Ahead of Thursday night’s All Australian Team announcement, four GIANTS have been named in AFL Media’s Team of the Year.
Defender and vice-captain Heath Shaw, forward Toby Greene and midfielders Tom Scully and Stephen Coniglio were all selected in the team, which is captained by Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield.
The quartet, along with co-captain Callan Ward, has also all been selected in the 2016 Virgin Australia All Australian 40-man Squad.
Shaw has backed up his 2015 All Australian form with another exceptional year in the GIANTS’ backline and has been selected in the team at right half-back.
The 30-year-old averaged 24.5 disposals and 7.8 marks per game in 2016, and is considered one of the best intercept marks in the competition.
Scully has established himself as the GIANTS’ most damaging wingmen, kicking 21goals this season while averaging 24.6 disposals per game.
His efforts in running along the wings of Spotless Stadium haven’t gone un-noticed, selected on the right wing.
Greene has stood out this season in his new role as a small forward; kicking 39 goals while being ranked equal second in the AFL for score assists.
The hard tackling forward earned his selection in the AFL’s Team of the Year at left half-forward.
Coniglio has stood-out in 2016 as the GIANTS’ leading shut down player, while also collecting an average of 28.1 disposals per-game.
The 22-year-old is in contention for All Australian selection and was selected in the AFL Players Association’s 22 under 22 50-man squad.
HEATH SHAW
Led the League for kicks and had 31 more rebounds 50s than his nearest rival, while having the most metres gained by a defender at 567 per match.
TOM SCULLY
Averaged 24.6 disposals and four tackles per game this season, had the equal sixth most goal assists in the league and ranked eight for total inside 50s, while kicking 21 goals from the wing.
TOBY GREENE
Had a breakout season and played his role as a high half-forward to perfection. Greene kicked 39 goals himself, tied for the second most goal assists in the competition, and was ranked third for total inside 50s, all while gathering 21.5 touches a game.
STEPHEN CONIGLIO
Despite being the GIANTS No.1 shut down player, broke the season record for disposals at the GIANTS (tied with Dylan Shiel) with 591 at 28.1 per game, was ranked second at the club for clearances and has the fifth most goal assists in the competition, while booting 11 himself.
