All-Australian squad 2022: Full 44-player squad revealed, Jon Ralph names his team
Jarrod Witts has had a dominant season in the ruck for Gold Coast but Jon Ralph hasn’t been able to fit him into his AA team. So which big-man gets the nod instead?
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The magic of Collingwood this year is that you never know who is going to bob up to tear the heart out of its latest unsuspecting opponent.
Jamie Elliott with a last-gasp game-winner yet again, or Scott Pendlebury jitterbugging through traffic when it gets late and frantic or Brayden Maynard drilling Ed Langdon into the ground as an emphatic statement of authority.
But that same team quality that means it can be your moment, if not your day, makes it extremely tough to elevate one single player into the All Australian team.
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My All-Australian team not only ignores Josh Daicos as the most likely All Australian Magpie, it overlooks the traditional wingmen for more dominant onballers this season.
The charge of hypocrisy could be levelled given all of us have criticised the All Australian selectors who have shoehorned star players into ill-fitting positions.
But for Daicos’ strong season he averaged only 21 possessions in an admittedly low-possession team, kicked at only 60 per cent, kicked 0.6 goals a game.
As for the other potential wingmen, Hugh McCluggage played only 13 per cent on the wing, Chad Warner only eight per cent, Mark Blicavs only 16 per cent.
No one had an Ed Langdon-style year of such dominance as a fold-back winger that they just had to be in the side.
It means the under-appreciated Rory Laird wins a spot in that position for his massive year — averaging 33 possessions, 7.5 clearances and a phenomenal 8.1 tackles for Adelaide in a season where he did it all.
Max Gawn has plenty riding on his nomination in a year where you could make the case Jarrod Witts is a better pure ruckman.
Witts has won the most hitouts and hitouts to advantage of any player and has 300 more hitouts than Gawn.
But Gawn has kicked 12 goals playing 28 per cent forward, has been totally dominant around the ground averaging 2.5 contested marks and 4.7 clearances.
If the All Australian selectors prefer him over Witts as we did, he would match Dean Cox’s six All Australian nods and Simon Madden’s six cumulative jumpers from All Australian and Team of the Year awards combined.
He at least enters the conversation as the best AFL ruckman of all time, especially if he can jag a second premiership on the bounce.
Across the field Isaac Heeney secures the third medium or small forward spot ahead of Bailey Fritsch and Charlie Cameron as the highest rated small forward in the comp.
Tyson Stengle and Shai Bolton are locks, but Heeney not only kicked 46 goals, he averaged 17 possessions and won 50 clearances to go with 4.4 tackles a game.
Jack Sinclair was off the charts good while often being tagged so wins a half-back role ahead of Dan Rioli, Brayden Maynard and Angus Brayshaw.
As the highest-rated general defender this year he averaged 28 possessions, kicked the ball like a dream and still averaged 514 metres gained.
And James Sicily’s capacity to play tall or small while taking 190 marks (57 of them intercept marks) gets him in after keeping Aaron Naughton (twice) and Taylor Walker to one goal, Eric Hipwood goalless, Charlie Cameron to two and Jeremy Cameron to only two.
JON RALPH’S ALL AUSTRALIAN TEAM
B: Tom Stewart (Geelong), Steven May (Melbourne), James Sicily (Hawthorn)
HB: Adam Saad (Carlton), Sam Taylor (GWS), Jack Sinclair (St Kilda)
C: Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle), Touk Miller (Gold Coast), Rory Laird (Adelaide)
HF: Tyson Stengle (Geelong), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong), Shai Bolton (Richmond)
F: Isaac Heeney (Sydney), Charlie Curnow (Carlton), Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
R: Max Gawn (Melbourne), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne), Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
INTER: Tom Lynch (Richmond), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Sam Walsh (Carlton), Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
GREATEST SNUBS IN EXPANDED ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD
The AFL’s All-Australian selectors could not find room for Sydney star Lance Franklin or Collingwood first-year defender Nick Daicos despite expanding the squad from 40 to 44.
The squad was selected ahead of Wednesday night’s AFL Awards with 16 teams represented but no room for any players from Essendon or North Melbourne.
Collingwood had three players — Brayden Maynard, Jack Crisp and Josh Daicos selected in the initial squad.
But despite talk that Nick Daicos was even some chance to make the All Australian side he was not in the initial squad.
Carlton’s Sam Docherty also missed the squad despite lobbying from his coach Michael Voss, who believed his rebounding defender was a lock for the starting 22.
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Essendon would feel Mason Redman had also made a case for a spot in the best 44 players, while Jordan Dawson’s outstanding first season at Adelaide was not recognised.
