As it happened: All-Australian team’s dynamic new dozen; Bont’s AFLPA MVP honour

There’s one certainty come September, or at least when the AFL All-Australian team is announced after the home-and-away season ends: conjecture and controversy is inevitable. The selectors are clearly on a hiding to nothing. As always squeezing a squad of talented AFL footballers, from accomplished and already-rewarded footballers to the up-and-comers into a squad of 22 is a thankless exercise.

I have to say this year’s team is pretty well-balanced. Throwing in a dozen debutants is quite acceptable, and it does represent the speed of change in the AFL. Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Caleb Serong and Nick Larkey are fast stamping their mark on the game. The story of Toby Greene the All-Australian captain is a compelling one, too. Will it help inspire the Giants to continue their surge in the finals?

It’s great to see Charlie Curnow, Taylor Walker and Larkey all named in the team as top-goalkicking became trendy again.

Thanks and good night.

Collingwood’s Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, have begun a potential September to remember for the Magpies with selection in this year’s All Australian team, as Toby Greene completed his transition from bad boy to dux of the class.

The Greater Western Sydney leader created history when he was given the prestigious gong of skipper of the AFL’s team of the year, edging out fellow club captains Marcus Bontempelli, who was named vice-captain, Darcy Moore, Jordan Dawson, James Sicily and Zach Merrett.

ANDREW WU REPORTS

• 12 debutants were named in the team;
• Tim English is the starting ruck and Max Gawn wasn’t picked;
• Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Stewart got a fifth All-Australian jumper;
• Taylor Walker becomes the oldest All-Australian debutant in the AFL era;
• Nick Daicos and Josh Daicos are the first brothers to be selected together since the Cornes brothers in 2007;
• Toby Greene is the first All-Australian team from the GWS Giants.

CAPTAIN: Toby Greene

VICE-CAPTAIN: Marcus Bontempelli

ALL AUSTRALIAN SIDE
B: James Sicily (Haw) Callum Wilkie (StK) Tom Stewart (Geel)
HB: Jack Sinclair (StK) Darcy Moore (Coll) Dan Houston (PA)
C: Errol Gulden (Syd) Marcus Bontempelli (WB, v/capt) Josh Daicos (Coll)
HF: Connor Rozee (PA) Taylor Walker (Adel) Christian Petracca (Melb)
F: Charlie Cameron (Bris) Charlie Curnow (Carl) Toby Greene (GWS, capt)
R: Tim English (WB) Zak Butters (PA) Nick Daicos (Coll)
I: Jordan Dawson (Adel) Nick Larkey (NM) Zach Merrett (Ess) Caleb Serong (Fre)