There’s one certainty one September, or at least when the AFL All-Australian team is announced after the home-and-away season ends: conjecture and controversy is inevitable. The selectors are clearly on a hiding to nothing. As always squeezing a squad of talented AFL footballers, from accomplished and already-rewarded footballers to the up-and-comers into a squad of 22 is a thankless exercise.

I have to say this year’s team is pretty well-balanced. Throwing in a dozen debutants is quite acceptable and it does represent the speed of change in the AFL. Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Caleb Serong and Nick Larkey are fast stamping their mark on the game. The story of Toby Greene the All-Australian captain is a compelling one, too. Will it help inspire the Giants to continue their surge in the finals?

It’s great to see Charlie Curnow, Taylor Walker and Larkey all named in the team as top-goalkicking became trendy again.

Thanks and good night.