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...
5. Full Teams
Unfortunately, the result of this heavyweight battle will be forever unknown, but a simple glance at either side shows that neither one has a distinctive edge or obvious advantage that would lead to a certain victory.
The league has come a long way since the days of the exclusive VFL competition.
With Tasmania entering the fold in the near future, experiments like these may soon be flipped to have a clear interstate advantage, gradually fading the notion of the Vic-leaning status as the competition expands further.
Here's how the two side line-up and the coaches that would lead them:
Victoria:
FB:ย Callum Wilkie, Jacob Weitering, James Sicily
HB:ย Jack Sinclair, Darcy Moore, Nick Daicos
C:ย Josh Daicos, Marcus Bontempelli (c), Nic Martin
HF:ย Christian Petracca, Charlie Curnow, Gryan Miers
FF:ย Luke Breust, Nick Larkey, Dustin Martin
R:ย Tim English, Tom Liberatore, Zach Merrett
I/C:ย Jack Viney, Jeremy Cameron, Isaac Quaynor, Tom Stewart
Coach:ย Craig McRae
Notable absentees: Nic Newman, Adam Cerra, Kyle Langford, Jai Newcombe,ย Will Day, Max Gawn, Steven May, Tim Taranto, Mason Wood, Kysaiah Pickett, Tom Hawkins
The Rest:
FB:ย Luke Ryan, Sam Taylor, Nick Blakey
HB:ย Daniel Houston, Harris Andrews, Jordan Dawson
C:ย Josh Kelly, Tom Green, Errol Gulden
HF:ย Toby Greene (c), Oscar Allen, Connor Rozee
FF:ย Joe Daniher, Taylor Walker, Charlie Cameron
R:ย Luke Jackson, Zak Butters, Lachie Neale
I/C:ย Lachie Whitfield, Tim Kelly, Noah Anderson, Caleb Serong
Coach:ย Adam Kingsley
Notable absentees: Rory Laird, Izak Rankine, Matt Rowell, Stephen Coniglio, Kieren Briggs Brent Daniels, Sam Powell-Pepper, Hayden Young