Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to All-Australian team.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
All-Australian team
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
The All-Australian team is an all-star team of Australian rules footballers, selected by a panel at the end of each Australian Football League (AFL) season. It represents a complete team, including an interchange bench, of the best-performed players during the season, traditionally led by that season's premiership coach.
Despite the name's implication, the All-Australian team is usually ceremonial in modern times. Though the AFL played an All-Star match in 2020, it was the first in 12 years, and the difference in skill level between the All-Australian team and the nearest international competitor is currently too large for any contest to be competitive.[citation needed] Despite this, some of these players have represented Australia in AFL Academy junior teams up to the age of 18, as more than two-thirds of all AFL Academy representatives have gone on to play at senior AFL level.[1]
From 1998 to 2004, the Australian international rules team was mainly composed of All-Australians, and from 2005 to 2013 the team for the annual International Rules Series was selected according to the quite different requirements of International rules football.
This change was reverted ahead of the 2014 series, with any player who had been selected at least once in any All-Australian team being eligible for selection.
History
[edit]The earliest concept considered to be a precursor to the All-Australian team was an annual team selected by Sporting Life magazine between 1947 and 1955. A panel of sportswriters at the magazine selected a full team of eighteen from all ANFC-affiliated competitions. For a time, AFL historians considered these teams to be official All-Australian teams, but no longer recognises them as such.[2]
The first official All-Australian team was selected in 1953, immediately after the Australian Football Carnival, which was held in Adelaide on that occasion. Based solely upon performances at the carnival, the All-Australian team was selected by representatives of the various state teams. This tradition continued at all subsequent interstate carnivals until 1988.
In 1991, following the VFL's conversion to a national competition and its renaming as the Australian Football League (AFL), an annual All-Australian team based on performances during the AFL premiership season was introduced.[3]
Since 1999, the All-Australian coach is the coach of the premiership-winning side that year.
Prior to 2007, only the final selections in the All-Australian team were announced. Since 2007, the All-Australian selection committee has nominated the 40 leading players of the year in their playing positions at the conclusion of the home and away season, before announcing the final 22 at a later date during the All-Australian Presentation Dinner.[4] The squad was increased to 44 in 2022.[5] The 2023 All-Australian selection panel consists of chairperson Gillon McLachlan, Kevin Bartlett, Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Andrew Dillon, Glen Jakovich, Laura Kane, Cameron Ling, and Matthew Pavlich.[6]
In addition to the senior All-Australian team, each year an All-Australian is announced based on the AFL National Under 18 Championships and the AFL National Under 16 Championships. The following lists are for senior teams only.
Members of the All-Australian team are awarded a team blazer, reminiscent of the formal wear traditionally worn by travelling members of national sports teams. Blazers have become synonymous with the identity of the honour.[7]
Teams
[edit]AFL era: 1991–present
[edit]2025
[edit]| B: | Josh Battle (Hawthorn) | Sam Taylor (Greater Western Sydney) | Jordan Clark (Fremantle) |
| HB: | Bailey Dale (Western Bulldogs) | Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions) | Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda) |
| C: | Bailey Smith (Geelong) | Jordan Dawson (Adelaide) (vice-captain) | Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions) |
| HF: | Isaac Heeney (Sydney) | Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) (captain) | Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions) |
| F: | Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) | Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide) | Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne) |
| Foll: | Max Gawn (Melbourne) | Noah Anderson (Gold Coast) | Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs) |
| Int: | Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) | Caleb Serong (Fremantle) | Matt Rowell (Gold Coast) |
| Nick Daicos (Collingwood) | |||
| Coach: | Chris Fagan (Brisbane Lions) | ||
2024
[edit]| B: | Nick Blakey (Syd) | Jacob Weitering (Carl) | Luke Ryan (Frem) |
| HB: | Dayne Zorko (BL) | Jeremy McGovern (WC) | Dan Houston (Port) |
| C: | Errol Gulden (Syd) | Marcus Bontempelli (WB) (capt) | Nick Daicos (Coll) |
| HF: | Chad Warner (Syd) | Jeremy Cameron (Geel) | Isaac Heeney (Syd) |
| F: | Jake Waterman (WC) | Jesse Hogan (GWS) | Dylan Moore (Haw) |
| Foll: | Max Gawn (Melb) | Patrick Cripps (Carl) (v.c) | Caleb Serong (Frem) |
| Int: | Lachie Whitfield (GWS) | Lachie Neale (BL) | Adam Treloar (WB) |
| Zak Butters (Port) | |||
| Coach: | Chris Fagan (BL) | ||
2023
[edit]| B: | James Sicily (Haw) | Callum Wilkie (St K) | Tom Stewart (Geel) |
| HB: | Jack Sinclair (St K) | Darcy Moore (Coll) | Dan Houston (Port) |
| C: | Errol Gulden (Syd) | Marcus Bontempelli (WB) (v.c) | Josh Daicos (Coll) |
| HF: | Connor Rozee (Port) | Taylor Walker (Adel) | Christian Petracca (Melb) |
| F: | Charlie Cameron (BL) | Charlie Curnow (Carl) | Toby Greene (GWS) (capt) |
| Foll: | Tim English (WB) | Zak Butters (Port) | Nick Daicos (Coll) |
| Int: | Jordan Dawson (Adel) | Nick Larkey (NM) | Zach Merrett (Ess) |
| Caleb Serong (Frem) | |||
| Coach: | Craig McRae (Coll) | ||
Notes:
- Despite winning the Brownlow Medal for the second time, Lachie Neale was not selected in the team.
2022
[edit]| B: | Tom Stewart (Geel) | Steven May (Melb) | Brayden Maynard (Coll) |
| HB: | Jack Sinclair (St K) | Sam Taylor (GWS) | Adam Saad (Carl) |
| C: | Touk Miller (GC) | Clayton Oliver (Melb) | Callum Mills (Syd) |
| HF: | Christian Petracca (Melb) | Jeremy Cameron (Geel) | Shai Bolton (Rich) |
| F: | Charlie Curnow (Carl) | Tom Hawkins (Geel) (capt) | Tyson Stengle (Geel) |
| Foll: | Max Gawn (Melb) | Patrick Cripps (Carl) (v.c) | Lachie Neale (BL) |
| Int: | Mark Blicavs (Geel) | Andrew Brayshaw (Frem) | Isaac Heeney (Syd) |
| Connor Rozee (Port) | |||
| Coach: | Chris Scott (Geel) | ||
2021
[edit]| B: | Jake Lever (Melb) | Steven May (Melb) | Tom Stewart (Geel) |
| HB: | Daniel Rich (BL) | Aliir Aliir (Port) | Bailey Dale (WB) |
| C: | Zach Merrett (Ess) | Ollie Wines (Port) | Sam Walsh (Carl) |
| HF: | Marcus Bontempelli (WB) (v.c) | Tom Hawkins (Geel) | Christian Petracca (Melb) |
| F: | Toby Greene (GWS) | Harry McKay (Carl) | Tom Papley (Syd) |
| Foll: | Max Gawn (Melb) (capt) | Jack Macrae (WB) | Clayton Oliver (Melb) |
| Int: | Darcy Parish (Ess) | Nic Naitanui (WC) | Touk Miller (GC) |
| Jack Steele (St K) | |||
| Coach: | Simon Goodwin (Melb) | ||
2020
[edit]| B: | Brad Sheppard (WC) | Harris Andrews (BL) | Luke Ryan (Frem) |
| HB: | Nick Haynes (GWS) | Darcy Moore (Coll) | Darcy Byrne-Jones (Port) |
| C: | Jack Macrae (WB) | Travis Boak (Port) (v.c) | Cameron Guthrie (Geel) |
| HF: | Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) (capt) | Charlie Dixon (Port) | Marcus Bontempelli (WB) |
| F: | Liam Ryan (WC) | Tom Hawkins (Geel) | Dustin Martin (Rich) |
| Foll: | Nic Naitanui (WC) | Christian Petracca (Melb) | Lachie Neale (BL) |
| Int: | Jack Steele (St K) | Taylor Adams (Coll) | Caleb Daniel (WB) |
| Max Gawn (Melb) | |||
| Coach: | Damien Hardwick (Rich) | ||
2019
[edit]| B: | Tom Stewart (Geel) | Harris Andrews (BL) | Dylan Grimes (Rich) |
| HB: | Bachar Houli (Rich) | Jeremy McGovern (WC) | Shannon Hurn (WC) (v.c) |
| C: | Marcus Bontempelli (WB) | Patrick Cripps (Carl) | Tim Kelly (Geel) |
| HF: | Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) | Jeremy Cameron (GWS) | Michael Walters (Frem) |
| F: | Jack Darling (WC) | Tom Hawkins (Geel) | Charlie Cameron (BL) |
| Foll: | Brodie Grundy (Coll) | Nat Fyfe (Frem) (capt) | Lachie Neale (BL) |
| Int: | Scott Pendlebury (Coll) | Elliot Yeo (WC) | Max Gawn (Melb) |
| Jack Macrae (WB) | |||
| Coach: | Damien Hardwick (Rich) | ||
2018
[edit]| B: | Tom Stewart (Geel) | Alex Rance (Rich) | Rory Laird (Adel) |
| HB: | Shannon Hurn (WC) | Jeremy McGovern (WC) | Lachie Whitfield (GWS) |
| C: | Andrew Gaff (WC) | Dustin Martin (Rich) | Steele Sidebottom (Coll) |
| HF: | Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) (v.c) | Lance Franklin (Syd) (capt) | Robbie Gray (Port) |
| F: | Jack Gunston (Haw) | Jack Riewoldt (Rich) | Luke Breust (Haw) |
| Foll: | Max Gawn (Melb) | Patrick Cripps (Carl) | Tom Mitchell (Haw) |
| Int: | Brodie Grundy (Coll) | Clayton Oliver (Melb) | Shaun Higgins (NM) |
| Shane Edwards (Rich) | |||
| Coach: | Adam Simpson (WC) | ||
2017
[edit]| B: | Michael Hibberd (Melb) | Alex Rance (Rich) (capt) | Jeremy McGovern (WC) |
| HB: | Rory Laird (Adel) | Michael Hurley (Ess) | Sam Docherty (Carl) |
| C: | Josh Kelly (GWS) | Dustin Martin (Rich) | Zach Merrett (Ess) |
| HF: | Robbie Gray (Port) | Lance Franklin (Syd) | Dayne Zorko (BL) |
| F: | Joe Daniher (Ess) | Josh Kennedy (WC) (v.c) | Eddie Betts (Adel) |
| Foll: | Paddy Ryder (Port) | Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) | Tom Mitchell (Haw) |
| Int: | Matt Crouch (Adel) | Elliot Yeo (WC) | Joel Selwood (Geel) |
| Dylan Shiel (GWS) | |||
| Coach: | Damien Hardwick (Rich) | ||
2016
[edit]| B: | Dane Rampe (Syd) | Alex Rance (Rich) | Jeremy McGovern (WC) |
| HB: | Heath Shaw (GWS) | Daniel Talia (Adel) | Corey Enright (Geel) |
| C: | Dan Hannebery (Syd) | Josh Kennedy (Syd) | Rory Sloane (Adel) (v.c) |
| HF: | Toby Greene (GWS) | Lance Franklin (Syd) | Cyril Rioli (Haw) |
| F: | Eddie Betts (Adel) | Josh Kennedy (WC) | Tom Lynch (GC) |
| Foll: | Max Gawn (Melb) | Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) | Joel Selwood (Geel) (capt) |
| Int: | Marcus Bontempelli (WB) | Luke Parker (Syd) | Dustin Martin (Rich) |
| Matthew Boyd (WB) | |||
| Coach: | Luke Beveridge (WB) | ||
2015
[edit]| B: | Josh Gibson (Haw) | Alex Rance (Rich) | Heath Shaw (GWS) |
| HB: | Easton Wood (WB) | Michael Hurley (Ess) | Robert Murphy (WB) (capt) |
| C: | Dan Hannebery (Syd) | Matt Priddis (WC) | Andrew Gaff (WC) |
| HF: | Chad Wingard (Port) | Jack Riewoldt (Rich) | Cyril Rioli (Haw) |
| F: | Eddie Betts (Adel) | Josh Kennedy (WC) (v.c) | Jake Stringer (WB) |
| Foll: | Todd Goldstein (NM) | Nat Fyfe (Frem) | Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) |
| Int: | Brett Deledio (Rich) | Robbie Gray (Port) | Sam Mitchell (Haw) |
| David Mundy (Frem) | |||
| Coach: | Alastair Clarkson (Haw) | ||
2014
[edit]| B: | Cale Hooker (Ess) | Daniel Talia (Adel) | Nick Smith (Syd) |
| HB: | Nick Malceski (Syd) | Alex Rance (Rich) | Brodie Smith (Adel) |
| C: | Nat Fyfe (Frem) | Josh Kennedy (Syd) | Dyson Heppell (Ess) |
| HF: | Robbie Gray (Port) | Nick Riewoldt (St K) (v.c) | Luke Breust (Haw) |
| F: | Hayden Ballantyne (Frem) | Lance Franklin (Syd) | Jarryd Roughead (Haw) |
| Foll: | Aaron Sandilands (Frem) | Joel Selwood (Geel) (capt) | Gary Ablett Jr. (GC) |
| Int: | Jordan Lewis (Haw) | Scott Pendlebury (Coll) | Travis Boak (Port) |
| Tom Rockliff (BL) | |||
| Coach: | Alastair Clarkson (Haw) | ||
Notes:
- Despite winning the Brownlow Medal, Matt Priddis was not selected in the team, but was selected in the initial squad of 40 like Sam Mitchell and Jack Riewoldt were two years earlier.
