Luke Ryan produced yet another stellar season for Fremantle in defence this year. Photo: AFL MEDIA

Over the course of season 2021, we have been picking a best 22 each week based on performances from that round. To finish off the home-and-away season, here is the Footyology The 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 is based not on consistency, but on which players had the most number of truly outstanding performances in their position. As such, a game where a player performed wonderfully, but just happened to miss the cut, has as much impact on selection as a game where the player performed poorly (or didn’t even run out).

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

– Picking players in their correct position, including actual wingmen on the wings, and genuine back pockets and half forward flankers.

– Not picking four pure midfielders on the bench.

Where two players were selected the same amount of times, the player who most often fell into the “stiff to miss” category was picked. Where that did not create separation, the player whose appearances were spread through the year, as opposed to being coalesced in a hot patch of form, was given the nod.

A special mention goes out to Jack Macrae, who was “stiff to miss” seven times and only made the final 22 on three occasions. Up forward, spare a thought for Charlie Dixon, who racked up seven “stiff to misses” (the equal most with Macrae) without making the final side even once.

FULL BACKS

Jake Lever (Melbourne)
What a transformation it has been for Lever. From a shaky first season at Melbourne, including a second ACL injury, to now being one of the premiership favourite’s most important and influential players. Numerically, this is the best season we’ve ever seen from an intercept defender. He has also emerged as a genuine leader of the club.
Ranked first in total intercepts, first in total intercept marks and nith in total contested marks.
Four selections: Round 1, Round 5, Round 11, Round 23.

Steven May (Melbourne)
May carried on his form from the second half of 2020 and is now the premier full back of the AFL. He has just about mastered all facets of the game, and has regularly blanketed his opponents, controlled one-on-one contests, won the ball back for the Demons, and used his superb left foot to clear the ball from the defensive area.
Ranked 11th in rebound-50s per game, 14th in total one-percenters.
Six selections: Round 1, Round 6, Round 7, Round 11, Round 15, Round 20.

Luke Ryan (Fremantle)
Ryan’s versatility has again been a major asset for Fremantle, with his ability to play a multitude of roles in defence keeping them competitive through yet another injury-riddled season. His big games really stand out, and his ability to beat an oversized opponent whilst also providing drive from the back half is seriously impressive.
Ranked first in rebound-50s per game, ninth in kicks per game, 11th in metres gained per game.
Five selections: Round 5, Round 10, Round 12, Round 13, Round 20.

HALF BACKS

Tom Stewart (Geelong)
The Cats’ gun medium defender has been one of the dominant players of 2021, as evidenced by his eight Team Of The Week selections (the equal-most). His performance against the Western Bulldogs in Round 14, where he took a record-breaking 10 intercept marks, was one of the best individual displays of the season. A true star of the competition.
Ranked first in total marks, fourth in kicks per game, ninth in total intercepts.
Eight selections: Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 8, Round 13, Round 14, Round 19

Sam Taylor (GWS)
Similarly to May, Sam Taylor has all but mastered his work as a defensive stopper, to the extent that he’s now also an intercepting, attacking weapon. The only difference is that the GWS defender is only 21 years old. How many selections could he have picked up had he not missed six weeks with injury? A breakout star in season 2021.
Ranked third in intercepts per game, eighth in total intercept marks, ninth in total one-percenters.
Six selections: Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 19, Round 21, Round 23.

Daniel Rich (Brisbane)
The Lions’ veteran is enjoying a wonderful twilight to his career, both with his own form, and in being part of a side that is perpetually near the top of the ladder after many years at the opposite end. Rich’s kicking skills have always been among the very best, but at times this season it’s felt like he’s changed the course of games with passes that no-one else could pull off.
Ranked first in total kicks, first in total metres gained, first in total rebound-50s.
Five selections: Round 3, Round 5, Round 8, Round 17, Round 23.

