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In-stadium commentary at Mt SmartThe best player at your club yet to be named All-Australian
SEN • May 22nd, 2025 6:42 pm
Which player at your club has never made an All-Australian side, but probably should?
We have taken a look through all 18 clubs and picked out the unluckiest, the overlooked, the best players who don't currently hold AA status, but either should have, or one day will.
See our list below:
Izak Rankine
Izak Rankine has never made an All-Australian squad, but he’s just about a certainty to make a couple across his career. He would have been a lock in 2024 if it weren’t for him missing eight games with injury, and he’s probably on track to be a maiden All-Australian this campaign.
Youngsters like Riley Thilthorpe and Max Michalanney will also have their eyes set on All-Australian blazers in the future.
Current Crows AAs: Rory Laird (2), Matt Crouch (1), Jordan Dawson (1), Taylor Walker (1), Brodie Smith (1).
Lachlan Geleit
Hugh McCluggage
One of the competition’s most unlucky players to never make an All-Australian team, Hugh McCluggage has been in the squad on four occasions and has no doubt narrowly missed out on making the final team more than once. At 27, there’s still plenty of opportunity for him to one day earn a blazer, and that could even come in 2025 after a strong start to his campaign.
Josh Dunkley and Cam Rayner have also previously made squads without making the final side. You'd think that Will Ashcroft and brother Levi will press their respective cases in the future.
Current Lions AAs: Lachie Neale (4), Dayne Zorko (2), Harris Andrews (2), Charlie Cameron (2).
Lachlan Geleit
Tom De Koning
Every single current Carlton player that’s ever made an All-Australian squad has made the team at one point. That leaves players who have never been a squad member, and Tom De Koning is easily the standout there. The star ruck will surely at least earn that honour (squad selection) this year, and with rival clubs putting nearly $2 million a year in front of him, you’d want him to become an All-Australian level player. He might get his first chance at it this season.
Current Carlton AAs: Patrick Cripps (4), Charlie Curnow (2), Harry McKay (1), Sam Docherty (1), Sam Walsh (1), Jacob Weitering (1), Nick Haynes (1), Adam Saad (1).
Lachlan Geleit
Jordan De Goey
Given his talent, it’s quite remarkable that Jordan De Goey has never been an All-Australian player. It feels like he’s dominated three finals series as Collingwood’s best player, but he’s never been able to piece together a full season of absolute elite consistency, whether that be through injury or form. He’s twice made the squad in 2018 and 2023 but missed out.
Jamie Elliott is making a big push to be a maiden All-Australian this season at the age of 32, while Jack Crisp, Jeremy Howe, Darcy Cameron and Isaac Quaynor have made squads before without being in the final side.
Current Magpies AAs: Scott Pendlebury (6), Nick Daicos (2), Darcy Moore (2), Dan Houston (2), Tom Mitchell (2), Brayden Maynard (1), Steele Sidebottom (1), Josh Daicos (1).
Lachlan Geleit
Jordan Ridley
Jordan Ridley came close to an All-Australian blazer in 2020, the year that he won Essendon’s best and fairest. There’s no doubt that the intercepting defender has the makings of a top-six defender in the league, and if his body allows, he should have some opportunities to receive a blazer one day, given he’s still just 26.
While Kyle Langford and Mason Redman have also made All-Australian squads previously, it feels like Ridley is more of a chance going forward.
Current Bombers AAs: Zach Merrett (3), Darcy Parish (1), Dylan Shiel (1), Todd Goldstein (1).
Lachlan Geleit
Luke Jackson
Luke Jackson is one of four Freo players to make an All-Australian squad previously without making the final team alongside Hayden Young, Jordan Clark and Brennan Cox. With all of those players aged 26 or younger, they’ll all hope to one day earn blazers, and it feels like Jackson is the leading candidate in that regard. When he plays as the sole ruck, Jackson is one of the competition’s most dynamic players, and it’s hard not to envision him as one day the best ruckmen in the entire AFL.
Current Dockers AAs: Nathan Fyfe (3), Caleb Serong (2), Luke Ryan (2), Andrew Brayshaw (1), Michael Walters (1), Shai Bolton (1).
Lachlan Geleit
Mitch Duncan
The poster boy for this article is Mitch Duncan. The milestone man is one of the best current players not to have an All-Australian blazer hanging in his closet. Duncan has been a model of consistency for well over a decade but has always been denied by genuine superstars of the game given the brilliant Cats sides he has played in.
Prized recruit Bailey Smith is fast headed for his maiden AA team while Max Holmes should get there at least once in his career.
Current Cats AAs: Patrick Dangerfield (8), Tom Stewart (5), Jeremy Cameron (4), Mark Blicavs (1), Cameron Guthrie (1), Tyson Stengle (1).
Andrew Slevison
Noah Anderson
Gold Coast captain Noah Anderson is close to a moral to make an All-Australian team. He has already been in two squads and appears to be the highest quality of the Suns players destined to join Touk Miller with AA status. He's on the way this year.
Coleman leader Ben King is headed that way this year, off-season recruit Daniel Rioli was close at Richmond, two-time best and fairest Sam Collins is also closing in, while Matt Rowell has AA ability.
There should be a fair few Suns breaking through in the next few years.
Current Suns AAs: Touk Miller (2).
Andrew Slevison
Stephen Coniglio
The unluckiest Giant so far would be Stephen Coniglio who was agonisingly close in both 2016 and 2023. Coniglio’s top footy is AA calibre, he just hasn’t been able to put it together year after year after year due to injuries.
Tom Green is an obvious candidate given his prolific ball-winning ability. He made the squad in 2023, was close last year and it feels it’s only a matter of time.
