{"id":116081,"date":"2022-09-07T16:16:54","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T06:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=116081"},"modified":"2022-09-07T16:16:57","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T06:16:57","slug":"2022-rmc-nab-league-team-of-the-year-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2022\/09\/07\/2022-rmc-nab-league-team-of-the-year-announced\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 RMC NAB League Team of the Year announced"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE 2022 Rookie Me Central NAB League Team of the Year has been announced, with 24 of the competition’s finest players making the cut. After the initial squad of 48<\/a> was compiled last week, the final team comes together with awards season in full swing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the season, 183 players earned nominations via our teams of the week, making them eligible for selection here. Players who won at least five nominations were automatic entrants, while a selection of the most highly touted draft prospects fill out the remaining team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rookie Me Central medallist<\/a> Aaron Cadman<\/a> leads the team as captain, slotting in at full forward having won a high of nine team of the week entries. Fellow top talent Will Ashcroft<\/a> also features having earned eight nominations, alongside Lachlan Cowan<\/a> and Noah Bradshaw<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We break down the team line by line, providing an insight into just why each player made the cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> TOP 30: September Power Rankings update<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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DEFENDERS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

B: <\/strong>Finn Emile-Brennan<\/a> (DS)<\/strong> – Ryan Eyers<\/a> (MB)<\/strong> – Harvey Gallagher<\/a> (BP)<\/strong>
HB: <\/strong>Lachlan Cowan<\/a> (TD)<\/strong> – Lewis Hayes<\/a> (ER) <\/strong>– Jason Gillbee<\/a> (BP)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dynamic defence features mobile key position players, ample marking support, and running rebounders who certainly catch the eye. At almost 200cm, Ryan Eyers <\/strong>and Lewis Hayes<\/strong> can mark and use the ball with composure, taking up key position slots in our hypothetical backline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adding a great deal of versatility to the lineup is Jason Gillbee<\/strong>, who finds his spot at half-back having featured on all three lines this year. Fellow Bendigo Pioneers leader Harvey Gallagher<\/strong> comes in on the last line, having produced remarkable form in a new role towards the back-end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tasmania Devils skipper Lachlan Cowan<\/strong> was a lock for the other half-back flank after his outstanding campaign for his state. He, and Finn Emile-Brennan <\/strong>are outstanding rebounders with damaging kicking skills who have been consistent figures in our teams of the week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bendigo’s Harvey Gallagher enjoyed a stellar end to the season | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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MIDFIELDERS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

C: <\/strong>Elijah Tsatas<\/a> (OC)<\/strong> – Henry Hustwaite<\/a> (DS)<\/strong> – Colby McKercher<\/a> (TD)<\/strong>
FOL: <\/strong>Toby Murray<\/a> (MB)<\/strong> – Will Ashcroft<\/a> (SD)<\/strong> – Jhye Clark<\/a> (GF)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The midfield is always the toughest line to pick, and it was hardly any different this year with such a stacked group of on-ballers in the NAB League. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, leading AFL Draft prospect Will Ashcroft <\/strong>features at the heart of midfield, roving next to Vic Country and Geelong adversary, Jhye Clark.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set to lock horns in this month’s National Championship decider, the pair skippered their respective NAB League regions in remarkably consistent campaigns. Dandenong’s Henry Hustwaite<\/strong> rounds out the centre bounce mix alongside Murray ruck Toby Murray<\/strong>, who was an automatic entrant for his repeat team of the week nominations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s some excitement on the outside too. Oakleigh jet Elijah Tsatas<\/strong>, who starred in that position early in the season, features on the opposite wing to Tasmanian Colby McKercher<\/strong>. The speedy midfielder is the first bottom-ager in our side and like Tsatas, can also play on the inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Will Ashcroft is this year’s leading AFL Draft prospect | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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FORWARDS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HF: <\/strong>Harry Sheezel<\/a> (SD) <\/strong>– Nate Caddy<\/a> (NK)<\/strong> – Bailey Humphrey<\/a> (GP)<\/strong>
F:<\/strong> Zane Duursma<\/a> (GP)<\/strong> – Aaron Cadman<\/a> (GWV)<\/strong> – Charlie Clarke<\/a> (SD)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is X-factor and goals galore among our front six. League leading goalkicker, Aaron Cadman<\/strong> skippers the team from full forward and has some likely types surrounding him. Nate Caddy<\/strong>, the second bottom-ager to feature, comes in at centre half-forward for his exciting marking displays in Northern Knights colours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bailey Humphrey<\/strong> headlines a group of flankers and pockets who can all run through midfield. His feats either side of an untimely injury put him well within contention, starting on a flank opposite to mercurial Sandringham goalsneak Harry Sheezel<\/strong>. Despite spending time on-ball, his home lies inside attacking 50.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pair are joined by teammates in the forward line. Making it a trio of starting bottom-agers is Zane Duursma<\/strong>, who has another big year ahead of him for the Power. Crafty Dragon Charlie Clarke<\/strong> rounds out the mix, bringing his creativity and nose for goal to a stacked group of six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aaron Cadman skippers the side | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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INTERCHANGE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Noah Bradshaw<\/a> (MB)<\/strong>, Taj Campbell-Farrell<\/a> (DS)<\/strong>, Jacob Konstanty<\/a> (GP)<\/strong>, Harley Reid<\/a> (BP)<\/strong>, Jed Rule<\/a> (OC)<\/strong>, Mitch Szybkowski<\/a> (DS)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three automatic entrants front a talented interchange bench, making the cut on the back of commendably consistent seasons. Namely, they are Murray Bushrangers midfielder Noah Bradshaw<\/strong>, Dandenong Stingrays on-baller Taj Campbell-Farrell<\/strong>, and tall Oakleigh Chargers defender Jed Rule<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gippsland Power livewire Jacob Konstanty<\/strong> could easily have made the starting side, if not for how stacked the forward line is, and the same can be said for bottom-age dynamo Harley Reid<\/strong>. Both fared well in a mostly midfield-forward rotation for their respective sides, while prolific ball winner Mitch Szybkowski<\/a> rounds out the six after strong performances either side of school football commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jacob Konstanty lit up the NAB League this year | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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