North’s 373-game veteran Brent Harvey has earned praise from Herald Sun writer Mark Robinson, making it into his mid-year All-Australian team. The five-time Syd Barker medalist and four-time All-Australian has shown zero sign of slowing down in his 18th year racking up stellar statistics. The 36-year-old is averaging 25.9 disposals a game, second only to Nick Dal Santo at 26.8.
“Brent Harvey is putting up terrific numbers forward of centre and in the midfield,” Robinson wrote.
“This team (All-Australian prediction) is about performance, consistency, match-winning qualities, effort and importance. It’s why ageing champ Brent Harvey makes it. And Nick Riewoldt. They have been match-winners and are treasures of the competition.”
At the other end of the field, The Age's Rohan Connolly named reigning Syd Barker medalist and 2013 All-Australian defender Scott Thompson amongst the best backmen.
Thompson has backed up his career-best season last year with consistency and strong performances playing on the most challenging full-forwards such as Lance Franklin, Travis Cloke, Tom Hawkins and Jack Riewoldt.
Other North Melbourne players putting their hand up for All-Australian selection include Nick Dal Santo, Ben Cunnington, Levi Greenwood, Sam Gibson and Todd Goldstein who are all in fantastic form and racking up votes on the AFL Coaches Association leaderboard each week.
Players selected in the AFL All-Australian side at the end of the year will play a one-off International Rules match against Ireland at Patersons Stadium on November 22nd.
The All Australian selection panel is Gill McLachlan, Kevin Bartlett, Matthew Richardson, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling and Mark Ricciuto.
