The 2002 All Australian team will be named tonight and for the first time in many years it is hard to find an Essendon player that you could guarantee will be named among the game’s elite. It is probably hard to believe given Essendon finished fifth – even more so when you look at some of the names on the playing list. But the bottom line is that Essendon had very few standout performers during 2002 - injury and inconsistency being the major two reasons for this.

That said, the Bombers do have a couple of players who could be selected. The two most obvious are the Johnsons – Jason and Mark. Jason was sensational in the mid-field for the Bombers, particularly early in the year. He was heavily tagged for much of the season but was clearly Essendon’s best ball winner. He was named in the All Australian side last season so the selectors obviously like him.

However the on-ball division is hotly contested with the likes of Michael Voss, Simon Black, Nigel Lappin, Josh Francou, Ben Cousins and Simon Goodwin just some of the players who will be vying for a position. Jason Johnson is clearly among the best of his kind in the competition – whether his season stands up against the others in the eyes of the selectors remains to be seen.

Mark Johnson has had a magnificent season in the back pocket for the Bombers and will certainly be in contention for a place in the All Australian side. Johnson has combined his role as an uncompromising defender and creative and running back-pocket to perfection. He has been an integral reason that Essendon defence has been so solid this season. Chris Johnson of Brisbane might just pip Mark for the position but there would surely be little between them.

Dustin Fletcher has been a standout at full back for the Bombers but has missed matches through suspension and injury this season and that may count against him. Port Adelaide full back Darryl Wakelin is probably the other candidate but he too has missed matches this season. Fletcher falls into the same category as Mark Johnson – not a standout but clearly very close to selection.

Matthew Lloyd and James Hird would both have been certainties until Essendon’s Round 6 clash with Fremantle – both were injured and missed a lot of football. Ask anyone who is the best full forward in the competition and almost everyone would say Lloyd but All Australian selection is based on performances during this season and David Neitz looks a walk up start. Hird would probably have been in contention for All Australian captaincy after his blinding start to the season but injury put an end to that and perhaps even his selection.

Essendon did have some other contenders early in the season in Adam Ramanauskas and Danny Jacobs but they probably weren’t consistent enough in the patter part of the season to earn selection.