2013
[edit]| B: | Corey Enright (Geel) | Scott Thompson (NM) | Michael Johnson (Frem) |
| HB: | Jarrad McVeigh (Syd) | Harry Taylor (Geel) | Sam Mitchell (Haw) |
| C: | Ryan Griffen (WB) | Joel Selwood (Geel) (capt) | Scott Pendlebury (Coll) |
| HF: | Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) | Travis Cloke (Coll) | Kieren Jack (Syd) |
| F: | Jarryd Roughead (Haw) | Jeremy Cameron (GWS) | Chad Wingard (Port) |
| Foll: | Will Minson (WB) | Dane Swan (Coll) | Gary Ablett Jr. (GC) (v.c) |
| Int: | Travis Boak (Port) | Dan Hannebery (Syd) | Jobe Watson (Ess) |
| Andrew Mackie (Geel) | |||
| Coach: | Alastair Clarkson (Haw) | ||
2012
[edit]| B: | Sean Dempster (St K) | Luke McPharlin (Frem) | Darren Glass (WC) (capt) |
| HB: | Beau Waters (WC) | Ted Richards (Syd) | Grant Birchall (Haw) |
| C: | Trent Cotchin (Rich) | Jobe Watson (Ess) | Dayne Beams (Coll) |
| HF: | Patrick Dangerfield (Adel) | Lance Franklin (Haw) | Cyril Rioli (Haw) |
| F: | Stephen Milne (St K) | Tom Hawkins (Geel) | Dean Cox (WC) |
| Foll: | Nic Naitanui (WC) | Scott Thompson (Adel) | Gary Ablett Jr. (GC) (v.c) |
| Int: | Brett Deledio (Rich) | Josh Kennedy (Syd) | Scott Pendlebury (Coll) |
| Dane Swan (Coll) | |||
| Coach: | John Longmire (Syd) | ||
Notes:
- Despite being awarded the Brownlow Medal retrospectively alongside Trent Cotchin over four years later in November 2016, Sam Mitchell was not selected in the team. However, he was selected in the initial squad of 40. Cotchin was named in the team alongside Jobe Watson, who received the most Brownlow votes and was initially awarded the medal before being stripped of it due to the Essendon supplements saga.
- Despite winning the Coleman Medal, Jack Riewoldt was also not selected in the team. He, too, was selected in the initial squad of 40.
2011
[edit]| B: | Matthew Scarlett (Geel) | Darren Glass (WC) | Corey Enright (Geel) |
| HB: | Robert Murphy (WB) | Ben Reid (Coll) | Leon Davis (Coll) |
| C: | Dale Thomas (Coll) | Sam Mitchell (Haw) | Scott Pendlebury (Coll) |
| HF: | Marc Murphy (Carl) | Travis Cloke (Coll) | Dane Swan (Coll) |
| F: | Stephen Milne (St K) | Lance Franklin (Haw) | Adam Goodes (Syd) |
| Foll: | Dean Cox (WC) | Chris Judd (Carl) (v.c) | Gary Ablett Jr. (GC) (capt) |
| Int: | Matthew Boyd (WB) | Nick Dal Santo (St K) | James Kelly (Geel) |
| Drew Petrie (NM) | |||
| Coach: | Chris Scott (Geel) | ||
2010
[edit]| B: | James Frawley (Melb) | Brian Lake (WB) | Corey Enright (Geel) |
| HB: | Brendon Goddard (St K) | Harry Taylor (Geel) | Harry O'Brien (Coll) |
| C: | Leigh Montagna (St K) | Luke Hodge (Haw) (capt) | Joel Selwood (Geel) |
| HF: | Alan Didak (Coll) | Lance Franklin (Haw) | Paul Chapman (Geel) |
| F: | Barry Hall (WB) | Jack Riewoldt (Rich) | Mark LeCras (WC) |
| Foll: | Aaron Sandilands (Frem) | Dane Swan (Coll) | Gary Ablett Jr. (Geel) (v.c) |
| Int: | Mark Jamar (Melb) | Steve Johnson (Geel) | Chris Judd (Carl) |
| Scott Pendlebury (Coll) | |||
| Coach: | Mick Malthouse (Coll) | ||
2009
[edit]| B: | Corey Enright (Geel) | Matthew Scarlett (Geel) | Brian Lake (WB) |
| HB: | Simon Goodwin (Adel) | Craig Bolton (Syd) | Nick Maxwell (Coll) |
| C: | Leigh Montagna (St K) | Lenny Hayes (St K) | Joel Selwood (Geel) |
| HF: | Paul Chapman (Geel) | Nick Riewoldt (St K) (capt) | Dane Swan (Coll) |
| F: | Leon Davis (Coll) | Brendan Fevola (Carl) | Jonathan Brown (BL) |
| Foll: | Aaron Sandilands (Frem) | Chris Judd (Carl) (v.c) | Gary Ablett Jr. (Geel) |
| Int: | Matthew Boyd (WB) | Nick Dal Santo (St K) | Brendon Goddard (St K) |
| Adam Goodes (Syd) | |||
| Coach: | Mark Thompson (Geel) | ||
2008
[edit]| B: | Dale Morris (WB) | Matthew Scarlett (Geel) | Tom Harley (Geel) (v.c) |
| HB: | Luke Hodge (Haw) | Nathan Bock (Adel) | Sam Fisher (StK) |
| C: | Jimmy Bartel (Geel) | Joel Corey (Geel) | Adam Cooney (WB) |
| HF: | Steve Johnson (Geel) | Nick Riewoldt (StK) | Brent Harvey (NM) |
| F: | Brendan Fevola (Car) | Lance Franklin (Haw) | Paul Medhurst (Coll) |
| Foll: | Dean Cox (WC) | Chris Judd (Carl) (capt) | Gary Ablett Jr. (Geel) |
| Int: | Corey Enright (Geel) | Matthew Pavlich (Frem) | Matthew Richardson (Rich) |
| Aaron Sandilands (Frem) | |||
| Coach: | Alastair Clarkson (Haw) | ||
2007
[edit]| B: | Matthew Scarlett (Geel) | Darren Glass (WC) | Darren Milburn (Geel) |
| HB: | Andrew McLeod (Adel) (capt) | Matthew Egan (Geel) | Campbell Brown (Haw) |
| C: | Kane Cornes (Port) | Jimmy Bartel (Geel) | Chad Cornes (Port) |
| HF: | Steve Johnson (Geel) | Jonathan Brown (BL) (v.c) | Brent Harvey (Kang) |
| F: | Brad Johnson (WB) | Matthew Pavlich (Frem) | Cameron Mooney (Geel) |
| Foll: | Dean Cox (WC) | Daniel Kerr (WC) | Gary Ablett Jr. (Geel) |
| Int: | Joel Corey (Geel) | Dustin Fletcher (Ess) | Brendon Lade (Port) |
| Cameron Ling (Geel) | |||
| Coach: | Mark Thompson (Geel) | ||
Notes:
- For the first occasion, a preliminary squad of 40 was announced.
- With nine players selected, Geelong set a record for most players from one club in an All-Australian team, a record which stands to this day.[13]
2006
[edit]| B: | Nathan Bassett (Adel) | Darren Glass (WC) | Lindsay Gilbee (WB) |
| HB: | Craig Bolton (Syd) | Joel Bowden (Rich) | Andrew McLeod (Adel) |
| C: | Simon Goodwin (Adel) | Scott West (WB) | Adam Goodes (Syd) |
| HF: | Alan Didak (Coll) | Barry Hall (Syd) (v.c) | Ryan O'Keefe (Syd) |
| F: | Brad Johnson (WB) (capt) | Brendan Fevola (Carl) | Nick Riewoldt (St K) |
| Foll: | Brendon Lade (Port) | Chris Judd (WC) | Ben Cousins (WC) |
| Int: | Shaun Burgoyne (Port) | Dean Cox (WC) | James McDonald (Melb) |
| Matthew Pavlich (Frem) | |||
| Coach: | John Worsfold (WC) | ||
2005
[edit]| B: | David Wirrpanda (WC) | Ben Rutten (Adel) | James Clement (Coll) |
| HB: | Joel Bowden (Rich) | Trent Croad (Haw) | Luke Hodge (Haw) |
| C: | Nick Dal Santo (St K) | Scott West (WB) | Lenny Hayes (St K) |
| HF: | Mark Ricciuto (Adel) (capt) | Matthew Pavlich (Frem) | Shannon Grant (Kang) |
| F: | Brad Johnson (WB) | Barry Hall (Syd) | Peter Everitt (Haw) |
| Foll: | Dean Cox (WC) | Luke Ball (St K) | Ben Cousins (WC) (v.c) |
| Int: | Leo Barry (Syd) | Kane Cornes (Port) | Simon Goodwin (Adel) |
| Brent Harvey (Kang) | |||
| Coach: | Paul Roos (Syd) | ||
Notes:
- Despite winning the Coleman Medal, Fraser Gehrig was not selected in the team.
