All-Australian team

(Redirected from All-Australian Team)

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.

Official 2023 All-Australian logo
Official 2023 All-Australian logo

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. 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

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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

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AFL era: 1991–present

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2025

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2024

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2023

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2022

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2021

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2020

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2019

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2018

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2017

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2016

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2015

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2014

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2013

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2012

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2012 All-Australian team[9]
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

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2010

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2009

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2008

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2007

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2007 All-Australian team[12]
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

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2005

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2004

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2003

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2002

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2001

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2000

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2000 All-Australian team[12]
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, although none of the three selected were positioned in midfield or onballer positions.

1999

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1998

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1998 All-Australian team[12][14]
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. Indeed, premiership-winning coach Malcolm Blight was not included in the team.

1997

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1996

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1995

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1994

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1993

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1992

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1991

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VFL/AFL Team of the Year: 1982–1990

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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

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1989

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1988

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1987

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1986

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1984

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1983

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1982

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Australian Football Carnival era: 1953–1988

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State of origin era

1988

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1988 All-Australian Team[26][27]

Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival

NameState/LeagueClub
Terry DaniherNew South WalesEssendon
David MurphyNew South WalesSydney
Michael LongNorthern TerritorySt Mary's
Michael McLeanNorthern TerritoryFootscray
Maurice RioliNorthern TerritorySt Mary's
Tony HallSouth AustraliaGlenelg
Danny HughesSouth AustraliaMelbourne
Stephen KernahanSouth AustraliaCarlton (captain)
Martin LeslieSouth AustraliaPort Adelaide
Bruce LindnerSouth AustraliaGeelong
Tony McGuinnessSouth AustraliaFootscray
Mark MickanSouth AustraliaBrisbane Bears
John PlattenSouth AustraliaHawthorn
Greg WhittleseaSouth AustraliaSturt
Graham CornesSouth AustraliaGlenelg (coach)
Terry WallaceVictorian Football AssociationRichmond
Danny FrawleyVictorian Football LeagueSt Kilda
Gerard HealyVictorian Football LeagueSydney
Simon MaddenVictorian Football LeagueEssendon
Paul RoosVictorian Football LeagueFitzroy
Paul SalmonVictorian Football LeagueEssendon
Dale WeightmanVictorian Football LeagueRichmond
Steve MalaxosWestern AustraliaWest Coast

1987

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1987 All-Australian Team[28][29]
NameState/LeagueCurrent Club
Matthew CampbellSouth AustraliaBrisbane Bears
Andrew JarmanSouth AustraliaNorth Adelaide
Bruce LindnerSouth AustraliaGeelong
Chris McDermottSouth AustraliaGlenelg (captain)
Mark NaleySouth AustraliaCarlton
John PlattenSouth AustraliaHawthorn
Matt RendellSouth AustraliaFitzroy
Andrew RogersSouth AustraliaWoodville
Scott SalisburySouth AustraliaGlenelg
Graham CornesSouth AustraliaGlenelg (coach)
Andrew BewsVictoriaGeelong
Gerard HealyVictoriaSydney
Chris LangfordVictoriaHawthorn
Simon MaddenVictoriaEssendon
Russell MorrisVictoriaHawthorn
Paul RoosVictoriaFitzroy
Paul SalmonVictoriaEssendon
Bernard TooheyVictoriaSydney
Greg WilliamsVictoriaSydney
Mark BairstowWestern AustraliaGeelong
Craig HoldenWestern AustraliaSydney
Phil NarkleWestern AustraliaWest Coast

1986

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1986 All-Australian Team[30][31]
NameState of OriginCurrent Club
Michael AishSouth AustraliaNorwood
Craig BradleySouth AustraliaCarlton
Andrew JarmanSouth AustraliaNorth Adelaide
Stephen KernahanSouth AustraliaCarlton
Chris McDermottSouth AustraliaGlenelg
Mark NaleySouth AustraliaSouth Adelaide
John PlattenSouth AustraliaHawthorn
Gerard HealyVictoriaSydney
Brian RoyalVictoriaFootscray
Kevin WalshVictoriaEssendon
Dale WeightmanVictoriaRichmond
Greg WilliamsVictoriaSydney
Gary BuckenaraWestern AustraliaHawthorn
Brad HardieWestern AustraliaFootscray
Laurie KeeneWestern AustraliaSubiaco
Andrew MacnishWestern AustraliaSubiaco
Steve MalaxosWestern AustraliaClaremont
Michael MitchellWestern AustraliaClaremont
Phil NarkleWestern AustraliaSt Kilda
Brian PeakeWestern AustraliaEast Fremantle (captain)
Maurice RioliWestern AustraliaRichmond
Robert WileyWestern AustraliaPerth
Peter WilsonWestern AustraliaEast Fremantle
Ron AlexanderWestern AustraliaEast Fremantle (coach)

