The AFL All-Australian squad was announced today, with 40 players from 14 clubs recognised for their stellar play throughout the 2013 season.
20 of the 40 players selected come from the top four sides: Hawthorn, Geelong, Fremantle and Sydney. Clubs that don’t have any representatives are Richmond, Carlton, Brisbane and Melbourne.
The naming of an All-Australian team or squad always causes controversy and debate, but perhaps the most bemused supporters today will be those of the Tigers.
Despite finishing fifth, not one Richmond player, including the likes of Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt, Bachar Houli, Shaun Grigg and Steve Morris, made the cut.
North Melbourne were a much better team than their place on the ladder suggested and this was reflected by four of their players being selected in the squad: Lindsay Thomas, Scott Thompson, Daniel Wells and Todd Goldstein.
Locally, the Crows and Power each had two representatives.
The much improved Richard Douglas and excitement machine Patrick Dangerfield from Adelaide and Power captain Travis Boak and young prodigy, Chad Wingard.
The new franchises, Gold Coast and GWS, each had a player included. Brownlow Medal chance Gary Ablett and young forward Jeremy Cameron made the list.
Two unlucky absentees in my eyes were key defender Jake Carlisle from Essendon and inside midfielder Tom Liberatore from the Western Bulldogs.
All-Australian Squad
Adelaide: Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas
Collingwood: Travis Cloke, Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury
Essendon: Jobe Watson
Fremantle: Nathan Fyfe, Michael Johnson, David Mundy, Michael Walters, Chris Mayne
Geelong: Corey Enright, Andrew Mackie, Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor, Steven Motlop
Gold Coast: Gary Ablett Jnr.
GWS: Jeremy Cameron
Hawthorn: Lance Franklin, Josh Gibson, Jarryd Roughead, Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge
North Melbourne: Daniel Wells, Todd Goldstein, Scott Thompson, Lindsay Thomas
Port Adelaide: Travis Boak, Chad Wingard
St. Kilda: Nick Riewoldt, Jack Steven
Sydney: Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski
West Coast: Josh Kennedy, Eric Mackenzie
Western Bulldogs: Ryan Griffen, Will Minson
TomC
Roar Guru
Why recognise the best players, John?
John Ryan
Roar Pro
Yes how nice but who do the PLAY anywhere ???if they don't why bother
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I think Pearce Hanley unlucky to miss the squad. And I agree with TomC I thought Cotchin had a better year than Steven.
TomC
Roar Guru
Carlisle yes. Liberatore? Not sure about that one. Certainly finished the season strongly but there're plenty of midfielders who've been more consistent. I'd have gone with Hibberd instead of Mackie, Stokes instead of Motlop, and Cotchin, Rockliff or Montagna ahead of Steven.