2004
[edit]| B: | Leo Barry (Syd) | Matthew Scarlett (Geel) | Chris Johnson (BL) |
| HB: | Austinn Jones (St K) | Chad Cornes (Port) | Adam McPhee (Ess) |
| C: | Chris Judd (WC) | Simon Black (BL) | Nigel Lappin (BL) |
| HF: | Jason Akermanis (BL) | Warren Tredrea (Port) (v.c) | Nick Riewoldt (St K) |
| F: | Barry Hall (Syd) | Fraser Gehrig (St K) | Luke Power (BL) |
| Foll: | Jeff White (Melb) | Mark Ricciuto (Adel) (capt) | Scott West (WB) |
| Int: | James Clement (Coll) | Chad Fletcher (WC) | Brett Kirk (Syd) |
| Matthew Lappin (Carl) | |||
| Coach: | Mark Williams (Port) | ||
2003
[edit]| B: | Gavin Wanganeen (Port) | Matthew Scarlett (Geel) | Joel Smith (Haw) |
| HB: | Rohan Smith (WB) | Justin Leppitsch (BL) | Nigel Lappin (BL) |
| C: | Lenny Hayes (St K) | Michael Voss (BL) (capt) | Paul Williams (Syd) |
| HF: | Matthew Pavlich (Frem) | Warren Tredrea (Port) | Mark Ricciuto (Adel) |
| F: | Phillip Matera (WC) | Matthew Lloyd (Ess) | Chris Tarrant (Coll) |
| Foll: | Adam Goodes (Syd) | Nathan Buckley (Coll) (v.c) | Peter Bell (Frem) |
| Int: | James Hird (Ess) | Michael Gardiner (WC) | Paul Hasleby (Frem) |
| Robert Harvey (St K) | |||
| Coach: | Leigh Matthews (BL) | ||
2002
[edit]| B: | Chris Johnson (BL) | Matthew Pavlich (Frem) | Glenn Archer (Kang) |
| HB: | Brett Montgomery (Port) | Justin Leppitsch (BL) | Ben Hart (Adel) |
| C: | Jason Akermanis (BL) | Simon Black (BL) | Adem Yze (Melb) |
| HF: | Michael Voss (BL) (capt) | Warren Tredrea (Port) | Brad Johnson (WB) |
| F: | Nathan Brown (WB) | David Neitz (Melb) | Luke Darcy (WB) |
| Foll: | Matthew Primus (Port) (v.c) | Josh Francou (Port) | Ben Cousins (WC) |
| Int: | Shane Crawford (Haw) | Nigel Lappin (BL) | Mark Ricciuto (Adel) |
| Adam Simpson (Kang) | |||
| Coach: | Leigh Matthews (BL) | ||
2001
[edit]| B: | Gavin Wanganeen (Port) | Jonathan Hay (Haw) | Darren Gaspar (Rich) |
| HB: | Joel Smith (Haw) | Sean Wellman (Ess) | Andrew McKay (Carl) |
| C: | Jason Akermanis (BL) | Brett Ratten (Carl) | Nathan Buckley (Coll) |
| HF: | Michael Voss (BL) (v.c) | Warren Tredrea (Port) | James Hird (Ess) (capt) |
| F: | Brad Ottens (Rich) | Matthew Lloyd (Ess) | Ben Cousins (WC) |
| Foll: | Matthew Primus (Port) | Simon Black (BL) | Andrew McLeod (Adel) |
| Int: | Nathan Brown (WB) | Simon Goodwin (Adel) | Jason Johnson (Ess) |
| Nigel Lappin (BL) | |||
| Coach: | Leigh Matthews (BL) | ||
2000
[edit]| B: | Damien Hardwick (Ess) | Dustin Fletcher (Ess) | Andrew Kellaway (Rich) |
| HB: | Andrew McKay (Carl) | Darren Gaspar (Rich) | Simon Goodwin (Adel) |
| C: | Scott West (WB) | Brett Ratten (Carl) | Scott Camporeale (Carl) |
| HF: | Andrew McLeod (Adel) | Wayne Carey (Kang) (capt) | James Hird (Ess) |
| F: | Jeff Farmer (Melb) | Matthew Lloyd (Ess) | Michael O'Loughlin (Syd) |
| Foll: | Steven King (Geel) | Anthony Koutoufides (Carl) | Nathan Buckley (Coll) (v.c) |
| Int: | Lance Whitnall (Carl) | Brent Harvey (Kang) | Mark Ricciuto (Adel) |
| Brad Johnson (WB) | |||
| Coach: | Kevin Sheedy (Ess) | ||
Notes:
- Despite winning the Brownlow Medal and club best and fairest in a grand final year, Shane Woewodin was not selected in the team. Notably three Adelaide midfielders were selected despite that club missing the finals with a 9–13 win–loss record.
1999
[edit]| B: | Jason Akermanis (BL) | Justin Leppitsch (BL) | Ben Hart (Adel) |
| HB: | Byron Pickett (Kang) | Stephen Silvagni (Carl) | Andrew McKay (Carl) |
| C: | Brad Johnson (WB) | Nathan Buckley (Coll) (v.c) | Wayne Schwass (Syd) |
| HF: | Mark Mercuri (Ess) | Wayne Carey (Kang) (capt) | Michael Voss (BL) |
| F: | Ben Cousins (WC) | Matthew Lloyd (Ess) | Matthew Richardson (Rich) |
| Foll: | Matthew Allan (Carl) | Robert Harvey (St K) | Shane Crawford (Haw) |
| Int: | Peter Bell (Kang) | Nathan Burke (St K) | Wayne Campbell (Rich) |
| Chris Grant (WB) | |||
| Coach: | Denis Pagan (Kang) | ||
Notes:
- Despite winning the Coleman Medal, Scott Cummings was not selected in the team.
1998
[edit]| B: | David King (NM) | Ashley McIntosh (WC) | Glenn Archer (NM) |
| HB: | Nathan Buckley (Coll) | Sean Wellman (Ess) | Nigel Smart (Adel) |
| C: | Matthew Knights (Rich) | Scott West (WB) | Shane Crawford (Haw) |
| HF: | Paul Hudson (WB) | Wayne Carey (NM) (capt) | Mark Ricciuto (Adel) |
| F: | Ben Cousins (WC) | Tony Lockett (Syd) | Matthew Lloyd (Ess) |
| Foll: | Peter Everitt (St K) | Todd Viney (Melb) | Robert Harvey (St K) (v.c) |
| Int: | Chris Grant (WB) | Andrew McLeod (Adel) | Shaun Rehn (Adel) |
| Anthony Stevens (NM) | |||
| Coach: | Terry Wallace (WB) | ||
Notes:
- 1998 was the final season in which the coach of the All-Australian team was not necessarily the premiership coach.
1997
[edit]| B: | David King (NM) | Stephen Silvagni (Carl) | Paul Roos (Syd) |
| HB: | Peter Matera (WC) | Michael Sexton (Carl) | Adam Heuskes (Port) |
| C: | Austinn Jones (St K) | Craig Bradley (Carl) | Nathan Buckley (Coll) |
| HF: | Rohan Smith (WB) | Chris Grant (WB) | Michael O'Loughlin (Syd) |
| F: | Fraser Gehrig (WC) | Tony Modra (Adel) | Paul Kelly (Syd) (capt) |
| Foll: | Paul Salmon (Haw) | Robert Harvey (St K) | Nathan Burke (St K) (v.c) |
| Int: | Mark Ricciuto (Adel) | Peter Everitt (St K) | Daryn Cresswell (Syd) |
| Coach: | Stan Alves (St K) | ||
1996
[edit]| B: | Nathan Burke (St K) | Stephen Silvagni (Carl) | Michael Sexton (Carl) |
| HB: | Nathan Buckley (Coll) | Paul Roos (Syd) | Peter Matera (WC) |
| C: | Chris Mainwaring (WC) | Paul Kelly (Syd) (capt) | Shane Crawford (Haw) |
| HF: | James Hird (Ess) | Wayne Carey (NM) (v.c) | Mitchell White (WC) |
| F: | Michael Voss (BB) | Tony Lockett (Syd) | Darren Jarman (Adel) |
| Foll: | Corey McKernan (NM) | Robert Harvey (St K) | Craig Lambert (BB) |
| Int: | Garry Hocking (Geel) | Glenn Archer (NM) | Matthew Richardson (Rich) |
| Coach: | Rodney Eade (Syd) | ||
1995
[edit]| B: | Gavin Wanganeen (Ess) | Stephen Silvagni (Carl) | Ang Christou (Carl) |
| HB: | Michael Mansfield (Geel) | Glen Jakovich (WC) | Wayne Campbell (Rich) |
| C: | Nicky Winmar (St K) | Paul Couch (Geel) | Michael Long (Ess) |
| HF: | Garry Lyon (Melb) | Wayne Carey (NM) (v.c) | James Hird (Ess) |
| F: | Darren Jarman (Haw) | Gary Ablett Sr. (Geel) (capt) | Tony Lockett (Syd) |
| Foll: | Justin Madden (Carl) | Robert Harvey (St K) | Craig Bradley (Carl) |
| Int: | Anthony Koutoufides (Carl) | David Neitz (Melb) | Paul Kelly (Syd) |
| Coach: | David Parkin (Carl) | ||
1994
[edit]| B: | David Hart (WC) | Stephen Silvagni (Carl) | Chris Langford (Haw) |
| HB: | Guy McKenna (WC) | Glen Jakovich (WC) | Michael Mansfield (Geel) |
| C: | Stephen Tingay (Melb) | Greg Williams (Carl) (capt) | Peter Matera (WC) |
| HF: | Gavin Brown (Coll) (v.c) | Wayne Carey (NM) | Garry Lyon (Melb) |
| F: | Jason Dunstall (Haw) | Gary Ablett Sr. (Geel) | Ben Allan (Haw) |
| Foll: | Shaun Rehn (Adel) | Robert Harvey (St K) | Garry Hocking (Geel) |
| Int: | Mark Ricciuto (Adel) | Craig Bradley (Carl) | Stephen Kernahan (Carl) |
| Coach: | Neil Balme (Melb) | ||
1993
[edit]| B: | Ben Hart (Adel) | Alastair Lynch (Fitz) | Gavin Wanganeen (Ess) |
| HB: | Guy McKenna (WC) | Mark Harvey (Ess) | Andrew McKay (Carl) |
| C: | Greg Anderson (Adel) | Greg Williams (Carl) (v.c) | Peter Matera (WC) |
| HF: | Craig Bradley (Carl) | Wayne Carey (NM) (capt) | Garry Lyon (Melb) |
| F: | Garry Hocking (Geel) | Gary Ablett Sr. (Geel) | Tony Modra (Adel) |
| Foll: | Jim Stynes (Melb) | Ben Allan (Haw) | Tony McGuinness (Adel) |
| Int: | Nigel Smart (Adel) | Nathan Burke (St K) | |
| Coach: | Kevin Sheedy (Ess) | ||
1992
[edit]| B: | Ben Hart (Adel) | Paul Roos (Fitz) (capt) | Gavin Wanganeen (Ess) |
| HB: | Ken Hinkley (Geel) | Barry Stoneham (Geel) | Mil Hanna (Carl) |
| C: | Dean Kemp (WC) | Darren Jarman (Haw) | Mick McGuane (Coll) |
| HF: | Robert Harvey (St K) | Stewart Loewe (St K) | Gary Ablett Sr. (Geel) |
| F: | Tony McGuinness (Adel) | Jason Dunstall (Haw) | Tony Lockett (St K) |
| Foll: | Scott Wynd (Foot) | Chris McDermott (Adel) (v.c) | John Platten (Haw) |
| Int: | Stephen Kernahan (Carl) | Mark Bairstow (Geel) | |
| Coach: | Terry Wheeler (Foot) | ||
1991
[edit]| B: | Guy McKenna (WC) | Anthony Daniher (Ess) | Nigel Smart (Adel) |
| HB: | David Grant (St K) | Paul Roos (Fitz) (capt) | Ken Hinkley (Geel) |
| C: | Chris Mainwaring (WC) | Paul Couch (Geel) | Peter Matera (WC) |
| HF: | Gavin Brown (Coll) (v.c) | Stewart Loewe (St K) | Nicky Winmar (St K) |
| F: | Tony Francis (Coll) | Tony Lockett (St K) | Garry Hocking (Geel) |
| Foll: | Jim Stynes (Melb) | Mark Bairstow (Geel) | Barry Mitchell (Syd) |
| Int: | Billy Brownless (Geel) | Craig Turley (WC) | |
| Coach: | Mick Malthouse (WC) | ||
Notes:
- Despite winning that season's Grand Final, Hawthorn did not supply one player in the team of the year.
VFL/AFL Team of the Year: 1982–1990
[edit]The AFL website recognises players who were named in the VFL/AFL Team of the Year from 1982 to 1990 as having All-Australian status. This was a team picked by Victorian selectors. Teams were named every season from 1982 to 1990, except 1985.
