All-Australian selector Glen Jakovich has explained why midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Marcus Bontempelli were selected in the forward line of this year’s team.
Dangerfield and Bontempelli were both named on the half forward flank, with many critical of the decision not to pick the likes of Sydney's Tom Papley and St Kilda's Dan Butler - two natural forwards who had terrific seasons.
Jakovich explained the selectors weighed up whether to select players strictly on positions or reward the best players over the course of the season, even if they didn’t play the role they were designated.
“This year was a different year,” Jakovich said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run.
“Did Tom Papley have a better year than Patrick Dangerfield? That is the question you’ve got to ask. To put Papley in you’ve got to take (Marcus) Bontempelli or a Dangerfield out.
“That’s how you’ve got to look at it, does that look like an All-Australian team that you want to put forward?
“I know 10 or 12 years ago we ended up putting Dane Swan on a half forward flank and we got criticised, but these guys actually play forward and kick goals in crucial games.
“I know the selectors and I put a lot of weight into that.”
Jakovich was part of the All-Australian selection committee which included Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Steve Hocking, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.
Dangerfield, who was selected in his eighth All-Australian team, was named captain while star Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak was named vice-captain.