1985

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1983

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1983 All-Australian Team[33][34]

Coach: John Todd

NameStateClub
Michael AishSouth AustraliaNorwood
Craig BradleySouth AustraliaPort Adelaide
Stephen CurtisSouth AustraliaPort Adelaide
Tony GilesSouth AustraliaPort Adelaide
Peter MotleySouth AustraliaSturt
Matt RendellSouth AustraliaFitzroy
Craig WilliamsSouth AustraliaWest Adelaide
Terry DaniherVictoriaEssendon
Robert FlowerVictoriaMelbourne
Keith GreigVictoriaNorth Melbourne
Mark LeeVictoriaRichmond
Simon MaddenVictoriaEssendon
Stephen McCannVictoriaNorth Melbourne
Michael TuckVictoriaHawthorn
Gary BuckenaraWestern AustraliaHawthorn
Ross GlendinningWestern AustraliaNorth Melbourne
Stephen MichaelWestern AustraliaSouth Fremantle (captain)
Mike RichardsonWestern AustraliaCollingwood
Maurice RioliWestern AustraliaRichmond
Kevin TaylorWestern AustraliaEast Fremantle

1980

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1979

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1979 All-Australian Team[36]

Perth Carnival

NameState/LeagueClub
Peter CareySouth AustraliaGlenelg
Graham CornesSouth AustraliaGlenelg
Kym HodgemanSouth AustraliaGlenelg
Peter JonasSouth AustraliaCentral District
Geoff MorrisSouth AustraliaWest Adelaide
Des JamesTasmaniaSandy Bay
Michael RoachTasmaniaRichmond
Darryl SuttonTasmaniaNorth Melbourne
David ClokeVictoriaRichmond
Bruce DoullVictoriaCarlton
Kelvin MooreVictoriaHawthorn
Peter MooreVictoriaCollingwood
Michael TuckVictoriaHawthorn
Michael TurnerVictoriaGeelong
Garry WilsonVictoriaFitzroy
Tony BuhagiarWestern AustraliaEast Fremantle
Ken HunterWestern AustraliaClaremont
Gary MalarkeyWestern AustraliaGeelong
Bruce MonteathWestern AustraliaRichmond
Brian PeakeWestern AustraliaEast Fremantle (captain)
Barry CableWestern AustraliaEast Perth (coach)
Pre-State of Origin era

1972

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1969

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1966

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1961

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1961 All-Australian Team[40]

Brisbane Carnival

NameState/LeagueClub
John AbleySouth AustraliaPort Adelaide
John HalbertSouth AustraliaSturt
Neil KerleySouth AustraliaWest Adelaide
Geoff KingstonSouth AustraliaWest Torrens
Don LindnerSouth AustraliaNorth Adelaide
Don RoachSouth AustraliaWest Adelaide
Bob ShearmanSouth AustraliaWest Torrens
Bill WeddingSouth AustraliaNorwood
Darrel BaldockTasmaniaLatrobe
Bob WithersTasmaniaNorth Launceston
Allen AylettVictoriaNorth Melbourne
Ron BarassiVictoriaMelbourne (captain)
Brian DixonVictoriaMelbourne
John SchultzVictoriaFootscray
Ted WhittenVictoriaFootscray
Jack ClarkeWestern AustraliaEast Fremantle
Graham FarmerWestern AustraliaEast Perth
Ray GabelichWestern AustraliaWest Perth
Ray SorrellWestern AustraliaEast Fremantle
John ToddWestern AustraliaSouth Fremantle

1958

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1956

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1953

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Sporting Life Team of the Year: 1947–1955

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Sporting Life magazine created the concept of an All-Australian team in 1947.

These teams were once considered to be equivalent to All-Australian selection, but are no longer recognised as such.

1955

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1954

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1953

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1952

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1951

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1950

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1949

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1948

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1947

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Records

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Players

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Most times selected overall

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Selections Player Teams
8Robert Harvey1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003
Mark Ricciuto1994, 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 Franklin2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 (c)
Patrick Dangerfield2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (vc), 2019, 2020 (c)
Max Gawn 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 (c), 2022, 2024, 2025
7Craig Bradley1983, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997
Paul Roos1985, 1987, 1988, 1991 (c), 1992 (c), 1996, 1997
Wayne Carey1993 (c), 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 (c), 1999 (c), 2000 (c)
Nathan Buckley1996, 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

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Selections Player Teams
4Jack K. "Stork" Clarke1953, 1956, 1958, 1961
3Jack E. Clarke1953, 1956, 1958
John Abley1956, 1958, 1961
Ron Barassi1956, 1958, 1961 (c)
Polly Farmer1956, 1958, 1961
Ted Whitten1956, 1958, 1961

