AFL All Australian team: Fans react on social media

Mick Stirling

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AFL All Australian team: Fans react on social media image

The 2018 AFL All Australian team was announced on Wednesday night and as always garnered its fair share of controversy from fans and commentators over some of the selections.

In fact about the only player that can be guaranteed no argument over their spot is the reigning Coleman medallist, who is pretty much always handed a key forward position (noting Jack Riewoldt missed an AA blazer in 2012 despite winning the medal).

This year reactions from fans came from all angles.

Most ‘what’s he doing in the team’ claims were made in regard to Richmond veteran Shane Edwards, who snuck in on the interchange bench. Edwards’ statistics are not huge, making him a very easy target for disgruntled supporters doubtlessly thought someone from their own club was more deserving of the spot.

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No one argued with Lance Franklin being named All Australian for a record-equalling eighth time, but there were plenty that disagreed with the Swans superstar being handed the captaincy.

Even former Melbourne skipper Gary Lyon thought Buddy being handed the skipper’s gong was strange.

“When you look at that team why would you be picking Lance Franklin captain when he hasn’t been captain of anything?” Lyon told SEN Breakfast on Thursday morning.

“There’s no real logic to it apart from the fact that it’s his eighth time.

“Why would you not have Alex Rance as your captain if you’ve gone to the trouble of making him last year as your captain?”

And there was no shortage of suggestion some players were handed their spot on reputation rather than form, with Tigers Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt, along with Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray in the gun as repeat-selection offenders.






 



 


 


 

Mick Stirling