factograf
EN

All-star team of Australian rules footballers

All-Australian team

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

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.

The concept of an All-Australian team originated as recognition of performance in interstate football. They were named after each Australian National Football Carnival, beginning with the 1953 Adelaide Carnival. In the 1980s All-Australian teams were named annually to recognise the best performers in State of Origin series. Following the AFL's expansion to a national competition with teams in multiple states, the first AFL All-Australian team was named in 1991.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. The squad was increased to 44 in 2022. 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.

In addition to the senior All-Australian team, each year an All-Australian line-up 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.

Teams

AFL era: 1991–present

2026

2025


2024

2023

Notes:

  • Despite winning the Brownlow Medal for the second time, Lachie Neale was not selected in the team, but was included in the initial 44 man squad.

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Notes:

2013

2012

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

2010

2009

2008

2007

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.

2006

2005

Notes:

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

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

Notes:

1998

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

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1991

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

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

1989

1988

1987

1986

1984

1983

1982

Australian Football Carnival era: 1953–1988

State of origin era

1988

1988 All-Australian Team

Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival

Name State/League Club
Terry Daniher New South Wales Essendon
David Murphy New South Wales Sydney
Michael Long Northern Territory St Mary's
Michael McLean Northern Territory Footscray
Maurice Rioli Northern Territory St Mary's
Tony Hall South Australia Glenelg
Danny Hughes South Australia Melbourne
Stephen Kernahan South Australia Carlton (captain)
Martin Leslie South Australia Port Adelaide
Bruce Lindner South Australia Geelong
Tony McGuinness South Australia Footscray
Mark Mickan South Australia Brisbane Bears
John Platten South Australia Hawthorn
Greg Whittlesea South Australia Sturt
Graham Cornes South Australia Glenelg (coach)
Terry Wallace Victorian Football Association Richmond
Danny Frawley Victorian Football League St Kilda
Gerard Healy Victorian Football League Sydney
Simon Madden Victorian Football League Essendon
Paul Roos Victorian Football League Fitzroy
Paul Salmon Victorian Football League Essendon
Dale Weightman Victorian Football League Richmond
Steve Malaxos Western Australia West Coast

1987

1987 All-Australian Team
Name State/League Current Club
Matthew Campbell South Australia Brisbane Bears
Andrew Jarman South Australia North Adelaide
Bruce Lindner South Australia Geelong
Chris McDermott South Australia Glenelg (captain)
Mark Naley South Australia Carlton
John Platten South Australia Hawthorn
Matt Rendell South Australia Fitzroy
Andrew Rogers South Australia Woodville
Scott Salisbury South Australia Glenelg
Graham Cornes South Australia Glenelg (coach)
Andrew Bews Victoria Geelong
Gerard Healy Victoria Sydney
Chris Langford Victoria Hawthorn
Simon Madden Victoria Essendon
Russell Morris Victoria Hawthorn
Paul Roos Victoria Fitzroy
Paul Salmon Victoria Essendon
Bernard Toohey Victoria Sydney
Greg Williams Victoria Sydney
Mark Bairstow Western Australia Geelong
Craig Holden Western Australia Sydney
Phil Narkle Western Australia West Coast

1986

1986 All-Australian Team
Name State of Origin Current Club
Michael Aish South Australia Norwood
Craig Bradley South Australia Carlton
Andrew Jarman South Australia North Adelaide
Stephen Kernahan South Australia Carlton
Chris McDermott South Australia Glenelg
Mark Naley South Australia South Adelaide
John Platten South Australia Hawthorn
Gerard Healy Victoria Sydney
Brian Royal Victoria Footscray
Kevin Walsh Victoria Essendon
Dale Weightman Victoria Richmond
Greg Williams Victoria Sydney
Gary Buckenara Western Australia Hawthorn
Brad Hardie Western Australia Footscray
Laurie Keene Western Australia Subiaco
Andrew Macnish Western Australia Subiaco
Steve Malaxos Western Australia Claremont
Michael Mitchell Western Australia Claremont
Phil Narkle Western Australia St Kilda
Brian Peake Western Australia East Fremantle (captain)
Maurice Rioli Western Australia Richmond
Robert Wiley Western Australia Perth
Peter Wilson Western Australia East Fremantle
Ron Alexander Western Australia East Fremantle (coach)

