The Champion Data 2023 All-Australian side is in!
Daniel Hoyne revealed the 22 on SEN’s Sportsday after handing down Champion Data’s best players of the home and away season.
See the team below and several comments from Hoyne on the make up of this year’s side.
.@Hoyney35 has tonight revealed Champion Data's All-Australian team for 2023. 👇 pic.twitter.com/V0pdOQ30r1
— Sportsday (@SENSportsday) August 29, 2023
Selection comments
On Nick Daicos’ selection: “His minutes played are very similar in either position (defence and midfield) and the reason why we’ve put him across half-back is the impact he’s having across both positions is pretty much identical and it just allows another midfield to get in who’s had a higher rated season.”
On Mason Wood’s selection: “There will be a bit of conversation around Mason Wood and why not Josh Daicos. There is absolutely nothing in it. Daicos has him covered from a ball-use perspective, Wood has him covered from a ball-winning perspective… and the only separating factor was Wood’s work on the defensive side of the game, which was marginally better than Daicos.”
On Shai Bolton’s selection: “He had that even split between midfield and forward time, extremely impactful in both. So he was able to fill that half-forward role.”
On Sam Switkowski’s selection: “This is probably the biggest surprise of the All-Australian side… he's been highly rated in our ratings system for a number of years and there’s a couple of reasons why.
“His ball use is really impactful when he actually does win it, but more importantly, it’s the impact that he has with his defensive actions.
“Only one other forward in the competition this year was able to impact the game through his defensive work (better).”
On Nick Larkey missing out: “People will ask about Nick Larkey which is fair enough. 71 goals, I can’t begrudge that kind of season.
“But in terms of what he’s been able to do, probably through sheer supply, hasn’t been able to influence the game as much as what some of the other forwards have.”