The preliminary All-Australian discussions that have historically taken place behind closed doors have been revealed for the first time in an exclusive Fox Footy program.
Eleven rounds into the 2024 season, the panel picking the most prestigious side of the year congregated to hold the first of several meetings that will decide which 22 players are eventually handed blazers at season’s end.
A total of 80 players were proposed by the panel, with the vast majority discussed on camera as to where they sit in the grand scheme of an initial squad.
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As some added context, no player can be selected in the final All-Australian team if they have played less than 16 games in the home-and-away season.
For players like GWS pair Josh Kelly and Sam Taylor, it means that despite their great form in 2024, they have little room to miss more football this season if they aim to qualify for the side.
Below is a club-by-club rundown of all 76 players who was discussed by the panel on the broadcast.
Players referred to as a ‘lock’ in the analysis are considered an extremely strong chance of making the side in the long run (barring injury), and would be a certain starter if the side was selected at the time of the meeting.
Those listed as a ‘watch’ have been flagged as a potential inclusion at the end of the season for a variety of reasons – perhaps with selectors wanting to see an elongated patch of good form, or prior All-Australian selections who might not be in the same vein of form as previous years.
Note: The lock or watch classifications were not definitive, given the conversational nature of the meeting. If a player is not listed, they may have been discussed but not shown on the program.
Is Nicks’ career on a ‘knifes edge’? | 03:18
ADELAIDE CROWS
Despite the Crows’ lethargic first half of 2024, star forward Izak Rankine was considered a lock so far in the side, despite his three-week hamstring injury. Meanwhile, his captain Jordan Dawson was labelled as a watch in the extended squad heading into their next meeting later this year. Rankine averages two goals a game and over 18 disposals so far this season, while Dawson averages over 25 disposals and exactly seven inside 50’s per match.
BRISBANE LIONS
Similar to the Crows, only half-back veteran Dayne Zorko was touted as a lock so far this season, after his incredible form patch to start 2024. Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale and two-time All-Australian Harris Andrews were placed on the watch list.
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CARLTON
Nathan Buckley labelled Harry McKay as his first pick in the forward line, closely followed by back-to-back Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow. Curnow given his lead on the leading goalkicker award so far this year is presumably a lock, while McKay’s place may be slightly more up for debate. There was a lot of love for Nic Newman also from Buckley and Kane Cornes, who was put on watch – as well as club captain Patrick Cripps. Newman is averaging close to 23 disposals this season, and was applauded for his versatility.
COLLINGWOOD
Interestingly, the Magpies chat begun with Cornes highlighting ruck Darcy Cameron and his place as the #1 intercept marking ruck in the game (as of Round 11). He looks to have been added as a watch in the squad, in the case one of the more prominent big men go down injured. Cornes also flagged Josh Daicos as ‘probably still the best winger in the game’, and subsequently a watch. His brother Nick Daicos was very quickly labelled as a lock in the midfield, while Scott Pendlebury’s name was also mentioned as a potential player to watch. Buckley finished by saying it was a ‘shame’ forward Brody Mihocek has gone down injured.
ESSENDON
Of the Bombers, captain Zach Merrett was the only clearly labelled lock after his red-hot start to 2024. Defenders Nic Martin and Ben McKay were spoken of as ‘excellent’ by the panel, and will both be under heavy considerations at future meetings. Sam Durham’s name was much-loved, but he may not quite be there yet. Buckley noted that forward Kyle Langford ‘needs to be in there’ as a watch, and that Andrew McGrath has ‘jumped out of the ground’ this year. X-factor Jake Stringer was also spoken about.
FREMANTLE
The club’s ‘best player’ Caleb Serong was spoken about promisingly, while Alex Pearce was held in high regard – particularly for his one-on-one work at full-back. Additionally, 2020 All-Australian Luke Ryan also seemed to be in the elite category for locks. Teammates Luke Jackson and Hayden Young were both labelled as a watch in the back half of the season.
GEELONG
Max Holmes and Gryan Miers were the two locks at the Cats after the first half of the year, with Holmes’ potential position discussed in detail. Tyson Stengle was favourably noted as a watch by the panel, while Jeremy Cameron took the liking of AFL general manager of football operation Josh Mahoney. Defender Tom Stewart’s place was hotly debated, with most not having him in their side outside of Mahoney.
GOLD COAST SUNS
At the Suns, Noah Anderson was the closest to being considered a lock in an All-Australian side right now. Defender on the rise Mac Andrew is ‘getting better and better’ in the words of panel members. Having improved a lot, duo Sam Flanders and Ben King were given the watch tag, as was Matt Rowell who is in the mix.
GWS GIANTS
Jesse Hogan took the reins as the Giants’ undisputed option, with rebounding defender Lachie Whitfield not far behind him as the panel debated whether or not he was a lock or a watch. After red-hot starts to 2024, Tom Green and Sam Taylor were seemingly selected as watches. Josh Kelly and Lachie Ash res lauded, but their respective calf injuries have significantly hurt their chances. Toby Greene was also mentioned, but generally regarded as someone who needs to lift significantly for a birth later in the season.
HAWTHORN
AFLW champion Abbey Holmes highlighted Blake Hardwick as a good swingman, but Cornes was quick to question where he would be selected in the side. Dylan Moore was comfortably put as a watch for his work in the forward half. Jai Newcombe was also praised by Holmes, but noted that ‘there are plenty (of midfielders) ahead of him’. And like Newcombe, a ‘banged up’ James Sicily has a few more ahead of him.
MELBOURNE
Arguably one of the first locks in the side, Max Gawn was undisputed in his selection as first-choice ruck. Eddie Betts had Christian Petracca in as one of his starting half-forward flanks, and also praised Bayley Fritsch – although some debate followed over his potential selection place. Betts also put forward key defender Steven May as a watch. Cornes notes he ‘has a bit of a blind spot with May’, while Buckley thinks four to five players are better than May at full back right now.
Debate rages over Petracca injury | 08:14
NORTH MELBOURNE
Conversation on potential Kangaroo nominees was short and sharp, however the selectors collectively agreed that ruck Tristan Xerri was the best of his side’s players that could make the cut with none of his other teammates mentioned. As of the end of Round 13, Xerri has the third-most hitouts of any ruck in the competition.
PORT ADELAIDE
Star midfielder Zak Butters was the first of Port’s players to be firmed as a lock, with teammate Jason Horne-Francis also credited for having ‘an amazing year’ so far – and was flagged as a watch, much like Dan Houston. Connor Rozee was mentioned, but you would imagine his multiple injuries already might hurt.
RICHMOND
Betts handed down rightful praise the way of veteran defender Nick Vlastuin, who has been ‘holding his own’; particularly in one-on-one contests like Dockers defender Alex Pearce. Beyond Vlastuin, no other Tiger was mentioned. Vlastuin also ranks second in the league for intercept possessions heading into Round 14.
ST KILDA
There were no locks listed for the Saints, however Rowan Marshall and Callum Wilkie and Bradley Hill were all kept on as watches. Swans champion Jude Bolton was the panellist to flag Hill, who has been electric in some games this season. Marshall ranks as the second-highest ball winner of all rucks in the competition, with both him and Gawn averaging a tick over 20 touches a match.
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SYDNEY SWANS
The Swans have plenty of names to run through as potential candidates this year. Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney and (seemingly) Errol Gulden were all thrown the lock label for their monstrous start to 2024. James Rowbottom was mentioned as a ‘hard-nosed’ player to watch, as is Brodie Grundy as arguably the second-placed ruck. Nick Blakey’s run and carry off half-back was spoken about favourably, and could make the position his with a big second half of the year. Good mates Will Hayward and Ollie Florent were floated as watch options, but consistency was flagged especially for Hayward. Bolton was the panellist most in favour of Florent off half-back.
WEST COAST EAGLES
From the Eagles, Jake Waterman was branded a definite lock by the AFL’s GM of Football Laura Kane. Veteran Jeremy McGovern will have eyes kept on him during the second half of the season as a watch, much like Tom Barrass and Elliot Yeo also mentioned. 27-year-old Liam Duggan was briefly spoken about, but the competition is very hot off half-back this year.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Laura Kane marked superstar Marcus Bontempelli as a lock with an asterisk, and mainly dependant on which other players make the side. Despite being relegated to sub duties by coach Luke Beveridge in Round 5, Bailey Dale was heavily backed by Cornes – and rightly so. He cited Sydney applying a tag on him in Round 11 as a mark of his impact, given they are currently the best team in the competition. Ed Richards was well-endorsed by Buckley as someone to potentially watch.