The All Australian selection panel met today for their final meeting of the 2008 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, to confirm the 40-man squad that is in contention for selection for the 2008 Coca Cola All Australian Team.
Matthew, a five time All Australian since 2002, has been named amongst the likes of Coleman Medallist Buddy Franklin, Carlton’s Brendon Fevola and Jonathon Brown as a contender for forward line selection.
Aaron’s league leading 646 hit outs for the season, which is a new Club record for Fremantle, saw him earn his place in the preliminary squad. He will be up against the Dean Cox and Drew Petrie who are all vying for the ruck position.
All Australian selection has eluded Luke in years passed but is this year up against some of the league’s finest defenders to win a spot in the backline.
Under the format introduced in 2007, the All Australian selectors were asked to nominate the leading players in each section of the field -- forwards, defenders and midfielders / ruckmen -- with the final team of 22 to be named on Monday September 15 in Melbourne.
AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou, the Chairman for the All Australian panel, said the final team would comprise six of the 12 forwards named in the squad, six of the 12 defenders named in the squad and six of the 16 midfielders / ruckmen named in the squad. The four interchange positions would come from the remaining players not selected in the starting 18, to best fit team balance as if to play a match.
"All Australian selection is recognition for a tremendous year of football, as the best player in your position across the entire competition," Mr Demetriou said.
"All Australian selection is also a recognition of the quality of those players you have competed against, to win your spot, and the aim of this approach is to highlight the outstanding players who are in contention for selection, and those who eventually win out to claim a position as one of the elite players of the season," he said.
The All Australian selection panel is: Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Kevin Bartlett, Mark Bickley, Gerard Healy, Glen Jakovich and Robert Walls.
The squad members named are as follows:
Defenders
Nathan Bock, Adelaide. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 324 kicks, 159 marks, 158 handballs, averaging 14.7 kicks, 7.2 marks, 7.2 handballs. Two Goals Five Behinds. 11 Clearances, 42 Inside 50m, 79 Rebound 50m.
Corey Enright, Geelong. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 267 kicks, 118 marks, 250 handballs, averaging 12.1 kicks, 5.4 marks, 11.4 handballs. Six Goals Two Behinds. 39 Clearances, 41 Inside 50m, 64 Rebound 50m.
Sam Fisher, St Kilda. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 303 kicks, 192 marks, 193 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 8.7 marks, 8.8 handballs. Three Goals Two Behinds. 18 Clearances, 43 Inside 50m, 73 Rebound 50m.
Tom Harley, Geelong. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 150 kicks, 117 marks, 184 handballs, averaging 6.8 kicks, 5.3 marks, 8.4 handballs. No Goals No Behinds. Four Clearances, 11 Inside 50m, 45 Rebound 50m.
Luke Hodge, Hawthorn. All Australian 2005. 17 games in 2008. 241 kicks, 90 marks, 155 handballs, averaging 14.2 kicks, 5.3 marks, 9.1 handballs. 19 Goals Eight Behinds. 58 Clearances, 73 Inside 50m, 38 Rebound 50m.
Max Hudghton, St Kilda. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2008. 101 kicks, 100 marks, 107 handballs, averaging 5.1 kicks, 5.0 marks, 5.4 handballs. No Goals No Behinds. One Clearance, Five Inside 50m, 39 Rebound 50m.
Luke McPharlin, Fremantle. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2008. 192 kicks, 142 marks, 105 handballs, averaging 9.6 kicks, 7.1 marks, 5.3 handballs. 21 Goals 14 Behinds. Three Clearances, 29 Inside 50m, 44 Rebound 50m.
Andrew Mackie, Geelong. Never previously selected. 18 games in 2008. 256 kicks, 128 marks, 150 handballs, averaging 14.2 kicks, 7.1 marks, 8.3 handballs. 11 Goals Seven Behinds. 11 Clearances, 46 Inside 50m, 46 Rebound 50m.
Darren Milburn, Geelong. All Australian 2007. 19 games in 2008. 204 kicks, 131 marks, 174 handballs, averaging 10.7 kicks, 6.9 marks, 9.2 handballs. Six Goals One Behind. Eight Clearances, 30 Inside 50m, 50 Rebound 50m.
Dale Morris, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 137 kicks, 102 marks, 143 handballs, averaging 6.2 kicks, 4.6 marks, 6.5 handballs. No Goals No Behinds. 11 Clearances, 11 Inside 50m, 36 Rebound 50m.
