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All-Australian beckoning? Why 2025 could be a first for Elliott
Luke Mathews • May 9th, 2025 3:44 pm
Jamie Elliott’s status as an all-time Collingwood great was well known before the 2025 season.
Match winning goals against Essendon and Carlton in 2022 added to the legacy of the fabled number five jumper and will live long in the memories of all who adore the black and white.
But 2025, could be a first for the mercurial sharpshooter.
Elliott has never been selected for an All-Australian team.
In fact, he’s never even made the squad of 44.
The boy from Euroa’s career has been maligned by injuries.
In 2016, he sat out the year with a back issue, in 2018 he didn’t feature in the Pies' charge to a Grand Final with ankle and hamstring problems.
In 2021 he broke his leg in Round 2, in 2022 he had surgery on an AC joint injury suffered in round four.
Last year he sustained an unusual vascular issue in his foot that could’ve forced him into retirement and cut short an incredible career curtailed by cruel injuries.
The two-time Collingwood leading goal kicker hasn’t let that define him and has come out firing in 2025.
His season got off to a solid start, two goals against the Giants and the Power before just the one against the Bulldogs in Round 2.
After the bye, he was left goalless against the Blues, but his output didn’t wane, recording seven tackles (his highest since 2022) and allowing fellow small forward Lachie Schultz to capitalise.
Gather Round was another decent showing, kicking a season high three goals despite being subbed out before another two in a special win against the Lions in his 200th game.
The small forward then exploded on ANZAC day.
Five goals helped power Collingwood to victory with four of them coming in the second half after they were challenged.
Elliott joined Paul Medhurst and Jack Ginnivan as the only Magpies to kick five on ANZAC day since 2008 however Elliott was the only one not to claim the medal.
After just the one major last week in the heart-breaking loss to Geelong, Elliott put in a performance for the ages against the Dockers.
With several players missing through injury and management, the match winner stood up in a performance for the ages.
Two first quarter goals kept his side in it after an early Fremantle onslaught before one just before the half time siren gave his side a 10-point buffer heading into the break.
With the game still in the balance heading into final term, Elliott took charge.
Three final quarter goals sealed a memorable victory, it was even more incredible when you consider Schultz was knocked out at the start of the quarter and left Elliott to shoulder the load.
It leaves Elliott second in the Coleman Medal with 22 goals after nine games, rare air for a small forward.
Recent history would suggest he is set to be rewarded for his efforts at the end of the season.
At least one small forward has made the team in the last four seasons.
Dylan Moore was picked in 2024 with 36 goals and 33 goal assists, Charlie Cameron 59 goals from 26 games and Toby Greene 66 goals from 24 games both made the side in 2023.
Tyson Stengle was rewarded for a terrific season in 2022 with 53 goals from 25 games, as was Shai Bolton with 43 goals from his 23 games.
In 2021, it was Toby Greene and Tom Papley that secured the elusive green blazer, Greene finished with 45 goals from just 18 games while Papley was close behind with 43.
Elliott is well on track to join them.
He is currently averaging 2.75 goals a game which would leave him with 60 majors at the end of the home and away season.
It is unlikely Elliott will finish with bags of five and six every week, but barring any injuries, he should well and truly surpass his previous best of 39 goals in 2023.
Currently, Jack Higgins is giving Elliot a run for his money.
The former Tiger has booted 21 goals from his first eight games in 2025 while Paul Curtis had kicked 18 goals before being suspended.
He would also join a recent trend of players over 30 making the team for the first time.
In 2024, it was Adam Treloar who finally broke through for his first All-Australian selection after being selected in the squad multiple times.
In 2023 it was Tex Walker, after he finished second in the Coleman while the previous years it was Mark Blicavs and Daniel Rich that received their first blazers after turning 30.
Elliott fits that category perfectly, he’s in career best form despite being 32 and wouldn’t be out of the realms of possibility for him to receive an invite to the AFL awards in September.
Time will tell if Elliott finally receives some individual recognition for an incredible career to date but at the moment he couldn’t have done much more to start 2025.
