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Best 22

By OTP Staff

áAussie Rules is renowned as a game traditionally played by all types, whether they be tall or short, strong or slight, fast or slow (to a point!). So to celebrate Round 1 of the AFL season, I have put together a 'Best 22' of some of my favourite racehorses - both from the annals of history and today - in the hope of achieving that perfect balance of speed, endurance, commitment to the contest and flair required of a premiership team.áB: Leica Falcon; Tears I Cry; NortherlyHB: Vintage Crop; Cris

Aussie Rules is renowned as a game traditionally played by all types, whether they be tall or short, strong or slight, fast or slow (to a point!). So to celebrate Round 1 of the AFL season, I have put together a 'Best 22' of some of my favourite racehorses - both from the annals of history and today - in the hope of achieving that perfect balance of speed, endurance, commitment to the contest and flair required of a premiership team.

B: Leica Falcon; Tears I Cry; Northerly
HB: Vintage Crop; Crisp; Riceman
C: Manikato; Vo Rogue (c); Takeover Target
HF: Black Caviar; Karasi; Ajax
F: Malua; Redoute's Choice; Dandy Andy
R: Holy Roller; Shadow King; Sunline (vc)
I: All Silent; Drongo; Bold Bard
Sub: Bold Personality

Backs:

LEICA FALCON
Talented long-striding backman whose career has been crueled by both injury and a clearance scandal. Most recent comeback may well be his last...

TEARS I CRY
Unheralded close-checking full-back best remembered for match-winning spoil on all-conquering Weekend Hussler in '97 Grand Final. Hasn't done a lot since but continues to get games on reputation.

NORTHERLY
Iron-willed Western Australian left-footer whose 'no frills' style has repeatedly worn-down the best (though Sydney failures indicate he is less effective when forced onto his right boot). Ill-discipline has also seen his career tempered by suspensions for fighting.

VINTAGE CROP
Irish recruit who picked up the game quickly and amazed locals with an extraordinary debut. Also a state-level junior high jumper which has assisted his aerial game.

CRISP
Courageous centre-half-back equipped with huge leap, despite often turning up for games overweight.

RICEMAN
Evergreen flanker whose precise foot-skills are a feature, especially in wet conditions. Now in the twilight of his career and at his third club but has never played better.

Centres:

MANIKATO
Uncompromising and quick wingman who spends more time recovering in the ice baths than most. Tough match-winner.

VO ROGUE (c)
Universally-respected captain who leads by example.

TAKEOVER TARGET
Evasive goal-kicking wingman with devastating turn of speed. Has successfully made the extraordinary transition from Queanbeyan 2nds to the AFL.

Onballers:

HOLY ROLLER
Gargantuan ruckman who cuts a most intimidating figure around the stoppages. Also uses his height and weight to his advantage when resting forward.

SHADOW KING
Preeminent tagger in the game whose elite endurance has allowed him to assume a run-with role on stars like Phar Lap and Peter Pan throughout a long career. Can be relied upon to shadow the opposition's best player.

SUNLINE (vc)
Triple Brownlow-Medallist with a huge engine. Excellent leader who works tirelessly at the coalface.

Forwards:

BLACK CAVIAR
Incredibly gifted young athlete who injects some raw speed into the forward line. Father's lifelong links with champion coach Kevin Sheedy also ensure elite tactical nous. Future Hall of Famer.

KARASI
High-marking tall with prodigious leap and outstanding aerobic capacity. Never stops presenting and really straightens up the side. Back from cross-code stint in J-League.

AJAX
Confident and clean in front of the big sticks, once going a league-record 18 straight matches without missing. Reportedly close with the coach and believed to have been responsible for orchestrating the bitter trade of one-time teammate Spear Chief.

MALUA
Tough and versatile Tasmanian who can play any position on the ground. Often called upon to plug holes when injury strikes.

REDOUTE'S CHOICE
Flasy forward who just can't stop 'scoring'. Highest paid player in the game whose 'party boy' status hasn't yet detracted from his performances.

DANDY ANDY
Underrate goal sneak with a knack for stealing matches from more fancied opponents. Crowd loves to hate him.

Interchange:

ALL SILENT
Powerful late-finisher who has single-handedly lifted his team over the line late to decide tight contests. Fantastic impact player coming off the bench.

DRONGO
Battler thin on talent regarded as the heart and sould of the side. Cult figure amongst the fans.

BOLD BARD
Dour defensive midfielder who runs all day. Lacks acceleration and polish in his disposal but has great stamina and is an important part of the midfield rotation.

Substitute:

BOLD PERSONALITY
Can be called upon to replace teammates of lesser ability when the prize is on the line. Famously played without socks in '84 but still managed to do the job.