Nick Daicos was named on the bench. Of all the mistakes the AFL has made throughout the year (and there have been many), the biggest error of the year was saved for the All-Australian selectors, who put the best player in the competition (by some distance) on the bench.
“Who do you want out of the midfield?” an AA selector said to me after my exasperated rant. “Anyone,” I responded. I mean, it’s not like the midfield was Buckley, Voss, Judd. It was Noah Anderson, Jordan Dawson, Ed Richards. Yes, Jordan has had a great year, but he’s an overrated kick.
Nick Daicos arrives at the AFL Awards. He won the players’ MVP, but couldn’t crack a spot on the field in the AA team.Credit: Getty Images
And I know Champion Data has gone mental for Richards; he’s taken his game to another level, but he also gets to play second fiddle to “the Bont” most weeks. Daicos, at 21, is basically carrying a team on his shoulders. And the selectors put him on the bench.
I’d actually be less offended if they omitted him from the team altogether. At least then you’d know it was a genuine error. This just feels more like we are being trolled. And while I’m at it, the other bench warmers in this team? Bont, Matt Rowell and Caleb Serong.
Four mids? I guess no key player is getting a rest when they play their imaginary game, then. Cool, cool, cool. Rant over.
Here’s a bit of who’s who action from the dinner…
Swans star Isaac Heeney and partner Steffi Waters arrive together.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
St Kilda’s $2 million man Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (right).Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Max and Jessica Gawn make their entrance.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
