AFL Cairns: Our 2024 team of the season so far
Check out our 2024 team of the season so far. The dominant forwards in sensational form, the classy midfielders and the defenders anchoring their team’s backlines. See the full side
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With round 11 of the AFL Cairns 2024 season done and dusted.
We take a look at the A grade players of the competition and combine them into the mid-year team of the season.
Four premiership contenders clearly stand out from the rest of the competition to date.
The hardest task proved to be choosing between the numerous high-quality inside midfielders of the league.
There were enough contenders to make a 22 in itself and although it would have been easy to sneak a couple extra on the wings, we decided to name two pure wingers.
Key-Backs
Ryan Nyhuis (Cutters)
Ex-AFL defender Ryan Nyhuis was an easy selection in the backline.
The former Docker has been key pillar in Cutters surge to top of the table.
Nyhuis ability to come off his man and intercept possession has been crucial, while he is a classy player that is rarely beaten one-on-one.
He is first for intercept marks (24) with the highest average (3 per game).
A member of the Cutters leadership group, he averages high disposals for a backman with 21 possessions per game, while kicking at 82.9 per cent.
The key defender turned ruckman was the game changer on Anzac Day when he powered his side back from 40 points down to defeat the Tigers.
Cooper Cartledge (Tigers)
Tigers full-back Cooper Cartledge has been in outstanding form and proven to be the anchor of the Tigers backline structure.
Often shutting down the opposition’s marquee forward, Cartledge is a nightmare for forwards.
Currently equal-second in the competition in intercept marks with 23 (2.3 per game) and is Tigers fifth highest possession winner (18.1 possessions per game) showing his influence on the side.
Played one of his best games against the Crocs in round two with 34 disposals, nine intercept marks and five spoils.
Nicholas Johnson (Lions)
After injuries derailed Nicholas Johnson’s 2023 season, he has asserted himself as one of the premier key defenders of the competition in 2024.
Johnson’s physicality and reading of the game make him extremely difficult for forwards to get around, while he is a consistent kick out of defence with 82.7 per cent efficiency.
He is equal second for intercept marks (23) averaging 2.5 per game.
Not shy of a big-game either, he was one of Lions best against Crocs in the opening round and Tigers in round six.
Half-Backs
Liam McCarthy (Cutters)
Might have the best left boot in the competition.
Liam McCarthy has been a ball magnet for the Cutters again this season, averaging 26.4 possessions a game.
McCarthy ranked third at the Cutters for inside 50s (41) and second for intercept marks (14).
A consistent rebounder, he has rotated through the midfield this season, using his pinpoint kicking to expose opposition.
Hayden Spiller (Tigers)
A consistent hybrid defender for the Tigers, Hayden Spiller racks up possession while using his rocket right boot to damaging effect.
A strong one-on-one competitor who hates to beaten, Spiller is at his best when he plays a largely loose role for the Tigers, aided by fellow defender Will Peterson who was closely considered.
Third leading possession-winner for his side with 19.9 disposals per game and third for intercept marks (12).
Had a team-high 23 disposals in the upset victory over the Cutters in round 10 and a crucial cog in Tigers strong backline.
Branden Deslandes (Lions)
A very talented footballer, Branden Deslandes has racked up possessions across the back half and used his burst and elite kicking skill to damaging effect.
Second for Lions in possessions with 28.75 per game and second in intercept marks (19).
He had a game-high 39 disposals, 6 marks and 5 tackles against the Saints in round seven.
His game included a quality third quarter goal from just inside 50.
Narrowly edged out teammate Mitchell Hunter.
Midfield
Liam Brandt (Crocs)
Simply put, Liam Brandt has been unstoppable in 2024.
Brandt leads the competition in disposals (32.8 per game), clearances (7.4 per game) and inside 50s (9.7 per game).
He rotates on the half-forward line to great effect with 15 goals for the season.
The former Crathern Medalist booted five goals to go with 25 disposals, six clearances and seven tackles in a best on ground performance against the Tigers in round nine.
He backed it up in round 10 with 37 disposals, three goals, nine marks, eight tackles and six clearances against the CTB Bulldogs.
Tyler Roos (Cutters)
A huge recruit in the off-season for Daryn Cresswell’s new look Cutters team.
Former Southport Shark Tyler Roos is averaging 34.9 disposals (competition high), 6.8 clearances and four tackles per game.
His polish in midfield and elite kicking is a crucial reason why Cutters are first in disposals, contested and uncontested possessions this season.
He was awarded best on ground on Anzac Day against the Tigers with 36 disposals, eight marks and six clearances.
Daniel Charlesworth (Lions)
Daniel Charlesworth returned to his junior club in the off-season and has been nothing short of sensational.
An intercept defender for majority of his career, Lions coach Aaron Davey decided to shift Charlesworth on-ball in pre-season and he’s added another dimension to their inside midfield group.
With his movement between the arcs, he uses his height and agility as a marking option in attack or intercept mark on defence.
He is averaging 26.3 disposals, 12.2 contested possessions (fourth in the competition) and 6.2 clearances (fifth in the competition).
He leads the Lions in both clearances and tackles.
Ruck
Matt Eagles (Lions)
Ex-AFL ruckman Matt Eagles has been the standout big man of the competition.
The former Brisbane Lion is averaging 25.1 hit-outs per game to go with eight goals (1.1 goals a game) for the season.
Lions are ranked number one in the competition for hit outs with Eagles combining with Liam Read for a one-two punch.
CTB Bulldogs are second in the competition and 204cm rising star Caiden Gardiner (30.1 hit outs per game) narrowly missed out in his first season in seniors.
