Vodafone Brisbane Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown capped off his best season in the AFL with his first ever selection in the All Australian team which was unveiled in Melbourne last night.
Brown, who kicked a career high 77 goals this season, was named at centre half forward.
The powerhouse Lions forward received a further honour when he chosen as the team’s vice-captain with
He becomes only the second Lions player behind Michael Voss (All Australian vice-captain in 2001 and captain in 2003 and 2003) to be granted a captaincy role in the AFL’s official team of the year.
Brown was also formally presented with the 2007 Coleman Medal for kicking the most goals this season. Brown finished with 77 goals, including 51 from the last ten matches, to finish five clear of Fremantle’s Matthew Pavlich who kicked 72.
Fellow Lions Jed Adcock and Nigel Lappin, who were chosen in the 40-man All Australian squad two weeks ago, were overlooked in the final 22-man team.
Adcock could be considered unlucky to miss out after enjoying the finest season of his career. He played in all 22 matches and averaged a career best 20.7 disposals playing predominantly down back and in the midfield.
However, it was
The Cats, who finished as runaway leaders at the end of the home and away season, had Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Matthew Egan, Steve Johnson, Cameron Ling, Cam Mooney, Darren Milburn and Matthew Scarlett chosen in the team, with only Scarlett having previously won selection.
The eight newcomers from
Port
Gary Ablett and Hawthorn's Campbell Brown both emulated their fathers' feats of being named in an All Australian side, with
The team is:
Backs Matthew Scarlett (
Half Backs Andrew McLeod (
Centres Kane Cornes (Port
Half Fwds Steve Johnson (
Forwards Brad Johnson (West Bulldogs) Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)
Rucks Dean Cox (West Coast) Daniel Kerr (West Coast) Gary Ablett (
Interchange Brendan Lade (Port
Under a new format introduced this year, the All Australian selectors were asked at the end of the home and away season to nominate the leading players in each section of the field -- forwards, defenders and midfielders / ruckmen.
The final team comprised six of the 12 forwards named in the original squad, six of the 12 defenders named in the squad and six of the 16 midfielders / ruckmen named in the squad. The four interchange positions then came from the remaining players not selected in the starting 18, to best fit team balance as if to play a match.
The All Australian selection panel is: Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Rod Austin, Kevin Bartlett, Mark Bickley, Gerard Healy, Chris Mainwaring, Robert Walls.
The season details of the team members are as follows:
Matthew Scarlett,
Darren Glass, West Coast. Previously All Australian 2006. 22 Games in 2007. One Goal, One Behind. 85 kicks, 76 marks, 163 handballs, averaging 3.9 kicks, 3.5 marks, 7.4 handballs. One Clearance, Three Inside 50m, 30 Rebound 50m.
Darren Milburn,
Andrew McLeod, Adelaide, captain. Previously four-time All Australian, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006. 22 games in 2007. Six Goals, Five Behinds. 367 kicks, 81 marks, 171 handballs, averaging 16.7 kicks, 3.7 marks, 7.8 handballs. 20 Clearances, 76 Inside 50m, 106 Rebound 50m. Third in AFL in kicks. Third in AFL in Rebound 50m.
Matthew Egan,
Kane Cornes, Port
Jimmy Bartel,
Steve Johnson,
Jonathan Brown,
Brent Harvey, Kangaroos. Previously two-time All Australian 2000, 2005. 22 Games in 2207. 31 Goals, 15 Behinds. 328 kicks, 109 marks, 222 handballs, averaging 14.9 kicks, 5.0 marks, 10.1 handballs. 48 Clearances, 95 Inside 50m, 42 Rebound 50m. Seventh in AFL in disposals. Tenth in AFL in kicks.
Brad Johnson, Western Bulldogs. Previously five-time All Australian 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 (captain). 21 Games in 2007. 59 Goals, 26 Behinds. 292 kicks, 165 marks, 114 handballs, averaging 13.9 kicks, 7.9 marks, 5.4 handballs. 16 Clearances, 64 Inside 50m, 19 Rebound 50m. Seventh in AFL in goals.
Matthew Pavlich, Fremantle. Previously four-time All Australian 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006. 22 games in 2007. 72 Goals, 48 Behinds. 298 kicks, 203 marks, 83 handballs, averaging 13.5 kicks, 9.2 marks, 3.8 handballs. 11 Clearances, 88 Inside 50m, Eight Rebound 50m. First in AFL in marks. Second in AFL in goals.
Dean Cox, West Coast. Previously two-time All Australian 2005, 2006. 19 Games in 2007. 11 Goals, Nine Behinds. 203 kicks, 136 marks, 147 handballs, averaging 10.7 kicks, 7.2 marks, 7.7 handballs. 439 hit outs, averaging 23.1 hit outs. 44 Clearances, 62 Inside 50m, 42 Rebound 50m. Fourth in AFL in hit outs.
Daniel Kerr, West Coast. Never previously selected. 17 Games in 2007. Eight Goals, 11 Behinds. 223 kicks, 46 marks, 238 handballs, averaging 13.1 kicks, 2.7 marks, 14.0 handballs. 89 Clearances, 58 Inside 50m, 40 Rebound 50m.
Gary Ablett,
Brendan Lade, Port
Dustin Fletcher, Essendon. Previously All Australian 2000. 19 games in 2007. Three Goals, Two Behinds. 309 kicks, 144 marks, 85 handballs, averaging 16.3 kicks, 7.6 marks, 4.5 handballs. Six Clearances, 14 Inside 50m, 130 Rebound 50m. First in AFL in Rebound 50m.
Joel Corey,
Cameron Ling,