The News’ 2022 GVL team of the year

But while the dust has finally settled on the on-field action, the minds at The News sports desk have still been churning as we resurrect the annual tradition of naming our team of the season.

As per a regular football side, we have selected 22 players to fill our team, recognising the best performers in each position on the field and those who had the biggest impacts on their respective clubs this season.

But first and foremost, you can’t have success without a strong mentor at the helm, which is why we have chosen Mooroopna’s John Lamont as coach.

The former man in charge at Werribee, Lamont led the young Cats to a breakout season, with his raw passion and uncanny tactical nous vital in getting them all the way to a semi-final.

As for the skipper, there was simply no going past Mansfield stalwart Brett Mahoney.

An inspirational leader in every sense of the word, Mahoney was a consistent performer through the midfield for the Eagles, averaging 22.1 disposals, 4.3 marks and 4.6 clearances a game.

He was also picked to lead the GVL’s interleague squad in its Ash-Wilson Trophy clash against Ovens and Murray, and is the sort of player that makes an entire team walk taller around him.

The dominant team throughout the 2022 season, it is no surprise that premier Echuca is the most represented club, with five Murray Bombers making it into the side.

Running defenders Ben Reid and Logan Prout line up on the half-back flank and back pocket respectively, with their drive from the defensive half pivotal to their team’s success.

Fresh off winning the Wilf Cox Medal after a dominant grand final display, spearhead Ruory Kirkby takes his place in the ‘‘cage’’ after booting a whopping 85 goals from his 20 matches.

AFL VIC Country Medal winner Sam Willoughby has been rewarded for another strong season, coming off the bench into the midfield rotation, while skipper Kane Morris joins his teammate on the pine as the side’s back-up ruckman.

Morris was edged out for the number one mantle by Euroa big man Andrew Smith, who was a model of consistency this year, averaging 14.7 disposals, 4.7 clearances and 30.4 hit-outs a match.

Smith leads an on-ball brigade that features skipper Mahoney, Rigoni and Rochester ball magnet Chris Jansen.

The trio of midfielders are all well-renowned as contested beasts and will do a great job in getting the ball out to wingmen Jack Murphy (Seymour) and Patrick Marks (Mansfield).

Murphy was the league’s premier disposal winner, averaging 29.7 touches a game and using the ball at a remarkable 74 per cent kicking efficiency.

Meanwhile, Marks rose to stardom this season, sporting averages of 23.6 disposals, 5.6 marks and 5.9 clearances a game as he began to transition from the wing on to the ball.

Shepparton Swans pair B.J. Squire and Zac Banch round out the band of midfielders, taking the final two bench spots after prolific campaigns at Princess Park.

Fresh off a second-placed finish in the Morrison Medal, Kyabram star Kaine Herbert finds a spot on the half-forward flank.

He is joined by Euroa livewire Jett Trotter, who kicked 54 goals in what was a stunning return from a serious leg injury this season.

Rounding out the star-studded forward 50, Mooroopna spearhead Chris Nield lines up at centre half-forward after kicking 82 goals and winning the league’s goal-kicking award.

Mansfield young gun Ben Christopher’s 49-goal season earns him a place in the forward pocket, while outgoing Rochester coach Steven Stroobants joins him after 47 majors of his own.

No team is complete without its key defenders and this year it is Kyabram swingman Lachlan Smith and reliable Mansfield veteran Jack Hutchins at centre half-back and full-back.

Unassuming Mooroopna hard nut Ben Hicks slides into the back pocket after a consistent season, while the class of Tatura’s Billy Cooper rounds out the side, with the 2022 MVP lining up at half-back.