Five Cats are in the squad in Mark Bliicavs, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, Tyson Stengle and Tom Stewart.
The Demons had six players selected in the squad in Angus Brayshaw, Bayley Fritsch, Max Gawn, Steven May, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca.
Ed Langdon missed out for Melbourne after a quieter finish to the season.
Oliver started the weekend only two votes behind Touk Miller and Lachie Neale in the AFL Coaches Association award and is a chance to leapfrog the pair to win his second straight Champion Player of the Year award.
Franklin kicked 50 goals in his 20 AFL games with 22 direct score assists and 142 score involvements he was snubbed.
Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Geelong forward Cameron, Charlie Curnow and Tom Hawkins are the five key forwards in contention for two or three key forward spots.
The small forwards in contention for the All Australian jumper are Charlie Cameron, Tyson Stengle, Bailey Fritsch, Shai Bolton, Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley.
Richmond’s Daniel Rioli is a chance to push into the team as a rebounding defender, while St Kilda’s Cal Wilkie and West Coast’s Tom Barrass were rewarded for excellent seasons.
Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw and Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw are a chance to be named as the third brothers in the team in the same year after the Madden and Cornes brothers.
The league said in a statement the move from 44 to 40 players was to “recognise the leading players across all parts of the field — forwards, defenders and midfielders/rucks”.
“The list of players in the wider squad was expanded to ensure it recognised elite performers across the home and away season,” the AFL said.
Fremantle’s Sean Darcy missed the squad with Max Gawn perfectly placed to gain his sixth All Australian blazer, in contention with Geelong utility Mark Blicavs and Gold Coast’s Jarrod Witts.
RALPHY’S SNUBS
Sam Docherty (Carlton)
It is impossible to separate the emotional element of Docherty’s comeback with his brilliant season but the stats stack up — 28 possessions a game at 76 per cent disposal efficiency plus two excellent midfield games to finish the year against Melbourne and Collingwood.
Mason Redman (Essendon)
Essendon breakout Redman averaged 1.9 intercept marks, 5.4 intercept possessions and displayed uncommon bravery to throw himself back into packs in his 20 games averaging 93 ranking points but Brennan Cox (2.4 intercept marks, 6.4 intercept possessions) probably stole that spot.
Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Collingwood fans will scream and shout about the impact of Daicos’ possessions as he refused to waste one while involved in key moments of the club’s biggest wins.
Jordan Dawson (Adelaide)
Dawson barely put a foot wrong with his late-match winner against Port Adelaide as well as the consistency to average 604 metres gained, 110 ranking points, 25 possessions and 75 per cent kicking efficiency.
Lance Franklin (Sydney)
It’s tough being Lance Franklin, when even a 50-goal, 22-assist, 142 score-involvement season doesn’t get you into an expanded squad with two full teams picked. The selectors will ask who should miss out but Taylor Walker kicked less goals and had only three more score assists.
THE 44-STRONG ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD
The final team of 22 will be named on Wednesday, 24 August, as part of the AFL Awards.
The squad members named are in alphabetical order and are as follows:
TOM BARRASS
West Coast Eagles
Never previously All Australian
19 matches this season
Averages 15.5 disposals, 7.6 marks, 1.6 contested marks, 3.8 intercept marks, 7.5 spoils and 4.1 rebound 50s per game.
MARK BLICAVS
Geelong Cats
Never previously All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 17.7 disposals, 76.9 per cent disposal efficiency, 14.6 hitouts, four hit outs to advantage and 3.3 clearances.
SHAI BOLTON
Richmond
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 17.9 disposals, 64.1 per cent disposal efficiency, 3.7 clearances, 2.2 tackles, and 1.9 goals and 4.5 inside 50s per game.
MARCUS BONTEMPELLI
Western Bulldogs
2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021 All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 23.2 disposals, 72.5 per cent disposal efficiency, 5.3 clearances, 5.1 tackles, one goal and 5.7 inside 50s per game.
ANDREW BRAYSHAW
Fremantle
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 29.1 disposals, 73.1 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.1 clearances, 6.3 tackles, 0.5 goals and 4.3 inside 50s per game.
ANGUS BRAYSHAW
Melbourne
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 26.1 disposals, 71.6 per cent disposal efficiency, 7.4 marks, 0.5 contested marks, 2.4 intercept marks 1.1 spoils and 3.6 rebound 50s per game.
CHARLIE CAMERON
Brisbane Lions
2019 All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 2.1 goals, 0.9 goal assists, 1.2 score assists, 11.9 disposals, four mark, and 3.1 tackles per game.
