Essendon’s Kyle Langford had a breakout year in 2023 playing as a permanent forward. Photo: AFL MEDIA

Across the 24 rounds of the season, we have put together a hypothetical weekly best 22 based on the best individual performances from each round.

As the home-and-away season enters the rear-view mirror, we’ve collated those selections to present the Footyology Team of the Year.

This is NOT an All-Australian team. Because this side is drawn solely from selections from our Teams of the Week, it’s based on which players were most often adjudged to be the outstanding performer in their position.

As such, a game where a player was great, but just missed the cut, has as much impact on selection as a game where the player performed poorly (or didn’t even run out).

As examples, two of the unluckiest players not in this side are Caleb Serong and Tim English, who each made three weekly teams, but were also each judged to be “stiff to miss” on six separate occasions.

The same basic rules that applied in selecting the weekly side also apply here:

– Picking players in position, including actual wingmen on the wings.
– Not cramming the side with key position players.
– Picking a diverse bench that reflects the interchanges selected by actual teams in 2023.

Where two players were selected the same amount of times, the player who most often fell into the “stiff to miss” category was picked.

FULL BACKS

Tom Stewart (Geelong)
A stalwart of end-of-season composite sides for years, Stewart again salutes following a brilliant season leading the Geelong defence. With more of a load to carry than any other season in his career, there were times where it seemed that the resolute defender was the primary reason that the Cats were in the contest.
Ranked second in intercepts, second in rebound 50s and fourth in kicks.
Six selections: Round 7, Round 11, Round 12, Round 15, Round 19, Round 24.

Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
It was a season of two halves for the Carlton key back, with his own turnaround in form perhaps reflecting the team’s fortunes better than any other Blue. Criticised for one-dimensional footy early in the season, Weitering became an intercepting machine after the bye, leading a miserly and accountable Carlton defence.
Ranked second in intercept marks and second for defensive contest loss percentage (30 or more contests).
Six selections: Round 2, Round 14, Round 16, Round 20, Round 21, Round 24.

Nic Newman (Carlton)
The chief rival to Weitering’s claims as the most improved Blue, Newman’s last two months have been so impressive that he’d have a case for most improved player in the competition. Emphasising his defensive prowess with a lockdown job on Toby Greene in Round 3, he became the competition’s most prolific small defender in the back half of the season.
Ranked seventh in marks per game.
Five selections: Round 3, Round 7, Round 18, Round 20, Round 22.

HALF-BACKS

Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
Houston has been a very good player for some time, but hit new heights in his seventh season and became one of the competition’s elite running defenders. Reliable with ball in hand, assured on the last line of defence, and often handy for a long-range goal, he was one of Port Adelaide’s best players in a terrific home-and-away campaign for the club.
Ranked 10th in metres gained.
Five selections: Round 10, Round 14, Round 16, Round 18, Round 22.

Callum Wilkie (St Kilda)
There was barely a game in the first half of the season where Wilkie wasn’t a major factor, and it’s no coincidence that St Kilda was lurking near the top of the ladder through that period. The competition’s No.1 intercept player was a wall in the defensive half, while his jobs on Charlie Curnow and Jamie Elliott illustrated his mastery of the position.
Ranked first in intercepts and marks.
Six selections: Round 3, Round 5, Round 8, Round 13, Round 21, Round 24.

Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)
The Saints’ 2022 best-and-fairest further elevated his game this season, often deployed in the midfield by coach Ross Lyon when the mix needed extra pace. Recognised not just as one of the best half-backs in the league, but one of the star players overall, Sinclair’s ability to win clearance – even when starting in defence – made him a damaging contributor.
Ranked first in kicks, third in disposals and fifth in metres gained.
Six selections: Round 2, Round 6, Round 10, Round 14, Round 22, Round 23.

CENTRES

Josh Daicos (Collingwood)
Another who backed up a brilliant season with an even better one, Daicos forced the All-Australian selectors’ hands with his dynamic and impactful performances running up and down the wing. Combining elite ball use and tireless running ability, he was perhaps Collingwood’s most consistent performer over its 23 matches.
Ranked fifth in uncontested possessions.
Seven selections: Round 2, Round 3, Round 10, Round 11, Round 15, Round 18, Round 22.

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
Season 2023 was Bontempelli’s best, and he’s had some absolute beauties. Up to his eyeballs in the “game’s No.1 player” debate, the Western Bulldogs captain (and the AFLPA’s best captain and MVP) played with dogged determination in dragging his side over the line, through equal parts toughness and skill, on numerous occasions.
Ranked first in contested possessions, second in centre clearances, third in score involvements and fourth in inside 50s and tackles.
Nine selections: Round 3, Round 4, Round 6, Round 8, Round 14, Round 18, Round 19, Round 21, Round 23.

Errol Gulden (Sydney)
Gulden’s rise has been prompt and steady, to the point that now, in just his third season, he is widely viewed as one of the most damaging players in the AFL. Picking up steam through the middle stages of the year, he began to produce phenomenal numbers from the outside and in, with his ability to accumulate and to kick it so well a rare combination.
Ranked first in metres gained, first in inside 50s and third in kicks.
Eight selections: Round 8, Round 9, Round 15, Round 16, Round 18, Round 20, Round 21, Round 24.

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HALF-FORWARDS

Dustin Martin (Richmond)
Given the question marks around Martin through much of last year and into the pre-season, it’s difficult to think of how his return could have gone better (team fortunes aside of course). Playing almost exclusively as either a high half-forward or deep in the goal square, he produced huge numbers and plenty of memorable signature moments.
Ranked fifth in score involvements per game.
Five selections: Round 9, Round 10, Round 17, Round 23, Round 24.

Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
Walker’s true bounce-back occurred a couple of years ago, but 2023 saw him post career-high numbers in goals, and by some margin. Plenty has been said about his remarkable output at the advanced age of 33, with a number of his performances across the season right among the very best of his career.
Ranked second in goals, fourth in score involvements and fifth in marks inside 50.
Six selections: Round 6, Round 9, Round 13, Round 15, Round 20, Round 24.

Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
One of the most consistent players of the year, Petracca always found a way to contribute to the Demons’ efforts through a variety of means. At times required to play predominantly as a forward, and at others leading an undermanned midfield, he affirmed his standing as one of the competition’s elite and most impactful.
Ranked first in score involvements, second in goal assists, third in contested possessions and third in inside 50s.
Six selections: Round 4, Round 7, Round 9, Round 12, Round 17, Round 18.

FORWARDS

Toby Greene (GWS)
This was a truly brilliant campaign from Greene. One of the most storied players of the season, his influence in a position that few manage to dominate was a critical reason for GWS’s incredible rise. Even on the odd occasion that his impact is limited, his ability to spring to life for a quarter and change the outcome of a game is unparalleled.
Ranked fourth in goals, fifth in goal assists and fifth in score involvements.
Eight selections: Round 1, Round 7, Round 11, Round 13, Round 14, Round 18, Round 20, Round 24.

Charlie Curnow (Carlton)
If Curnow’s 2022 season was a welcome-yet-unexpected revelation, his 2023 was confirmation that he is an absolute top-liner in the game, and well on his way to becoming one of the modern era’s great forwards. Taking home another Coleman Medal with 78 goals, it was about moments as much as it was about big bags for the star Blue.
Ranked first in goals, first in contested marks and second in score involvements.
Six selections: Round 2, Round 4, Round 7, Round 19, Round 20, Round 23.

Kyle Langford (Essendon)
The Essendon forward enjoyed a breakout season at the age of 26, completing a full season for the first time in his career, and booting 51 goals in an outstanding campaign. Utilised more as a marking target rather than a link-up player as he had in the past, Langford kicked goals in all but two matches, one of which (Round 1) was played at half-back.
Ranked third in marks inside 50 and eighth in goals.
Four selections: Round 2, Round 6, Round 20, Round 21.

FOLLOWERS

Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Marshall’s impact as the highly sought after “extra midfielder” from the ruck was on show for much of the season, but particularly in the lead-up to finals when his form was utterly dominant. First among rucks for disposals, contested possessions and inside 50s, his follow-up work gave the Saints a decisive point of difference against most opposition.
Ranked sixth in hitouts and 15th in stoppage clearances.
Six selections: Round 7, Round 10, Round 17, Round 22, Round 23, Round 24.

Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Such was Daicos’ impact in all thirds of the field, perhaps the biggest challenge was figuring out where to name him. Mastering half-back early on, he gradually moved up the field, often within games, to ply his trade as a clearance beast or final-quarter goalkicker. His campaign ended three weeks early, but he still managed to be our most selected player this season.
Ranked first in effective disposals per game and second in total disposals per game.
Ten selections: Round 1, Round 2, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 12, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18.

Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
A much-loved player at Port Adelaide since his arrival at the end of 2018, Butters fulfilled supporters’ hopes and dreams when he rose to become a top-line inside midfielder this season. Butters was unstoppable through the remarkable burst in the middle of the year, before finishing the season strongly and taking out the AFLCA’s major award.
Ranked seventh in inside 50s and ninth in effective disposals.
Eight selections: Round 5, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 13, Round 21, Round 23.

INTERCHANGE

Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
Rozee holds his place in the Footyology Team of the Year from last year after he continued to perform as one of the league’s best attacking midfielders. With a career-high average of 26 touches to go along with 20 goals, he was regularly the most damaging onballer of the round, and barely had a quiet game all year.
Ranked second in inside 50s and third in metres gained.
Five selections: Round 6, Round 12, Round 16, Round 19, Round 24.

Nic Martin (Essendon)
In just his second season at AFL level, Martin became Essendon’s prime outside running weapon, as well as one of the competition’s best wingmen in a pretty strong field. Not only was he one of the Bombers’ most consistent, but his top games – such as his 28 disposals, two goals and three goal assists against Adelaide in Round 17 – were striking to watch.
Ranked seventh in goal assists.
Six selections: Round 4, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 17, Round 22.

Nick Blakey (Sydney)
Blakey’s blend of scintillating speed, kicking ability, sure hands and defensive integrity make him the prototype general defender in the modern game. Regularly deploying all of these assets simultaneously for the Swans, he performed steadily and brilliantly throughout the season in a variety of backline roles.
Ranked second in bounces and sixth in rebound 50s.
Five selections: Round 5, Round 11, Round 16, Round 22, Round 23.

Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
Although he experienced patches where his impact was below his very high standards, there’s no doubt that Neale’s best performances in 2023 were absolutely outstanding. When he is on song, there is no one better to watch at the coalface, with his ability to win clearance and fight through traffic to deliver a clever handball a joy to behold.
Ranked first in clearances, third in contested possessions and fourth in handballs.
Five selections: Round 5, Round 7, Round 10, Round 16, Round 23.

STIFF TO MISS
Sam Taylor (GWS), Shai Bolton (Richmond), Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne), Nick Larkey (North Melbourne), Harris Andrews (Brisbane), Charlie Cameron (Brisbane), Joe Daniher (Brisbane), Tim Kelly (West Coast), Jordan De Goey (Collingwood), Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle).