While most of the All-Australian positions seem to be locked in, there are still multiple blazers up for grabs with two rounds remaining.
Brad Johnson last week named 16 players he felt were locks for the side, but All-Australian selector Kane Cornes is certain there are spots still obtainable.
The Port Adelaide great told SEN Sportsday on Monday night that he felt three clear positions had yet to be cemented ahead of the final fortnight.
“I think there’s spots open there (key defence), spots open with the small forward and I think there’s a spot open in the ruck with two games left,” Cornes said.
As a result, we’ve gone through the top candidates in each of those three positions to figure out who could earn a blazer come season’s end.
Key defence
At least two defenders will be picked, while they may pick a third or fourth who can play tall and small in the back pocket or on the half-back flank.
Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
Has seemed the leading contender all year. Has been quieter since the bye and will now miss the last two games with a hamstring injury.
The first half of his season may have locked him in though. A chance for the captaincy role too given Collingwood’s dominant campaign.
Equal second in the AFL for intercept marks (80) and second in the competition for contested marks (44).
Sam Taylor (GWS)
Has probably been the competition’s best key defender in 2023 but missing seven games could cost him an opportunity.
Would be a lock if it wasn’t for missing that significant period.
Harris Andrews (Brisbane)
Has been freed up in 2023 as he has taken on more of an intercepting role.
Has taken 73 intercept marks (fifth-most in the AFL) and has been crucial for the Lions down back.
May be a step behind his two All-Australian seasons in 2019 and 2020, though.
James Sicily (Hawthorn)
Probably an option for a back pocket or back flank. Ranks elite in disposals (26.6) and above average for intercept marks per game (3.4).
Has never been an All-Australian previously, would be a deserved honour in 2023.
Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
Started slowly but has been huge for Carlton in their surge in the second half of the season.
Ranks fourth in the AFL for intercept marks (75).
Steven May (Melbourne)
Has been a huge contributor for Melbourne both as an interceptor and one-on-one defender.
Probably hasn’t been as dominant as his 2021 and 2022 All-Australian campaigns.
Callum Wilkie (St Kilda)
Started the season on fire and has locked down some of the competition’s most dangerous forwards.
Ranks 10th in the competition for intercept marks (60) and ranks elite for disposals (20.1).
At 191cm, more likely to feature in a pocket than a key position.
Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide)
Another defender that started the season in fine form, Aliir ranks sixth league-wide for intercept marks (67).
Is every chance given Port Adelaide’s status as one of the competition’s best sides.
Charlie Ballard (Gold Coast)
Another player that was probably stronger in the first half of the season, Ballard is equal second alongside Darcy Moore with 80 intercept marks.
Might have just dropped out of contention with Gold Coast sliding down the ladder.
Tom Stewart (Geelong)
Has been quality throughout the campaign and is ranked elite in kicks (18.1) and marks (7.8).
Could feature on a back flank or back pocket but probably won’t earn a fifth blazer in 2023.
Current leaders: Darcy Moore, Sam Taylor, James Sicily
Small forward
Two small/medium forwards should get an opportunity in the side with selectors often picking mid/forwards on the half-forward flank.
Toby Greene (GWS)
A lock for the side. Sits fourth in the Coleman race with 54 majors.
One of the competition’s best players regardless of position in 2023.
Charlie Cameron (Brisbane)
Seems the most likely man to partner Greene in the side as he sits equal-seventh in the Coleman race with 47 goals.
Has previously been an All-Australian in 2019.
Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
Has surged into contention late in the season and sits 11th in the goalkicking with 43 goals.
Has kicked 19 majors in his last seven games and may be the form small forward in the competition behind Greene.
Gryan Miers (Geelong)
A unique option given he has only kicked six goals, but Miers has been huge in setting his teammates up with 39 goal assists.
Miers is every chance of breaking Jason Akermanis’ all-time goal-assist record for one season which was achieved in 2004 with 44.
Would be a different pick.
Tom Papley (Sydney)
Was an All-Australian in 2021 but Papley probably hasn’t been prolific enough in front of the big sticks (36 goals) to demand a spot.
Izak Rankine (Adelaide)
Was every chance to be named in the side until Round 19 when he had 35 goals to his name.
Missing those last three weeks could cost him a genuine chance unless he recovers with a huge final fortnight.
Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)
Was electric to start the season but dropped off after the bye.
Has still kicked an impressive 33 goals.
Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
Has also kicked 33 goals and roared into contention with 16 goals across four weeks from Round 16 to 19.
Has been strong since the bye and has been a big part of Collingwood’s ladder-leading campaign, but probably started too slow to earn a spot.
Leading contenders: Toby Greene, Charlie Cameron
Ruck
One ruckman will be selected. It’s unlikely a second will be named on the bench.
Tim English (Western Bulldogs)
Has seemed like the obvious choice all season.
Ranks elite in disposals (19.1) and above average for hitouts (30.6) and hitouts to advantage (10.6).
Would be a worthy winner of the spot come season’s end.
Max Gawn (Melbourne)
Hasn’t been his best season but roared into contention to earn his seventh All-Australian nod when he began to ruck solo again in Round 18.
His best single-game performances stand above all else, but he probably hasn’t been consistent enough to nudge English out through 22 rounds.
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda)
Has been one of the key reasons behind St Kilda’s improvement under Ross Lyon in 2023.
Another ruckman that ranks elite for disposals (19.7), but Marshall may be a touch behind English.
Leading contender: Tim English