The top Peter Jackson VFL-listed players for 2016 were recognised with selection in the VFL Team of the Year at the recent VFL Best and Fairest night.
Let’s take a look at the cream of Victoria’s state-league crop this year.
DEFENDERS
Casey Scorpions captain Jack Hutchins and first-year Geelong player Tom Stewart (pictured, left) are the pillars of the Team of the Year back line, both good intercept marks and reliable one-on-one defenders despite often giving away height. 2016 Fothergill-Round Medallist Luke Ryan made a splash in AFL recruiting circles with his composure and sure foot skills off half back since graduating from Coburg’s Development League team early in the season, while Essendon defender Aaron Heppell also developed rapidly from lock-down backman to effective midfielder. Rebound specialists Jordan Kelly (Collingwood) and Footscray premiership skipper Jordan Russell – a 2015 Team of the Year member – also earned selection.
MIDFIELDERS
Combative Williamstown ruckman Nick Meese earned a fourth Team of the Year selection following another dominant season at the stoppages and is joined in the 2016 on-ball division by prolific Seagulls teammates Willie Wheeler and 2016 J.J. Liston Trophy winner Michael Gibbons. Last year’s Liston winner and Team of the Year member Nick Rippon was named on a wing after another stand-out year at the coalface for North Ballarat, while emerging Coburg star Robbie Fox (pictured, second from left) is on the other wing. Reliable in-and-under Port Melbourne ball-winner Tom O’Sullivan completes the midfield crew.
FORWARDS
Dynamic 49-goal ‘Frosty’ Miller Medallist Ahmed Saad (Coburg) headlines the Team of the Year forward line alongside dangerous Williamstown mid-sized goalkicker Sam Dunell, who booted 31 majors this season to back up his 2015 Team of the Year selection. Tim Smith was named at centre half forward following a stellar season supporting the tall timber inside the Casey Scorpions’ 50m arc and tackling terror Tom Atkins is in a forward pocket after a break-out season for Geelong. 2014 Team of the Year member Ben Cavarra (pictured, second from right) added a string to his bow at Frankston in 2016, kicking 18 goals to complement his usual ball-winning abilities, while hard-nosed Werribee mid-forward Matt Hanson made a second consecutive Team of the Year.
INTERCHANGE
Evergreen Williamstown skipper Ben Jolley made a remarkable seventh straight Team of the Year following one of his most prolific seasons yet. Fellow club captains Tom Wilson (Northern Blues) and Sam Darley (Richmond) also earned selection on the interchange for consistent performances in the midfield and running out of defence respectively. Declan Keilty emerged as an effective lock-down key defender for the Casey Scorpions, while Port Melbourne duo Khan Haretuku – who this year seized the role as the Borough’s no.1 ruckman – and 2016’s competition-leading kick-getter Damian Mascitti (pictured, right) also enjoyed stellar campaigns.
Last Modified on 28/09/2016 16:37
