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Former St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna accuses former Eagle Glen Jakovich of WA bias in All-Australian team

The West Australian
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Former St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna has accused All-Australian selector Glen Jakovich of ‘Western Australian bias’ when picking this year’s team.

The 36-year-old didn’t hold back when delivering his scathing review of this year’s team, suggesting both Liam Ryan and Brad Sheppard’s maiden call-ups shouldn’t have eventuated.

“I was surprised by a few and I think whoever was the Western Australian representative and I think it was Glen Jakovich, I think he obviously flexed his muscle,” he said on Triple M.

“Out of the small forward spots, I thought (Dan) Butler and (Tom) Papley were clearly two ahead of Liam Ryan.

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“Ryan’s last six rounds of the year were excellent but for consistency I thought Butler should’ve got it and Papley was obviously really good.

“In the backline, Brad Sheppard I know he had a nice year, he was consistent but I thought Nick Vlastuin, Dylan Grimes, Jacob Weitering, even Tom Jonas and certainly Brayden Maynard all had better years than Brad Sheppard.”

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Leigh Montagna has questioned Liam Ryan (L) and Brad Sheppard’s (R) All-Australian selection.
Camera IconLeigh Montagna has questioned Liam Ryan (L) and Brad Sheppard’s (R) All-Australian selection.

While rating the side a ‘6 out of 10’, Montagna didn’t criticise ruckman Nic Naitanui’s second blazer, but he did clip the selection of the back-up ruck.

“Simply put, if you finish fifth in your club’s best and fairest in a team that doesn't make finals, I don’t think that equates to an All-Australian season from my perspective,” Montagna continued.

“Max Gawn was very lucky to make the side.”

The 287-gamer’s move to directly single out Jakovich, who played 276-games for West Coast, is intriguing given the number of selectors alongside him.

The All-Australian selection panel is currently made up of Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Steve Hocking, Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.

But according to Montagna, they didn’t do a good job.

“I think it was a six out of 10. I think they made a few mistakes in this side,” he said.

“I’m not massive on having to pick exactly a wingman, exactly a half forward, I don’t mind that you’ve gotta reward generally the best 22 players of the season, not necessarily it has to be to position.”

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