The AFL world has gone into meltdown over the snubbings of several high-profile stars from the All-Australian squad of 44.
And while there were a host of eye-brow raising omissions from the squad, one of the more intriguing decisions by the selectors was to leave out Richmond midfielder Tim Taranto.
Melbourne captain and six-time All Australian Max Gawn was also a big name left on the cutting room floor, as was widely regarded GWS defender Sam Taylor.
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But Taranto was the most controversial, given outspoken commentator and All-Australian selector Kane Cornes had him firmly in his gun earlier in the season.
Taranto crossed from the GWS Giants to Richmond at the end of last season and Cornes was a strong critic of the player, despite the fact he was racking up big disposal numbers.
Cornes questioned Taranto’s disposal efficiency and said he was not in the top 150 players in the league.
Taranto averaged 28.8 possessions and 6.17 clearances per game in his first season for the Tigers and showed some superb mid-season form, too.
He booted four goals and had 33 disposals against Port Adelaide in Round 11, and he had a 38-possession game in Richmond’s win over St Kilda in Round 14.
After the squad has unveiled on Monday, many a fan wondered if Cornes’ agenda against Taranto had influenced the other selectors.
When one fan highlighted Cornes’ top-150 call on Taranto, Richmond great and Channel 7 commentator Matthew Richardson also expressed some concern.
“At Round 19 Tim Taranto would have been extremely close to being in the AA team. To not be in the (squad of) 44 four weeks later is very very stiff,” Richardson said on social media.
“Only (Sydney’s Errol) Gulden (has) kicked more goals as a pure mid.
“Definitely an issue this. When so openly critical of a player to the point of being ridiculous.”
Richardson did acknowledge that Cornes was only voice on a panel, but fans believe Cornes lost objectivity.
“What a disgusting shambles of a voting panel. Kane Cornes has drawn a line through Tim Taranto all year and …. boom, he misses out,” one fan said.
“Just a sham. Revolting bias against him. All Australian has become a political football. Disgusting.”
Another fan tweeted: “The panelists can have an opinion, but Kane has led a year-long campaign against Taranto and others. He shouldn’t be on the panel (if) he (can’t) set aside his bias.”
And another said: “Makes a mockery of the whole process when you have one person on the panel with biased views just trying to save face.”
But others did side with Cornes’ opinion on Taranto and also believed he shouldn’t be in the squad.
“Worst kick in the AFL, team missed finals, would have over a dozen midfielders picked before him. Not that the AFL player rating is perfect, but he isn’t even in the top-100 in it,” one fan said.
Tim Watson names his All-Australian team
B: James Sicily (HAW) / Jacob Weitering (CAR) / Tom Stewart (GEE)HB: Isaac Quaynor (COLL) / Darcy Moore (COLL) / Jack Sinclair (STK)C: Josh Daicos (COLL) / Marcus Bontempelli (WB) (C) / Errol Gulden (SYD)HF: Connor Rozee (PA) / Taylor Walker (ADE) / Christian Petracca (MEL)F: Toby Greene (GWS) / Charlie Curnow (CAR) / Charlie Cameron (BRI)FOL: Tim English (WB) / Nick Daicos (COLL) / Zak Butters (PA)I/C: Jordan De Goey (COLL) / Jordan Dawson (ADE) / Caleb Serong (FRE) / Joe Daniher (BRI)
(Watson named his team on SEN).
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