JEREMY CAMERON
Geelong Cats
2013 and 2019 All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 2.8 goals, 0.8 goal assists, 1.1 score assists, 16.2 disposals, six marks, 1.1 contested mark, and 1.4 tackles per game.
PATRICK CRIPPS
Carlton
2018 and 2019 All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 28.1 disposals, 70.9 per cent disposal efficiency, 15.3 contested possessions, 7.7 clearances, five tackles, one goal and 4.5 inside 50s per game.
JACK CRISP
Collingwood
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 23.6 disposals, 67.2 disposal efficiency, 9.2 contested possessions, 3.8 clearances, 5.5 tackles, 0.4 goals, 0.8 score assists, and 5.3 inside 50s per game.
BRENNAN COX
Fremantle
Never previously All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 16.2 disposals, 84.5 per cent disposal efficiency, 6.3 marks, 1.5 contested marks, 2.4 intercept marks, 6.1 spoils, 1.1 goals conceded and 4.6 rebound 50s per game.
CHARLIE CURNOW
Carlton
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 2.9 goals, 0.5 goal assists, 0.9 score assists, 12 disposals, 61 per cent disposal efficiency, 5.7 marks, 1.9 contested marks, 1.6 tackles, 3.2 inside 50s per game.
JOSH DAICOS
Collingwood
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 21.2 disposals, 70.7 per cent disposal efficiency, 2.3 clearances, 2.4 tackles, 3.5 inside 50s.
BAYLEY FRITSCH
Melbourne
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 2.3 goals, one score assist, 3.6 marks, 9.5 disposals, 1.4 tackles and 1.95 marks inside 50 per game.
MAX GAWN
Melbourne
2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 All Australian
20 matches this season
Averages 26.5 hitouts, 19.1 disposals, 59.5 per cent disposal efficiency, 0.6 goals, 52.6 per cent hitout win, 8.6 hitouts to advantage and 4.7 clearances per game.
TOM HAWKINS
Geelong Cats
2012, 2019, 2020, 2021 All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 2.7 goals, 1.2 goal assists, two score assists, 13.2 disposals, 63.1 per cent disposal efficiency, 5.9 marks, 1.8 contested marks and 1.4 tackles per game.
ISAAC HEENEY
Sydney Swans
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 2.1 goals, 0.5 goal assists, 1.1 score assists, 17 disposals, 70.1 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.8 marks, 0.8 contested marks, 4.4 tackles and 2.8 inside 50s per game.
JOSH KELLY
GWS Giants
2017 All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 26.6 disposals, 76.2 per cent disposal efficiency, 17.4 uncontested possessions, 3.8 clearances, 4.8 tackles and 4.2 inside 50s per game.
RORY LAIRD
Adelaide Crows
2017 and 2018 All Australian
20 matches this season
Averages 33 disposals, 73.1 per cent disposal efficiency, 7.6 clearances, 8.1 tackles, 0.3 goals and 4.7 inside 50s per game.
TOM LYNCH
Richmond
2016 All Australian
18 matches this season
Averages 3.3 goals, 0.7 score assists, 12.3 disposals, 67.4 per cent disposal efficiency, 5.9 marks, 3.2 contested possessions, 1.4 tackles and 2.2 inside 50s per game.
JACK MACRAE
Western Bulldogs
2019 and 2021 All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 30.5 disposals, 77 per cent disposal efficiency, 6.5 clearances, 3.8 tackles, 1.6 score assists and five inside 50s per game.
STEVEN MAY
Melbourne
2021 All Australian
20 matches this season
Averages 19 disposals, 85.3 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.9 marks, 1.4 contested marks, 2.8 intercept marks, 1.2 tackles, 5.7 spoils, 7.9 rebound 50s and 1.8 goals conceded per game.
HUGH McCLUGGAGE
Brisbane Lions
Never previously All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 25 disposals, 69.3 per cent disposal efficiency, 16.3 uncontested possessions, 3.8 clearances, 4.8 tackles, 0.9 goals, 1.3 score assists, 4.4 inside 50s.
BRAYDEN MAYNARD
Collingwood
Never previously All Australian
20 matches this season
Averages 17.5 disposals, 73.8 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.7 marks, 2 intercept marks, 3.3 tackles, 3 spoils, 3.5 rebound 50s and 1.1 goals conceded per game.
TOUK MILLER
Gold Coast
2021 All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 28.5 disposals, 63.3 per cent disposal efficiency, 7.9 clearances, 6 tackles, 0.7 goal assists and 5.5 inside 50s per game.
