Matthew Lloyd has named his All-Australian locks and a few names he was surprised missed out, following the squad’s announcement.
The elite group of 44 was announced on Monday night, with the final team set to be announced on Wednesday.
Lloyd went through his initial thoughts after seeing the squad.
“I think Shai Bolton from the Tigers has to be in, I think Mark Blicavs of Geelong, he could be on the wing, he could be on the bench, he’s such a utility,” the Essendon great told Sportsday.
“I think Sam Taylor of the Giants, he along with Steven May I would pick. I think Tom Barrass would be unlucky, Jacob Weitering had some good moments, James Sicily has had a good year, but I would go with Taylor and May.
“And I’ll be interested to see where Tyson Stengle fits into it. We probably judge Charlie Cameron harsher because of what he’s done, but I have loved the season of Stengle.
“There’s four names that jump out at me – and Andrew Brayshaw, he’s one that should get his first berth.
“Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins you’d think pick themselves, but then you’ve got the Coleman Medallist in Charlie Curnow. It’ll be interesting to see if they pick three key forwards or do you go two and a medium.”
As for the names he was surprised missed out:
“The first one that comes to mind is Nick Daicos. Tom Liberatore has missed out as well,” Lloyd said.
“Sam Docherty’s another one, but there’s a lot of half back flankers and I’m glad Daniel Rioli got in. You can’t have them all.”