Wings
Josh Lea (Crocs)
The best winger in the competition, Josh Lea has consistently run hard between the arcs.
Now in his eleventh season, Lea has been crucial to Crocs structure.
He is constantly an outlet for his side coming out of defence, particularly through kick-ins and sneaks forward for a number of goal assists.
Averaging 20.2 disposals (Crocs sixth highest) and three tackles for the season.
Brandon Lovell (Lions)
A running machine, Brandon Lovell rarely has a poor game.
Consistently hard at the footy and a tough tackler.
One of the most experienced players at the Lions, Lovell is averaging 16.1 disposals and two tackles for the season.
Half-Forwards
Fitzroy Greenwool
An electrifying forward of the competition, Fitzroy Greenwool has been a goal machine in 2024.
With 25 goals to date (3.1 goals per game), he currently sits equal-third in the race for the Matthew Walsh medal.
Often overlooked, Greenwool also brings tremendous forward half pressure (averages 4.5 tackles) to this Tigers team and is a key reason North Cairns are ranked the number one tackling side.
Joseph Ugle
One of the superstar recruits of the season, Joseph Ugle has been an excitement machine in 2024.
Fierce in the contest and capable of playing all over the ground, Ugle is second at the Cutters for tackles (31), clearances (49) and is second in contested possessions (95) to go with his nine goals for the season.
Finds a way to be clean through traffic and is one of the unique players of the competition.
Brett McKeown
Spending majority of his career as an ultra-competitive defender.
Seven-time premiership Croc Brett McKeown transitioned into midfield after building his tank for a Brisbane marathon.
He has been revelation for the Crocs with his elite gut-running, pressure around the contest and ability to hit the scoreboard.
He’s seventh in the competition for goals and second at the Crocs with 20 for the season (2 goals a game), while is second in the competition for inside 50s (76) and third at the club for tackles (46).
Key-Forwards
Damien Hill
An X-factor player of the competition, Damien Hill has spearheaded the Cutters in the forward line.
An immensely difficult one-on-one match-up, Hill is known for his leap and strong marking.
He makes charging leads up the wing to help his side get field position, while consistently making a contest in the forward 50.
Despite missing three games this season, he is third in the league for forward 50 marks (26), fourth for contested marks (18) to go with his 18 goals for the season (2.6 goals a game).
Kye Chapple
After battling injuries to start the season, Chapple has crawled his way back to become the leading goalkicker of the competition.
A sharpshooter with a strong mark, his anticipation for where the ball will be and footy smarts are huge factors why he has over 1000 goals to his name.
With 34 goals (averaging 4.5 a game), he is second in the competition for contested marks (19) and forward 50 marks (38), booting a season-high 12 goals against CTB Bulldogs in 10.
Tyron Rainbird
Key forwards don’t always end up with MVP honours but Tyron Rainbird should be in contention for the 2024 Crathern Medal.
Rainbird has dominated opposition, from round six to nine, he booted 22 goals often against teams that would double, if not triple him in the forward line.
Leads the competition in forward 50 marks (45), contested marks (25) and spent the majority of the season as the leading goalkicker with 33 goals until Chapple surpassed him over the weekend.
Interchange
Rory Tarlington
‘Two storey Rory’ has played just about every position in 2024. Tigers coach Sam Hughes experimented with Tarlington in the forward line to kick start the season where he booted a season-high four goals (14 for the season) against Crocs in round two in an unstoppable performance. Now primarily a key defender again, he had a day out in the upset victory over the Cutters in round 10 with 23 disposals, 10 marks (six intercept) and four spoils.
Tom Fields
One of the star recruits of the off-season, the former Carlton Blue has been an impactful player to say the least under Daryn Cresswell in 2024. Similar to Tarlington, he was worthy of a spot in the starting 18 but difficult to place in a particular position. The former Southport Shark has attended majority of centre bounces but plays a bit of a quarterback role for the Cutters. Racking up possessions and dictating play using his booming right boot. Isn’t afraid to have a crack at goal from outside 60 and has had a few stunning goals over the year.
Ben Mcphee
Crocs captain Ben Mcphee was the in-form player of the competition in the opening rounds of the season.
A consistent cog in the Crocs tough midfield group, Mcphee leads from the front as their best defensive midfielder while he still hits the scoreboard with 14 goals for the year (third highest scoring midfielder).
Averaging 22.4 disposals at 75.2 per cent efficiency, 4.7 tackles and 4.2 clearances.
Beau Flint
Contested beast Beau Flint has had a remarkable year to date. Flint has had multiple best on ground performances including 28 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances against the Tigers in round six (awarded the Cockatoo Medal).
Tough as nails while always putting in a strong shift on the defensive end, Flint has combined with Charlesworth to form a strong midfield duo for Lions this season.
Flint is averaging 24.8 disposals, 4.4 inside 50s and three tackles per game.
23rd Man
Chris Novy
In his first year as club captain, Chris Novy has been a bright spark for the Saints despite their struggles this season.
After managing only three games in 2023, Novy returned after an exhausting pre-season and has slotted straight into the midfield.
A high-quality footballer, his poise under pressure and ability to slot goals has particularly stood out.
He is the Saints second leading goalkicker with 10 (1.4 goals a game), while averaging 27.7 disposals, 5.3 clearances and 5.9 inside 50s.
Novy unfortunately injured his arm against the Tigers in round eight and will likely miss the remainder of the season.
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Originally published as AFL Cairns: Our 2024 team of the season so far
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