The AFL has tonight announced the 2020 Toyota AFL Women’s All-Australian Team.
Twelve clubs competing in the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s Competition were represented in the final team of 21, which was selected from a squad of 40 players announced earlier this month.
The team was selected with 16 players on the field and five interchange players, replicating the composition of AFLW team line-ups.
2019 Melbourne Best and Fairest winner Karen Paxman (Melbourne) was named captain of the 2020 Toyota AFL Women’s All-Australian Team, while 2018 AFL Women’s Best and Fairest and premiership player Emma Kearney (Kangaroos) was appointed vice-captain.
The four-time All-Australians have also created history becoming the only players to have gained selection in the All-Australian team every year since the inception of the NAB AFL Women’s Competition in 2017.
A total of 11 debutants were named in the All-Australian Team, including: Sarah Allen (Adelaide Crows), Libby Birch (Melbourne), Isabelle Huntington (Western Bulldogs), Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood), Olivia Purcell (Geelong Cats), Caitlin Greiser (St Kilda), Kate Hore (Melbourne), Sharni Layton (Collingwood), Kalinda Howarth (Gold Coast SUNS), Alyce Parker (GWS GIANTS), Ash Riddell (Kangaroos).
Carlton, Melbourne and North Melbourne have three representatives in the team, while the Adelaide Crows, Collingwood and Fremantle have two representatives each.
Brisbane Lions’ Kate Lutkins, Geelong Cats’ Olivia Purcell, GWS GIANTS’ Alyce Parker, Gold Coast SUNS’ Kalinda Howarth, St Kilda’s Caitlin Greiser and Western Bulldogs’ Isabelle Huntington were their club’s sole representatives.
AFL Head of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said selection in the Toyota AFL Women’s All-Australian Team was a significant honour.
“The Toyota AFL Women’s All-Australian Team recognises the best players in each position throughout the entire 2020 season,” Ms. Livingstone said.
“Selection in the Toyota AFL Women's All-Australian Team reflects the outstanding performances these players have produced week-in-week-out for their respective clubs and acknowledges their role in the fourth season of the NAB AFL Women’s Competition.
“I want to congratulate the entire squad of 40 players, and the final team of 21. Selecting both the squad and team was a difficult process and there will of course be players unlucky not to be included.
“The final team represents the best players of another incredible season and will be an achievement long cherished by the players selected.”
The 2020 Toyota AFL Women’s All-Australian Team
BACK: Sarah Allan (Adelaide Crows), Kate Lutkins (Brisbane Lions)
HALF BACKS: Kerryn Harrington (Carlton), Libby Birch (Melbourne), Isabel Huntington (Western Bulldogs)
CENTRES: Emma Kearney (Vice Captain, Kangaroos), Kiara Bowers (Fremantle), Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood)
HALF FORWARDS: Olivia Purcell (Geelong Cats), Gemma Houghton (Fremantle), Jasmine Garner (Kangaroos)
FORWARDS: Caitlin Greiser (St Kilda), Kate Hore (Melbourne)
FOLLOWERS: Sharni Layton (Collingwood), Karen Paxman (Captain, Melbourne), Madison Prespakis (Carlton)
INTERCHANGE: Kalinda Howarth (Gold Coast SUNS), Alyce Parker (GWS GIANTS), Tayla Harris (Carlton), Ash Riddell (Kangaroos), Anne Hatchard (Adelaide Crows)
The 2020 AFL Women’s All-Australian Squad was selected by a panel, comprising the following:
- Nicole Livingstone (Chair, AFL)
- Steve Hocking (AFL)
- Josh Vanderloo (AFL)
- Kelli Underwood (Fox Footy)
- Sarah Black (AFL.com.au)
- Tim Harrington (AFLPA)
- Shelley Ware (media commentator)
- Sharelle McMahon (media commentator)
THE W AWARDS - TOMORROW, TUESDAY APRIL 28
The W Awards will be held tomorrow evening Tuesday, April 28 in a special edition broadcast celebrating the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s Competition.
W Awards broadcast from 7:00pm AEST
The 2020 W Awards will be broadcast nationally from 7:00pm AEST on FOX FOOTY, Kayo, womens.afl, the AFLW app, AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
Awards to be presented include the BHP AFLW Community Coach of the Year, NAB AFL Women’s Rising Star Award, AFL Women’s Leading Goalkicker Award and AFL Women’s Best and Fairest Award.
