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Young Nick Daicos has missed out on the 44-man All Australian squad in a shock call revealed on Monday.
Daicos was one of the many surprise omissions, even as the squad was expanded by four in an effort to reward more superstar players.
The No.4 draft pick has been in outstanding form in his debut season, averaging 26 disposals off half back, while he had almost 80 more effective disposals than any other Collingwood player this year.
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The Magpie is considered a certainty for the Rising Star and even a dark horse for the Brownlow Medal by some.
But AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan (panel chairman) and selection panel Kevin Bartlett, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Andrew Dillon, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Nick Riewoldt and Brad Scott didn’t have any room for Daicos in the 44-man squad.
Here’s who else was most unlucky to miss out.
Jordan Dawson, Adelaide
The former Swan proved to be an excellent pick up for the Crows, and finished with a season ranked elite in 2022.
But there was no room for the backman in the 44-man All Australian squad.
Dawson proved the hero back in the Round 3 Showdown when he slotted the winning goal after the siren.
Dawson was the third best ranked player for rebound 50s in 2022, and inside the top 10 for total marks.
He finished well clear as Adelaide’s best marker in 2022, with 146 for the year – more than 50 ahead of the next best in Taylor Walker.
One factor that may have gone against Dawson, was his ranking of fourth for turnovers in the competition.
Brandon Starcevich, Brisbane
Intercept and rebounding defenders tend to win more recognition than lockdown small defenders. But Starcevich can consider himself stiff to miss the 44-player squad.
The 23-year-old had a career-best season in 2022, averaging 15.6 diaposals, 6.0 intercepts, 4.8 marks and 2.1 tackles.
But Starcevich’s ability to shut down his opponent was his biggest strength, finishing with a one-on-one contested defensive loss rate of 13.8 per cent – a better percentage than All-Australian squad members Adam Saad, Brayden Maynard, Tom Stewart and Daniel Rioli, who’ll now be vying for the back pocket and half-back flank positions.
His job on Izak Rankine during the most recent QClash was one of his best performances for the season.
Sam Docherty, Carlton
Docherty couldn’t make the All Australian squad cut following his inspirational return to the game.
The defender finished inside the top 10 for disposals in 2022, and was ranked second for effective kicks and second for effective disposals in the competition.
He was ranked fourth for total marks this season, and finished as Carlton’s second highest possession winner for 2022 – above AA squad member Patrick Cripps.
Docherty was Carlton’s best with the ball in 2022, with almost 500 effective disposals this season and +20 rebound 50s on any teammate.
But the selectors opted for the run of Tiger Daniel Rioli instead of a player like Docherty in a surprise omission – though obviously we don’t know if they were a direct swap.
Darcy Moore, Collingwood
The Collingwood defender was one of the game’s most in-demand backmen earlier this year before he signed a massive six-year deal, worth a reported $5 million.
But he couldn’t force his way into his second All Australian team, after getting the nod in 2020.
Moore finished inside the top 10 for spoils and contested defensive one-on-ones.
He was second to Jeremy Howe for total marks taken and rebound 50s for the Pies in a brilliant defensive pairing.
But Moore was overlooked for the likes of Saint Callum Wilkie, Blue Jacob Weitering and Docker Brennan Cox.
The key defensive selections are always tricky and this year was no different.
Peter Wright, Essendon
Wright finished fifth in the Coleman Medal race and was the dominant forward for Essendon all season, despite limited opportunities.
He finished sixth for marks inside 50 and equal sixth for contested marks as he enjoyed a career-best season.
But there was no room for the versatile big man in the 44-man squad.
The selectors instead opted for Crows big man Taylor Walker, Melbourne’s Bayley Fritsch and Tiger Tom Lynch for that forward role.
Wright had been the Bombers’ best hope for All Australian selection, but the club finished as one of two to miss out altogether in 2022.
Sean Darcy, Fremantle
The big Freo ruckman couldn’t get his second straight All Australian squad selection, after being the big improver in 2021.
Despite having arguably more impact in 2022 than he did in 2021, Darcy missed the cut as Jarrod Witts and Max Gawn won over the selectors.
According to the Official Player Ratings, Darcy finished season -1 behind only Jarrod Witts in score launches for 2022 and +10 clear of squad member Max Gawn.
He was ranked third for hitouts in 2022, and third for hitouts to advantage.
Cam Guthrie, Geelong
The Cats had five players make the squad, but they could’ve easily had six as Guthrie was their best midfielder during ultra-consistent home and away campaign.
Guthrie was the minor premiers’ leading-ball winner, while he was also ranked second at the club for tackles during an excellent campaign.
The 30-year-old was the highest-ranked player in the AFL Coaches’ Association MVP voting that missed the All-Australian squad cut.
Guthrie, who made the All-Australian team in 2020, isn’t necessarily a glaring omission, but you could argue he was just as worthy as other midfielders in the squad.
Luke Davies-Uniacke, North Melbourne
The young Roo enjoyed a stellar season for a club that managed just two wins for the year.
In trying conditions, Davies-Uniacke never gave up, finishing as his club’s number one ranked player for inside 50s, contested ball and effective disposals, and second for clearances.
The young gun was ranked third for defensive half pressure acts and inside the top 10 for centre clearance numbers in 2022.
But unfortunately the Roos just couldn’t compete in games for long enough to give Davies-Uniacke the best chance at selection.
There were no North Melbourne players that made the 44-man cut.
Ollie Wines, Port Adelaide
It’s a remarkable fall from grace for the reining Brownlow Medallist to not even make the 44-man player cut.
Granted Port Adelaide endured a tough season, Wines was still one of his side’s best in 2022.
He ranked eighth in the competition for ground ball gets – ahead of squad members such as Jack Macrae and Jack Crisp.
In 2022, Wines was still ranked elite in two categories – disposals and handballs. He was above average for clearances and kicks.
The midfield is always a tricky logjam to figure out.
Paddy McCartin, Sydney
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the former number one draft pick at Sydney.
After walking away from the sport due to a serious concussion battle, McCartin returned a completely different player in 2022 and found a home down back for the Swans.
McCartin has been a rock for Sydney, together with brother Tom, and finished the year ranked elite for intercept marks.
He was also above average for kicking efficiency and overall player rating in 2022.
But there was no room for him in the 44-man squad, behind the likes of defenders Callum Wilkie and Steven May.
Tom Liberatore, Western Bulldogs
Tom Liberatore had an excellent season for the Bulldogs, and finished with his side’s most contested possessions in 2022 – but didn’t make the cut over teammates Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae.
The tough Bulldog was ranked third for the competition for pressure acts, with 559 for the season – above All Australian squad members Andrew Brayshaw, Clayton Oliver and Lachie Neale.
Liberatore was also fifth overall for clearances, just one behind Neale and two behind Patrick Cripps.
He was ranked fourth in the competition for ground ball gets, and sixth for contested ball wins in 2022 – ahead of the likes of Christian Petracca.
The Bulldog was ranked eighth in centre clearances and a remarkable third in stoppage clearance numbers for the season.
Liberatore was the Dogs’ stoppage master in 2022, with 100 clearances to his name – ahead of Macrae (86) and Bontempelli (58).
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