Overview
- Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs each secured five spots in the extended squad, while Carlton, Essendon, North Melbourne and West Coast had no nominees.
- Roughly 28 players are vying for a first All-Australian blazer, reflecting a season rich in emerging talent.
- Notable omissions highlighted by reporting include St Kilda defender Cal Wilkie and North Melbourne ruck Tristan Xerri, with Darcy Cameron, Jack Sinclair, Jack Higgins and Connor Rozee also missing.
- Competing unofficial line-ups are fuelling discussion, with AFL.com.au reporters selecting Jordan Dawson as captain, ESPN naming its own best 22, and a 42,000-vote fan team placing Josh Daicos at half-back.
- The official 22 will be unveiled at the AFL Awards Night in Melbourne on Thursday, August 28.