The AFL’s All-Australian squad for 2022 has a distinctly new feel, with more than half of this year’s selections not previously chosen in the representative line-up.
Reflecting a season in which four clubs improved to reach the finals after missing out last year, and with Carlton climbing from 13th to fall only percentage points short of the playoffs, the 44-strong squad includes 26 players who have not earned a blazer before.
The changes mean the 22-man side is set to feature a string of fresh faces when named on Wednesday August 24.
Highlighting the new talents are Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw and Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw, with the brothers having a chance to become just the third set of siblings to be named in the same All-Australian team.
Geelong’s table-topping home-and-away season was rewarded with five nominations headlined by small forward Tyson Stengle, who has slotted 42 goals after spending last year playing SANFL.
He’s joined by Cats power forwards Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins along with Tom Stewart and Mark Blicavs, who would also be a first-timer.
Reigning premiers Melbourne have the most players in the squad, with six. Alongside Brayshaw are Max Gawn, Steven May, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca, who were all in the team last year, along with potential first-timer forward Bayley Fritsch, who has 46 goals this year.
Collingwood’s stellar rise to the top four earned three nominations, with defensive duo Jack Crisp and Brayden Maynard joined by winger Josh Daicos. All three have no previous All-Australian honours,
Brownlow Medal favourites Lachie Neale (Brisbane), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Touk Miller (Gold Coast) and Sam Walsh (Carlton) were named, along with Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow (Carlton).
Melbourne’s Gawn could earn a sixth place in the side, which would be the most of any player in the squad but still two short of the all-time record shared by five players.
Only Essendon and North Melbourne did not have a player in the squad.
Some notable snubs include Western Bulldog Tom Liberatore, Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson, Carlton’s Sam Docherty and Rising Star favourite Nick Daicos.
The Giants have two players in the squad with Sam Taylor and Josh Kelly named. Taylor is considered by many to be a lock for the final side after a brilliant individual season in what was a difficult year for his club.
Sydney were also rewarded for a top-four finish with Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Tom Papley and breakout star Chad Warner all named.
Full 44-man All-Australian squad
- Adelaide Crows – 2: Rory Laird, Taylor Walker
- Brisbane Lions – 3: Charlie Cameron, Hugh McCluggage, Lachie Neale
- Carlton – 5: Patrick Cripps, Charlie Curnow, Adam Saad, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering
- Collingwood – 3: Jack Crisp, Josh Daicos, Brayden Maynard
- Essendon – 0
- Fremantle – 2: Andrew Brayshaw, Brennan Cox
- Geelong Cats – 5: Mark Blicavs, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, Tyson Stengle, Tom Stewart
- Gold Coast Suns – 2: Touk Miller, Jarrod Witts
- GWS Giants – 2: Josh Kelly, Sam Taylor
- Hawthorn – 1: James Sicily
- Melbourne – 6: Angus Brayshaw, Bayley Fritsch, Max Gawn, Steven May, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca
- North Melbourne – 0
- Port Adelaide – 1: Connor Rozee
- Richmond – 3: Shai Bolton, Tom Lynch, Daniel Rioli
- St Kilda – 2: Jack Sinclair, Callum Wilkie
- Sydney Swans – 4: Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Tom Papley, Chad Warner
- West Coast Eagles – 1: Tom Barrass
- Western Bulldogs – 2: Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae
