With the season hitting its midway point, we take a look at the GIANTS who could be pressing their claims for a place in the 2019 Virgin Australia All Australian team.

Defenders

Phil Davis

The GIANTS captain has been in tremendous form in 2019 and despite missing two matches with an ankle injury, Davis has rarely been beaten down back. Yet to win All Australian honours, this could be the year for Davis who is averaging 8.4 one percenters, 87.1 per cent disposal efficiency and 7.5 marks (considered elite according to AFL Stats Pro). He also sits third in the competition for intercept marks. 

Nick Haynes

High-flying Haynes – who like Davis has missed two games with injury – has been rock solid down back for the GIANTS so far this season. Ranked fifth for intercept marks in the AFL, Haynes is averaging 18.2 disposals per game, not bad for a defender who can also play a shutdown role.

Zac Williams

A key cog in the GIANTS’ machine that sits second on the AFL ladder, Williams’ run and carry off half back has made him one of the best attacking defenders in the competition. Williams is considered elite when it comes to score involvements (averaging 4.7 per game), intercept possessions (7.3 per game) and ground ball gets (6.1 per game). That’s along with averaging 23 disposals (above average for his position) and 5.3 rebound 50s per game.

Midfielders 

Stephen Coniglio

Ranked the 33rd best player in the competition according to the AFL Player Ratings, Coniglio’s impact on-ball and forward cannot be understated. Coniglio could be in line for his first All Australian honours with the 26-year-old averaging 27.7 disposals, 1.3 goals and 4.3 inside 50s (all considered above average). Coniglio sits equal-11th in the2019 Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award with 44 votes.

Josh Kelly

While Kelly missed the first two games of the season, the 2017 All Australian hasn’t missed a beat since and looks on track to claim his second All Australian selection. Sitting ahead of Coniglio in 28th spot on the AFL Player Ratings, Kelly has also claimed two 10-vote games in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award. Averaging 31.1 disposals, 6.1 tackles, 8.6 score involvements and 4.4 inside 50s per game; Kelly is firmly amongst the competition’s elite.

Tim Taranto

There’s no doubt that Taranto is having a break-out year. In his third season, Taranto is averaging 28.5 disposals per game (nearly 10 more than in 2018) and according to AFL Stats Pro is considered elite when it comes to tackling (6.6 per game), pressure acts (24.8) and score involvements (7). If his strong recent form continues in the back end of the season, Taranto could be in line for his first All Australian honours.

Matt de Boer

While de Boer isn’t setting the world on fire with the amount of ball he’s gathering or the goals he’s kicking, the 29-year-old has been mentioned as a possible All Australian selection due to his role as a tagger. Statistically considered the best tagger in the competition, de Boer has beaten some of the best midfielders in the competition including Dustin Martin, Tim Kelly, Patrick Dangerfield, Jaeger O’Meara, Patrick Cripps and Ben Cunnington. With de Boer sidelined for two months with a broken shoulder, he would have to earn his first All Australian selection for his strong first half of the year alone.

Lachie Whitfield

After earning All Australian honours in 2018, Whitfield could be on track to earn back-to-back selection. Whitfield has been averaging an elite 28.3 disposals, 9.7 marks, 3.2 rebound 50s and 485.6 metres gained per game this year in a different role floating up from half-forward. While injuries have restricted him to nine games so far, if Whitfield’s second half of the year is just as strong it’ll be hard not to pick him in the 40-man squad at least. 

Forward

Jeremy Cameron

The current Coleman Medal leader, Jeremy Cameron is shaping up as the GIANTS’ most likely All Australian in 2019. The 2013 All Australian is on track for his most successful season yet (surpassing 63 goals in 2015) with 40 goals in 13 games so far. While Cameron is kicking goals, he’s also finding a lot more of the football in 2019, averaging 16.3 disposals and 7.1 marks this season.