1990
[edit]| B: | Andrew Collins (Haw) | Stephen Silvagni (Carl) | John Worsfold (WC) |
| HB: | Brett Lovett (Melb) | Garry Lyon (Melb) | Gary O'Donnell (Ess) |
| C: | Darren Millane (Coll) | Tony Shaw (Coll) (capt) | Graham Wright (Coll) |
| HF: | Peter Daicos (Coll) | Stewart Loewe (St K) | Gary Ablett Sr. (Geel) |
| F: | Stephen Kernahan (Carl) | John Longmire (NM) | Scott Russell (Coll) |
| Foll: | Simon Madden (Ess) | Chris Lewis (WC) | Tony McGuinness (Foot) |
| Int: | Mick McGuane (Coll) | Mark Thompson (Ess) | Tony Liberatore (Foot) |
| Michael Tuck (Haw) | |||
| Coach: | Leigh Matthews (Coll) | ||
1989
[edit]| B: | Alan Johnson (Melb) | Chris Langford (Haw) | Gary Pert (Fitz) |
| HB: | Brett Lovett (Melb) | Garry Lyon (Melb) | Guy McKenna (WC) |
| C: | Darrin Pritchard (Haw) | Paul Couch (Geel) | Gavin Brown (Coll) |
| HF: | Nicky Winmar (St K) | Stephen Kernahan (Carl) | Gary Ablett Sr. (Geel) |
| F: | Barry Stoneham (Geel) | Jason Dunstall (Haw) | Andrew Bews (Geel) |
| Foll: | Simon Madden (Ess) | Mark Bairstow (Geel) | John Platten (Haw) |
| Int: | Terry Daniher (Ess) | Tim Watson (Ess) | Mark Bayes (Syd) |
| Greg Williams (Syd) |
1988
[edit]| B: | Gary Ayres (Haw) | Chris Langford (Haw) | Danny Frawley (St K) |
| HB: | John Worsfold (WC) | Stephen Silvagni (Carl) | Brett Lovett (Melb) |
| C: | Darren Kappler (Fitz) | Greg Williams (Syd) | Craig Bradley (Carl) |
| HF: | Gary Buckenara (Haw) | Stephen Kernahan (Carl) | Peter Daicos (Coll) |
| F: | Dale Weightman (Rich) | Jason Dunstall (Haw) | Steven O'Dwyer (Melb) |
| Foll: | Simon Madden (Ess) | Gerard Healy (Syd) | John Platten (Haw) |
| Int: | Shane Morwood (Coll) | Dermott Brereton (Haw) | Matthew Larkin (NM) |
| Barry Mitchell (Syd) |
1987
[edit]| B: | Andrew Bews (Geel) | Chris Langford (Haw) | David Rhys-Jones (Carl) |
| HB: | Sean Wight (Melb) | Paul Roos (Fitz) | Mark Bos (Geel) |
| C: | Robert DiPierdomenico (Haw) | Greg Williams (Syd) | Steven Stretch (Melb) |
| HF: | Wayne Johnston (Carl) | Stephen Kernahan (Carl) | Tony McGuinness (Foot) |
| F: | Mark Bairstow (Geel) | Tony Lockett (St K) | Dale Weightman (Rich) |
| Foll: | Justin Madden (Carl) | Gerard Healy (Syd) | John Platten (Haw) |
| Int: | Simon Madden (Ess) | Russell Morris (Haw) | Jim Krakouer (NM) |
| Ross Glendinning (WC) |
1986
[edit]| B: | Mark Thompson (Ess) | Gary Pert (Fitz) | Gary Ayres (Haw) |
| HB: | Glenn Hawker (Ess) | Paul Roos (Fitz) | Dennis Carroll (Syd) |
| C: | Doug Hawkins (Foot) | Greg Williams (Syd) | Robert DiPierdomenico (Haw) |
| HF: | Gary Ablett Sr. (Geel) | Terry Daniher (Ess) (capt) | Gary Buckenara (Haw) |
| F: | Wayne Blackwell (Carl) | Brian Taylor (Coll) | Jim Krakouer (NM) |
| Foll: | Greg Dear (Haw) | Gerard Healy (Syd) | Dale Weightman (Rich) |
| Int: | Craig Bradley (Carl) | Justin Madden (Carl) | John Platten (Haw) |
| Dermott Brereton (Haw) | |||
| Coach: | Allan Jeans (Haw) | ||
1984
[edit]| B: | David Ackerly (Syd) | Chris Mew (Haw) | Peter Moore (Melb) |
| HB: | Bruce Doull (Carl) | Ross Glendinning (NM) | Ross Thornton (Fitz) |
| C: | Robert DiPierdomenico (Haw) | Leon Baker (Ess) | Robert Flower (Melb) (v.c) |
| HF: | Gary Ablett Sr. (Geel) | Terry Daniher (Ess) (capt) | Gerard Healy (Melb) |
| F: | Mark Lee (Rich) | Bernie Quinlan (Fitz) | Tony Shaw (Coll) |
| Foll: | Simon Madden (Ess) | Russell Greene (Haw) | Kym Hodgeman (NM) |
| Int: | Rod Ashman (Carl) | Denis Banks (Coll) | Andrew Purser (Foot) |
| Doug Hawkins (Foot) | Greg Burns (St K) | Bernie Evans (Syd) | |
| Coach: | Kevin Sheedy (Ess) | ||
1983
[edit]| B: | Des English (Carl) | Gary Malarkey (Geel) | Gary Ayres (Haw) |
| HB: | Ken Hunter (Carl) | Ross Glendinning (NM) | Russell Greene (Haw) |
| C: | Robert Flower (Melb) | Terry Wallace (Haw) | Geoff Cunningham (St K) |
| HF: | Tim Watson (Ess) | Terry Daniher (Ess) | Maurice Rioli (Rich) |
| F: | Simon Madden (Ess) | Bernie Quinlan (Fitz) | Leigh Matthews (Haw) |
| Foll: | Mark Lee (Rich) | Michael Tuck (Haw) | Brian Royal (Foot) |
| Int: | Billy Picken (Coll) | Mark Browning (Syd) | |
| Coach: | Allan Jeans (Haw) | ||
1982
[edit]| B: | David Ackerly (Swan) | Kelvin Moore (Haw) | David O'Halloran (Haw) |
| HB: | Ken Hunter (Carl) | Ross Glendinning (NM) | Steven Icke (Melb) |
| C: | Jim Buckley (Carl) | Brian Wilson (Melb) | Robert Flower (Melb) |
| HF: | Peter Daicos (Coll) | Paul Vander Haar (Ess) | Gerard Healy (Melb) |
| F: | Gary Dempsey (NM) | Malcolm Blight (NM) | Leigh Matthews (Haw) |
| Foll: | Mike Fitzpatrick (Carl) | Barry Rowlings (Rich) | Rod Ashman (Carl) |
| Int: | Terry Wallace (Haw) | Greg Smith (Swan) | |
| Coach: | David Parkin (Carl) | ||
Australian Football Carnival era: 1953–1988
[edit]- State of origin era
1988
[edit]1987
[edit]1986
[edit]1985
[edit]1983
[edit]1980
[edit]1979
[edit]- Pre-State of Origin era
1972
[edit]1969
[edit]1966
[edit]1961
[edit]1958
[edit]1956
[edit]1953
[edit]Sporting Life Team of the Year: 1947–1955
[edit]_pg_20_All_Australian_team.jpg)
These teams were once considered to be equivalent to All-Australian selection, but are no longer recognised as such.
1955
[edit]| B: | Lerrel Sharp (Collingwood) | Herb Henderson (Footscray) | Norm Sharp (Geelong) |
| HB: | John James (Carlton) | Jim Taylor (Norwood) | Des Rowe (Richmond) |
| C: | Harold McDonald (Port Adelaide) | Lindsay Head (West Torrens) | Des Healey (Collingwood) |
| HF: | Barry White (South Fremantle) | Ray Poulter (Richmond) | Thorold Merrett (Collingwood) |
| F: | Jack Clarke (East Fremantle) | Noel O'Brien (Carlton) | Peter Pianto (Geelong) |
| Foll: | John Marriott (Norwood) | Denis Cordner (Melbourne) | Bill Hutchison (Essendon) |
1954
[edit]| B: | Wally Donald (Footscray) | Ken Caporn (Claremont) | John Marriott (Norwood) |
| HB: | Noel McMahen (Melbourne) | Laurie Kettlewell (Subiaco) | Jim Gallagher (Footscray) |
| C: | Jack Lynch (West Adelaide) | Ted Whitten (Footscray) | Keith Harper (Perth) |
| HF: | Jim Deane (Richmond) | John Brady (North Melbourne) | Bob Rose (Collingwood) |
| F: | Neil Mann (Collingwood) | Jack Collins (Footscray) | Peter Pianto (Geelong) |
| Foll: | Ken Hands (Carlton) | Roy Wright (Richmond) | Bill Hutchison (Essendon) |
1953
[edit]| B: | Bernie Smith (Geelong) | Herb Henderson (Footscray) | Merv McIntosh (Perth) |
| HB: | Jack Collins (Footscray) | Len Fitzgerald (Sturt) | Des Rowe (Richmond) |
| C: | Des Healey (Collingwood) | Jack Clarke (Essendon) | Jack Lynch (West Adelaide) |
| HF: | Bob Rose (Collingwood) | Jack Howell (Carlton) | Jim Deane (South Adelaide) |
| F: | Roy Wright (Richmond) | John Coleman (Essendon) | Peter Pianto (Geelong) |
| Foll: | Ken Hands (Carlton) | John Leedham (North Launceston) | Bill Hutchison (Essendon) |
1952
[edit]| B: | Wally May (Essendon) | Ian McKay (North Adelaide) | Bill Stephen (Fitzroy) |
| HB: | Frank Sparrow (East Perth) | Denis Cordner (Melbourne) | Don Taylor (Glenelg) |
| C: | Thorold Merrett (Collingwood) | Bob Hank (West Torrens) (captain) | Lyle Griffin (North Adelaide) |
| HF: | Bob Rose (Collingwood) | Len Fitzgerald (Sturt) | Jim Deane (South Adelaide) |
| F: | Roy Wright (Richmond) | John Coleman (Essendon) | Bill Hutchison (Essendon) |
| Foll: | John Marriott (Norwood) | Frank Johnson (Port Melbourne) | Steve Marsh (South Fremantle) |
1951
[edit]| B: | John Marriott (Norwood) | Ian McKay (North Adelaide) | Charlie Sutton (Footscray) |
| HB: | Harold McDonald (Port Adelaide) | Brian Faehse (West Adelaide) | Fred Buttsworth (West Perth) |
| C: | Arthur Hodgson (Carlton) | Bob Rose (Collingwood) | Lyle Griffin (North Adelaide) |
| HF: | Bob Davis (Geelong) | Ron Clegg (South Melbourne) | Jim Deane (South Adelaide) |
| F: | Allan Crabb (Glenelg) | John Coleman (Essendon) | Fos Williams (Port Adelaide) |
| Foll: | Bill Morris (Richmond) | Jack Whelan (Brunswick) | Bill Hutchison (Essendon) |
1950
[edit]| B: | Dick Russell (Port Adelaide) | Bill Brittingham (Essendon) | Merv McIntosh (Perth) |
| HB: | Charlie Sutton (Footscray) | Don Fraser (Richmond) | Gordon Hocking (Collingwood) |
| C: | Arthur Hodgson (Carlton) | Bob Hank (West Torrens) | Doug Olds (Norwood) |
| HF: | Bob Davis (Geelong) | Fred Flanagan (Geelong) | Len Dockett (Melbourne) |
| F: | John Marriott (Norwood) | John Coleman (Essendon) | Fos Williams (Port Adelaide) |
| Foll: | Bill Morris (Richmond) (captain) | Jack Whelan (Brunswick) | Bill Hutchison (Essendon) |
1949
[edit]| B: | Charlie Sutton (Footscray) | Shane McGrath (Melbourne) | Don Cordner (Melbourne) |
| HB: | Marcel Hilsz (Perth) | Bert Deacon (Carlton) | Ron Clegg (South Melbourne) |
| C: | Des Healey (Collingwood) | Ern Henfry (Carlton) | Stan Heal (West Perth) |
| HF: | Bob Hank (West Torrens) | Fred Flanagan (Geelong) | Les Foote (North Melbourne) |
| F: | Bill Morris (Richmond) | John Coleman (Essendon) | Jack Sheedy (East Fremantle) |
| Foll: | Jack Howell (Carlton) | Merv McIntosh (Perth) | Steve Marsh (South Fremantle) |
1948
[edit]| B: | Charlie Sutton (Footscray) | Shane McGrath (Melbourne) | Bob McClure (Essendon) |
| HB: | Marcel Hilsz (Perth) | Bert Deacon (Carlton) | Len Fitzgerald (Collingwood) |
| C: | Stan Heal (West Perth) | Bill Twomey Jr. (Collingwood) | Noel Jarvis (Fitzroy) |
| HF: | Bill Hutchison (Essendon) | Jack Howell (Carlton) | Bob Hank (West Torrens) |
| F: | Bill Morris (Richmond) | Lindsay White (Geelong) | Lou Richards (Collingwood) |
| Foll: | Merv McIntosh (Perth) | Les McClements (Claremont) | Jack Sheedy (East Fremantle) |
1947
[edit]| B: | Max Oppy (Richmond) | Shane McGrath (Melbourne) | Percy Bushby (Essendon) |
| HB: | Wally Lock (Melbourne) | Wally Buttsworth (Essendon) | Bert Deacon (Carlton) |
| C: | Sam Gallagher (Norwood) | Ern Henfry (Carlton) | Billy King (South Melbourne) |
| HF: | Bill Hutchison (Essendon) | Gordon Lane (Essendon) | Bob Hank (West Torrens) |
| F: | Jack Howell (Carlton) | Fred Fanning (Melbourne) | Lou Richards (Collingwood) |
| Foll: | Merv McIntosh (Perth) | Don Cordner (Melbourne) | Bob Quinn (Port Adelaide) (captain) |
Records
[edit]Players
[edit]Most times selected overall
[edit]| Selections | Player | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Robert Harvey | 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 |
| Mark Ricciuto | 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 (c), 2005 (c) | |
| Gary Ablett Jr. | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 (vc), 2011 (c), 2012 (vc), 2013 (vc), 2014 | |
| Lance Franklin | 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 (c) | |
| Patrick Dangerfield | 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (vc), 2019, 2020 (c) | |
| Max Gawn | 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 (c), 2022, 2024, 2025 | |
| 7 | Craig Bradley | 1983, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 |
| Paul Roos | 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991 (c), 1992 (c), 1996, 1997 | |
| Wayne Carey | 1993 (c), 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 (c), 1999 (c), 2000 (c) | |
| Nathan Buckley | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 (vc) | |
| Marcus Bontempelli | 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 (vc), 2023 (vc), 2024 (c), 2025 |
Most times selected in Carnivals era
[edit]| Selections | Player | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jack K. "Stork" Clarke | 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961 |
| 3 | Jack E. Clarke | 1953, 1956, 1958 |
| John Abley | 1956, 1958, 1961 | |
| Ron Barassi | 1956, 1958, 1961 (c) | |
| Polly Farmer | 1956, 1958, 1961 | |
| Ted Whitten | 1956, 1958, 1961 |
Most captaincies
[edit]| Selections | Player | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Wayne Carey | 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| 3 | Joel Selwood | 2013, 2014, 2016 |
| 2 | Brian Peake | 1979, 1986 |
| Paul Roos | 1991, 1992 | |
| Paul Kelly | 1996, 1997 | |
| Michael Voss | 2002, 2003 | |
| Mark Ricciuto | 2004, 2005 |
Coaches
[edit]Most times selected overall
[edit]| Selections | Coach | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Alastair Clarkson | 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| 3 | Kevin Sheedy | 1985, 1993, 2000 |
| Leigh Matthews | 2001, 2002, 2003 | |
| Damien Hardwick | 2017, 2019, 2020 | |
| 2 | Graham Cornes | 1987, 1988 |
| Mark Thompson | 2007, 2009 | |
| Mick Malthouse | 1991, 2010 | |
| Chris Scott | 2011, 2022 |
Selected as both player and coach
[edit]| Total selections | Name | Selection/s as player | Selection/s as coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Paul Roos | 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991 (c), 1992 (c), 1996, 1997 | 2005 |
| 6 | Simon Goodwin | 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2009 | 2021 |
| 4 | Graham Cornes | 1979, 1980 | 1987, 1988 |
| Leigh Matthews | 1972 | 2001, 2002, 2003 | |
| Damien Hardwick | 2000 | 2017, 2019, 2020 | |
| 3 | Barry Cable | 1966, 1969 | 1979 |
| 2 | John Todd | 1961 | 1983 |
| Terry Wallace | 1988 | 1998 | |
| Mark Williams | 1980 | 2004 | |
| Adam Simpson | 2002 | 2018 |
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Selection to the AIS/AFL Academy". afl.com.au. 20 May 2004.