CENTRES

Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane)
McCluggage started the season in incredible form, winning selection in five out of six weeks from round three onwards, in a period of the season where the Lions weren’t exactly flying. In such a balanced and deep midfield, McCluggage fulfils his role as the first receiver and deliverer of the ball as well as anyone.
Ranked first in total goal assists, ninth in total kicks.
Five selections: Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 7, Round 8.

Jack Steele (St Kilda)
The St Kilda co-captain stormed home, winning five of his six selections from Round 16 onwards. He also had the highest cumulative total when factoring in the “stiff to miss” category, which in a highly-competitive position, suggests he was among the best three players on the ground on at least 12 occasions. A contested, defensive beast, who can now also hurt you offensively.
Ranked first in total tackles, fourth in total contested possessions, eighth in total clearances.
Six selections: Round 4, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Round 21, Round 23.

Karl Amon (Port Adelaide)
An emerging star of the game, Amon’s career appeared to be at the crossroads as he pondered a return home to Victoria last season. Instead, he has been one of Port Adelaide’s most consistent and most damaging players, with his performances on the wing earning him plaudits from many across the footy landscape.
Ranked eighth in total uncontested possessions, 11th in total metres gained.
Five selections: Round 5, Round 6, Round 18, Round 20, Round 22.

HALF FORWARDS

Jake Stringer (Essendon)
What an incredible season “The Package” has had. His strongest summer in years was unfortunately interrupted by injury on the eve of round one, but he worked his way into the season to become one of, if not, the best player in the league from round 14 onwards. Stringer’s nous around goal has been huge, as has his newfound prowess as a clearance machine.
Ranked fifth in centre clearances per game, 13th in score involvements per game.
Five selections: Round 3, Round 14, Round 16, Round 18, Round 22.

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Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs)
The best contested mark in the AFL and one of the few remaining pure centre-half-forwards, Naughton was on fire through the middle of the year where he consistently finished off the work of a dominant Western Bulldogs midfield. There are few that can match him in the air when on song, and at just 21 years old, he’s one of the league’s most exciting prospects.
Ranked second in total contested marks, second in total marks inside 50.
Four selections: Round 9, Round 10, Round 12, Round 15.

Isaac Heeney (Sydney)
Primarily due to injury interruptions, Heeney hasn’t necessarily enjoyed the most consistent season of his career, but in his best games he is virtually unstoppable and hugely influential. Across Heeney’s four nominations this year, he was arguably best-on-ground on every occasion, and he was also “stiff to miss” a number of other times as part of a very even Swans line-up.
Ranked 20th in total goal assists, career high 32 goals.
Four selections: Round 1, Round 9, Round 11, Round 19

FORWARDS

Toby Greene (GWS)
Slowly but surely Toby Greene’s reputation has shifted, to the point where he is now a highly-respected and even revered figure in the game. He missed five matches in 2021, but still managed 42 goals and was selected in the Team Of The Week on five occasions. He is without a doubt one of the most impactful, and damaging, players in the AFL.
Ranked first in score involvements per game, fifth in goals per game.
Five selections: Round 3, Round 4, Round 6, Round 14, Round 21.

Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
The Geelong champion edges out a number of other key forwards, including Coleman Medallist Harry McKay, to win this spot in the side. Hawkins’ ability to hurt opposition sides in a myriad of ways, including marking, pressuring, kicking goals, and giving them off, means that he very rarely fails to impact a game.
Ranked first in total marks inside 50, ranked secnd in total goals, ranked fifth in total tackles inside 50, ranked fifth in total score involvements.
Four selections: Round 8, Round 11, Round 16, Round 18.

Lincoln McCarthy (Brisbane)
McCarthy is an underrated player outside of Brisbane, but his influence on games consistently exceeds his numbers on the stats sheet. Both before and since the injury to Eric Hipwood, the former Cat has remained an important part of the Lions’ forward line, with his smarts and ability to contest the ball in the air as well as on the deck.
Ranked 14th in total goal assists, career high 34 goals.
Four selections: Round 5, Round 14, Round 16, Round 19.

