All Australian team: Did selectors get it right?

Author Photo
16:9.  Cale Hooker of the Bombers

Hawkins kicked 62 goals in the home and away season, but did not make the cut. Instead, St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt won his first All Australian guernsey since 2009, being named at centre-half forward and as vice-captain.

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett created history by becoming the first player in the game's history to be selected as an All Australian in eight consecutive seasons.

But the story of 2014 is the new blood.

All six players picked in the backline – Cale Hooker (Essendon), Daniel Talia (Adelaide), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans), Nick Malceski (Sydney Swans), Alex Rance (Richmond) and Brodie Smith (Adelaide) – were first-time All Australians.

Midfielders Nat Fyfe (Fremantle) and Dyson Heppell (Essendon), forwards Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Luke Breust (Hawthorn) andHayden Ballantyne (Fremantle), and interchange options Jordan Lewis(Hawthorn) and Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions) were the other players to feature for the first time.

The All Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.

2014 ALL AUSTRALIAN TEAM

B: Cale Hooker (Ess) Daniel Talia (Adel) Nick Smith (Syd)

HB: Nick Malceski (Syd) Alex Rance (Rich) Brodie Smith (Adel)

C: Nathan Fyfe (Fre) Josh Kennedy (Syd) Dyson Heppell (Ess)

HF: Robbie Gray (PA) Nick Riewoldt (StK, vice-captain) Luke Breust (Haw)

F: Hayden Ballantyne (Fre) Lance Franklin (Syd) Jarryd Roughead (Haw)

R: Aaron Sandilands (Fre) Joel Selwood (Geel) Gary Ablett (GC)

Inter: Travis Boak (PA) Jordan Lewis (Haw) Scott Pendlebury (Coll) Tom Rockliff (Bris)


Gary Ablett of the Suns poses with partner Jordan Papalia. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images


Cale Hooker of the Bombers arrives with partner Kate Hetherington. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images


Dyson Heppell of the Bombers signs an autograph for a fan. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images


Alex Rance of the Tigers poses with partner Meagan Bennett. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images


Bombers coach Mark Thompson shares a joke with Wayne Carey. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images


Dyson Heppell of the Bombers poses with partner Kate Turner. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images


Daniel Talia of the Crows poses with partner Megan Bennett. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images


Gary Ablett of the Suns, recovering from a shoulder operation, reacts in pain when being assisted in putting on his blazer. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images

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Brodie Smith of the Crows receives his blazer. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images


Daniel Talia of the Crows receives his blazer. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images

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