WITH the 2017 season at its halfway mark, AFL.com.au reporters have turned their minds to naming each club's contenders for the Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team.
Jeff Garlett: Garlett has put together a stellar season for Melbourne. The speedy forward has kicked a team-leading 25 goals in the most consistent season of his career. The small forward is also ranked second in the AFL out of general forwards for forward-half pressure points.
Michael Hibberd: Missed the first four games due to an Achilles injury, but has been on fire ever since and has picked up where Jayden Hunt left off at the start of the year. The former Bomber has to be considered as one of the recruits of the year after averaging a career-high 28.8 disposals and an AFL-leading 7.3 rebound 50s per game.
Neville Jetta: Criminally underrated, but Jetta is one of Simon Goodwin's most dependable players. The defender regularly gets the match-up on the opposition's most dangerous forward and has consistently curtailed their influence. Has also improved the offensive side of his game over past seasons.
Clayton Oliver: Would be leading Melbourne's best and fairest at the halfway point of the season in a breakout second year at AFL level. Oliver improved his fitness levels dramatically over the off-season and it has fed into his game. The emerging onballer is averaging 30.9 disposals, with six games above 30 touches or more. - Ben Guthrie