Between Jeremy Cameron, Tom Lynch, Tom Hawkins and Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow, four into three couldn’t go for the 2022 AFL All-Australian team.
And so it was that Cameron, Hawkins and Curnow made the cut for a stacked forward line also featuring Christian Petracca, Shai Bolton and Tyson Stengle.
Scroll down to see the full All-Australian team and other AFL Awards night winners
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Curnow was a lock for his 64 goals, leading the league one year after Carlton teammate Harry McKay won the Coleman, while Hawkins and Cameron both managed 59 for Geelong, with the latter doing so in one fewer game.
“Coming off the back of last year, I had a few injuries, which was a little bit frustrating for me,” Cameron said after receiving his second All-Australian blazer.
“To play pretty much the full season was great.”
Lynch’s tally of 60 goals from 18 games for Richmond was a remarkable achievement.
But missing four games appears to have cost him despite averaging 3.33 goals per game to Curnow’s 2.91, Cameron’s 2.81 and Hawkins’ 2.68.
Jeremy Cameron, Tom Lynch, Charlie Curnow and Tom Hawkins battled for three spots in the AFL All Australian team. Credit: GettyHawkins was named All-Australian captain with Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps as his deputy.
“You’ve put me on the spot a bit, I’m not really sure who else to thank,” Hawkins joked in his speech.
“Not very good leadership skills, I must admit, but I wasn’t expecting (the honour).”
Elsewhere, Brayden Maynard capped off Collingwood’s rise from 17th last year to fourth this season with his first All-Australian selection.
“It’s amazing. It’s an absolute honour and a privilege,” he said.
Max Gawn has earned his sixth All Australian blazer. Credit: AAPMelbourne captain Max Gawn earned the ruck honours despite averaging just 26.5 hit-outs per game – his lowest tally since 2014 – in sharing the role with Luke Jackson.
The 30-year-old did, however, average even more clearances and contested possessions than 2021.
Hawthorn’s James Sicily was a notable absentee from the final team, while Brisbane star Hugh McCluggage and Adelaide’s Taylor Walker now share the unwanted record of most All-Australian squad selections (four) without being named in the final team.
The All-Australian selection panel was chaired by AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and featured Kevin Bartlett, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Andrew Dillon, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Nick Riewoldt and Brad Scott.
2022 AFL All-Australian teamFB: Tom Stewart, Steven May, Brayden Maynard
HB: Jack Sinclair, Sam Taylor, Adam Saad
C: Touk Miller, Clayton Oliver, Callum Mills
HF: Christian Petracca, Jeremy Cameron, Shai Bolton
FF: Charlie Curnow, Tom Hawkins (C), Tyson Stengle
Foll: Max Gawn, Patrick Cripps (VC), Lachie Neale
I/C: Mark Blicavs, Andrew Brayshaw, Isaac Heeney, Connor Rozee
AFL Awards winnersAFL Coaches Association best young player: Jai Newcombe
AFL Coaches Association player of the year: Clayton Oliver and Touk Miller
AFL Rising Star: Nick Daicos
Coleman Medal: Charlie Curnow
AFL Players Association best first-year player: Nick Daicos
AFL Players Association most courageous player: Liam Baker
AFL Players Association best captain: Scott Pendlebury
AFL Players Association most valuable player: Andrew Brayshaw
Bombers CEO Campbell quits embattled club.
Bombers CEO Campbell quits embattled club.
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