BACKS
Alan Toovey
I played state under-18s with Tooves. He is a defender with pace and good skills, plays a shutdown role at the Pies and performs consistently week in and week out. He also provides good drive out of defence.
 
Eric Mackenzie
A tall defender who plays on the best forward most weeks and does the job well for West Coast. He has good pace for a big boy and is a regular starter in the Eagles' best 22.
 
Travis Casserly
A medium defender who has a big tank and can run hard all day. He has a long kick and can hurt the opposition with his rebound off the backline.
 
HALF-BACKS
Garrick Ibbotson
I played state under-16s and 18s with Ibbo and he’s doing very well at Freo. He runs and breaks the lines all day and has great skills. A defender who covers the ground well and sets up a lot of Fremantle’s drive off the backline.
 
Patrick Ryder
Big Paddy is a great athlete and can play anywhere. He is very hard to match up on because of his mobility. Paddy had a great season last year and will only get better as the years go by.
 
Matt Riggio
Another one from Peel Thunder and a schoolmate. Riggsy is a versatile player who can adapt in many positions but he also has a great tank. A very valuable teammate who played some good games at North Melbourne.
 
CENTRES
Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls
Played state under-16s and 18s with me and was very quick. He has great skills and can have an impact down back or up forward.
 
Andrew Swallow
Andrew was our under-18s captain for WA and has some great leadership qualities to go with his on-field talent. It’s no surprise he won North Melbourne’s best and fairest in 2009. He’s a tough in-and-under midfielder who wins a lot of ball and gets others involved in the game. Andrew has a bright future ahead of him.
 
Kristin Thornton
Kristin won our best and fairest at Peel Thunder in our premiership year. He has the ability to tag or win his own ball and has shown at the Swans he can play either of those roles and do it well. His approach to football is very professional.
 
HALF-FORWARDS
Leroy Jetta
Similar to Eddie Betts, Leroy is dangerous around goal and has pace to burn. He is very agile and hard to play on. Unfortunately Leroy’s had some injury troubles at the Bombers but when fit he has the ability to trouble opposition defenders.
 
Scott Gumbleton
Gumby is an old mate of mine from footy and cricket plus we used to live together. He’s finally got his body right and is starting to string a few games together and find some form. Scotty runs like a midfielder and has good skills for someone who’s 197cm. He can take a great grab and has a bright future at Essendon.
 
Clayton Collard
Another lively type in the forward line, Clayton can take a good mark and is good below his knees. Highly skilled, Clayton dominated juniors and was part of our under-18 state team.
 
FORWARDS
Mitch Clark
Clarky’s a great athlete and showed last year that he can play anywhere for the Brisbane Lions, but was a standout in the ruck. He’s very mobile for a big man and is an excellent kick.
 
Josh Kennedy
Josh has really settled in well at West Coast after a couple of years with me at the Blues. He has a terrific work rate and great skills for a big man and is still one the hardest players I’ve played on. He will definitely be one of the best power forwards in the competition in the future.
 
Kyle Wilson
Another Peel Thunder teammate and school mate at Frederick Irwin Anglican School. Big Willow had all the makings of a great footballer but was run down by injuries. He’s a good overhead mark and can play in a number of positions. Currently playing for Halls Head FC and from all reports is killing it.

FOLLOWERS
Matthew Leuenberger
Big Leuey is another mobile, athletic ruckman who covers the ground well. He has also had injury troubles but is back on track and performing well this season for the Brisbane Lions. He will be a good ruckman for many years to come.
 
Hayden Ballantyne
Ballantyne is a sharp player with great skills who dominated the WAFL before getting his chance at Fremantle. He is playing great football at the moment and hurting the opposition on the scoreboard. He’s another hard player to mark due to his speed and agility.
 
Ben Howlett
Benny’s a highly skilled midfielder who is very professional and a great team player. It’s been good to see him get a chance at the Bombers where he has shown he’s capable at this level. A part of the Peel colts premiership year in 2005, Ben has a great future ahead of him.
 
INTERCHANGE
Danny Chartres
A tall defender who is rarely beaten and has a long left-foot kick. Chartres consistently performs well and dominates in the WAFL.
 
Luke Bower
I had to include my younger brother in my best 22. I haven’t had the chance to play with him but he’s a strong marking forward with a big left-foot kick. At the moment he’s trying to make it through the ranks as a soccer player but would have been a handy footballer too. Is also a keen golfer but definitely needs some work on his swing!  
 
Ryan Nye
A medium-sized defender with great skills who gives plenty of run and drive. Another former Thunder teammate who played a big part in our first colts premiership.
 
Riki Barron
Rick was unlucky with injury in our junior days but played some great games at Peel. He has great athleticism and is quite mobile for his size. He is also playing down at the Mandurah Mustangs and performing well.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.