Daniel Pratt, North Melbourne. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2008. 257 kicks, 118 marks, 121 handballs, averaging 12.9 kicks, 5.9 marks, 6.1 handballs. Five Goals Five Behinds. 16 Clearances, 36 Inside 50m, 101 Rebound 50m.
Matthew Scarlett, Geelong. All Australian 2003, 2004, 2007. 19 games in 2008. 178 kicks, 63 marks, 145 handballs, averaging 9.4 kicks, 3.3 marks, 7.6 handballs. No Goals One Behind. Four Clearances, 22 Inside 50m, 57 Rebound 50m.
Forwards
Jonathan Brown, Brisbane Lions. All Australian 2007. 21 games in 2008. 223 kicks, 167 marks, 84 handballs, averaging 10.6 kicks, 8.0 marks, 4.0 handballs. 70 Goals 47 Behinds. Four Clearances, 67 Inside 50m, Zero Rebound 50m.
Daniel Bradshaw, Brisbane Lions. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2008. 166 kicks, 118 marks, 44 handballs, averaging 8.3 kicks, 5.9 marks, 2.2 handballs. 71 Goals 31 Behinds. Three Clearances, 24 Inside 50m, One Rebound 50m.
Brendan Fevola, Carlton. All Australian 2006. 22 games in 2008. 214 kicks, 128 marks, 44 handballs, averaging 9.7 kicks, 5.8 marks, 2.0 handballs. 99 Goals 51 Behinds. Three Clearances, 30 Inside 50m, Two Rebound 50m.
Lance Franklin, Hawthorn. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 281 kicks, 145 marks, 67 handballs, averaging 12.8 kicks, 6.6 marks, 3.0 handballs. 102 Goals 84 Behinds. 13 Clearances, 48 Inside 50m, Seven Rebound 50m.
Brent Harvey, North Melbourne. All Australian 2000, 2005, 2007. 22 games in 2008. 322 kicks, 107 marks, 227 handballs, averaging 14.6 kicks, 4.9 marks, 10.3 handballs. 23 Goals 19 Behinds. 46 Clearances, 102 Inside 50m, 30 Rebound 50m.
Steve Johnson, Geelong. All Australian 2007. 22 games in 2008. 285 kicks, 128 marks, 150 handballs, averaging 13.0 kicks, 5.8 marks, 6.8 handballs. 49 Goals 28 Behinds. 34 Clearances, 93 Inside 50m, 18 Rebound 50m.
Paul Medhurst, Collingwood. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 284 kicks, 165 marks, 62 handballs, averaging 12.9 kicks, 7.5 marks, 2.8 handballs. 48 Goals 22 Behinds. 12 Clearances, 90 Inside 50m, 17 Rebound 50m.
Daniel Motlop, Port Adelaide. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2008. 175 kicks, 88 marks, 46 handballs, averaging 8.3 kicks, 4.2 marks, 2.2 handballs. 57 Goals 19 Behinds. Eight Clearances, 62 Inside 50m, Two Rebound 50m.
Robert Murphy, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2008. 278 kicks, 175 marks, 94 handballs, averaging 13.2 kicks, 8.3 marks, 4.5 handballs. 31 Goals 17 Behinds. Four Clearances, 122 Inside 50m, Nine Rebound 50m.
Ryan O'Keefe, Sydney. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2008. 282 kicks, 100 marks, 142 handballs, averaging 13.4 kicks, 4.8 marks, 6.8 handballs. 21 Goals 25 Behinds. 30 Clearances, 88 Inside 50m, 20 Rebound 50m.
Matthew Pavlich, Fremantle. All Australian 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007. 19 games in 2008. 263 kicks, 138 marks, 83 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 7.3 marks, 4.4 handballs. 67 Goals 35 Behinds. 38 Clearances, 101 Inside 50m, Five Rebound 50m.
Nick Riewoldt, St Kilda. All Australian 2004, 2006. 21 games in 2008. 256 kicks, 211 marks, 113 handballs, averaging 12.2 kicks, 10.0 marks, 5.4 handballs. 56 Goals 39 Behinds. Six Clearances, 52 Inside 50m, Seven Rebound 50m.
Midfielders / Ruckmen
Gary Ablett, Geelong. All Australian 2007. 18 games in 2008. 246 kicks, 84 marks, 262 handballs, averaging 13.7 kicks, 4.7 marks, 14.6 handballs. 23 Goals 22 Behinds. 87 Clearances, 101 Inside 50m, 22 Rebound 50m.
