All Australian History

The first unofficial All-Australian team was selected in 1947 by Sporting Life magazine, with the publication naming an unofficial composite best team of players from around the country each year until 1955.

In 1953, the first official All-Australian team was named from the best performed players at that year's Australian Football Carnival in Adelaide. Between 1953 and 1988, 15 All-Australian teams were selected in this way, focusing only on performances at the carnival and picked by representatives of the various state teams.

Between 1982 and 1990, an 'Team of the Year' was picked by Victorian selectors. It meant that during this period, players could be picked in both the Team of the Year and the carnival All-Australian side.

With the launch of the national competition in 1991 came the All-Australian team as we know it today. At the end of every season, a panel of experts select a best team based on performances during the AFL season.

NOTE: This table includes every player selected in the Teams of the Year (1982-90)
* = Selected from All-Australian Carnival/National All-Australian teams