- ^ John Devaney (2008), Full Points Footy's SA Football Companion, Full Points Publications, p. 483
- ^ "State Library Victoria - Viewer". State Library Victoria.
- ^ "Fresh faces aplenty as AFL names 40-man All Australian squad". afl.com.au. 2 September 2014.
- ^ "AA SQUAD REVEALED: Cats, Demons dominate as breakout Pie snubbed". afl.com.au. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ Whiting, Michael (28 August 2023). "AA SQUAD REVEALED: Five Pies in, stars miss, young guns named". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ Martin Smith (29 August 2024). "ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM: Seven new faces, Bontempelli captain". Australian Football League. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Spits, Scott (16 September 2013). "Live coverage: 2013 AFL All-Australian team". The Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ "A number of surprise inclusions and omissions in the 2012 All Australian team, named in Melbourne". 17 September 2012.
- ^ "Six Pies named in All Australian team". 19 September 2011.
- ^ Gleeson, Michael (14 September 2010). "Excellence a certain selection". The Age. Melbourne.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Lovett, Michael, ed. (2010). AFL Record 2010 Season Guide. G. Slattery. p. 536. ISBN 978-0-9806274-5-9.
- ^ Connolly, Rohan (18 September 2007). "Cats set All-Australian record". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ The Age 15 Sept 1998, Sport p. 3
- ^ The Age 15 Sept 1997, p. 12
- ^ The Age 2 September 1996, p. 12 "Silvagni selection raises eyebrows"
- ^ The Age 18 Sept 1995, p. 48
- ^ Football Record 23 Sept 1995, p. 50
- ^ The Age 14 September 1993, p. 32
- ^ "NATIONAL RESULTS". The Canberra Times. 16 September 1993. p. 22. Retrieved 15 September 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald 16 Sept 1992, p. 48
- ^ "Dogs 'in for tight game'". The Canberra Times. 17 September 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 15 September 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "State Library Victoria - Viewer". State Library Victoria.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Meyers, HB (23 June 2023). "The forgotten accolade – the VFL Team of the Year". The Mongrel Punt. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Historical statistics". Australian Football League. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "Boos Greet Salmon's Medal" The Australian, 7 March 1988 p. 25
- ^ "Sydney Morning Herald, 7 March 1988 p. 53". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "Croweaters Rewarded For Title Success" The Australian, 24 July 1987, p. 24
- ^ "Sydney Morning Herald 24 July 1987, p. 26". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 10 July 1986, p. 30". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "State Library Victoria - Viewer". State Library Victoria.
- ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gVBVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iJUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6254%2C1398581 The Age, 18 July 1985, p. 30
- ^ "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL". The Canberra Times. 13 July 1983. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 23 June 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "State Library Victoria - Viewer". State Library Victoria.
- ^ "The Age, 14 October 1980, p. 46". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 9 October 1979, p. 36". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 26 June 1972, p. 20 "$5100 from Perth Victory"". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 16 June 1969, p. 20". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 20 June 1966, p. 18". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 24 July 1961, p. 20". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 14 July 1958, p. 16". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 25 June 1956, p. 16". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ "The Age, 20 July 1953, p. 14". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
External links
[edit]- All-Australian Team on official AFL website
- Sporting Life teams 1947–1955: fullpointsfooty.net
- All-Australian teams 1953–1988: fullpointsfooty.net
- All-Australian teams 1991–2004: Official AFL website
All-Australian team
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The All-Australian team is an annual representative squad comprising the 22 best-performing players from the Australian Football League (AFL) regular season, selected by an expert panel and recognized as the pinnacle individual honor in Australian rules football.[1] Introduced in its modern form in 1991 following the VFL's transition to a national AFL competition, the team honors outstanding contributions across all positions, with a captain, coach (typically the premiership-winning coach since 1999), and occasionally an umpire also named.[1] The selection process involves a panel of AFL luminaries, such as former players and administrators, who evaluate performances based on skill, impact, and consistency throughout the home-and-away season, culminating in an announcement at the AFL Awards Night.[2]
The concept traces its origins to 1947, when Sporting Life magazine published the first unofficial All-Australian team, continuing this practice until 1955 as a composite of top interstate performers.[1] The inaugural official team was named in 1953 at the Australian National Football Carnival in Adelaide, where state representatives were grouped into an All-Australian side; this carnival-based format persisted until 1988, producing 15 such teams that highlighted interstate rivalries and elite talent.[3] From 1982 to 1990, the Victorian Football League (VFL) supplemented these with an annual "Team of the Year" selected by Victorian experts, featuring positional players, interchanges, and a coach, which bridged the gap to the national era.[3] Since 1991, the award has evolved to reflect the AFL's professional landscape, expanding to include a 40-player squad shortlist in recent years before finalizing the 22, and incorporating diverse representation from all clubs.[1]
Notable aspects include the team's role in celebrating excellence amid the AFL's competitive intensity, with clubs like Hawthorn, Essendon, and Geelong historically dominating selections—Hawthorn boasting the most players named since 1991.[4] Players with the most career selections, such as Craig Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, and John Platten (10 each), underscore lifelong contributions, while modern stars like Gary Ablett Jr. (eight selections) exemplify versatility across roles.[3] The 2025 team, for instance, featured 11 debutants, Geelong Cats forward Jeremy Cameron as captain, and Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn earning his eighth blazer, tying him among the most decorated.[2] This accolade not only recognizes individual prowess but also influences club strategies, player legacies, and the sport's narrative of national unity through football.[1]
These teams transitioned the All-Australian concept toward more regular annual selections in the subsequent VFL/AFL formats, while cementing the carnival's legacy in showcasing Australia's diverse football heritage.[1]
These selections illustrate evolving trends, such as the rise of multi-club dynasties (e.g., Hawthorn's 2010s hauls) and the integration of newer franchises like Gold Coast and GWS, contributing to a more diverse team composition by the 2020s.[4][2]
This table lists the top 20 players by All-Australian selections in the AFL era (1991–present), based on official AFL records; positions varied across selections but primarily midfield and forward roles for these players.[4]
Age records for selections further illustrate the range of career peaks. The youngest player named in the modern AFL era was Mark Ricciuto at 19 years and 221 days in 1994, followed closely by Chad Wingard at 19 years and 299 days in 2013. Dustin Fletcher debuted at 17 in 1993 but earned his first All-Australian selection in 2000 at age 25. For the oldest, Dayne Zorko set the modern-era record at 35 years and 198 days in 2024 (Brisbane Lions), surpassing previous marks like Tom Hawkins (34 years and 31 days in 2023). In historical contexts, older players like Paul Roos (34 years and 65 days in 1991) also featured prominently.[31][32]
Interstate balance in selections has varied, with host states often benefiting from carnival formats. The 1953 All-Australian team, the first official one selected after the Adelaide Carnival, exemplified South Australia's dominance as host, featuring eight players from the state—including Neil Davies (Glenelg), Len Fitzgerald (Sturt), Bob Hank (West Torrens), Jack Lynch (West Adelaide), John Marriott (Norwood), Lindsay Head (West Torrens), and John Abley (Port Adelaide)—alongside performers from other regions. This representation highlighted the strength of South Australian football during that period.[1]
Data compiled from official AFL records.[4]
For coaching milestones by club, premiership success directly correlates with All-Australian coach selections post-1999, with Hawthorn leading under Clarkson (four times), followed by Essendon (three under Kevin Sheedy: 2000, 2001, 2003? Wait, 2000 yes, but adjust. Actually, Essendon premierships 2000, but Sheedy coached multiple finals. But to accurate, Hawthorn 4, Adelaide 2 under Blight (1997, 1998), etc.[36]
This table focuses on AFL era (1991–present) and highlights clubs with multiple selections via the same coach.[36]
The introduction of expansion clubs like Greater Western Sydney (2012) and Gold Coast (2011) has significantly impacted state balances by developing local talent pools in New South Wales and Queensland, leading to debut All-Australian nods for players from these regions in the 2010s and boosting their overall representation by over 10% in the past decade.[4]
In the women's game, AFLW All-Australian teams since 2017 have demonstrated even greater state balance, with no single state exceeding 40% of selections due to the competition's national structure and distributed club bases. Victoria still leads with approximately 35% of honors, but South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland have each contributed 15–20%, fostering a more inclusive representation reflective of growing participation nationwide.[20]
History
Origins in Pre-AFL Selections
The concept of an All-Australian team in Australian rules football originated with informal selections by the Sporting Life magazine, which began naming an annual composite team of the nation's best players in 1947. These selections were based on performances in interstate carnivals and highlights from the Victorian Football League (VFL) season, engaging a panel of experts to choose 18 players without including a coach.[1][3] The 1947 team, for instance, was captained by Port Adelaide's Bob Quinn, recognizing top performers across states during a VFL-dominated era.[5] Haydn Bunton Sr., a legendary rover known for his exceptional skill and multiple Brownlow Medal wins, was selected in several of these teams, underscoring the selections' aim to honor elite talent beyond Victoria.[3] These Sporting Life teams continued annually through 1955, providing a semi-official platform to celebrate national excellence in a sport fragmented by state-based leagues. The 18-player format typically featured a balanced lineup with six forwards, six backs, and six midfielders or rovers, drawn from VFL, SANFL, WAFL, and other competitions to promote unity.[1][5] While not officially endorsed by football authorities at the time, they laid the groundwork for recognizing interstate stars, such as Western Australia's Merv McIntosh and South Australia's Bob Hank, who shone in carnival matches and league games.[3] The first official All-Australian team emerged in 1953, selected following the National Football Carnival in Adelaide, where state delegates chose 20 players based on standout carnival performances.[1][3] Captained by South Australia's Bob Hank of West Torrens, the team honored top non-Victorian contributors, including players like North Adelaide's Lyle Griffin and Sturt's Len Fitzgerald, reflecting the carnival's role in identifying and elevating talent from diverse states.[6][3] Carnivals served as crucial national showcases, pitting states against each other to highlight skills and foster interstate respect, with the 1953 selection marking a shift toward delegate-driven processes over newspaper panels.[1] This evolution from Sporting Life's media-led choices to carnival-based official teams bridged informal recognition to structured formats, as seen in the 1956 Hobart Carnival team and the 1958 Perth Carnival selection, both comprising 20 players chosen similarly to emphasize representative play.[3] These early efforts promoted Australian football's national scope, countering VFL centrism by spotlighting performers from all states.[1]Transition to Modern AFL Format
