AFLW 2023: Emma Kearney in line for record eighth All-Aus selection

The minor premiers have dominated the AFLW All-Australian squad, but there was no room for a star Cat despite a stellar season.

North Melbourne star Emma Kearney is in line for a record eighth All-Australian selection after being named in the 42-player squad for the 2023 team. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

The AFLW minor premiers have received a boost after their upset qualifying final defeat with six Crows named in a 42-player All-Australian squad on Tuesday.

Adelaide star Ebony Marinoff has been named in her eighth consecutive squad, while trio Caitlin Gould, Danielle Ponter and Niamh Kelly are all in line for their first blazer.

Key defender Chelsea Biddell has earnt a chance to claim back-to-back selections, while Anne Hatchard is gunning for a fifth year in the side.

Adelaide winger Niamh Kelly is a chance to earn her first All-Australian guernsey after averaging 18 disposals and booting six goals in 2023. Picture: James Elsby / Getty Images

North Melbourne captain Emma Kearney is in line to make it eight All-Australian blazers in eight seasons after continuing to rack up disposals in the Kangaroos’ back half despite their strong success this season.

Kearney averaged 20.7 disposals, 7.1 intercept possessions and 351m gained as she was joined by three teammates in the squad – fellow defender Jasmine Ferguson and star midfield duo Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell.

Top four sides Melbourne and Brisbane also had four squad members as all 18 clubs had at least one nomination for the first time.

Emma Kearney has never missed the All-Australian team and is a chance to continue her record streak into an eighth year after being named in the squad on Monday. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Fifth-placed Geelong, who comfortably beat Essendon to advance to a semi-final on Sunday, had only two players nominated as star midfielder Amy McDonald missed out.

The reigning three-time Cats best and fairest played every home-and-away game in a continuation of her All-Australian form last season but was squeezed out of the squad as fellow midfield stars Nina Morrison and Georgie Prespakis were named.

The Prespakis sisters could both make the team for the second year in a row after Essendon star Madi was also selected in the squad.

A changing of the guard is set to occur in the key defensive posts, with Melbourne’s Tahlia Gillard, Fremantle’s Emma O’Driscoll and West Coast best and fairest Charlotte Thomas all picked in the squad.