Fremantle have three stars in the running for All Australian honours after forward Matt Taberner, defender Luke Ryan and midfielder Nat Fyfe were named in the 40-man squad on Tuesday.
It is the first time Taberner and Ryan have been included in the squad while Fyfe is vying for his fourth All Australian jacket.
The final team of 22 will be announced on Thursday night in an awards event that will be broadcast across Fox Footy, Kayo and AFL Live Pass on Thursday at 5.30pm AWST.
Taberner fell one short of playing every game in 2020, kicking at least one goal in every appearance except in Freo’s round 16 win against Melbourne.
The 27-year-old finished the season strongly, kicking 17 goals in his final eight appearances to finish the year with a career-high 29 majors and finishing fifth in the Coleman Medal.
He was a strong contested mark inside 50 and used his aerobic capacity to provide a target up the ground, ranking second for contested marks with an average of 2.4 per game.
Ryan took the helm of an injury-hit backline throughout the season, with the likes of Alex Pearce, Joel Hamling and Griffin Logue out for all, or most of, the season.
Standing at 186cm, Ryan was often tasked to play on the opposition’s strongest and tallest forwards.
As well as shutting down his opponents, Ryan continued to provide his usual rebound with an AFL-leading 113 rebound 50s - 17 more than any other AFL player.
He was also one of Fremantle’s best ball users by foot with a kicking efficiency of 83.3 per cent, the 11th best in the AFL from players who played 10 games or more.
His rebound led to an average of 409 metres gained, which led Freo and ranked seventh in the AFL.
Usually an intercepting defender in a full strength backline, Ryan was still able to cut off the opposition’s forward advances with 37 intercept marks, also ranking seventh in the AFL.
Nat Fyfe’s season wasn’t as dominant as his Brownlow Medal winning years in 2015 or 2019, primarily due to a hamstring injury and change of role that saw him spend more time forward to allow Freo’s younger midfielders more experience in the contest.
But it didn’t stop the captain from remaining one of the game’s best players, averaging 12.5 contested possessions and just under five clearances a game.
He continued his aerial dominance, leading all midfielders with an average of 1.1 contested marks per game and he had an impact up front with 10 goals.
As well as the All Australian team, Thursday’s awards night will also announce the NAB AFL Rising Star, AFL Players MVP, the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year and the 2020 Coleman Medallist.
CLUB BY CLUB
Nil
Harris Andrews
2019 All Australian.
14 games in 2020.
149 disposals. 97 kicks, 60 marks, 52 handballs averaging 10.6 disposals, 6.9 kicks, 4.3 marks, 3.7 handballs. 8 Inside 50m, 34 rebound 50m. 16 tackles. 83.5 Kick Efficiency. 127 spoils.
Hugh McCluggage
Never previously All Australian.
Nominated for squad member 2019.
17 games in 2020.
318 disposals. 196 kicks, 62 marks, 122 handballs averaging 18.7 disposals, 11.5 kicks, 3.6 marks, 7.2 handballs. 58 Inside 50m, 27 rebound 50m. 46 tackles.
Lachie Neale
2019 All Australian.
Nominated for squad member also in 2015, 2016, 2018.
17 games in 2020.
468 disposals (First in the AFL in total disposals). 231 kicks, 74 marks, 237 handballs averaging 27.5 disposals, 13.6 kicks, 4.4 marks, 13.9 handballs. 73 Inside 50m, 25 rebound 50m. 53 tackles. 90 clearances.
Jacob Weitering
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
188 disposals. 146 kicks, 74 marks, 42 handballs averaging 11.1 disposals, 8.6 kicks, 4.4 marks, 2.5 handballs. 18 Inside 50m, 63 rebound 50m. 17 tackles. 87 contested possessions. 113 spoils.
Taylor Adams
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
389 disposals. 220 kicks, 62 marks, 169 handballs averaging 22.9 disposals, 12.9 kicks, 3.6 marks, 9.9 handballs. 56 Inside 50m. 90 tackles. 93 clearances.
