If only one player from each team could be selected for an ultimate starting 18 who would make the cut?

This thought experiment only permits one individual per team to fill out a hypothetical starting lineup, based on playing positions.

Deciding who is likely to make such a squad is easier when assessing the league's bottom sides, but becomes increasingly more difficult as you make your way up the ladder and start to break down the best players from premiership contenders.

So this begs the question, would your side's best player be a lock or would they be forced to make way for a teammate in another position?

We at Zero Hanger have weighed in on this great debate and come up with the following starting 18, based on the mentioned criteria.

3. Forwards

Jake Stringer (Essendon)

Stringer is as much of a game-winner for a side as there is in this league, with his combination of strength, explosiveness and goal-kicking ability often putting on a show for the fans.ย 

While the Bombers have a pair of star midfielders amongst their ranks, they fail in comparison to the rest of the onballers in this starting 18, hence Stringer being their best fit.

Josh Kennedy (West Coast)

The Eagles have an assortment of players to choose from, although Kennedy remains the best fit for this list. He remains one of the only players in the league who is quite literally capable of scoring whenever he touches the ball.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Media/Getty Images)

He managed 41 goals this season while playing in a stacked West Coast forward line, and still remains their go-to man when it counts the most.

Dustin Martin (Richmond)

Martin remains the heart and soul of the Tigers, always able to break a game open and is never selfish with the footy, and the three-time Norm Smith medallist has a track record of performing in big games.

DUSTIN MARTIN
Forward
Richmond
2021 SEASON AVG
22.6
Disposals
2.9
Marks
1.2
Goals

Martin is still the Tigers' best, and while not traditionally a forward, he spends enough time up the ground to cement his spot in this hypothetical side.

Toby Greene (Greater Western Sydney)

Greene is ferocious in his pursuit of the footy and smart with his use of it, always managing to generate scores for the Giants, whether that is setting up a teammate in a better position or pinching a few clutch goals.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 07: Toby Greene of the Giants kicks during the AFL 2nd Elimination Final match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Western Bulldogs at GIANTS Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Like Martin, Greene is the heart and soul of this new tough Giants squad, and for this, he can't be overlooked in the making of such a squad.

Harry McKay (Carlton)

The 2021 Coleman medallist finds himself in this 18 due to positional requirements, yes Blues fans both Weitering and Walsh were close to making the list, but we needed a full forward.

Big Harry booted 58 majors this past season, at this point he's the most logical pick for this position.

Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)

Cameron is a game-wrecker up forward for the Lions, with his combination of elite speed, leaping ability and goal-kicking finesse. The Lions do have a host of stars who could've pinched some other spots on this list, however, Cameron's fit in this forward six makes the most sense.

A small forward who managed to boot 55 goals, Cameron really deserves this spot.