WITH my incredibly decorated and illustrious career currently on hold for season 2017, post-surgery I was scrolling through my Twitter feed on the toilet when I came across the AFL’s mid-season All-Australian team.

Straight away, I noticed a couple players had acquired a position on the field that made me think, “What? That’s not right.” And now we have this article. You’re welcome.

Today I’m focusing on the small forwards. This is a role I tried to conquer early days for the Blues when I couldn’t get a game as a midfielder.

Mind you, with the likes of Chris Judd, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Carrazzo running around, it’d be tough for most. Inevitably I returned to the position this year with devastating effect (to my foot).

Finals Week 1

What is the role of a small forward? They must pressure, tackle and possess the ability to create forward-half turnovers — that’s what the coaches preach in the media and in team meetings.

Funnily enough, goals come after all that.

But if you don’t kick a couple of snags, you’re dropped.

Every time I see discussion around the half-forward roles, they try and sneak a midfielder into the equation. Like a Dikembe Mutombo — not in my house.

The half and small forward role is probably the hardest in today’s game and arguably the most unrewarding.

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You have to be somewhat quick, have an 11 to 12km game engine and be able to push out to chase down the overzealous midfielders who rely on their direct opponents to turn the ball over.

And to top it all off, after that 80m defensive effort, you’re now required to run back to the forward line to apply manic pressure and lock the ball in, creating a stoppage or a score.

Perceived pressure is what the likes of Eddie Betts, Cyril Rioli, Paul Puopolo and Jarryd Blair make a living off. It’s a stat that’s recently made its way into the AFL and the industry call it “pressure-acts”.

We could get technical and talk all day about that, but it’s basically the pressure you can perform without actually touching anyone.

Small forwards lick their lips when they get this mismatch. In other words, it’s when certain defenders get a bit twitchy when the ball hits the ground.

In most line meetings, the forwards will talk about which opposition player should have the ball and that’s based on their turnovers and their kicking efficiency out of the back half.

Every time I watch the football, commentators constantly question why the player who kicks the goal will run off the ground?

The reason why was just explained. In summary, they’ve usually worked their arse off for it and unless you’re Eddie Betts, who seems to just kick them from the car park, most players require a breather.

With the reduced cap on rotations, midfielders can’t be expected to play 80 to 100 per cent every week, so the coach will rest them forward. So the mid who’s racking up 20-plus possessions every week and sneaking in a goal per game will potentially get selected as a half forward.

Leave these positions for the hardworking forwards who don’t necessarily get the accolades — and not the resting mids who are there purely to suck in some deep breaths.

Jeff Garlett, Daniel Menzel, Oraaaaaziooooooo Fantasia are all knocking on the selectors’ doors — surely?

They all tackle, pressure and finish off their work.

They might not notch up the big numbers, but that’s not their job.

So when you’re choosing your All-Australian team — and I see anyone with the exception of Dustin Martin in the forward line — grow up and make the tough calls.

Does the midfielder make the cut or not? Just because you can’t fit them on the ball or on the bench, that doesn’t mean you seamlessly slot them into the half forward position.

And don’t get me started on the potential of having a tagger in the mix.