The 2020 AFL Women’s All-Australian squad revealed with Magpies a dominant force
The 40-player squad for the AFLW All-Australian team has been revealed, with the Magpies a dominant force in their resurgent season. A superstar Dee is back, and who was the only Tiger named?
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Collingwood’s rise to becoming a finals contender has seen five star players rewarded with selection in the fourth AFL Women’s All-Australian squad.
The league has today revealed its 40-player squad, which includes Magpies ruck Sharni Layton who has risen from debutant to dominant force within just 12 months.
Three first-year players have also been recognised with selection in the team.
Layton, 32, crossed to football before the 2019 season after representing Australia in netball, and told the Herald Sun last month that she had “worked my arse off” to improve her game over the off-season, with the All-Australian squad selection a justified nod.
“I worked so hard,” she said.
“And I think that sum of things … people say ‘oh, she’s come out and she’s doing really well’, which is great, but I know that I have to be good because I want to be good for the team.”
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Jaimee Lambert, Stacey Livingstone, Britt Bonnici and recruit Brianna Davey, who joined Collingwood from Carlton at the end of last season, were the other Magpies to be named after the team recorded four wins to reach its first finals series.
All 14 AFLW outfits have had players selected, with Melbourne skipper Daisy Pearce acknowledged for her stellar season in the halfback line after returning to football less than a year after giving birth to twins.
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She heads up four key Demons in the squad, including league best and fairest chance Karen Paxman – who has been named in all three previous All-Australian teams – defender Libby Birch and forward Kate Hore.
North Melbourne’s star quartet of Emma Kearney, Jasmine Garner – who is also considered a hot chance to win the league best and fairest medal – Ash Riddell and Jenna Bruton were also selected.
Young St Kilda guns Georgia Patrikios and Caitlin Greiser were also named in the squad – which will be trimmed to 21 players as part of the W Awards, which could be held as a virtual ceremony amid the coronavirus crisis with a date still to be confirmed.
Star midfielder Monique Conti is the only Tiger named in the squad in Richmond’s inaugural season, while Olivia Purcell was the only Cat.
Reigning premier Adelaide notched three selections in Sarah Allan, Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff.
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Carlton forward Tayla Harris was one of four Blues named, with 2019 rising star Madison Prespakis also rewarded for her brilliant season in the midfield.
The league has confirmed that it is considering a range of options for its awards ceremony, which will see its best and fairest player, rising star, leading goalkicker, mark of the year, goal of the year and All-Australian team named.
“While the current situation relating to COVID-19 remains a challenge for the entire community, the AFL remains committed to celebrating the achievements of each club and individual following the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s competition,” the league said.
2020 AFL Women’s All-Australian Squad
ADELAIDE
Sarah Allan
Anne Hatchard
Ebony Marinoff
BRISBANE
Kate Lutkins
Emily Bates
Jesse Wardlaw
Sophie Conway
CARLTON
Kerryn Harrington
Maddie Prespakis
Tayla Harris
Georgia Gee
COLLINGWOOD
Sharni Layton
Jaimee Lambert
Stacey Livingstone
Britt Bonnici
Brianna Davey
FREMANTLE
Kiara Bowers
Gemma Houghton
Sabreena Duffy
Ebony Antonio
GEELONG
Olivia Purcell
GWS GIANTS
Alyce Parker
Elle Bennetts
GOLD COAST
Jamie Stanton
Kalinda Howarth
Jade Pregelj
MELBOURNE
Karen Paxman
Libby Birch
Daisy Pearce
Kate Hore
NORTH MELBOURNE
Emma Kearney
Jasmine Garner
Ash Riddell
Jenna Bruton
RICHMOND
Monique Conti
ST KILDA
Georgia Patrikios
Caitlyn Greiser
WEST COAST
Dana Hooker
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Ellie Blackburn
Isabelle Huntington