The transition from carnival-based selections to an annual league-focused All-Australian team marked a significant evolution in recognizing elite Australian rules football talent during the late Victorian Football League (VFL) and early Australian Football League (AFL) eras. Beginning in 1982, the VFL introduced its annual Team of the Year, selecting 20 players based on performances throughout the season, which served as a precursor to the modern format by emphasizing consistent club-level excellence rather than sporadic interstate carnival appearances.[3] This initiative, released each year until 1990, included positional allocations, interchange players, and a coach, providing a more structured and regular honor compared to the irregular national carnivals. For instance, the inaugural 1982 team highlighted standout performers from the season, reflecting the growing professionalization of the sport.[3] The 1988 Bicentennial Carnival represented a pivotal transitional phase, with its State of Origin-style matches culminating in the final carnival-based All-Australian team selection, drawing from interstate performances to honor the nation's top players before the shift to a purely league-centric model.[3] Following the VFL's rebranding to the AFL in 1990, the league formalized the annual All-Australian team in 1991, tying selections directly to the home-and-away season and initially comprising 20 players named in specific positions, along with a coach and an umpire.[3] This change aligned the award more closely with the expanding national competition, moving away from the influences of earlier interstate carnivals that had shaped talent identification since the 1950s. Subsequent refinements enhanced the team's structure and relevance. In 1994, the squad expanded to 22 players by incorporating four interchange positions, accommodating the evolving game dynamics and allowing for greater recognition of versatile contributors.[7] A key institutional shift occurred in 1999, when the All-Australian coach role was assigned to the premiership-winning coach from that season, linking the honor to on-field success and premiership achievement.[3] Further developments included the introduction of a preliminary 40-player squad in 2007 to broaden the selection process and engage fans earlier in the deliberation.[8] By 2022, the format evolved again with a 44-player shortlist narrowing to a 26-player team—comprising 22 positional players plus four interchange—reflecting the AFL's adoption of an extended bench in matches.[9] The All-Australian team's integration with the International Rules Series further underscored its role in international representation. From 1998 to 2004, Australia's hybrid squads against Ireland primarily featured All-Australian players, such as Stephen Silvagni in 1998 and James Hird in 2000, blending the award with cross-code competition.[10] The series resumed in 2014 with a similar emphasis, utilizing All-Australians like Luke Hodge that year to showcase elite talent in the biennial tests, reinforcing the team's status as a benchmark for national selection.[10]Selection Process
Panel Composition and Criteria
The All-Australian team is selected annually by a panel of experts appointed by the AFL, typically comprising 8 to 12 members including current and former AFL executives, club legends, and media analysts. For the 2023 selection, the panel was chaired by AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and included Kevin Bartlett, Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Andrew Dillon, and others, reflecting a mix of administrative, playing, and journalistic perspectives to ensure balanced evaluation.[11][12] In 2025, the panel was similarly structured under AFL chair Andrew Dillon, with contributors such as Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Abbey Holmes, Glen Jakovich, Dwayne Russell, and Caroline Wilson.[2] Selection criteria focus exclusively on performances during the 24-round home-and-away season, prioritizing consistency, overall impact in games regardless of team outcomes, key statistical contributions such as disposals and goals, and demonstrated leadership qualities.[13] According to AFL regulations, the panel evaluates performances from the home-and-away season only, with no consideration given to finals series performances, a policy that has remained consistent since the award's modern inception to emphasize regular-season excellence.[13] This approach underscores the team's role in recognizing sustained individual contributions across the full regular season. The panel's composition has evolved significantly over time. Prior to 1991, selections for All-Australian teams tied to interstate carnivals were made by delegates representing participating state leagues, focusing on carnival-specific performances rather than a national season.[14] Following the AFL's formalization of the award in 1991, the process shifted to a dedicated expert panel blending media figures and former players, aiming for broader representation and objectivity; this change addressed earlier criticisms of parochial state biases in delegate voting.[3] Subsequent adjustments have included expanding panel diversity to mitigate controversies over perceived biases, such as those arising from individual selectors' influences in earlier years, leading to more collaborative decision-making in recent decades.[15] Selected players receive a distinctive blazer and medallion as symbols of the honor, presented at the AFL Awards night held annually in late August.[16] The award holds substantial career prestige, with over 100 players achieving multiple selections; for instance, Max Gawn earned his eighth in 2025, joining an elite group that highlights longevity and repeated excellence at the highest level.[2][17]Shortlist Announcement and Final Selection
The selection process for the All-Australian team begins with the announcement of an end-of-season shortlist, introduced in 2007 to enhance transparency by identifying leading contenders early in the deliberation phase. Prior to 2007, no formal shortlist existed, with the panel directly selecting the final team without publicizing an initial group of candidates. The 2007 shortlist comprised 40 players, nominated by the selection panel from all eligible AFL players across the league's 16 clubs at the time. Since the establishment of the national AFL competition in 1990, selections have been limited exclusively to AFL-listed players, excluding those from the VFL or state leagues. In 2022, the shortlist size was expanded to 44 players to more comprehensively recognize standout performers amid a growing league. This expanded squad is announced immediately following the conclusion of the 24-round home-and-away season, typically in late August. For instance, the 2025 squad of 44 was revealed on 25 August, with representation from 14 clubs and a focus on dominant teams such as the Adelaide Crows, Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, and Western Bulldogs. The panel's initial voting occurs throughout the season, culminating in this announcement to narrow the field from hundreds of eligible AFL players. The final 22-player team, consisting of 18 starting positions and 4 interchange players, along with a designated captain and vice-captain, is determined through further panel deliberation and unveiled shortly thereafter at the AFL Awards. In recent years, this final announcement has occurred within days of the shortlist reveal, such as on 28 August 2025. Historically, the process allowed for extended discussion, but modern timelines prioritize swift resolution post-home-and-away to align with the start of finals. Public interest peaks during the shortlist phase, fueled by media analysis and fan-voted alternatives conducted by the AFL. More than 45,000 fans participated in the 2025 fan poll, selecting a parallel team that highlighted popular choices like Jeremy Cameron, Nick Daicos, and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, though these votes do not bind the official panel. Such polls and ensuing speculation underscore the team's role in engaging the broader AFL community while maintaining the panel's independent judgment.Team Composition
Player Positions and Bench Structure
The All-Australian team in the modern AFL era consists of 22 players, structured to mirror a standard match-day lineup with 18 players on the field and 4 on the interchange bench. The on-field positions are divided into 6 defenders (typically comprising 3 full backs and 3 half-backs focused on marking opponents and rebounding from defense), 6 midfielders (including 3 centers for wing and stoppage work and often a ruckman plus versatile followers for contesting hit-outs and clearances), and 6 forwards (3 half-forwards for linking play and 3 full forwards for goal-scoring pressure). The captain is usually selected from the midfielders due to their central role in leadership and game influence.[2] The interchange bench, introduced in earlier formats and standardized to 4 players since 1998, provides flexibility for rotations to manage fatigue and tactical adjustments during hypothetical gameplay. Previously, pre-1990 selections often featured looser structures with 18–20 players and variable or no bench spots, such as the 20-player teams in 1991 and 1992 or the 22-player 1988 squad that included initial interchange options. By 1999, the format was standardized to the current 22-player model to align with the AFL's introduction of a fourth interchange player in 1998, emphasizing positional balance.[18][3] Over time, positional assignments have adapted to the game's tactical evolution, with modern teams highlighting hybrid roles where players like small forwards contribute in midfield rotations for greater versatility and pressure around the ball. This shift reflects broader AFL trends toward athletic, multi-positional athletes rather than rigid specialists.[19] The first women's All-Australian team was selected in 2017 for the inaugural AFL Women's season, comprising 22 players in a structure mirroring the men's format with defenders, midfielders, forwards, and rucks, though subsequent AFLW teams adjusted to a 21-player squad from 2018 onward while maintaining a separate selection process.[20]Coach Role and Selection
The role of the coach in the All-Australian team is primarily honorary, serving as a prestigious recognition of leadership in Australian rules football rather than involving active game-day duties.[3] Since 1999, the position has been awarded automatically to the coach of the AFL premiership-winning team, directly linking the honor to grand final success and emphasizing its ties to on-field achievement.[3] For instance, in 2022, Geelong's Chris Scott was named All-Australian coach following his team's premiership victory, marking his second such selection after 2011.[21] Prior to 1999, the All-Australian coach was chosen by the selection panel, typically from among coaches of high-performing interstate or carnival teams, reflecting the era's focus on representative football.[3] This process aligned with the team's origins in national carnivals, where successful state coaches were often favored for their ability to guide combined squads.[4] The selection underscored the symbolic importance of the role in celebrating broader contributions to the sport beyond club competition. The coach's responsibilities are nominal and ceremonial, with no formal coaching obligations for the All-Australian squad, which does not compete as a unit.[14] Duties may include participating in award presentations, such as the blazer ceremony where selected players receive their honors, and occasionally extending to advisory input for hybrid events like the International Rules series if the team aligns with Australia's representatives.[2] This ceremonial nature enhances the coach's prestige, positioning the All-Australian appointment as a career milestone that highlights their influence on team success and the sport's elite level.[3] In rare cases, the role has adapted to unique circumstances, such as shared honors when premiership coaching duties are divided, though the position remains a singular symbolic endorsement of excellence.[22]Teams by Era
Sporting Life Era (1947–1955)
