"He continues to dominate who he plays on," Scott said less than two weeks ago, after his Kangaroos had been edged by the Swans at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.

"There are some defenders who have had good seasons. They play as third defenders or spare but Robbie Tarrant plays on the best opposition forward every week and beats them every week. If he's not All-Australian I don't know who'd be in front of him."

Well Brad, we have an answer for you. Tarrant – the favourite for North's best and fairest – missed selection on Thursday night. The key defenders picked ahead of him were Richmond champion Alex Rance, Adelaide's Daniel Talia, and West Coast's Jeremy McGovern.

Rance is widely regarded as the finest tall backman of the era, so his place should not be in question. Now a three-time All-Australian, the West Australian is one of few compelling reasons Tigers fans had to attend the football for much of this year.

So too did Talia – previously picked in 2014 – enjoy a stellar campaign. Still, while rarely beaten, the last part of his season was below his usual standard, challenged by Tom Hawkins, Joe Daniher and Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy.

Perhaps Tarrant should blame his teammates. The Roos' alarming drop-off in the second half of the season meant they finished as a finals outlier.

The gap between the seventh-placed Western Bulldogs and the eighth-placed Roos was greater than the difference between minor premiers Sydney and the Dogs. As such it was fitting that the Roos were the only finalist who failed to generate even one selection in the team of the year.

Along with Tarrant, others who may be hard done-by are Crows backman Rory Laird, and Fremantle's Lachie Neale – who broke the record for most disposals in a home and away season despite his side languishing near the foot of the ladder all year.

But to focus on those that have missed out would be to ignore the many feelgood stories from those selected.

The redemptive tales of Dustin Martin and Toby Greene should inspire any football bad boys. Ageing warriors will be stirred by the years of indefatigable backmen Matthew Boyd and Corey Enright.

And spare a thought for Carlton fans. Two years running former Blues Kennedy and Eddie Betts have been named in the AA forward line. It's a hard pill to swallow for a club whose goalkicking was this year won by Crows discard Matthew Wright. He mustered just 22 majors.