The 2018 AFL season is already flying, with Round 7 coming up this weekend we at Zero Hanger thought we'd put together a (very) early season All-Australian team, before we roll begin to roll it weekly.
Defenders
Shannon Hurn (WC)
2018 Averages: 23 disposals, 18.5 kicks, 10 marks, 87.7 percent disposal efficiency
West Coast have a composed veteran down back who can use the ball when he comes up with it. Hurn's disposal efficiency is one of his best traits and his anchorage in defense is just one of the reasons West Coast is one of just two teams to boast a 5-1 record at this point in the season.
Michael Hurley (ESS)
2018 Averages: 26 disposals, 18.2 kicks, 8.2 handballs, 2.3 spoils
A defensive go-getter this year and it doesn't always show up in the stat-box but when it does it is glaring. His 2.3 spoils and 26 disposals in defense show how highly active he is and his ability to move it forward is matched by few.
Alex Rance (RICH) (VC)
2018 Averages: 16.8 disposals, 9 disposals, 7.8 spoils, 90.1 percent disposal efficiency
The Richmond premiership player continues to anchor the Tigers' defense this year, battling away and showing the same hunger as the previous season. His disposal efficiency is a statistic that shows how composed he is down the back half of the field and uses the ball so well coming out of it.
Rory Laird (ADEL)
2018 Averages: 35.8 disposals, 17.3 kicks, 18.5 disposals, 7.2 marks
Laird signed a contract extension earlier this year, and it's already paying dividends on the field for the Crows. He is proving to be a huge asset to Adelaide and worth every penny of his new three year contract.
Lachie Whitfield (GWS)
2018 Averages: 25.5 disposals, 11.7 handballs, 2.8 tackles
Whitfield has come out of the gate striding and has been a huge part of Giants' success down back and has translated into wins on the season. His tackling pressure has been a large asset to his game this year.
James Sicily (HAW)
2018 Averages: 24 disposals, 15.8 kicks, 5.3 spoils, 7.8 contested possessions
The Hawthorn 'bad boy' has had a controversial season to start but his excellent performance has offloaded a lot of the heat he has had to face. He's been successful in diminishing impact from some of his most notable AFL rivals while also being a go-to player through the back half of the ground.