Rockliff was the only Lions player named in the preliminary 40-man squad, and is widely tipped to break the Club’s five-year All-Australian drought.
Statistics alone would suggest the 24-year-old is a near certainty to find a spot in the final 22.
Rockliff averaged more disposals (32.7 per game) and tackles (9.1) than any other player in the competition in 2014 to prove that he works just as hard without the ball as he does with it.
For those who follow AFL Fantasy, he also broke Dane Swan’s record by averaging an incredible 134.8 points per game – which was more than 15 points more than the next best player (Gold Coast’s Gary Ablett).
Those figures will be hard to ignore when the All-Australian selectors reveal their final team on Tuesday night.
On behalf of the entire Club, CEO Greg Swann recognised Rockliff’s achievements at the Lions’ recent Club Champion dinner.
“We wish Tom Rockliff all the best after making the All-Australian squad. Hopefully the selectors have been watching games up here,” Swann said.
“I’m sure he’ll get into the 22, and hopefully that means he gets to play against Ireland as well.”
