The first month of the season has seen some outstanding form from players all over the ground, with the usual stars of the game continuing their exceptional play from last season while some surprise packets have stepped up and entered the year in blistering form.
At Zero Hanger, we've collated what the All-Australian team might look like after the first month of the season, which is subject to change in the future, but these players have been fantastic to start the year.
In defence, Changkuoth Jiath has picked up where he left off, with his run and carry ability having been a key reason for the Hawks' competitive start to 2022.
Saints defender Jack Sinclair has lifted in 2022 into one of the better defenders in the game, averaging 27.3 disposals and has been one of the Saints' best in driving the ball out of the defensive 50 and displaying great ball use.
The key defensive positions are held by Steven May and Jeremy McGovern, who are no strangers to the All-Australian team. Both have been able to be pillars in defence, taking marks and directing traffic from the back end.
Sam Docherty and Jayden Short round out the back six with their supreme ball-winning ability and ball use, with the two averaging 28 and 28.3 disposals respectively.
In the middle of the ground, Patrick Cripps has returned to his brutal best that has put him in the Brownlow conversation, averaging 25.8 disposals and recording seven goals across the first four games.
The two wings are held by Ed Langdon and Hugh McCluggage, who are two certified wingers who deserve their spot due to their supreme running ability and ball use on the outside of the contest.
The key forwards are Max King and Tom Hawkins in the squad. King has elevated himself into a great young key forward with 13 goals through four games, whilst Hawkins has kicked an equal tally of his own.
Isaac Heeney has had a sublime start for the Swans, averaging 20.3 disposals and has kicked 11 goals already, highlighting his versatility and athletic capabilities in the forward 50.
Christian Petracca, arguably the best player in the game at the moment, makes his way into the side, with his damaging ball use in the middle and in front of the sticks.
The followers see Brodie Grundy enter the squad as the ruckman due to his hit-outs differential and ability to find the footy around the ground and has been the most impressive ruckman throughout the first month of the season.
Clayton Oliver and Lachie Neale are two of the best midfielders in the competition, so there should be no surprises that they make it in the side, and they round out the engine room.
Other notable inclusions include comeback Hawk James Sicily as well as emerging youngsters in Tom Green, Andrew Brayshaw and Luke Jackson.
AFL Team of the Year so far:
FB: Changkuoth Jiath, Steven May, Jayden Short
HB: Jack Sinclair, Jeremy McGovern, Sam Docherty
C: Ed Langdon, Patrick Cripps, Hugh McCluggage
HF: Isaac Heeney, Max King, Christian Petracca
FF: Shai Bolton, Tom Hawkins, Dylan Moore
FOL: Brodie Grundy, Clayton Oliver, Lachie Neale
INT: Andrew Brayshaw, James Sicily, Luke Jackson, Tom Green