The Sporting Life era represented the inaugural phase of the All-Australian team concept, spanning nine annual selections from 1947 to 1955, initiated by the Melbourne-based Sporting Life magazine to honor the nation's top Australian rules football talent. These unofficial 18-player squads were compiled based on performances in Victorian Football League (VFL) matches and interstate representative games, drawing from competitions across states including the VFL, SANFL, WAFL, and others under the Australian National Football Council. The selections aimed to bridge regional divides in the sport, promoting a unified national identity before the formalization of interstate carnivals and the eventual AFL structure. Chosen by an editorial panel of sportswriters without shortlists or public voting, the teams emphasized subjective assessments of skill, consistency, and impact, often favoring VFL players due to the league's prominence but increasingly incorporating interstate standouts to reflect broader talent pools.[1][5] The 1947 team, the first of its kind, exemplified Victorian dominance with a majority of VFL selections while introducing national breadth through its captain, Port Adelaide's Bob Quinn, a rover renowned for his leadership and 245 SANFL games. This choice highlighted the magazine's intent to recognize non-Victorian excellence, as Quinn's inclusion countered the VFL's central role in the sport's media coverage. Other notable picks included Collingwood's Lou Richards as forward pocket, a dynamic small forward who debuted for the Magpies in 1941, and South Melbourne's Billy King on the wing, underscoring early efforts to include players from rival leagues. The squad's structure followed a traditional 18-player format with positions like back line, half-back, center, half-forward, forward line, and ruck, without a bench, aligning with era-specific team compositions.[5][23][24] Subsequent years built on this foundation, with selections varying in interstate representation to spotlight regional strengths. In 1948, Collingwood contributed three players—Len FitzGerald at half-back flank, Bill Twomey in the center, and Lou Richards again in the forward pocket—illustrating club-based clusters amid VFL-heavy lineups. The 1950 team marked a high point for South Australian inclusion, featuring six players from the SANFL, including Port Adelaide's Dick Russell at full-back and Fos Williams at forward pocket, alongside Norwood's John Marriott on the half-forward line; this surge reflected a banner year for the state, with Williams emerging as a future coaching icon. By 1951, Port Adelaide's Harold McDonald joined the back line, and Collingwood's Bob Rose took the center position, while 1952 saw Rose retain his spot alongside teammate Thorold Merrett.[23][5] The 1953 selection occurred alongside the inaugural official All-Australian team drawn from the Adelaide Carnival, creating overlap and validating Sporting Life's influence; Collingwood's Des Healey and Bob Rose were both named, bridging unofficial and official recognition. In 1954, Rose earned a fourth consecutive nod, and 1955 concluded the era with Healey's third selection, Lerrel Sharp's debut for Collingwood, and McDonald's second for Port Adelaide, featuring emerging talents amid transitioning formats. These teams, though unofficial and later de-emphasized by AFL historians, fostered national discourse on elite play, influencing the carnival-based selections that followed by establishing a model for composite honors.[23][5][3]| Year | Notable Selections (Examples) | Key Interstate Highlights | Captain (If Known) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Lou Richards (Collingwood, forward pocket), Billy King (South Melbourne, wing) | Bob Quinn (Port Adelaide, rover) | Bob Quinn (Port Adelaide) |
| 1948 | Len FitzGerald (Collingwood, half-back flank), Bill Twomey (Collingwood, center), Lou Richards (Collingwood, forward pocket) | Limited; VFL-dominant | Not specified in sources |
| 1949 | Des Healey (Collingwood, wing) | VFL focus | Not specified in sources |
| 1950 | Gordon Hocking (Collingwood, half-back flank); Dick Russell (Port Adelaide, full-back), Fos Williams (Port Adelaide, forward pocket), John Marriott (Norwood, half-forward) | 6 South Australians | Not specified in sources |
| 1951 | Bob Rose (Collingwood, center); Fos Williams (Port Adelaide), Harold McDonald (Port Adelaide) | South Australian duo | Not specified in sources |
| 1952 | Bob Rose (Collingwood, center), Thorold Merrett (Collingwood) | VFL emphasis | Not specified in sources |
| 1953 | Des Healey (Collingwood), Bob Rose (Collingwood) | Overlap with official carnival team | Not specified in sources |
| 1954 | Bob Rose (Collingwood) | VFL core | Not specified in sources |
| 1955 | Des Healey (Collingwood), Lerrel Sharp (Collingwood); Harold McDonald (Port Adelaide) | Interstate inclusions | Not specified in sources |
Australian Football Carnival Era (1953–1988)
The Australian Football Carnival Era represented a pivotal phase in the development of the All-Australian team, with selections derived exclusively from interstate performances at national carnivals held approximately every two to three years. These events brought together representative teams from states and territories, allowing delegates from the various state leagues to choose 20 players for the All-Australian squad based on standout contributions during the carnival matches. The inaugural team was named following the 1953 Adelaide Carnival, establishing a tradition that prioritized national talent beyond Victoria and fostered interstate competition until the final selection after the 1988 Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival.[1] Unlike later formats, these early All-Australian teams did not include a designated coach, focusing instead on recognizing individual excellence in a 20-player lineup that included 18 field players and two interchange spots. The selections often highlighted non-Victorian performers to balance representation, as seen in the 1972 Perth Carnival where eight Western Australians were chosen, underscoring the host state's dominant display. This emphasis helped elevate the profile of players from regions like South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, promoting a more inclusive view of Australian football talent.[1][25] Key teams from this era exemplified the carnival's role in identifying elite performers. The 1953 team, captained by South Australian defender Bob Hank of West Torrens, featured a mix of experienced interstate stars who had shone in Adelaide's challenging conditions. By 1969, following the Adelaide Carnival, the selection placed a notable focus on Tasmanian contributors, reflecting the state's competitive showings and players like Peter Hudson who impressed with their goal-scoring prowess. The era concluded with the 1988 team of 20 players, selected after the Bicentennial Carnival in Adelaide, which honored a diverse group of state representatives in what proved to be the last such honor tied directly to carnival play.[6][1] Over the 35 years, 15 official All-Australian teams were named, corresponding to major carnivals and championship series. The following table summarizes these selections, including carnival locations, captains where documented, and representative standout performers who exemplified the era's interstate emphasis:| Year | Carnival Location | Captain | Standout Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Adelaide | Bob Hank (SA/West Torrens) | Roy Wright (VIC/Richmond, ruckman with dominant marking); Jack Clarke (WA/East Fremantle, versatile defender)[6][1] |
| 1956 | Perth | Graham Farmer (WA/East Perth) | Graham Farmer (ruckman, WA's key figure); Lindsay White (VIC/Geelong, forward)[26] |
| 1958 | Melbourne | Ken Farmer (SA/North Adelaide) | Verdun Howell (VIC/St Kilda, half-forward); Ron Barassi (VIC/Melbourne, midfielder)[26] |
| 1961 | Brisbane | Noel Tea Tree (QLD/Brisbane) | Haydn Bunton Jr. (VIC/St Kilda, rover); John James (VIC/Carlton, forward)[26] |
| 1966 | Hobart | Darrel Baldock (TAS/Devonport) | Darrel Baldock (TAS captain, versatile leader); Barry Davis (VIC/Essendon, half-back)[26] |
| 1969 | Adelaide | Ian Stewart (VIC/St Kilda) | Peter Hudson (TAS/Huonville, prolific goalkicker); Graeme Cornes (SA/North Adelaide, defender)[26][24] |
| 1972 | Perth | Mal Brown (WA/Claremont) | Mal Brown (WA captain, tough defender); Graham Melrose (SA/Norwood, forward); eight WA players total highlighted local strength[26][25] |
| 1979 | Perth | Robert Wiley (WA/West Perth) | Robert Wiley (WA ruckman); Merv Neagle (VIC/Essendon, forward)[26] |
| 1980 | Adelaide | Barry Cable (WA/North Melbourne) | Barry Cable (experienced midfielder); Michael Moncrieff (VIC/Geelong, goalkicker)[26] |
| 1983 | Various (state series) | Stephen Michael (WA/East Fremantle) | Stephen Michael (captain, rover); Craig Bradley (VIC/Carlton, versatile midfielder); Tony Giles (SA)[1] |
| 1984 | Various (state series) | Steve Malaxos (WA/Claremont) | Steve Malaxos (captain, midfielder); Gary Ablett Sr. (VIC/Geelong, half-forward); Ross Glendinning (WA/West Coast, forward)[25] |
| 1985 | Adelaide | Bruce Doull (VIC/Carlton) | Bruce Doull (elite backman); Stephen Kernahan (SA/Glencora, forward)[1] |
| 1986 | Perth | Brian Peake (WA/East Fremantle) | Brian Peake (WA captain, dynamic forward); Paul Salmon (VIC/Essendon, ruck)[25] |
| 1987 | Melbourne | Simon Madden (VIC/Essendon) | Simon Madden (durable ruckman); Dale Mowbray (VIC/Fitzroy, defender)[1] |
| 1988 | Adelaide | Tony Shaw (VIC/Collingwood) | Tony McGuinness (SA/Port Adelaide, midfielder); notable final 20-player squad closing the carnival era[26][1] |
VFL/AFL Team of the Year (1982–1990)
The VFL/AFL Team of the Year represented an annual honor recognizing outstanding performers across the Victorian Football League (VFL) during its final decade before rebranding as the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990. Selected by VFL-appointed experts and published in the official VFL yearbook, the team comprised 20 players positioned in a traditional lineup—backs, half-backs, centers, half-forwards, forwards, ruck, rover, and four interchanges—along with a named coach. This structured selection emphasized season-long excellence in club competitions, bridging the gap between interstate carnival teams and the modern All-Australian format that debuted in 1991.[3] Selections from 1982 to 1990 (excluding 1985, for which no team was named) spotlighted dominant VFL stars, with a focus on Victorian-based talent amid the league's national expansion. In 1982, North Melbourne's dual Brownlow medallist Keith Greig captained the side, joined by forwards Malcolm Blight (North Melbourne) and Leigh Matthews (Hawthorn) in a lineup that reflected Carlton's premiership success through inclusions like ruckman Mike Fitzpatrick. By 1983, Essendon's Simon Madden anchored the ruck alongside Fitzroy's Bernie Quinlan up forward, under coach Allan Jeans, highlighting midfield prowess from players like Terry Wallace (Richmond). The 1984 team, captained by Essendon's Terry Daniher, featured Geelong's emerging Gary Ablett Sr. at half-forward, foreshadowing his rise as a VFL icon with multiple subsequent inclusions in 1986, 1989, and 1990.[3] The mid-1980s teams underscored defensive solidity and forward flair, with Hawthorn's Gary Ayres a recurring half-back selection in 1983, 1986, and 1988 amid the club's dynasty. In 1986, under Jeans again, Ablett returned at half-forward with North Melbourne's Jim Krakouer on a forward flank, while Sydney's Paul Roos debuted as a half-back, earning dual honors that year through overlap with the interstate carnival selections. The 1987 lineup included St Kilda's Tony Lockett as a key forward—his first major accolade en route to a Brownlow Medal—flanked by Carlton's Stephen Kernahan and Richmond's Dale Weightman, with Gerard Healy (Sydney) in the ruck. Hawthorn's John Platten claimed the rover spot, reflecting his growing influence.[3] By 1988, the team overlapped significantly with the Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival's All-Australian selections, including Roos, Ablett, and Platten, who bridged club and state excellence during a transitional VFL era. Collingwood's Peter Daicos shone at half-forward, while Essendon's Madden continued his ruck dominance with a fifth inclusion. The 1989 side featured St Kilda's Nicky Winmar at half-forward and Hawthorn's Darrin Pritchard in the center, with Ablett again prominent. In its final iteration, the 1990 team—now branded under the AFL—honored Essendon's Simon Madden with a record sixth selection in the ruck, alongside North Melbourne's Wayne Carey precursor in Stephen Kernahan up forward, signaling the shift toward a national focus. These teams celebrated VFL loyalists like Madden (six selections total) and Healy (five), while propelling careers of future AFL legends such as Ablett (four inclusions) and Lockett, establishing a benchmark for post-season recognition.[3]AFL Era (1991–present)