Most captaincies

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Selections Player Teams
4Wayne Carey1993, 1998, 1999, 2000
3Joel Selwood2013, 2014, 2016
2Brian Peake1979, 1986
Paul Roos1991, 1992
Paul Kelly1996, 1997
Michael Voss2002, 2003
Mark Ricciuto2004, 2005

Coaches

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Most times selected overall

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Selections Coach Teams
4Alastair Clarkson2008, 2013, 2014, 2015
3Kevin Sheedy1985, 1993, 2000
Leigh Matthews2001, 2002, 2003
Damien Hardwick2017, 2019, 2020
2Graham Cornes1987, 1988
Chris Fagan2024, 2025
Mark Thompson2007, 2009
Mick Malthouse1991, 2010
Chris Scott2011, 2022

Selected as both player and coach

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Total selections Name Selection/s as player Selection/s as coach
8Paul Roos1985, 1987, 1988, 1991 (c), 1992 (c), 1996, 19972005
6Simon Goodwin2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 20092021
4Graham Cornes1979, 19801987, 1988
Leigh Matthews19722001, 2002, 2003
Damien Hardwick20002017, 2019, 2020
3Barry Cable1966, 19691979
2John Todd19611983
Terry Wallace19881998
Mark Williams19802004
Adam Simpson20022018

See also

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References

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  1. "Selection to the AIS/AFL Academy". afl.com.au. 20 May 2004.
  2. John Devaney (2008), Full Points Footy's SA Football Companion, Full Points Publications, p. 483
  3. "State Library Victoria - Viewer". State Library Victoria.
  4. "Fresh faces aplenty as AFL names 40-man All Australian squad". afl.com.au. 2 September 2014.
  5. "AA SQUAD REVEALED: Cats, Demons dominate as breakout Pie snubbed". afl.com.au. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  6. Whiting, Michael (28 August 2023). "AA SQUAD REVEALED: Five Pies in, stars miss, young guns named". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  7. Martin Smith (29 August 2024). "ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM: Seven new faces, Bontempelli captain". Australian Football League. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  8. Spits, Scott (16 September 2013). "Live coverage: 2013 AFL All-Australian team". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  9. "A number of surprise inclusions and omissions in the 2012 All Australian team, named in Melbourne". 17 September 2012.
  10. "Six Pies named in All Australian team". 19 September 2011.
  11. Gleeson, Michael (14 September 2010). "Excellence a certain selection". The Age. Melbourne.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Lovett, Michael, ed. (2010). AFL Record 2010 Season Guide. G. Slattery. p. 536. ISBN 978-0-9806274-5-9.
  13. Connolly, Rohan (18 September 2007). "Cats set All-Australian record". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  14. The Age 15 Sept 1998, Sport p. 3
  15. The Age 15 Sept 1997, p. 12
  16. The Age 2 September 1996, p. 12 "Silvagni selection raises eyebrows"
  17. The Age 18 Sept 1995, p. 48
  18. Football Record 23 Sept 1995, p. 50
  19. The Age 14 September 1993, p. 32
  20. "NATIONAL RESULTS". The Canberra Times. 16 September 1993. p. 22. Retrieved 15 September 2014 via National Library of Australia.
  21. Sydney Morning Herald 16 Sept 1992, p. 48
  22. "Dogs 'in for tight game'". The Canberra Times. 17 September 1992. p. 24. Retrieved 15 September 2014 via National Library of Australia.
  23. "State Library Victoria - Viewer". State Library Victoria.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Meyers, HB (23 June 2023). "The forgotten accolade – the VFL Team of the Year". The Mongrel Punt. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  25. "Historical statistics". Australian Football League. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  26. "Boos Greet Salmon's Medal" The Australian, 7 March 1988 p. 25
  27. "Sydney Morning Herald, 7 March 1988 p. 53". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  28. "Croweaters Rewarded For Title Success" The Australian, 24 July 1987, p. 24
  29. "Sydney Morning Herald 24 July 1987, p. 26". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  30. "The Age, 10 July 1986, p. 30". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  31. "State Library Victoria - Viewer". State Library Victoria.
  32. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gVBVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iJUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6254%2C1398581 The Age, 18 July 1985, p. 30
  33. "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL". The Canberra Times. 13 July 1983. p. 1 Section: SPORTS SECTION. Retrieved 23 June 2014 via National Library of Australia.
  34. "State Library Victoria - Viewer". State Library Victoria.
  35. "The Age, 14 October 1980, p. 46". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  36. "The Age, 9 October 1979, p. 36". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  37. "The Age, 26 June 1972, p. 20 "$5100 from Perth Victory"". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  38. "The Age, 16 June 1969, p. 20". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  39. "The Age, 20 June 1966, p. 18". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  40. "The Age, 24 July 1961, p. 20". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  41. "The Age, 14 July 1958, p. 16". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  42. "The Age, 25 June 1956, p. 16". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  43. "The Age, 20 July 1953, p. 14". news.google.com. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
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