2018 All-Australian team
The 2018 Virgin Australia All-Australian team represents the best performed Australian Football League (AFL) players during the 2018 season. It was announced on 29 August as a complete Australian rules football team of 22 players. The team is honorary and does not play any games.
Selection panel
The selection panel for the 2018 All-Australian team consisted of chairman Gillon McLachlan, Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Danny Frawley, Steve Hocking, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.[1]
Team
Initial squad
The initial 40-man All-Australian squad was announced on 27 August. Minor premiers Richmond had the most players selected in the initial squad with eight, while Gold Coast and St Kilda were the only clubs not to have a single player nominated in the squad.[1]
Final team
Minor premiers Richmond had the most selections with four. Sydney forward Lance Franklin, who achieved selection for a record-equalling eighth time, was announced as the All-Australian captain, with Geelong midfielder and six-time All-Australian Patrick Dangerfield announced as vice-captain. The team saw ten players selected in an All-Australian team for the first time in their careers and included only four players from clubs not competing in that year's finals series.[2]
| B: | Tom Stewart (Geelong) | Alex Rance (Richmond) | Rory Laird (Adelaide) |
| HB: | Shannon Hurn (West Coast) | Jeremy McGovern (West Coast) | Lachie Whitfield (Greater Western Sydney) |
| C: | Andrew Gaff (West Coast) | Dustin Martin (Richmond) | Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) |
| HF: | Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) (vice-captain) | Lance Franklin (Sydney) (captain) | Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) |
| F: | Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) | Jack Riewoldt (Richmond) | Luke Breust (Hawthorn) |
| Foll: | Max Gawn (Melbourne) | Patrick Cripps (Carlton) | Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) |
| Int: | Brodie Grundy (Collingwood) | Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) | Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne) |
| Shane Edwards (Richmond) | |||
| Coach: | Adam Simpson (West Coast) | ||
Note: the position of coach in the All-Australian team is traditionally awarded to the coach of the premiership team.
References
- Beveridge, Riley (27 August 2018). "Revealed: The All Australian squad for 2018". afl.com.au. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- Beveridge, Riley (29 August 2018). "Shock skipper as All Australian team revealed". afl.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2018.