Who is your club's best chance at becoming a first-time All-Australian in 2021?
Read our thoughts below:
Reilly O’Brien
This is a tricky one. The Crows have a handful of past All-Australians already but it’s hard to see where the next one comes from.
Of the non-AAs on the Adelaide list, Tom Lynch and Taylor Walker have been closest when making the squad of 40 in 2017, but it would shock if either of those two were to find themselves in an all-AFL select these days.
The one that could bob up is Reilly O’Brien. He won the best and fairest in his second full year as Crows ruckman in 2020 and appears to be the one closest to an All-Australian berth.
It will be very hard for him to dislodge the likes of Nic Naitanui, Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy and Todd Goldstein, but as far as the Crows’ chances go, O’Brien would be at the forefront.
Andrew Slevison
Hugh McCluggage
Has twice made the All-Australian squad of 40 and coming into his fifth year appears a strong chance to land a spot in the selected 22.
The smooth-moving wingman wins plenty of the ball and comes into 2021 after being awarded the club’s best finals player alongside Lachie Neale.
The biggest knock on the 23-year-old’s game is his goalkicking (8.21 for 2020). If he tidies up that aspect he could present an even stronger case to selectors this season.
It would surprise no one if McCluggage earned his first AA blazer in 2021.
Lachlan Geleit
Jacob Weitering
Jacob Weitering has become exponentially better every season across the last three years, culminating in winning Carlton’s 2020 best and fairest.
He made the All-Australian squad and was unlucky not to make the final team as a key defender.
Weitering will head into 2021 with the same role, either taking the opposition’s best key forward or floating in as an intercept marker alongside Liam Jones.
Carlton’s midfield made life tough for Weitering at times last year, conceding runs of goals as momentum shifted quickly against them.
If they can stamp that out and allow their backline to set up defensively, Weitering will be a tough wall to crack.
Nic Negrepontis
Jeremy Howe
Narrowly missed out on a spot in the 2017 team and has since been a consistent performer when his body has allowed.
Howe opened 2020 with the best four-week patch of football in his career, but devastatingly succumbed to a serious knee injury which squashed any hopes of earning a maiden All-Australian blazer.
If he can enter this season in similar fashion to his opening month of last year, the high-flying defender will be an early favourite to appear on the half-back line.
Lachlan Geleit
Jordan Ridley
2020 was Jordan Ridley’s breakout year, winning the club’s best and fairest award and cementing himself as one of the club’s most exciting young players.
But as the Bombers look ahead to a more settled season under a new coach and free of many of last year's distractions, Ridley looms as their most likely player to continue to improve and be selected in this year’s All-Australian side.
His ability to intercept and break up play, as well as consistently making the right decision exiting defensive 50, saw him selected in the squad of 40 last year.
Another good campaign will likely see him knocking on the door of a breakthrough selection in the final team.
Laurence Rosen
Matt Taberner
Taberner went close in 2020, making the All-Australian squad as a key forward.
After years of promise, the 27-year-old delivered last year kicking 29 goals from 16 games in a Fremantle team that struggled to score in general.
As the Dockers improve, Taberner’s opportunities will only increase, particularly if Nathan Fyfe spends more time inside 50 this year.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir wants an extra five goals per game from his team this year and if he gets his wish, Taberner will be a big part of that.
The key forward positions in the All-Australian team are hard to come by, but the door was ajar last year, with Charlie Dixon and Tom Hawkins ultimately making it. Hawkins may find it harder to dominate with Jeremy Cameron alongside him.
Taberner remains Fremantle’s focal point and will have every opportunity to make the leap from the squad to the final 22.
Nic Negrepontis
Sam Menegola
The mature-aged recruit has been a revelation for the Cats since he cemented his spot in the side back in 2017, becoming one of the most dynamic wingers in the game.
Named in the All-Australian squad of 40 last year after averaging 21 disposals and almost six marks across the season, Menegola’s influence could be even more pronounced this year with both Shaun Higgins and Isaac Smith added to the midfield mix.
The 28-year-old remains right in the selection frame for this year’s All-Australian team and if he can put together another consistent season, a maiden spot in the side could be forthcoming.
Laurence Rosen
Matthew Rowell
It’s only a matter of time before Matthew Rowell becomes an All-Australian.
A shoulder injury stopped Rowell from potentially having the best-ever season by a first-year player after starring in his first four games in Gold Coast colours.
Having fully recovered and taken part in match simulation during the pre-season, fit-again Rowell will look to pick up from where he left off last year.
If he can, the Suns sensation will be in the All-Australian conversation come the end of 2021.
Rowell racked up 19-plus disposals and kicked six goals in his four completed games for the Suns in 2020.
Alex Zaia
Stephen Coniglio
Following a self-confessed down season in 2020, GWS captain Stephen Coniglio is primed to bounce back strongly this year.
The 27-year-old midfielder’s pride no doubt took a hit when he was sensationally dropped as skipper and there is only one way to respond.
He was in the squad of 40 in 2016 and some five years later, he can return to those heights and become the next Giant to be selected as an All-Australian, following Toby Greene, Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haynes.
His on-ball offsider Tim Taranto also possesses the ability to be one of the top midfielders in the league. Now in his fifth year, the race for an AA blazer is on between he and ‘Cogs’.
Andrew Slevison
No clear frontrunner
It is hard to see any Hawthorn player earning All-Australian selection this season.
James Sicily is one of the competition’s premier intercept defenders and was on track for a blazer in 2019 before being struck by a hand injury.
He won't play much in 2021 as he recovers from an ACL injury but if he can get back to his best form in 2022, he’ll run close to All-Australian selection.
James Worpel and Will Day have the makings of All-Australian players at some stage and you’d think that as a No.6 overall selection, defender Denver Grainger-Barrass will also earn a nod at some stage over his AFL career which is just starting out.
Ash Browne
Angus Brayshaw
Melbourne’s midfield is stacked with plenty of talent and at just 25, Angus Brayshaw has plenty of upside as he eyes an uninterrupted season and eventually a coveted spot in the All-Australian side.
The combative midfielder, who will play his 100th game for the Dees at some point this year, averaged 16 touches from 14 games last season – highlighting just how much scope there is for him to improve in 2021.
Melbourne has one of the most imposing inside midfield brigades in the competition - if he can stand out from the pack and elevate his game to another level - an All-Australian berth could be within his sights.
Laurence Rosen
Ben Cunnington
North Melbourne’s midfield is going to be heavily reliant on Ben Cunnington this year as the young group rebuilds on the run.
The star on-baller’s 2020 season was derailed by a back injury, but will hopefully have a better run at it this year.
At his best in 2019, he made the All-Australian squad, averaging 27 disposals and seven clearances.
On paper, the Roos’ midfield should be competitive this year, with Cunnington next to Todd Goldstein, Jy Simpkin, Jed Anderson and the potential for Jaidyn Stephenson to have an increased role.
If they’re serviceable, or if Cunnington simply carries an enormous load, it’s not hard to see him being rewarded with All-Australian selection.
Nic Negrepontis
Zak Butters
2020 was a breakout year for Port Adelaide young gun Zak Butters.
Butters stamped himself as one of the competition’s most exciting young talents, finishing fourth in the Power’s best and fairest and was a shock bolter in the All-Australian squad of 40.
The 20-year-old is expected to spend more time through the midfield this season with his skill and toughness a hallmark of his game.
Butters has impressed everyone at Alberton with his work during the pre-season as he looks to take his game to another level in 2021.
Alex Zaia
Nick Vlastuin
Now a bona fide elite intercept defender, Nick Vlastuin has an All-Australian blazer in his sights.
The no-nonsense three-time premiership backman made the squad of 40 last year so it is safe to say he is knocking on the door.
Vlastuin takes intercept marks at will, can also negate opponents with his defensive expertise, while providing a neat balance of rebound and assuredness out of the back half.
Midfielder Dion Prestia was close in 2019 but would require an injury-free season to be any chance of forcing his way in and joining Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Dylan Grimes, Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards as All-Australian Tigers.
Andrew Slevison
Brad Hill
Brad Hill will thrive with quarters returning to 20 minutes.
The running power of the St Kilda wingman was on show in the club’s AAMI Community Series fixture against Carlton.
Hill recorded 849 metres gained and racked up 25 disposals at 88 per cent efficiency in what could be a sign of things to come this season.
The star Saint was a glaring omission from the All-Australian squad of 40 during his final year at Fremantle, but that’s not to say he can’t earn a maiden blazer in 2021.
One of the competition’s premier wingmen when in full flight.
Alex Zaia
Tom Papley
Was unlucky to miss 2020’s side after the selectors opted for midfielders over genuine forwards in the front six.
The dynamic small forward has twice been Sydney's leading goalkicker and could go to another level as he comes into his prime.
With Lance Franklin under an injury cloud, Papley should again be the main target for the Swans inside 50.
He had 11 more scoring shots than All-Australian small forward Liam Ryan in 2020 and another standout season should see him seriously considered once again.
Lachlan Geleit
Luke Shuey
The Eagles captain suffered a double hamstring strain and missed the final three home-and-away matches of 2020, and his misfortune has rolled over into the new year, with a calf injury plaguing his pre-season.
“The C-word” usually sets alarm bells ringing for veterans, but Shuey has proved durable otherwise, having made 20 or more appearances in eight of his 12 years at West Coast.
The 2018 Norm Smith Medallist has impressed in match simulation despite limited minutes, both on a wing in an intra-club and surging from stoppages in the scratch match against Fremantle.
We still haven’t seen an unimpeded Shuey next to Tim Kelly on a consistent basis, while the defensive edge of Liam Duggan means the rotation could further release the 30-year-old.
Nathan John
Lachie Hunter
Hunter’s name has been bundled in with the Bulldogs’ bulging brigade of on-ballers since Adam Treloar arrived, but it shouldn’t be.
He is an out-and-out winger who relies on his stamina and inventive disposal, as opposed to the pace that characterises the position.
The 26-year-old played just 10 games in 2020, serving a four-game suspension following a drink-driving charge and taking a further month off for personal reasons, but he still placed ninth in the club's best and fairest.
Hunter averaged 25.3 disposals (seventh in the league), 6.4 score involvements (second) and 387.4 metres gained (13th) in that sample, and the influence of his gut running on the handball-happy Dogs’ fortunes was crystal-clear.
Hugh McCluggage, Bradley Hill, Harry Perryman, Josh Daicos, Sam Menegola, Ed Langdon - pure wingers are in vogue, and over a full season, Hunter could emerge as the best of the bunch.
Nathan John