Jimmy Bartel, Geelong. All Australian 2007. 22 games in 2008. 339 kicks, 127 marks, 278 handballs, averaging 15.4 kicks, 5.8 marks, 12.6 handballs. 19 Goals 15 Behinds. 78 Clearances, 89 Inside 50m, 44 Rebound 50m.
Simon Black, Brisbane Lions. All Australian 2001, 2002, 2004. 21 games in 2008. 253 kicks, 61 marks, 286 handballs, averaging 12.0 kicks, 2.9 marks, 13.6 handballs. 10 Goals Nine Behinds. 115 Clearances, 70 Inside 50m, 31 Rebound 50m.
Adam Cooney, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 283 kicks, 84 marks, 297 handballs, averaging 12.9 kicks, 3.8 marks, 13.5 handballs. 21 Goals Six Behinds. 99 Clearances, 68 Inside 50m, 53 Rebound 50m.
Joel Corey, Geelong. All Australian 2007. 22 games in 2008. 304 kicks, 104 marks, 336 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 4.7 marks, 15.3 handballs. Six Goals Five Behinds. 100 Clearances, 104 Inside 50m, 34 Rebound 50m.
Dean Cox, West Coast. All Australian 2005, 2006, 2007. 22 games in 2008. 233 kicks, 125 marks, 253 handballs, averaging 10.6 kicks, 5.7 marks, 11.5 handballs. 571 hit outs averaging 26.0 hit outs. Nine Goals 10 Behinds. 86 Clearances, 61 Inside 50m, 51 Rebound 50m.
Daniel Cross, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 212 kicks, 110 marks, 362 handballs, averaging 9.6 kicks, 5.0 marks, 16.5 handballs. Five Goals Two Behinds. 85 Clearances, 54 Inside 50m, 27 Rebound 50m.
Brett Deledio, Richmond. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 255 kicks, 155 marks, 283 handballs, averaging 11.6 kicks, 7.0 marks, 12.9 handballs. 28 Goals 10 Behinds. 47 Clearances, 91 Inside 50m, 31 Rebound 50m.
Lenny Hayes, St Kilda. All Australian 2003, 2005. 21 games in 2008. 224 kicks, 82 marks, 275 handballs, averaging 10.7 kicks, 3.9 marks, 13.1 handballs. Five Goals 10 Behinds. 115 Clearances, 70 Inside 50m, 32 Rebound 50m.
Chris Judd, Carlton. All Australian 2004, 2006. 21 games in 2008. 250 kicks, 41 marks, 258 handballs, averaging 11.9 kicks, 2.0 marks, 12.3 handballs. 15 Goals Nine Behinds. 103 Clearances, 83 Inside 50m, 29 Rebound 50m.
Brett Kirk, Sydney. All Australian 2004. 22 games in 2008. 235 kicks, 68 marks, 260 handballs, averaging 10.7 kicks, 3.1 marks, 11.8 handballs. Nine Goals 12 Behinds. 109 Clearances, 57 Inside 50m, 26 Rebound 50m.
Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2008. 267 kicks, 79 marks, 324 handballs, averaging 12.7 kicks, 3.8 marks, 15.4 handballs. Three Goals Two Behinds. 122 Clearances, 97 Inside 50m, 29 Rebound 50m.
Drew Petrie, North Melbourne. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 222 kicks, 150 marks, 133 handballs, averaging 10.1 kicks, 6.8 marks, 6.0 handballs. 196 hit outs averaging 8.9 hit outs. 16 Goals 15 Behinds. 37 Clearances, 49 Inside 50m, 48 Rebound 50m.
Matthew Richardson, Richmond. All Australian 1996, 1999. 20 games in 2008. 263 kicks, 222 marks, 102 handballs, averaging 13.2 kicks, 11.1 marks, 5.1 handballs. 48 Goals 30 Behinds. Five Clearances, 46 Inside 50m, 19 Rebound 50m.
Aaron Sandilands, Fremantle. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2008. 122 kicks, 77 marks, 208 handballs, averaging 5.5 kicks, 3.5 marks, 9.5 handballs. 646 hit outs averaging 29.4 hit outs. Eight Goals 11 Behinds. 88 Clearances, 45 Inside 50m, 18 Rebound 50m.
Joel Selwood, Geelong. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2008. 253 kicks, 89 marks, 281 handballs, averaging 12.0 kicks, 4.2 marks, 13.4 handballs. Six Goals Eight Behinds. 73 Clearances, 89 Inside 50m, 32 Rebound 50m.
