COLLINGWOOD'S superb 2011 has been rewarded with six players named in the All Australian team.
Leon Davis, Ben Reid, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke and Dane Swan were all named in the team judged by a panel of AFL experts.
It was the first time Reid, Cloke and Thomas have earned a spot. It is Swan's third consecutive selection and Pendlebury's second, while Davis earned a spot in 2009 in the forward pocket before rejuvenating his career and becoming a rebounding defender.
Davis was famously dropped for last year's Grand Final replay against the Saints after a quiet performance in the drawn Grand Final.
However, Davis has now established himself as an indispensable part of Collingwood's half-back line.
Veterans Drew Petrie, Robert Murphy, Sam Mitchell and Stephen Milne earned the first All Australian selections of their stellar careers.
Petrie capped a wonderful return from injury for North Melbourne with a spot on the interchange bench while Hawks star Mitchell was named in the centre. Bulldog veteran Murphy, who had spent much of his career up forward, was named on half-back after a consistent year rebounding from defence.
Petrie missed all but two games in 2010 due to a serious foot injury but bounced back to play 21 games in 2011 and be one of his team's best players.
He had previously been nominated for All Australian in 2008, as had Murphy, while Mitchell made the preliminary squad in 2007 and 2008.
St Kilda goalsneak Milne was nominated in 2009 but enjoyed possibly his most consistent season in 2011 with 55 goals to be fourth overall on the goalkicking tally.
Carlton's Marc Murphy and Geelong's James Kelly also joined Reid, Thomas, Mitchell, Murphy, Milne and Petrie as first-time All Australians.
Gary Ablett was named captain of the team and also earned the honour of becoming the first Gold Coast player to be named All Australian.
Ablett was named in the past four teams while at Geelong, earning the vice-captain role last season.
Carlton's Chris Judd was named Ablett's deputy with his sixth All Australian guernsey. Judd was named twice during his playing days with West Coast. He draws level with former St Kilda and Sydney Swan legend Tony Lockett in earning six All Australian selections with two different clubs.
Only Gerard Healy (Eight with Melbourne and Sydney Swans) and Greg Williams (Eight with Melbourne and Sydney Swans) have earned more selections in two different teams.
Other perennial All Australians Matthew Scarlett (six selections), Dean Cox (five), Adam Goodes (four) and Corey Enright (four) also made the team.
The All Australian selection panel comprised Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Leigh Matthews and Mark Ricciuto.
The team was as follows:
B: Matthew Scarlett (Geelong), Darren Glass (West Coast), Corey Enright (Geelong)
HB: Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs), Ben Reid (Collingwood), Leon Davis (Collingwood)
C: Dale Thomas (Collingwood), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
HF: Marc Murphy (Carlton), Travis Cloke (Collingwood), Dane Swan (Collingwood)
F: Stephen Milne (St Kilda), Lance Franklin (Hawthorn), Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans)
Ruck: Dean Cox (West Coast), Chris Judd (vc) (Carlton), Gary Ablett (c) (Gold Coast)
I/C: Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Nick Dal Santo (St Kilda), James Kelly (Geelong), Drew Petrie (North Melbourne)