CALLUM MILLS
Sydney Swans
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 24.9 disposals, 74.8 per cent disposal efficiency, four clearances, 6.3 tackles 1.1 score assists, and 4.2 inside 50s.
LACHIE NEALE
Brisbane Lions
2019 and 2020 All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 30.1 disposals, 69.7 disposal efficiency, 7.3 clearances, 4.5 tackles, 0.5 goals and 4.4 inside 50s per game.
CLAYTON OLIVER
Melbourne
2018 and 2021 All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 33.5 disposals, 68.1 per cent disposal efficiency, 17.7 contested possessions, 8.7 clearances, five tackles, 1.5 score assists and 5.4 inside 50s per game.
TOM PAPLEY
Sydney Swans
2021 All Australian
16 matches this season
Averages 1.6 goals, 1.7 score assists, 14.9 disposals, 4.3 marks, 2.1 tackles and 3.2 inside 50s per game.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA
Melbourne
2020 and 2021 All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 28.3 disposals, 68.3 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.6 clearances, 3.3 tackles, 1.3 goal assists and 6.6 inside 50s per game.
DANIEL RIOLI
Richmond
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 20.6 disposals, 83.7 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.9 marks, 1.2 intercept marks, 2.3 tackles, 3.3 rebound 50s and 0.8 goals conceded per game.
CONNOR ROZEE
Port Adelaide
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 23.2 disposals, 74.9 per cent disposal efficiency, 0.8 goals, one score assist 4 marks, 3.8 tackles and 4.1 inside 50s per game.
ADAM SAAD
Carlton
Never previously All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 21.9 disposals, 82.8 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.8 marks, 1.8 intercept marks, 2.2 tackles, 4.7 rebound 50s, and one goal conceded per game.
JAMES SICILY
Hawthorn
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 23.8 disposals, 19 kicks, 80 per cent disposal efficiency, 8.6 marks, 1.5 contested marks, 2.6 intercept marks, 6.6 spoils and 8.1 rebound 50s per game.
JACK SINCLAIR
St Kilda
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 27.7 disposals, 19.5 kicks, 78 per cent disposal efficiency, 5.8 marks, 1.2 intercept marks, 2.5 tackles, 4.9 rebound 50s and 0.6 goals conceded per game
TYSON STENGLE
Geelong Cats
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 2.1 goals, 1.2 score assists, 14.6 disposals, 3.3 marks, 4.5 ground ball gets, 2.3 tacklesand 3.5 inside 50s per game.
TOM STEWART
Geelong Cats
2018, 2019 and 2021 All Australian
17 matches this season
Averages 24.2 disposals, 18.2 kicks, 83.7 per cent disposal efficiency, 7.6 marks, 2.9 intercept marks, 2 tackles, 3.9 spoils, 6.2 rebound 50s and 0.8 goals conceded per game.
SAM TAYLOR
GWS Giants
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 15.2 disposals, 81.2 per cent disposal efficiency, six marks, 3.2 intercept marks, 2.7 tackles, 8.1 spoils, 3.5 rebound 50s and 1.8 goals conceded per game.
TAYLOR WALKER
Adelaide Crows
Never previously All Australian
18 matches this season
Averages 2.6 goals, 1.4 score assists, 14.2 disposals, 5.2 marks, 1.4 contested marks, 2 tackles and 2.7 inside 50s per game.
SAM WALSH
Carlton
2021 All Australian
20 matches this season
Averages 32.1 disposals, 74.5 per cent disposal efficiency, 4.4 clearances, 3.3 tackles and 4.7 inside 50s per game.
CHAD WARNER
Sydney Swans
Never previously All Australian
21 matches this season
Averages 23 disposals, four clearances, 4.1 tackles, 0.8 goals, 1.5 score assists and 5.5 inside 50s per game.
JACOB WEITERING
Carlton
Never previously All Australian
18 matches this season
Averages 12 disposals, 78.7 per cent disposal efficiency, 6.1 marks, 0.9 contested marks, 1.8 intercept marks, 6.2 spoils, 3.9 rebound 50s and 1.4 goals conceded per game.
CALLUM WILKIE
St Kilda
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 16.4 disposals, 87.5 per cent disposal efficiency, 7.4 marks, 1 contested mark, 2.5 intercept marks, 1.4 tackles, 5.8 spoils, 3.3 rebound 50s and 1.4 goals conceded per game.
JARROD WITTS
Gold Coast
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 37.9 hit outs, 13 hitouts to advantage, 49.3 per cent hitout win, 4.6 clearances and 13.3 disposals.
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