Selectors snub Sandi, Nic Nat makes 40
The West Australian
West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff says teammate Nic Naitanui deserves his place in the All-Australian squad ahead of rival ruckman Aaron Sandilands.
The omission of the Fremantle giant was the major shock of the 40-man All-Australian squad named yesterday that included five players each from the Dockers and West Coast.
A nine-man selection panel, which included Eagles legend Glen Jakovich, named Naitanui and North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein as the two ruckmen. A four-times All-Australian, Sandilands played all but one of Fremantle’s matches this season and sits second in the AFL for average hit-outs (43.6) behind only Goldstein (44.6). Naitanui (33.8) is sixth in the rankings.
Buddy-less Swans no pushover for Freo
The West Australian
Fremantle defender Garrick Ibbotson says the Dockers cannot afford to take Sydney lightly in Saturday’s final at Domain Stadium, despite the absence of Lance Franklin, Luke Parker, Kieren Jack and Nick Smith.
Ibbotson, who will play his 150th match along with fellow milestone Docker Stephen Hill, declined to be drawn into discussion on Franklin’s mental health issues yesterday, declaring the Dockers would respect Franklin’s privacy and wishing him well.
But the implications of Franklin’s absence, combined with the absence of three other key players, are obvious for this qualifying final.
Franklin was the game breaker when the Swans finally broke clear of Fremantle in a tight qualifying final last year at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, kicking three goals including two brilliant efforts in the last quarter.
Swans still a threat: All-Aus Ibbotson
The West Australian
Fremantle defender Garrick Ibbotson says the Dockers will not make the mistake of underestimating Sydney despite the absence of key personnel Lance Franklin, Luke Parker and Kieren Jack.
And Ibbotson, who will play his 150th match this weekend along with fellow milestone Docker Stephen Hill, declined to be drawn into discussion on Franklin’s mental health issues, declaring the Dockers would respect Sydney’s requests for privacy for Franklin.
Hill and Ibbotson are celebrating being named in the All-Australian squad along with fellow Dockers Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale and David Mundy.
AFL Finals: Fremantle Dockers wingman Stephen Hill chasing brother’s flag tally
PerthNow
FREMANTLE midfielder Stephen Hill says he can’t help but feel a tiny bit jealous about his brother’s two premierships.
Although Bradley Hill is three years younger than Stephen, the Hawks midfielder has already won two flags, with one of the premierships coming in a grand final win over Fremantle in 2013.
Stephen, who will notch his 150-game milestone in Saturday’s qualifying final against Sydney, hopes it will be his turn to taste premiership success this year.
“My brother’s won a couple of premierships. And seeing him have them just drives me even more. I just want to get back there,” Hill said.
“Maybe a little bit (jealous). I’m proud of him as well but. Just really drives me to hopefully be able to get there and have a premiership one day.”
Stephen snared a significant personal achievement late on Tuesday after being named to the 40-man All-Australian squad, alongside four Dockers teammates.
It marked fitting recognition after a fine 2015 campaign where Hill ranked eighth in the league for kicks and booted 16 goals.
Sydney was dealt a huge blow on Tuesday when star forward Lance Franklin was ruled out of Saturday’s clash to deal with a mental illness.
AFL Finals: Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles dominate All-Australian squad selections
PerthNow
FREMANTLE and West Coast have had their fine 2015 campaigns recognised at an individual level, with five players from each club picked in the 40-man All-Australian squad.
Dockers duo Nat Fyfe and David Mundy are considered certainties to make the final 22-man side, as are West Coast’s Matt Priddis and Josh Kennedy.
Fremantle also has Lachie Neale, Stephen Hill and Garrick Ibbotson as contenders after the trio was integral to helping the Dockers secure the minor premiership.
West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern made the squad despite missing five games this season.
Andrew Gaff was also named after a career-best year, alongside ruckman Nic Naitanui.
Naitanui’s chances depend on whether selectors opt for two rucks in the side, with Todd Goldstein considered a shoo-in to take the starting ruck spot.
Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands could consider himself unlucky to have missed out after recording career-best hitout numbers this season.
Hawthorn was the highest-represented team with six players named in the squad, while the Western Bulldogs joined the two WA teams with five each.
Carlton, St Kilda, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Geelong had no players named.
