We've compiled the lists for a hypothetical 2023 AFL match between Victoria and 'The Rest' of Australia to see how the best of each looks on paper.
Some of the many snubs of this year's All-Australian team finally receive their plaudits with selection in this experiment, while some members make this team in an adjusted role to fit in the fringe players.
This piece will compare the positional groups of each side, making judgements on superiority where possible, but leaving the end result up for debate.
Here are what the two sides could look like...
2. Midfielders
Starting with the rucks, it's hard to top Tim English's 2023 campaign at the Dogs, despite the dynamic versatility of Luke Jackson on the other side.
The onball comparison is impossible to judge. Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore and Zach Merrett against Tom Green, Zak Butters and Lachie Neale.
Liberatore and Green are the in & under grunt machines with two of the best pairs of hands in the competition and a fair amount of outside class.
Merrett's smarts and defensive accountability is matched by Butters' toughness and skill in any conditions.
Bontempelli and Neale provide the champion presence. Both have just about every midfield trait covered to an elite degree, with Bontempelli's speed and Neale's kicking probably being the minor exceptions.
Josh Daicos and Nic Martin match up against Josh Kelly and Errol Gulden on the wings. All four bring more elite ball-use and a goal-kicking knack. The outside edge goes to Gulden and Kelly through sheer volume of numbers and status within their own clubs.