Canberra’s Jack Steele has been named in the 40-man All-Australian squad along with two Giants’ stars.
After a breakout season in 2020 that saw him claim his maiden All-Australian selection, Steele was named St Kilda captain before this season and led from the front all year.
Steele was the shining light in a disappointing season for the Saints, averaging 29.1 disposals per game and leading the AFL in tackles with 185 across 22 games.
The two GWS players named in the initial squad were Toby Greene and Jacob Hopper.
Greene has played a pivotal role up forward for the Giants, booting 42 goals in 17 matches along with 16 goal assists and is searching for his second All-Australian selection after being picked in 2016.
Hopper has starred in the midfield for GWS, averaging 26.5 disposals across his 21 matches and it would be his first selection.
Meanwhile, the Giants cross-town rivals and finals week one opponents, the Sydney Swans, have four players in the squad, with superstar Lance Franklin looking for a remarkable ninth All-Australian jersey.
After missing the entire 2020 season through injury, Franklin has bounced back in 2021, finishing the season with 48 goals and is now just 8 majors shy of an incredible 1,000 career goals. It would be a remarkable ninth All-Australian selection for the champion full forward if named.
He is joined in the squad by teammates Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Tom Papley.
The Melbourne Demons were rewarded for their brilliant season with seven stars selected in the squad including stars Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca.
Brisbane were the next best represented club with five players picked, while Richmond, Collingwood and North Melbourne were the only clubs with zero selections.
The final 22-man team will be revealed as part of the AFL Awards on Thursday 26 August.
40-man All Australian squad
Melbourne: Bayley Fritsch, Max Gawn, Jake Lever, Steven May, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Christian Salem
Brisbane: Charlie Cameron, Jarryd Lyons, Hugh McCluggage, Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko
Sydney: Lance Franklin, Callum Mills, Tom Papley, Luke Parker
Carlton: Harry McKay, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering
Essendon: Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Jake Stringer
Port Adelaide: Aliir Aliir, Karl Amon, Ollie Wines
Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Dale, Jack Macrae
Adelaide: Rory Laird, Paul Seedsman
Fremantle: Sean Darcy, David Mundy
Geelong: Tom Hawkins, Tom Stewart
GWS: Toby Greene, Jacob Hopper
Hawthorn: Tom Mitchell
Gold Coast: Touk Miller
St Kilda: Jack Steele
West Coast: Nic Naitanui
Richmond: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil
