St Kilda star Rowan Marshall leads shock list of snubbed All Australians: ‘Any stiffer he’d be dead’
St Kilda player Rowan Marshall and GWS star midfielder Tom Green are among the shock absentees from the AFL’s extended All-Australian squad for 2024.
The 44-player squad was announced on Monday night, with Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn in contention for his seventh blazer.
If Gawn makes the final squad of 22, which will be announced on Thursday night, he will become only the 10th player in competition history to win seven or more All-Australian Awards.
Star Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli is almost certain to secure a sixth All-Australian selection.
Marshall was a surprising omission after a season in which he averaged 20.7 disposals, 26.4 hitouts and 5.7 clearances, along with 15 goals.
Many wondered how Fremantle could have five players on the list, yet they missed the finals altogether.
‘Five players from a team that quit like a shot with the final at stake, very interesting,’ wrote someone.
Some fans knew their club had been very lucky with the selection committee. One Lions supporter posted: ‘I’m a Lions player but what on earth is Daniher doing on that list?’ with a laughing emoji.
AFL fans felt St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall was unlucky not to be included in the 44-man provisional All Australian squad
Melbourne Demons star Max Gawn was voted ahead of the St Kilda star
But it was St Kilda star Rowan Marshall who was the glaring omission for most after an excellent season in the ruck, with Gawn and North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri chosen ahead of him in a short-ruck list.
‘Rowan Marshall should be in the squad. Was excellent all year. Impactful in all the Saints wins. Had some monster games,’ one fan posted.
“Excuse me AFL, where’s Rowan Marshall?” asked another.
“The fact that Marshall isn’t making all the Australians is insane. Whoever picks these players is living in delusion,” added another.
“If Rowan Marshall was any stiffer he’d be dead,” posted another.
Green also missed the game despite averaging 30.6 disposals and 5.8 clearances this season.
Gold Coast clearer Matt Rowell and GWS skipper Toby Greene were others who failed to make the extended round.
The selection panel consisted of chairman Andrew Dillon, Eddie Betts, Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Abbey Holmes, Glen Jakovich, Matthew Pavlich, Laura Kane and Josh Mahoney.
Both Fremantle and Brisbane had five players in their extended squads.
North Melbourne rugby player Tristan Xerri was also named in the 44-man squad above Marshall
The Dockers, who are in 10th place, had Andrew Brayshaw, Jordan Clark, Luke Ryan, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young in their sights but forward Josh Treacy missed the game despite scoring a career-high 45 goals this year.
Harris Andrews, Joe Daniher, Lachie Neale, Cam Rayner and Dayne Zorko were named for Brisbane.
Patrick Cripps, Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Jacob Weitering were all named for Carlton, who narrowly reached the final thanks to Fremantle’s last-round loss to Port Adelaide.
The minor premiers in Sydney included Nick Blakey, Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner.
A total of 19 of the 44 selected players are yet to secure an All-Australian ticket, led by Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan.
Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Treloar, Eagles forward Jake Waterman, Sydney forward Chad Warner, Port forward Jason Horne-Francis, North Melbourne forward Tristan Xerri and Hawthorn forward Massimo D’Ambrosio are among the players vying for their first All-Australian blazer.
Adelaide and Wooden Spooners Richmond were the only clubs without a player in the extended squad.