Brayden Maynard
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
326 disposals. 239 kicks, 72 marks, 87 handballs averaging 19.2 disposals, 14.1 kicks, 4.2 marks, 5.1 handballs. 69 clearances. 35 Inside 50m, 67 rebound 50m. 46 tackles. 184 effective kicks. 32 spoils.
Darcy Moore
Never previously All Australian.
16 games in 2020.
215 disposals. 130 kicks, 79 marks, 85 handballs averaging 13.4 disposals, 8.1 kicks, 4.9 marks, 5.3 handballs. 19 Inside 50m, 57 rebound 50m. 13 tackles. 73 contested possessions. 104 spoils.
Scott Pendlebury
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019 All Australian.
Nominated for squad member also in 2009, 2015, 2016, 2018.
13 games in 2020.
323 disposals. 159 kicks, 38 marks, 164 handballs averaging 24.8 disposals, 12.2 kicks, 2.9 marks, 12.6 handballs. 56 Inside 50m. 42 tackles. 59 clearances. 225 effective disposals.
Jordan Ridley
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
304 disposals. 211 kicks, 110 marks, 93 handballs averaging 17.9 disposals, 12.4 kicks, 6.5 marks, 5.5 handballs. 180 effective kicks. 71 rebound 50m. 20 tackles. 89 intercept possessions. 83 spoils.
Nat Fyfe
2014, 2015, 2019 (captain) All Australian.
Nominated for squad member also in 2011, 2013.
14 games in 2020.
300 disposals. 130 kicks, 43 marks, 170 handballs averaging 21.4 disposals, 9.3 kicks, 3.1 marks, 12.1 handballs. 32 Inside 50m. 42 tackles. 64 clearances. 175 contested possessions. 10 goals.
Luke Ryan
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
316 disposals. 251 kicks, 88 marks, 65 handballs averaging 18.6 disposals, 14.8 kicks, 5.2 marks, 3.8 handballs. 113 rebound 50m. 20 tackles. 209 effective kicks. 64 spoils.
Matt Taberner
Never previously All Australian.
16 games in 2020.
166 disposals. 129 kicks, 92 marks, 37 handballs averaging 10.4 disposals, 8.1 kicks, 5.8 marks, 2.3 handballs. 29 goals. 13 behinds. 61 score involvements.
Mark Blicavs
Never previously All Australian.
Nominated for squad member 2018, 2019.
17 games in 2020.
217 disposals. 110 kicks, 59 marks, 107 handballs averaging 12.8 disposals, 6.5 kicks, 3.5 marks, 6.3 handballs. 138 hitouts. 44 tackles. 125 contested possessions. 53 score involvements.
Patrick Dangerfield
2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (vice-captain), 2019 All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
366 disposals. 232 kicks, 66 marks, 134 handballs averaging 21.5 disposals, 13.6 kicks, 3.9 marks, 7.9 handballs. 79 clearances. 198 contested possessions. 85 inside 50m. 11 goals. 16 behinds. 99 score involvements.
Cam Guthrie
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
374 disposals. 188 kicks, 79 marks, 186 handballs averaging 22 disposals, 11.1 kicks, 4.6 marks, 10.9 handballs. 68 tackles. 66 clearances. 42 inside 50m. 132 effective kicks. 70 score involvements.
Tom Hawkins
2012, 2019 All Australian.
Nominated for squad member also in 2014, 2018.
17 games in 2020.
207 disposals. 142 kicks, 90 marks, 65 handballs averaging 12.2 disposals, 8.4 kicks, 5.3 marks, 3.8 handballs. 27 tackles. 25 inside 50m. 42 goals. 25 behinds. 119 score involvements.