1985

1985 All-Australian Team

Coach: Kevin Sheedy

Name State Club
Malcolm Blight South Australia Woodville
Craig Bradley South Australia Port Adelaide
Stephen Kernahan South Australia Glenelg
Peter Motley South Australia Sturt
John Platten South Australia Central District
Dermott Brereton Victoria Hawthorn
Terry Daniher Victoria Essendon (captain)
Garry Foulds Victoria Essendon
Russell Greene Victoria Hawthorn
Mark Harvey Victoria Essendon
Mark Lee Victoria Richmond
Roger Merrett Victoria Essendon
Gary Pert Victoria Fitzroy
Geoff Raines Victoria Collingwood
Paul Roos Victoria Fitzroy
Dale Weightman Victoria Richmond
Leon Baker Western Australia Essendon
Gary Buckenara Western Australia Hawthorn
Rod Lester-Smith Western Australia Hawthorn
Michael Mitchell Western Australia Claremont

1983

1983 All-Australian Team

Coach: John Todd

Name State Club
Michael Aish South Australia Norwood
Craig Bradley South Australia Port Adelaide
Stephen Curtis South Australia Port Adelaide
Tony Giles South Australia Port Adelaide
Peter Motley South Australia Sturt
Matt Rendell South Australia Fitzroy
Craig Williams South Australia West Adelaide
Terry Daniher Victoria Essendon
Robert Flower Victoria Melbourne
Keith Greig Victoria North Melbourne
Mark Lee Victoria Richmond
Simon Madden Victoria Essendon
Stephen McCann Victoria North Melbourne
Michael Tuck Victoria Hawthorn
Gary Buckenara Western Australia Hawthorn
Ross Glendinning Western Australia North Melbourne
Stephen Michael Western Australia South Fremantle (captain)
Mike Richardson Western Australia Collingwood
Maurice Rioli Western Australia Richmond
Kevin Taylor Western Australia East Fremantle

1980

1980 All-Australian Team

Adelaide Carnival
Coach: Tom Hafey

Name State/League Club
Peter Carey South Australia Glenelg
Graham Cornes South Australia Glenelg
Rick Davies South Australia Sturt (captain)
Robbert Klomp South Australia Carlton
Keith Kuhlmann South Australia Glenelg
Greg Phillips South Australia Port Adelaide
John Roberts South Australia South Melbourne
Mark Williams South Australia Port Adelaide
Ron Stubbs Tasmania Devonport
Darryl Sutton Tasmania North Melbourne
Robert Flower Victoria Melbourne
Jim Jess Victoria Richmond
Mark Lee Victoria Richmond
Ian Nankervis Victoria Geelong
Geoff Raines Victoria Richmond
Geoff Southby Victoria Carlton
Garry Wilson Victoria Fitzroy
Bruce Duperouzel Western Australia St Kilda
Ken Hunter Western Australia Claremont
Brian Peake Western Australia East Fremantle

1979

1979 All-Australian Team

Perth Carnival

Name State/League Club
Peter Carey South Australia Glenelg
Graham Cornes South Australia Glenelg
Kym Hodgeman South Australia Glenelg
Peter Jonas South Australia Central District
Geoff Morris South Australia West Adelaide
Des James Tasmania Sandy Bay
Michael Roach Tasmania Richmond
Darryl Sutton Tasmania North Melbourne
David Cloke Victoria Richmond
Bruce Doull Victoria Carlton
Kelvin Moore Victoria Hawthorn
Peter Moore Victoria Collingwood
Michael Tuck Victoria Hawthorn
Michael Turner Victoria Geelong
Garry Wilson Victoria Fitzroy
Tony Buhagiar Western Australia East Fremantle
Ken Hunter Western Australia Claremont
Gary Malarkey Western Australia Geelong
Bruce Monteath Western Australia Richmond
Brian Peake Western Australia East Fremantle (captain)
Barry Cable Western Australia East Perth (coach)
Pre-State of Origin era

