All-Australian selector and Channel 7 star AFL presenter Abbey Holmes has opened up on the major problem — according to fans and experts — with this year’s AA squad of 44.
Fans were left perplexed when the squad was revealed, with one name, St Kilda ruck Rowan Marshall, surprisingly missing.
There were three rucks included in the squad and they were Melbourne’s veteran superstar Max Gawn, North Melbourne’s rising sensation Tristan Xerri, and Collingwood big man Darcy Cameron.
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Marshall was left on the cutting room floor despite an outstanding season.
Outraged fans were quick to compare Marshall’s stats with Cameron’s.
He averaged 20.7 disposals, 26.4 hitouts and 5.7 clearances along with 15 goals, while Cameron averaged fewer disposals (15.6), 29.3 hitouts, fewer clearances (3.7), and four fewer goals.
In fact, Marshall averaged more disposals and more goals than all the rucks in the squad, but his average hitouts were lower than the other three.
Speaking on the Footy Talk podcast, Holmes said it was “always topical” when the All-Australian squad dropped.
“Everybody has got their opinion on who is stiff not to make the squad,” she said.
“From a selectors point of view, it is so challenging because we have had so many strong performers this year and we have ultimately got to fit them all into a 44-man squad, which is a challenge.”
All-Australian selection panel also included Kane Cornes, Eddie Betts, and Nathan Buckley, as well as AFL chief Andrew Dillon and the league’s football boss Laura Kane.
And Holmes revealed that Marshall’s name was “absolutely” in the mix.
“Unfortunately we have only got 44 numbers and Max Gawn is in the squad, Tristan Xerri — what he’s done this season you can’t argue with,” she said.
“And then Darcy Cameron, what a season he’s put together at the Collingwood Football Club as well.
“There’s always going to be some hard-luck stories. But yeah, Rowan Marshall is probably the one that we did get the most feedback on.”
The All-Australian team will be unveiled on Thursday night (tonight) at the new function centre, CentrePiece, at Melbourne Park.
If Gawn makes the final cut of 22, he would be just the 10th player in the competition’s history to win seven or more All-Australian awards.
Star Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli is almost certain to nab a sixth All-Australian selection.
Arrivals will get their at 6pm AEST and a live stream of the event will start at 7.30pm AEST.
The 44-man All-Australian Squad for 2024
Brisbane: Harris Andrews, Joe Daniher, Lachie Neale, Cam Rayner, Dayne Zorko
Carlton: Patrick Cripps, Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay, Jacob Weitering
Collingwood: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos
Essendon: Zach Merrett
Fremantle: Andrew Brayshaw, Jordan Clark, Luke Ryan, Caleb Serong, Hayden Young
Geelong: Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes, Tyson Stengle
Gold Coast: Noah Anderson, Sam Collins
GWS: Brent Daniels, Jesse Hogan, Lachie Whitfield
Hawthorn: Massimo D’Ambrosio, Dylan Moore, James Sicily
Melbourne: Max Gawn
North Melbourne: Harry Sheezel, Tristan Xerri
Port Adelaide: Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis, Dan Houston
St Kilda: Jack Sinclair
Sydney: Nick Blakey, Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner
West Coast: Jeremy McGovern, Jake Waterman
Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Dale, Adam Treloar
