thanks for helping us put this together!
