The All-Australian squad was released on Monday night, and to many fans' dismay, with some notable exclusions from the 44-man squad selected.
With only 22 spots available in the official All-Australian team, the 44-man squad allows the All-Australian panel to recognise honourable mentions before the final selections are locked in, and indirectly attempts to reduce the hysteria from AFL fans when their club favourite misses out.
Yet, there are always bound to be a few deserving players that get overlooked each year. But were they really stiff to miss? Let's analyse the stats of the biggest snubs of 2024's All-Australian squad to determine if their lack of selection was a mistake from the AA panel.
2. Hugh McCluggage
McCluggage's snubbing hints that, once again, true wingmen will not be selected in the All-Australian team. After a small rough patch similar to his Lions' form at the start of 2024, McCluggage rapidly bounced back, and has produced a near career-best year.
Averaging 24.8 disposals, 4.6 inside 50s, 442.2 meters gained and 6.7 score involvements per game, McCluggage's numbers on the wing exceed selected Hawk Massimo D'Ambrosio.
D'Ambrosio's figures include 20.8 disposals per game, 2.2 inside 50s, 336.8 meters gained and 4.5 score involvements. Whilst the former Bomber deserves his spot for a breakout season, McCluggage's output is greater, which makes the Lion's exclusion even more puzzling.
To add more salt to the wound for McCluggage, his statistics are near identical, if not better, than the statistics that earned him spots in the All-Australian squad between 2019-2022.
| Year | Disposals | Inside 50s | Score Involvements | Meters Gained | Selected for AA squad |
| 2019 | 22.7 | 4.2 | 6.2 | 387.1 | Yes |
| 2020* | 18.7 | 3.3 | 5.2 | 304.5 | Yes |
| 2021 | 25.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 443.7 | Yes |
| 2022 | 24.7 | 4.4 | 6.5 | 376.5 | Yes |
| 2023 | 22.3 | 4.6 | 6.1 | 346.4 | No |
| 2024 | 24.8 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 442.2 | No |
*Shortened quarters due to COVID pandemic
The figures paint a clear picture that McCluggage has once again produced a stellar season on the wing, and his omission from the squad is as stiff as they come.
