Essendon’s other real chance for selection was Scott Lucas but he was pipped for the centre half back position by Justin Leppitsch. The other highlight of the night was the presentation of the John Coleman Medal to Lloyd. It is the third time in the past four seasons Lloyd has taken out the award.
Lloyd was previously selected in the All Australian team in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. He played 20 games in 2003 for a return of 87 goals, 28 behinds. He had 195 kicks, 136 marks and 63 handballs. He also had six clearances and 40 Inside 50m.
Hird was previously selected in 1995, 1996, 2000 and 2001 (captain). He played 16 games in 2003 for a return of 11 goals and 11 behinds. He had 252 kicks, 68 marks and 104 handballs. He also had an amazing 55 Clearances, 73 Inside 50m and 48 Rebound 50m. A fair result for someone sitting on the pine!
But Hird supporters won’t be the only ones peeved by the 2003 All Australian side. Ben Cousins and Shane Crawford both missed out while Robert Harvey – another standout during the season – was also named on the bench alongside Hird.
The All Australian Team team is:
Backs: G Wanganeen M Scarlett J Smith
Half Backs: R Smith J Leppitsch N Lappin
Centres: L Hayes M Voss (c) P Williams
Half Forwards: M Pavlich W Tredrea M Ricciuto
Forwards: P Matera M Lloyd C Tarrant
Ruck: A Goodes N Buckley (vc) P Bell
Bench: M Gardiner R Harvey P Hasleby J Hird
The 2003 All Australian side was a named as a mix of old and new stars of the game -- featuring eight players chosen for the first time and seven champions named for at least the fifth time in their careers. Players were selected from 12 of the 16 AFL clubs but the eight finalists -- Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Sydney and West Coast -- supplied the bulk of the team with 17 representatives between them.
Brisbane Lions captain Michael Voss was named All-Australian skipper for the second consecutive year with Collingwood's Nathan Buckley as his deputy. St Kilda's Robert Harvey was named for the first time since 1999 and the eighth occasion in his career, placing him now one behind the all-time record of nine selections jointly held by Craig Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, Simon Madden, John Platten and Paul Roos.
Michael Gardiner, Adam Goodes, Paul Hasleby, Lenny Hayes, Phil Matera, Matthew Scarlett, Chris Tarrant and Paul Williams were the eight players all selected for the first time. Six players - Nigel Lappin, Justin Leppitsch, Matthew Pavlich, Mark Ricciuto, Warren Tredrea and Michael Voss - were retained from the 2002 side.
Players selected in the All-Australian side will automatically be included in the squad to play Ireland in the International Rules series against Ireland next month, with the Australian International Rules match committee having the right to add other players to the main group.
The winners of the 2003 Official AFL Carlton Draught Mark of the Year and the 2003 Official AFL Carlton Draught Goal of the Year were also named. Collingwood's Chris Tarrant was named winner of the Mark of the Year for his effort in Round 18 against Geelong at Telstra Dome while West Coast's Daniel Kerr was the winner of Goal of the Year for his effort in Round 22 against Fremantle at Subiaco.