Sam Menegola
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
372 disposals. 211 kicks, 97 marks, 161 handballs averaging 21.9 disposals, 12.4 kicks, 5.7 marks, 9.5 handballs. 47 clearances. 53 inside 50m. 33 rebound 50m. 13 goals. Three behinds. 79 score involvements.
Nil
Nick Haynes
Never previously All Australian.
Nominated for squad member 2019.
17 games in 2020.
272 disposals. 208 kicks, 121 marks, 64 handballs averaging 16 disposals, 12.2 kicks, 7.1 marks, 3.8 handballs. 76 spoils. 116 intercept possessions.
Jack Gunston
2018 All Australian.
Nominated for squad member 2014, 2015, 2016.
16 games in 2020.
181 disposals. 133 kicks, 68 marks, 48 handballs averaging 11.3 disposals, 8.3 kicks, 4.3 marks, 3 handballs. 31 inside 50m. 23 tackles. 31 goals. 21 behinds. 87 score involvements.
Max Gawn
2016, 2018, 2019 All Australian.
14 games in 2020.
222 disposals. 142 kicks, 63 marks, 80 handballs averaging 15.9 disposals, 10.1 kicks, 4.5 marks, 5.7 handballs. 458 hitouts. 48 clearances. 35 tackles. 52 spoils. 53 score involvements.
Clayton Oliver
2018 All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
425 disposals. 195 kicks, 57 marks, 230 handballs averaging 25 disposals, 11.5 kicks, 3.4 marks, 13.5 handballs. 110 clearances. 92 tackles. 227 contested possessions. 64 inside 50m. 64 score involvements.
Christian Petracca
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
400 disposals. 201 kicks, 58 marks, 199 handballs averaging 23.5 disposals, 11.8 kicks, 3.4 marks, 11.7 handballs. 65 clearances. 55 tackles. 216 contested possessions. 69 inside 50m. 15 goals. 14 behinds. 108 score involvements.
Nil
Travis Boak
2013, 2014 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2019.
17 games in 2020.
394 disposals. 193 kicks, 47 marks, 201 handballs averaging 23.2 disposals, 11.4 kicks, 2.8 marks, 11.8 handballs. 88 clearances. 63 tackles. 170 contested possessions. 70 inside 50m. Eight goals. Seven behinds. 92 score involvements.
Zak Butters
Never previously All Australian.
15 games in 2020.
225 disposals. 118 kicks, 52 marks, 107 handballs averaging 15 disposals, 7.9 kicks, 3.5 marks, 7.1 handballs. 21 clearances. 39 tackles. 100 contested possessions. 33 inside 50m. 11 goals. Five behinds. 79 score involvements.
Darcy Byrne-Jones
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
295 disposals. 183 kicks, 60 marks, 112 handballs averaging 17.4 disposals, 10.8 kicks, 3.5 marks, 6.6 handballs. 38 clearances. 116 contested possessions. 92 intercept possessions.
Charlie Dixon
Never previously All Australian.
155 disposals. 100 kicks, 65 marks (43 contested marks), 55 handballs averaging 9.7 disposals, 6.3 kicks, 4.1 marks, 3.4 handballs. 24 tackles. 114 contested possessions. 32 goals. 21 behinds. 88 score involvements.
Tom Jonas
Never previously All Australian.
Nominated for squad member in 2017, 2018.
17 games in 2020.
178 disposals. 118 kicks, 69 marks, 60 handballs averaging 10.5 disposals, 6.9 kicks, 4.1 marks, 3.5 handballs. 25 tackles. 71 contested possessions. 103 spoils.
Dylan Grimes
2019 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2018.
16 games in 2020.
174 disposals. 111 kicks, 70 marks, 63 handballs averaging 10.9 disposals, 6.9 kicks, 4.4 marks, 3.9 handballs. 25 tackles. 55 contested possessions. 69 spoils.
Dustin Martin
2016, 2017, 2018 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2014, 2015, 2019.
16 games in 2020.
