One of the worst truths in sport is that players are going to suffer injuries and will have time cut off from their careers.
Injuries are a very real thing and they're something every team needs to deal with. The 2018 season was a reminder of how often such unfortunate events can happen.
Every team had an elite star suffer time on the sidelines and needed to deal with fixing their team on the fly. Here at Zero Hanger, we don't forget a player when they go down with an injury.
Here are the best 22 players who are currently sidelined with an injury:
FB: Sam Docherty (vc) Daniel Talia Jake Lever
A very smart, solid line of defence which will very rarely make a mistake in the opposing teams forward 50.
HB: Shaun Burgoyne Steven May Harris Andrews
A tenacious half back line which would deny the ball from the best opposition. Again, a smart group of players who can be relied upon in big games.
C: Tom Liberatore Marcus Bontempelli Tom Scully
Solid run from all three players. All hard in the pack or effective with the boot on the outside. Any gameplan would work with such a talented trio.
HF: Orazio Fantasia Tom Lynch Charlie Cameron
A lot of goal scoring from the half forward line. Lynch is impeccable in the air and packaging him with elite crumbers can make any defence shiver.
FF: Jamie Elliot Joe Daniher Josh Bruce
A very strong forward line with all three players capable of something special in the air. All three solid one-on-one talent who can be easily impact the scoreboard if given their space.
RR: Nic Naitanui Adam Treloar Nat Fyfe (c)
An undeniable midfield. Whatever these three men want to do with the ball, they will find a way to do it. A nightmare for an opposition coach.
I: Easton Wood Jarrod McVeigh David Zaharakis Matthew Kreuzer
A solid interchange which can affect them game all over the ground. If the starters aren't getting it done, there's more than enough firepower from the second unit.
Full-Team:
FB: Sam Docherty (vc) Daniel Talia Jake Lever
HB: Shaun Burgoyne Steven May Harris Andrews
C: Tom Liberatore Marcus Bontempelli Jarrod McVeigh
HF: Orazio Fantasia Tom Lynch Charlie Cameron
FF: Jamie Elliot Joe Daniher Josh Bruce
RR: Nic Naitanui Adam Treloar Nat Fyfe (c)
I: Easton Wood Tom Scully David Zaharakis Matthew Kreuzer
Notable outs: Brett Deledio, Matt Suckling, Aaron Hall, Mitchell McGovern, Jake Stringer, Aaron Sandilands, Paddy Ryder