FOLLOWERS

Nic Naitanui (West Coast)
West Coast’s frontman and talismanic ruckman spent the season doing what he does best: winning clearances and giving his midfield unit first use. With five selections and a handful of near-misses, Naitanui was picked more often than any other ruckman, and was a bright spark in the Eagles’ disappointing year.
Ranked first in total hitouts to advantage, second in total stoppage clearances, fourth in total clearances.
Five selections: Round 2, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 23.

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
A simply awesome season from Marcus Bontempelli, who just about ran the table as Brownlow Medal favourite and will be hard to beat on the night. The Bulldogs’ skipper has always had a lot of impact without needing to accumulate the footy, but this season he’s also won more of the ball – and booted more goals – than he has at any point in his career. Ties with Tom Stewart for the most Team Of The Week selections.
Ranked second in total inside 50s, fourth in total score involvements, fifth in total goal assists, seventh in total metres gained.
Eight selections: Round 2, Round 5, Round 8, Round 10, Round 12, Round 14, Round 15, Round 19

Darcy Parish (Essendon)
Finally getting his chance to play as a permanent midfielder, Darcy Parish eclipsed even the most optimistic Essendon supporters’ expectations with a huge breakout season. His big games were absolutely massive, as he regularly accumulated huge numbers in contested possessions, clearances, and score involvements. One of the stories of the season.
Ranked first in total centre clearances, third in total score involvements, fourth in total inside 50s, eighth in total goal assists, eighth in total contested possessions.
Seven selections: Round 3, Round 6, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 16.

INTERCHANGE

Zach Merrett (Essendon)
A very consistent campaign from Merrett, who was reported to be assessing his options coming into free agency this season. Not only did the dual Crichton Medallist re-commit to the club earlier than expected, but he produced possibly his strongest season as one of the best, most versatile midfielders in the league.
Ranked sixth in total disposals, sixth in total inside 50s, eighth in total goal assists.
Seven selections: Round 8, Round 10, Round 11, Round 15, Round 18, Round 20, Round 21.

Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
The back end of 2020 into the entirety of 2021 represents easily the best part of Ollie Wines’ career, and a period in which he fully realised the expectations that have followed him since he burst onto the scene in his debut year. He’s played well all season, having fewer than 25 disposals on just one occasion, and always seemed to lift in last quarters and big moments.
Ranked third in total contested possessions, eighth in total inside 50s.
Six selections: Round 6, Round 11, Round 13, Round 14, Round 16, Round 18.

Bailey Dale (Western Bulldogs)
Luke Beveridge’s decision to re-cast Bailey Dale as a half back flanker was one of the positional moves of the year. Having played good footy in fits and starts as a medium forward or winger, Dale immediately looked right at home in defence, with his long, accurate kicking lending itself perfectly to the role. A massive chance for a debut All-Australian guernsey.
Ranked seventh in total kicks, eighth in total metres gained.
Four selections: Round 5, Round 10, Round 16, Round 20.

Clayton Oliver (Melbourne)
Clayton Oliver became one of the most complete midfielders in the game this season, with his impact reaching far beyond his long-standing capability in the clinches. Not only did Oliver win more clearances and contested possessions than anyone else, but he began to use his pace to burst away from contests, gaining more territory and regularly hitting the scoreboard for the Demons.
Ranked first in total contested possessions, first in total clearances, sixth in total score involvements, eighth in total inside 50s.
Six selections: Round 2, Round 8, Round 10, Round 17, Round 19, Round 20 .

STIFF TO MISS
Touk Miller (Gold Coast), Sam Walsh (Carlton), David Mundy (Fremantle), Sean Darcy (Fremantle), Alex Keath (Western Bulldogs), Christian Petracca (Melbourne), Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide), Charlie Cameron (Brisbane), Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne), Paul Seedsman (Adelaide).