Veteran Callan Ward has made three squads in his career, but his best is certainly past him now.
Current Giants AAs: Toby Greene (3), Lachie Whitfield (2), Josh Kelly (1), Jake Stringer (1), Jesse Hogan (1), Sam Taylor (1).
Andrew Slevison
Will Day & Jai Newcombe
Emerging star Will Day, provided he can stay fit, looks a monty to make at least one AA team in his career. He possesses all the attributes that All-Australian players possess and it would be a surprise not to see ‘AA’ next to his name one day.
Reigning best and fairest Jai Newcombe is knocking on the door of the AA selectors. He was in the wider squad in 2023, was his clubs best player in 2024 and is putting together a pretty handy 2025.
Former Eagle Tom Barrass is capable of an AA campaign.
Current Hawks AAs: Luke Breust (2), Jack Gunston (1), James Sicily (1), Dylan Moore (1).
Andrew Slevison
Kysaiah Pickett
The very best of Kysaiah Pickett is definitely All-Australian worthy. The 23-year-old is putting together his best season to date and could make a run for a blazer if he can continue to rack up the touches and kick goals. Pickett is one of the most damaging smalls in the game and if he can add consistency to his arsenal then an AA berth is not too far away.
Jack Viney is one established Demon who might have made an AA team earlier in his career with some luck. But at 31, those days might be beyond him now.
Bayley Fritsch has previously made two squads and would have to kick well over 50 goals to land a spot in the 22.
Current Demons AAs: Max Gawn (7), Christian Petracca (4), Clayton Oliver (3), Steven May (2), Jake Lever (1).
Andrew Slevison
Harry Sheezel
Harry Sheezel has dazzled since debuting in 2023. In his first year, he claimed the Rising Star, North’s best and fairest, and the AFLPA Best First Year Player. In his second season, he made the 44-man All-Australian squad and won the AFLCA Best Young Player award. Though he narrowly missed final AA selection last year, Sheezel’s elite skills and composure ensure that his first All-Australian blazer is only a matter of time.
Current Roos AAs: Caleb Daniel (1), Luke Parker (1), Jack Darling (1), Nick Larkey (1).
Connor Scanlon
Jason Horne-Francis
Jason Horne-Francis is building a strong resume for why he should be a future All-Australian. The 21-year-old has already earnt selection in the 44-man squad in 2024, proving that he is super close. With explosive power, clean disposal and contested dominance, his style mirrors Patrick Dangerfield - an eight-time AA. The former No.1 pick thrives in big moments and is destined to break into the final 22 sooner rather than later. Expect him to become a regular in the All-Australian conversation as his game continues to mature.
Current Power AAs: Zak Butters (2), Connor Rozee (2), Allir Allir (1), Darcy Byrne-Jones (1), Ollie Wines (1).
Connor Scanlon
Nick Vlastuin
It’s a crying shame that the perennially unlucky Nick Vlastuin has never made an AA team. In Richmond’s recent glory days, he was surrounded by All-Australians defenders Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes and Bachar Houli, but could never break through himself. He’s made one squad and would have been agonisingly close to making a few others.
Midfield pair Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper look the next best players at Richmond never to land an AA selection.
Looking to the future, No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor has AA written all over him.
Current Tigers AAs: Tom Lynch (1).
Andrew Slevison
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Arguably the best kick in the competition, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is definitely an All-Australian in the making. At 22, he’s evolving beyond just being an attacking half-back, by adding intercept marking and midfield versatility to his game. He’s a nightmare for opposition sides with his precise foot skills and calm decision-making. With the way that he is playing right now, it would be no surprise to see him earn multiple All-Australian nods over the next decade.
Current Saints AAs: Jack Steele (2), Jack Sinclair (2), Jack Macrae (2), Callum Wilkie (1).
Connor Scanlon
Will Hayward
In a Sydney side stacked with All-Australian talent - seven in fact - Will Hayward stands out as the most likely next addition. Haywood was the 11th-youngest player in the AFL era to reach 50 goals, and now he is 26 and nearing his prime. With a career-best 44 goals in 2023, his goal sense and forward pressure are elite. If he maintains this form, especially in a more prominent forward role, he’s well-positioned to break through and claim an All-Australian blazer at some point in his career.
Current Swans AAs: Errol Gulden (2), Chad Warner (2), Isaac Heeney (2), Nick Blakey (1), Tom Papley (1), Callum Mills (1), and Dane Rampe (1).
Connor Scanlon
Harley Reid
Oscar Allen came close for the Eagles in 2023, with a 44-man All-Australian squad selection after a standout season up forward, but the Eagles clearest future All-Australian is Harley Reid. The 2023 No.1 pick and 2024 AFLPA Best First Year Player is a generational talent. With explosive fend-offs, silky skills, and footy IQ beyond his years, Reid has all the tools to dominate for the next decade. Reid looks an inevitable All-Australian, and may perhaps get the blazer multiple times over his career.
Current Eagles AAs: Jeremy McGovern (5), Elliot Yeo (2), Liam Ryan (1), and Jake Waterman (1).
Connor Scanlon
Tom Liberatore
Tom Liberatore is one of the most underrated stars of his era. Despite two 44-man All-Australian squad selections and a whopping 388 coaches votes, he’s never cracked the final AA team. Overshadowed by Bulldogs AAs throughout his career like Marcus Bontempelli and ex-teammate Jack Macrae, Liberatore’s contested work and toughness have been arguably the most important part of the Dogs midfield for a decade. His omission remains one of the most baffling in recent All-Australian history, but his form this season has been excellent and this might be his year.
Current Bulldogs AAs: Marcus Bontempelli (6), Bailey Dale (2), Adam Treloar (1), and Tim English (1).
Connor Scanlon
