The 2020 All-Australian team has been confirmed following the televised AFL Awards event on Thursday night.
Nic Naitanui was named as the All-Australian starting ruckman and selector Glen Jakovich said it was a “real testament” to his character.
“You’ve done two ACLs, people are saying that your career is done and to come back and have the year that he has had, I think it’s a real testament to Nic,” he told SEN’s Time On.
“Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy have been the two best ruckmen of the last few years and they surpassed him, but (Naitanui) has caught back up. He can say, ‘I’ve pegged you boys back a little bit’ which is good for him.”
The AFL on Tuesday announced a squad of 40, which most notably didn’t include the likes of North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein and Melbourne defender Steven May who both enjoyed stellar seasons respectively.
Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield was named captain and Port Adelaide's Travis Boak was given the honour of vice-captain.
The squad of 40 and final 22 was selected by a panel including Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Steve Hocking, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson, Warren Tredrea and Kevin Sheehan.
See the final team below:
FB: Brad Sheppard, Harris Andrews, Luke Ryan
HB: Nick Haynes, Darcy Moore, Darcy Byrne-Jones
C: Jack Macrae, Travis Boak (vc), Cam Guthrie
HF: Patrick Dangerfield (c), Charlie Dixon, Marcus Bontempelli
FF: Liam Ryan, Tom Hawkins, Dustin Martin
FOLL: Nic Naitanui, Christian Petracca, Lachie Neale
I/C: Jack Steele, Taylor Adams, Caleb Daniel, Max Gawn