1972

1972 All-Australian Team

Perth Carnival

Name State/League Club
Malcolm Blight South Australia Woodville
Tony Burgan South Australia Sturt
Jim Leitch Tasmania Scottsdale
David Clarke Victoria Geelong
Gary Dempsey Victoria Footscray
Gary Hardeman Victoria Melbourne
Alex Jesaulenko Victoria Carlton
Leigh Matthews Victoria Hawthorn
Peter McKenna Victoria Collingwood
Travis Payze Victoria St Kilda
Len Thompson Victoria Collingwood
David Thorpe Victoria Footscray
John Williams Victoria Essendon
Bob Beecroft Western Australia Swan Districts
Malcolm Brown Western Australia East Perth (captain)
Brian Ciccotosto Western Australia South Fremantle
Ken McAullay Western Australia East Perth
Ian Miller Western Australia Perth
Alan Watling Western Australia West Perth
George Young Western Australia Subiaco

1969

1969 All-Australian Team

Adelaide Carnival

Name State/League Club
John Cahill South Australia Port Adelaide
Brian Colbey South Australia Glenelg
Peter Darley South Australia South Adelaide
Graham Molloy South Australia Norwood
Rick Schoff South Australia Sturt
Royce Hart Victoria Richmond
Peter Hudson Victoria Hawthorn
Alex Jesaulenko Victoria Carlton
Bob Keddie Victoria Hawthorn
Bob Murray Victoria St Kilda
John 'Sam' Newman Victoria Geelong
John Nicholls Victoria Carlton (captain)
Peter Steward Victoria North Melbourne
Terry Waters Victoria Collingwood
Ricky Watt Victoria Collingwood
Greg Brehaut Western Australia Perth
Barry Cable Western Australia Perth
Peter Eakins Western Australia Subiaco
John McIntosh Western Australia Claremont
Bill Walker Western Australia Swan Districts

1966

1966 All-Australian Team

Hobart Carnival

Name State/League Club
Brenton Adcock South Australia Sturt
Robert Day South Australia West Adelaide
Rick Schoff South Australia Sturt
Peter Hudson Tasmania New Norfolk
Graeme Lee Tasmania Launceston
Darrel Baldock Victoria St Kilda (captain)
Ian Bryant Victoria Footscray
Neville Crowe Victoria Richmond
John Goold Victoria Carlton
Graeme John Victoria South Melbourne
Hassa Mann Victoria Melbourne
Denis Marshall Victoria Geelong
John Nicholls Victoria Carlton
Ian Stewart Victoria St Kilda
Noel Teasdale Victoria North Melbourne
Barry Cable Western Australia Perth
Keith Doncon Western Australia East Perth
John McIntosh Western Australia Claremont
Kevin Murray Western Australia East Perth
Brian Sarre Western Australia Subiaco

1961

1961 All-Australian Team

Brisbane Carnival

Name State/League Club
John Abley South Australia Port Adelaide
John Halbert South Australia Sturt
Neil Kerley South Australia West Adelaide
Geoff Kingston South Australia West Torrens
Don Lindner South Australia North Adelaide
Don Roach South Australia West Adelaide
Bob Shearman South Australia West Torrens
Bill Wedding South Australia Norwood
Darrel Baldock Tasmania Latrobe
Bob Withers Tasmania North Launceston
Allen Aylett Victoria North Melbourne
Ron Barassi Victoria Melbourne (captain)
Brian Dixon Victoria Melbourne
John Schultz Victoria Footscray
Ted Whitten Victoria Footscray
Jack Clarke Western Australia East Fremantle
Graham Farmer Western Australia East Perth
Ray Gabelich Western Australia West Perth
Ray Sorrell Western Australia East Fremantle
John Todd Western Australia South Fremantle

