All-Australian team 2016: Joel Selwood captain amid shock selections

JOEL Selwood has been named All-Australian captain for the third time in a team dominated by Sydney Swans. But like every year, there were a few shocks. HAVE YOUR SAY

Joel Selwood will captain the All-Australian side for the third time. Picture: Colleen Petch

GEELONG star Joel Selwood has been named All-Australian captain for a third time and now sits behind only Wayne Carey on the captaincy count.

The Cats’ captain courageous earned his fifth All-Australian selection, having previously been named skipper of the team in 2013 and 2014.

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Only North Melbourne’s champion forward Carey has been named captain more than Selwood — on four occasions in 1993, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Selwood, 28, was one of three Cats selected in the team alongside Brownlow Medal favourite and midfield sidekick Patrick Dangerfield and veteran Corey Enright.

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Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury and Fremantle’s Lachie Neale, who set a new record for disposals in a home-and-away season, were among the surprise omissions on a night flag favourite Sydney was the big winner.

Pendles > Dusty #AllAustralian

— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) September 1, 2016

The All-Australian line-up featured five Swans— Lance Franklin, Daniel Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker and Dane Rampe.

Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane was named as Selwood’s vice-captain, with the Crows also earning three selections in the side.

Rory Sloane is the All-Australian vice-captain.

Joel Selwood is All-Australian captain for the third time. Picture: Michael Klein

Selwood, who earned his first All-Australian honour in 2009, said this week he considered the All-Australian captaincy to be a “huge honour”

“I’ve been lucky enough to be named captain twice before and it’s not until you take a step back and release what you’ve done that you really appreciate it,’’ Selwood said.

The triple premiership star did not consider 2016 his best year — but one of his most enjoyable as the Cats again became a flag contender after failing to make the finals last season.

“Obviously I’ve enjoyed the year. I’ve had great fun with what we’ve been able to do — put ourselves in a position where we want to play off,’’ Selwood said.

“Probably not (been my best year), but it’s been a year where I’ve hung in there well and I’m feeling really good at the moment.

“We’re a side on a mission and we want to make sure we keep working hard for each other.’’

This year’s All-Australian team features nine debutants — Toby Greene, Max Gawn, Jeremy McGovern, Tom Lynch, Dane Rampe, Rory Sloane, Marcus Bontempelli, Dustin Martin and Luke Parker.

Seven players retained their spots from last year’s side — Eddie Betts, Dangerfield, Hannebery, West Coast’s Josh Kennedy, Alex Rance, Cyril Rioli and Heath Shaw.

Corey Enright won his sixth All-Australian nod.

Enright and Franklin both made the All-Australian line-up for the sixth time — the most of any players in the side, while Dangerfield earned his fourth selection.

Enright, who turns 35 later this month, is the third-oldest player to be named in an official All Australian side, behind only Michael Tuck (37 when selected in 1990) and Malcolm Blight (35 when selected in 1985).

There were only four players selected from teams not contesting the finals this year — Gawn, Rance, Martin and Lynch.

Eight clubs went unrepresented in the team, including finalists North Melbourne.

ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM 2016

B: Dane Rampe (Syd), Alex Rance (Rich), Jeremy McGovern (WCE)

HB: Heath Shaw (GWS), Daniel Talia (Adel), Corey Enright (Geel)

C: Dan Hannebery (Syd), Josh Kennedy (Syd), Rory Sloane (Adel) (VC)

HF: Toby Greene (GWS), Lance Franklin (Syd), Cyril Rioli (Haw)

F: Eddie Betts (Adel), Josh Kennedy (WCE), Tom Lynch (GCS)

Foll: Max Gawn (Melb), Patrick Dangerfield (Geel), Joel Selwood (Geel) (C)

I/C: Marcus Bontempelli (WB), Matthew Boyd (WB), Dustin Martin (Rich), Luke Parker (Syd)

Originally published as All-Australian team 2016: Joel Selwood captain amid shock selections