328 disposals. 192 kicks, 46 marks, 136 handballs averaging 20.5 disposals, 12 kicks, 2.9 marks, 8.5 handballs. 58 clearances. 39 tackles. 159 contested possessions. 81 inside 50m. 15 goals. 11 behinds. 88 score involvements.
Nick Vlastuin
Never previously All Australian.
16 games in 2020.
231 disposals. 153 kicks, 91 marks, 78 handballs averaging 14.4 disposals, 9.6 kicks, 5.7 marks, 4.9 handballs. 32 tackles. 116 intercept possessions. 62 rebound 50m. 38 spoils.
Dan Butler
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
185 disposals. 143 kicks, 34 marks, 42 handballs averaging 10.9 disposals, 8.4 kicks, 2 marks, 2.5 handballs. 66 tackles. 48 inside 50m. 27 goals. 11 behinds. 72 score involvements.
Jack Steele
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
376 disposals. 186 kicks, 64 marks, 190 handballs averaging 22.1 disposals, 10.9 kicks, 3.8 marks, 11.2 handballs. 90 clearances. 94 tackles. 189 contested possessions. 57 inside 50m. 10 goals. Two behinds. 87 score involvements.
Tom Papley
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
200 disposals. 148 kicks, 57 marks, 52 handballs averaging 11.8 disposals, 8.7 kicks, 3.4 marks, 3.1 handballs. 29 tackles. 47 inside 50m. 26 goals. 27 behinds. 87 score involvements.
Andrew Gaff
2015, 2018 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2016, 2019.
17 games in 2020.
413 disposals. 240 kicks, 75 marks, 173 handballs averaging 24.3 disposals, 14.1 kicks, 4.4 marks, 10.2 handballs. 39 clearances. 40 tackles. 123 contested possessions. 54 inside 50m. Five goals. Four behinds. 60 score involvements.
Nic Naitanui
2012 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2015.
16 games in 2020.
176 disposals. 99 kicks, 11 marks, 77 handballs averaging 11 disposals, 6.2 kicks, 0.7 marks, 4.8 handballs. 471 hitouts (138 to advantage). 89 clearances. 37 tackles. 150 contested possessions. 56 inside 50m. Five goals. Three behinds. 54 score involvements.
Liam Ryan
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
178 disposals. 133 kicks, 60 marks, 45 handballs averaging 10.5 disposals, 7.8 kicks, 3.5 marks, 2.6 handballs. 31 tackles. 82 contested possessions. 36 inside 50m. 25 goals. 16 behinds. 95 score involvements.
Brad Sheppard
Never previously All Australian.
Nominated for squad member in 2019.
17 games in 2020.
275 disposals. 185 kicks, 107 marks, 90 handballs averaging 16.2 disposals, 10.9 kicks, 6.3 marks, 5.3 handballs. 34 tackles. 63 spoils. Two goals.
Marcus Bontempelli
2016, 2019 All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
355 disposals. 197 kicks, 56 marks, 158 handballs averaging 20.9 disposals, 11.6 kicks, 3.3 marks, 9.3 handballs. 89 clearances. 82 tackles. 171 contested possessions. 71 inside 50m. 11 goals. six behinds. 86 score involvements.
Caleb Daniel
Never previously All Australian.
17 games in 2020.
337 disposals. 211 kicks, 57 marks, 126 handballs averaging 19.8 disposals, 12.4 kicks, 3.4 marks, 7.4 handballs. 19 clearances. 39 tackles. 98 contested possessions. 65 rebound 50m. 165 effective kicks. Two goals. Two behinds. 61 score involvements.
Jack Macrae
2019 All Australian.
Nominated also for squad member in 2018.
17 games in 2020.
455 disposals. 193 kicks, 45 marks, 262 handballs averaging 26.8 disposals, 11.4 kicks, 2.6 marks, 15.4 handballs. 71 clearances. 68 tackles. 178 contested possessions. 73 inside 50m. Three goals. Three behinds. 90 score involvements.