1958

1958 All-Australian Team

Melbourne Carnival

Name State/League Club
John Abley South Australia Port Adelaide
Donald Gale Tasmania Wynyard
Jim Ross Tasmania North Launceston
Stuart Spencer Tasmania Clarence
Barry Metcalfe Victoria (VFA) Mordialloc
Owen Abrahams Victoria Fitzroy
Allen Aylett Victoria North Melbourne
Ron Barassi Victoria Melbourne
Reg Burgess Victoria Essendon
Jack Clarke Victoria Essendon
Bob Davis Victoria Geelong (captain)
John Dugdale Victoria North Melbourne
Kevin Murray Victoria Fitzroy
Neil Roberts Victoria St Kilda
Ted Whitten Victoria Footscray
Jack Clarke Western Australia East Fremantle
Graham Farmer Western Australia East Perth
Alan Preen Western Australia East Fremantle
Norm Rogers Western Australia East Fremantle
Ray Sorrell Western Australia East Fremantle

1956

1956 All-Australian Team

Perth Carnival

Name State/League Club
John Abley South Australia Port Adelaide
Haydn Bunton Jr. South Australia North Adelaide
Stan Costello South Australia West Adelaide
Lindsay Head South Australia West Torrens
Geoff Long Tasmania City
Barry Strange Tasmania New Town
Frank Johnson Victoria (VFA) Port Melbourne (captain)
Ron Barassi Victoria Melbourne
John Chick Victoria Carlton
Jack Clarke Victoria Essendon
Bill Hutchison Victoria Essendon
Peter Pianto Victoria Geelong
Des Rowe Victoria Richmond
Ted Whitten Victoria Footscray
Roy Wright Victoria Richmond
Jack Clarke Western Australia East Fremantle
Graham Farmer Western Australia East Perth
John Gerovich Western Australia South Fremantle
Keith Harper Western Australia Perth
Cliff Hillier Western Australia South Fremantle

1953

1953 All-Australian Team

Adelaide Carnival

Name State/League Club
Neil Davies South Australia Glenelg
Len Fitzgerald South Australia Sturt
Bob Hank South Australia West Torrens
Jack Lynch South Australia West Adelaide
John Marriott South Australia Norwood
Clayton Thompson South Australia Sturt
John Leedham Tasmania North Launceston
Ted Henrys Victoria (VFA) Preston
Frank Johnson Victoria (VFA) Port Melbourne
Jack Clarke Victoria Essendon
John Coleman Victoria Essendon
Des Healey Victoria Collingwood
Jack Howell Victoria Carlton
Bill Hutchison Victoria Essendon
Bob Rose Victoria Collingwood
Bernie Smith Victoria Geelong
Jack Clarke Western Australia East Fremantle
Steve Marsh Western Australia South Fremantle
Merv McIntosh Western Australia Perth
Frank Sparrow Western Australia Swan Districts

Sporting Life Team of the Year: 1947–1955

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

1955

1954

1953

1952

1951

1950

1949

1948

1947

Records

Players

Most times selected overall

Selections Player Teams
9 Max Gawn 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 (c), 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026 (c)
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)
Marcus Bontempelli 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 (vc), 2023 (vc), 2024 (c), 2025, 2026
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)

Most times selected in Carnivals era

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

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
Max Gawn 2021, 2026

Coaches

Most times selected overall

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
Chris Fagan 2024, 2025
Mark Thompson 2007, 2009
Mick Malthouse 1991, 2010
Chris Scott 2011, 2022

Selected as both player and coach

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

Read next

In 2 languages

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source article