2021 All-Australian team named plus Rising Star, AFL awards

It has been dubbed one of the greatest blunders by All-Australian selectors in years and Jake Stringer’s snub came with a huge cost for the star Bomber.

Sam Walsh was named in the All-Australian team. Picture: Michael Klein

Jake Stringer has missed out on a contract bonus of around $50,000 after his shock omission from the All Australian side.

Stringer’s omission was dubbed by North Melbourne premiership player David King as “the greatest selection error in years”.

Some clubs only factor in best-and-fairest results when handing out contract bonuses, but Stringer had a highly incentivised four-season deal.

The nature of his departure from the Western Bulldogs with a string of controversies meant the contract was set up to maximise his worth if he could fire on-field.

But he was overlooked in the 22, with King telling the Herald Sun on Friday: “When comparing players you need to compare influence over accumulation. Is Jack Macrae’s 30 worth more than Stringer’s 20 possessions?”

Jake Stringer was one of the players stiff to be overlooked for All-Australian honours.

His rampaging finish to the season saw him ranked the No. 1 player in the competition since Round 14 but he also started the season on fire.

After missing the first two rounds with achilles soreness, he exploded out of the blocks with four goals against St Kilda and then three majors against Sydney.

After a six-clearance, three goal performance against Carlton in Round 7 he kicked three goals against West Coast in Round 11 and four goals against West Coast in Round 14.

Stringer has signed a new three-year deal with a fourth year based on a games-based trigger, but that deal only kicks in next season.

It is understood his new deal also has significant incentives that should allow him to retire a wealthy player if he can continue his rich vein of form.

Jake Stringer’s omission from the AA team is the greatest selection error in years.

— David King (@davidking34) August 26, 2021

GAWN NAMED CAPTAIN IN ALL-AUSTRALIAN REVEAL

Inspirational ruckman Max Gawn has been named Melbourne’s first All-Australian captain since the legendary Ron Barassi 60 years ago.

In yet another acknowledgment of the Demons’ spectacular 2021 season, Gawn was one of five Melbourne players chosen in a new-look All-Australian side that had 11 debutants as well as several notable omissions.

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The 29-year-old secured the Demons’ first minor premiership since their last premiership year in 1964 with an after-the-siren goal against Geelong last Saturday night.

Gawn will now look to emulate Barassi — who was captain of the 1961 interstate All-Australian carnival team — as the next Demons’ premiership skipper, with the club only three wins away from a potential drought-breaking first flag in 57 years.

Captain fantastic: Max Gawn has been named skipper of the All-Australian side. Picture: Michael Klein

The announcement of the 2021 AFL All-Australian team at an awards ceremony on Thursday night typically created more than its fair share of headlines including:

THE elevation of Blues Harry McKay and Sam Walsh on a day their senior coach David Teague was sacked, but star Blues defender Jacob Weitering was overlooked.

THE omission of Hawk possession machine Tom Mitchell, Sydney superstar Lance Franklin, explosive Bomber Jake Stringer, Demon defender Christian Salem and Brisbane wingman Hugh McCluggage who were all named in the 40-man squad.

TOM Papley’s selection ahead of Lion Charlie Cameron and Melbourne’s Bayley Fritsch, who both kicked six more goals this year than the exciting Swan.

PORT Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir becoming the first player from a South Sudanese background to make an All-Australian team.

ONLY seven players retaining their spot in the team from last season.

Gawn’s selection in the team as the first ruckman — with Eagle Nic Naitanui as his bench back-up — was the fifth time he had been selected in an All-Australian side, including the past four in a row.

Melbourne duo Jake Lever and Steven May were named in defensive posts, Christian Petracca was selected at half-forward and Clayton Oliver was chosen on the ball.

Marcus Bontempelli was named as Gawn’s vice-captain. He was one of three players from the Bulldogs to be selected in the team, along with half-back Bailey Dale and onballer Jack Macrae.

Tom Hawkins was named in the All-Australian team for a fourth time.

The team comprised players from 11 separate clubs, with Carlton, Essendon, Geelong and Port Adelaide also providing multiple players.

ACCOLADES FOR DEES DUO

Melbourne has kicked off what it hopes to be its biggest month since its last premiership in 1964 with stars Clayton Oliver and Luke Jackson winning coveted awards on Monday night.

In a known early pointer for the Brownlow Medal, Oliver took out the AFL Coaches Association’s AFL Champion Player Award.

To complete the Demons’ stunning night of accolades, Jackson’s outstanding season was rewarded with the NAB AFL Rising Star Rising Star Award, which he won with 51 votes ahead of GWS Giants midfielder Tom Green (38 votes) and Port Adelaide forward Mitch Georgiades (28 votes).

In the coaches’ award, Oliver polled 114 votes, ahead of runner-up Marcus Bontempelli and Port star Ollie Wines, who tied for second on 101 votes.

Saints co-captain Jack Steele was third on 100 votes.

“I’m humbled and proud to be recognised by the coaches with their champion player award,” Oliver said.

“I wouldn’t be receiving this without my teammates, coaches and staff so I thank them all, and especially to ‘Goody’ (coach Simon Goodwin).

“He took me under his wing this season and I couldn’t thank him anymore.”

Oliver averaged 31 disposals this season and was ranked first in the league for contested possessions with 17.7, and fourth for clearances with 7.5.

Goodwin praised Oliver for his progression this season.

“Clayton has had an unbelievable season and should be proud to be recognised with this award from the coaches, I believe it’s the highest award you can receive,” Goodwin said.

“He has taken his game to new heights this year, it’s the work he’s done without the footy that we’ve been impressed with, he’s transformed his game and getting the rewards for being a really good teammate.”

Meanwhile, Gold Coast Suns youngster Noah Anderson and Docker Caleb Serong could not be split for the AFLCA Best Young Player Award.