The 30-year-old defender was named at the full-back position after an outstanding year in which he helped Freo record the second-fewest points conceded in the AFL behind Sydney.
More often than not, McPharlin played on the opposition’s most dangerous forward and rarely lowered his colours.
He said it was a great honour to be named All Australian and credited Freo’s rise up the ladder for helping him achieve it.
“I think I’ve had a couple of very good years over the journey, but, by virtue of the fact that I’ve played in a really good side that’s competed strongly and played in the finals, that all helps in terms of being up there with the top defenders in the league,” McPharlin said.
He was full of praise for his teammates for making his life easier in the heart of Freo’s defence with the pressure applied up the field.
“There’s never an easy game of AFL football, but when you see the enormous amount of pressure our forwards and midfielders put on teams to stifle their ball movement, it allows the defence to position more smartly and to zone off and roll off and help each other.
“When the ball comes in, it’s coming in high and under pressure.
“From that point of view it’s been really good to see how our whole team defence has evolved this year.”
This was McPharlin’s first All Australian selection, coming after 209 AFL games for Fremantle and Hawthorn since his debut in 2000.
Congratulations on a fine season Luke.
Watch Luke McPharlin’s highlights from the year.
