Fresh faces in All-Australian frame
West Coast could finish with more players in this year's All-Australian squad than rivals Fremantle despite missing the finals, with Eric Mackenzie and Matt Priddis both deserving of their inaugural jumpers.
Mackenzie and Priddis are in the initial 40-man squad and have been selected at centre half-back and on the interchange bench in _The West Australian _'s preferred All-Australian team after both enjoyed career-best seasons.
The duo played every game.
Mackenzie showed an improved capacity to nullify the opposition's best power forward each week despite West Coast's midfield being viewed as an area of concern.
The 26-year-old finished with 159 marks - the fourth best in the AFL - and blanketed the likes of Lance Franklin and Jay Schulz.
He was chosen alongside Cale Hooker (Essendon) and Daniel Talia (Adelaide) as one of three tall defenders.
Priddis' 627 disposals were the most by any player in the AFL this year.
The 29-year-old was in the league's top five for clearances and contested possessions to show he deserved recognition.
Fremantle pair Aaron Sandilands and Nat Fyfe have been chosen as the ruckman and ruck-rover respectively.
However, the Dockers giant could still be overlooked when the official team is announced tonight, with Adelaide's Sam Jacobs fancied by many as the preferred ruckman.
Sandilands makes the cut in _The West Australian's _team based on his impact on matches this season.
The 31-year-old finished with 798 hit-outs - the most in the AFL - at an average of 38 a game.
He comfortably won his only direct battle with Jacobs in round 12, having twice as many hit-outs, more disposals and more clearances in a 40-point win.
Fyfe's selection for his first All-Australian guernsey is automatic.
He was this year's AFL Players' Association MVP, averaged 27 disposals and seven clearances and kicked 21 goals despite missing four matches through suspension.
Hayden Ballantyne is the one WA-based nomination from the All-Australian squad that is not expected to make the final team.
His 49 goals placed him 10th in the AFL, but the flexibility and scoring power offered by Luke Breust (53 goals), Jarryd Rough- ead (62) and Jack Gunston (51) pushed the brilliant Hawthorn trio ahead of Fremantle's pocket rocket.
Minor premiers Sydney and Hawthorn each have a deserved four inclusions.
Young Swans midfielder Luke Parker was favoured for the final spot on the interchange bench ahead of Dustin Martin (Richmond), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) and Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn) after a breakout season in which he averaged 26 disposals, kicked 21 goals and laid 134 tackles - the seventh most in the league.
Martin and Brent Harvey kicked 27 goals for the season.