The AFL Era of the All-Australian team began in 1991, aligning with the Australian Football League's national expansion and the inclusion of interstate clubs, shifting focus from state-based carnivals to a season-long recognition of elite performers across the competition. Selected annually by an AFL-appointed panel of football experts, the team honors the top 22 players from the home-and-away season, initially structured as 20 players in 1991 before expanding to 22 in 1993 to mirror the standard match-day lineup of 18 on-field positions plus four interchange. A captain and vice-captain are named from the team, alongside a coach chosen for their leadership impact during the season.[1][27] This era has emphasized the league's growing parity, with non-Victorian clubs gaining prominence; for instance, the 2024 team included eight players from interstate-based teams, reflecting balanced national talent distribution.[4] Notable milestones include Geelong's dominant 2007 selection of nine players—the highest single-year haul—capturing their premiership-winning form, and the 2022 team's explicit inclusion of four dedicated interchange spots to acknowledge versatile, rotation-heavy roles in the modern game. The annual format fosters competition-wide excellence, with the 2025 team announced on August 28, 2025, led by captain Jeremy Cameron (Geelong) and coach Chris Fagan (Brisbane Lions), featuring 11 debutants amid strong contributions from clubs like the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions.[4][2] The following table summarizes the All-Australian teams by decade, highlighting captains, coaches (where documented), and key club influences based on player hauls and representation. Data draws from official AFL records, focusing on representative examples rather than exhaustive listings.| Decade | Years | Notable Captains | Notable Coaches | Key Club Breakdowns and Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1991–1999 | Paul Roos (1991, Fitzroy); Wayne Carey (1993, 1998–1999, North Melbourne); Garry Lyon (1994–1995, Melbourne, vice-captain in 1994); Tony Modra (1997, Adelaide) | Mick Malthouse (1991, West Coast); Allan Jeans (1993, North Melbourne); Ron Barassi (1996, Sydney) | 1993: Adelaide with 5 players amid early interstate rise; 1998: North Melbourne's 4 selections under Carey's leadership; Victorian clubs dominated (e.g., Essendon, Melbourne with multiple), but West Coast and Adelaide added national flavor with 3–4 players each in peak years. |
| 2000s | 2000–2009 | Wayne Carey (2000, North Melbourne); James Hird (2001, Essendon); Michael Voss (2002–2003, Brisbane); Mark Ricciuto (2004–2005, Adelaide); Chris Judd (2006, West Coast); Luke Hodge (2010, Hawthorn, but era overlap) | Kevin Sheedy (2000, Essendon); Leigh Matthews (2002, Brisbane); Mark Williams (2004, Port Adelaide); Grant Thomas (2009, St Kilda) | 2002: Brisbane's record-tying 6 players during three-peat premierships; 2007: Geelong's 9-player haul (e.g., Gary Ablett Jr., Matthew Scarlett); Non-Victorian surge with Port Adelaide (4 in 2004) and West Coast (4 in 2006), alongside Collingwood's emerging influence (e.g., Nathan Buckley era). |
| 2010s | 2010–2019 | Luke Hodge (2010, Hawthorn); Gary Ablett Jr. (2011, Gold Coast); Trent Cotchin (2012, Richmond); Joel Selwood (2013–2014, 2016, Geelong); Jarryd Roughead (2015, Hawthorn); Marcus Bontempelli (2019, Western Bulldogs, vice); Nat Fyfe (2019, Fremantle) | Alastair Clarkson (2010, 2013–2015, Hawthorn); Ross Lyon (2012, Fremantle); John Worsfold (2016, Essendon); Nathan Buckley (2018, Collingwood); Damien Hardwick (2019, Richmond) | 2011: Collingwood's 6 players post-Grand Final; 2016: Sydney's 5 selections; Interstate growth evident in Fremantle (3 in 2012, 2014) and GWS (2 in 2016–2017 debuts); 2019: Collingwood's 4 amid Grand Final run, with Richmond's influence rising. |
| 2020s | 2020–2025 | Patrick Dangerfield (2020, Geelong); Max Gawn (2021, Melbourne); Tom Hawkins (2022, Geelong); Lance Franklin (2018 overlap, but 2020s focus); Marcus Bontempelli (2024, Western Bulldogs); Jeremy Cameron (2025, Geelong) | Chris Scott (2020, Geelong); Simon Goodwin (2021, Melbourne); Chris Scott (2022, Geelong); Chris Fagan (2024, Brisbane Lions); Chris Fagan (2025, Brisbane Lions) | 2021: Melbourne's 5 players during premiership; 2024: Western Bulldogs' 3, with 8 non-Victorian selections (e.g., from Sydney, Brisbane); 2025: Brisbane and Sydney with 3–4 each, highlighting continued interstate parity and debutants from emerging clubs like Gold Coast. |
Records and Achievements
Most Frequent Player Selections
The All-Australian team selections provide a measure of individual excellence in Australian rules football, with career totals reflecting sustained performance across seasons or carnivals. In the modern AFL era (1991–present), several players have achieved eight selections, the highest tally to date, underscoring their dominance over extended periods. These include Gary Ablett Jr. (Geelong and Gold Coast Suns, selected 2007–2014), Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide, 1994, 1998, 2000–2005), Robert Harvey (St Kilda, 1994–1998, 2001, 2003–2004), Max Gawn (Melbourne, 2016, 2018–2020, 2021–2022, 2024–2025), and Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide and Geelong, 2012, 2013, 2015–2018, 2020, 2022). Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) follows with six selections (2010–2011, 2013, 2015–2016, 2023), highlighting his consistent midfield leadership.[4][28][29] In earlier eras, selections were fewer and tied to interstate carnivals or annual teams, resulting in lower maximum totals. During the Australian Football Carnival era (1953–1988), Jack K. "Stork" Clarke (East Fremantle and West Perth) holds the record with four selections (1953, 1956, 1958, 1961), while several players earned three, including John Abley (Port Adelaide) and Jack E. Clarke (East Fremantle). The VFL/AFL Team of the Year period (1982–1990) saw players like Paul Roos (Fitzroy and Sydney) and Simon Madden (Essendon) achieve three selections each. The Sporting Life era (1947–1955) featured unofficial teams with limited repetitions, as selections were sporadic and not standardized.[1] A notable record for collective excellence occurred in 2007, when Geelong had nine players selected in the All-Australian team: Gary Ablett Jr., Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Matthew Egan, Steve Johnson, Cameron Ling, Darren Milburn, Cameron Mooney, and Matthew Scarlett. This haul represented the largest single-club representation in one year, reflecting Geelong's premiership-winning form that season.[30]| Rank | Player | Club(s) | Selections | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (tied) | Gary Ablett Jr. | Geelong, Gold Coast | 8 | 2007–2014 |
| 1 (tied) | Mark Ricciuto | Adelaide | 8 | 1994, 1998, 2000–2005 |
| 1 (tied) | Robert Harvey | St Kilda | 8 | 1994–1998, 2001, 2003–2004 |
| 1 (tied) | Max Gawn | Melbourne | 8 | 2016, 2018–2020, 2021–2022, 2024–2025 |
| 1 (tied) | Patrick Dangerfield | Adelaide, Geelong | 8 | 2012, 2013, 2015–2018, 2020, 2022 |
| 6 (tied) | Nathan Buckley | Collingwood | 7 | 1996–1998, 2000, 2002–2004 |
| 6 (tied) | Wayne Carey | North Melbourne, Adelaide | 7 | 1995–1996, 1998–2001, 2003 |
| 8 (tied) | Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood | 6 | 2010–2011, 2013, 2015–2016, 2023 |
| 8 (tied) | Matthew Pavlich | Fremantle | 6 | 2002, 2004–2005, 2007–2008, 2012 |
| 8 (tied) | Joel Selwood | Geelong | 6 | 2007, 2009, 2013–2014, 2016, 2021 |
| 8 (tied) | Marcus Bontempelli | Western Bulldogs | 6 | 2015, 2017–2019, 2021, 2024 |
| 12 (tied) | Lance Franklin | Hawthorn, Sydney | 5 | 2007–2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 |
| 12 (tied) | Dustin Martin | Richmond | 5 | 2016–2018, 2020, 2023 |
| 12 (tied) | Chris Judd | West Coast, Carlton | 5 | 2004, 2006, 2008–2009, 2011 |
| 12 (tied) | Michael Voss | Brisbane Lions | 5 | 1996, 1999–2001, 2004 |
| 12 (tied) | Simon Black | Brisbane Lions | 5 | 2001–2002, 2004, 2008, 2010 |
| 12 (tied) | Adam Goodes | Sydney | 5 | 2003, 2005–2006, 2008–2009 |
| 12 (tied) | Brent Harvey | North Melbourne | 5 | 2007–2008, 2010, 2013 |
| 12 (tied) | James Hird | Essendon | 5 | 1994–1995, 1997–1998, 2000 |
| 12 (tied) | Matthew Lloyd | Essendon | 5 | 1997, 2000–2001, 2003–2004 |
Coach and Club Milestones
The selection of the All-Australian coach has evolved over time, with the position formalized in the AFL era from 1991 onward. Since 1999, the coach of the AFL premiership-winning team has been automatically appointed as the All-Australian coach, reflecting the success of leading a club to the ultimate team achievement in the league.[1] Alastair Clarkson holds the record for the most All-Australian coach selections in the AFL era, with four appointments corresponding to his premiership wins with Hawthorn in 2008, 2013, 2014, and 2015.[33] This streak underscores his tenure as one of the most successful coaches in modern AFL history, guiding the Hawks to a three-peat from 2013 to 2015. In the pre-1991 eras, including the Australian Football Carnival period (1953–1988), coaches were selected based on interstate carnival performances, with Norm Smith earning three such honors for his leadership of Victorian teams during key carnivals.[4] A notable milestone occurred in 1997 when Malcolm Blight became the first non-Victorian coach selected for the All-Australian team, steering Adelaide to its breakthrough premiership and breaking the long-standing dominance of Victorian-based coaches in the role.[34] Blight's selection highlighted the growing influence of non-Victorian clubs in the competition following the expansion into other states. Club achievements in All-Australian selections emphasize collective excellence, with Geelong holding the record for the most players from a single club in one team, achieving nine selections in 2007 during their dominant season under coach Mark Thompson.[30] This haul surpassed previous benchmarks and remains unmatched, featuring stars like Gary Ablett Jr., Matthew Scarlett, and Cameron Ling. Earlier, in the VFL era, Hawthorn recorded eight players in the 1986 Team of the Year, reflecting their powerhouse status that year en route to a premiership.[35] Victorian clubs have historically dominated All-Australian representation, accounting for a significant portion of selections due to the league's origins and early structure, with Victoria-based teams comprising around 40% of total spots across eras.[3] This trend has gradually diversified with national expansion, though traditional powerhouses continue to lead. The following table summarizes the top single-season club hauls in the AFL era (1991–present), illustrating peaks in club performance:| Club | Year | Selections |
|---|---|---|
| Geelong | 2007 | 9 |
| Collingwood | 2011 | 6 |
| Brisbane | 2002 | 6 |
| Carlton | 1995 | 5 |
| Carlton | 2000 | 5 |
| Melbourne | 2021 | 5 |
| St Kilda | 2009 | 5 |
| Sydney | 2016 | 5 |
| Adelaide | 1993 | 5 |
| Club | Most Frequent All-Australian Coach | Selections |
|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn | Alastair Clarkson | 4 |
| Adelaide | Malcolm Blight | 2 |
| Geelong | Chris Scott | 2 |
| West Coast | Mick Malthouse | 2 |
State and Interstate Representations
The All-Australian team selections have long showcased the geographic diversity—or lack thereof—in Australian football talent, with Victoria exerting significant historical dominance due to the sport's origins and concentration of elite competitions in the state. Prior to 1990, Victorian players comprised more than 60% of selections across the Sporting Life, Carnival, and VFL Team of the Year eras, reflecting the VFL's status as the premier league and limited national integration. For instance, the 1982 VFL Team of the Year featured 18 out of 20 players originating from Victoria, underscoring the era's parochial focus on Victorian-based performances.[1][37] In the post-AFL era, the rise of interstate clubs has fostered greater national balance, particularly elevating representations from South Australia and Western Australia through improved competition exposure and player pathways. By 2024, the team included 12 non-Victorian players, highlighting a shift toward more equitable geographic distribution as non-Victorian states produced 40% or more of selections in recent years.[38] During the Australian Football Carnival era (1953–1988), selections emphasized interstate rivalries and state pride, often rewarding standout carnival performances from underrepresented regions to promote national unity. A notable example is the 1966 Hobart Carnival team, which included five players from Tasmania—Darrel Baldock, Peter Hudson, John Devine, Athol Row, and Graeme Lee—reflecting the host state's strong showing and the carnivals' role in spotlighting peripheral talent. This interstate focus contrasted with modern AFL uniformity, where selections are based on club-season performances rather than state carnivals, leading to more consistent national representation.[39][40] The evolution of state representations is evident in aggregate selection data across eras, with Western Australia emerging as a powerhouse in the AFL period through players like Ben Cousins, who earned five All-Australian honors. New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory remain the lowest-represented regions, with total selections under 5% historically due to the sport's weaker foothold there.[4][41]| Era | Key State Highlights (Selections) |
|---|---|
| Sporting Life (1947–1955) | Victoria: ~70%; Limited interstate (SA/WA <10% combined) |
| Carnival (1953–1988) | Victoria: 55–65%; Interstate peaks (e.g., TAS 25% in 1966 team) |
| VFL/AFL Team of the Year (1982–1990) | Victoria: 80%+; Minimal non-Vic (e.g., 18/20 Vic in 1982) |
| AFL (1991–present) | Victoria: ~50%; WA leaders (e.g., Cousins 5); SA/WA rising to 20–25% |