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.
Marshall presents as the most obvious snubbing in 2024, with many pundits advocating for the St Kilda ruckman in the final 22-man team. A quick glance at his statistics and it's clear to see why.
Marshall is the only ruckman to average over 20 disposals per game, averaging 20.7 for the year. It highlights his threat not only in the ruck contest but around the ground. Additionally, Marshall averages 5.8 marks, ranked second behind Bulldog Tim English.
The 201cm 28-year-old also impressively ranks sixth out of all ruckmen for tackles per game (4.3). Despite his leaner frame, Marshall averages just half a tackle less than staunchly-built rucks Kieren Briggs and Brodie Grundy. Sound defensively, Marshall ranks fifth for intercepts too (3.4 per game).
Marshall is also statistically one of the greatest rucks in attack this season, launching an average of 4.2 inside 50s per game (ranked first), 340.5 meters gained (ranked first), 5.74 clearances (ranked fourth), and 4.74 score involvements (ranked 11th).
Marshall has achieved these figures despite the Saints being ranked 15th for inside 50s, 13th for meters gained, 17th for clearances and 15th for points scored.
Whilst fellow ruckmen Max Gawn and Tristan Xerri have had equally strong seasons, Marshall's exclusion from even the squad is a bemusing decision from the All-Australian panel.
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.
A breakout year from this Sun was unfortunately unrewarded with selection into the 44-man squad. Averaging the equal-second-most disposals in the league, Flanders recorded 30.9 per game this season.
Playing increasingly in the midfield, Flanders still averaged 4.8 intercept possessions this season too.
However, the All-Australian midfield is a near-impossible position to crack, with the likes of Patrick Cripps, Nick Daicos and Zach Merrett rightfully favourites heading into final selection. A position down in the backline would be more feasible, but Harry Sheezel and Dan Houston are among the names that stand in the way of Flanders' selection.
Sheezel averaged 29.8 disposals this season, as well as 3.7 intercepts, meaning Flanders takes the cake in those aspects. Flanders has been nearly equally as damaging in transition too, averaging six score involvements to Sheezel's 5.2, whilst recording 15 goal assists to Sheezel's 20.
Houston has played in defence more regularly than Flanders and Sheezel, hence his average of just 23 disposals per game. Houston averages the most intercepts out of the three, with 5.2 per game, as well as nearly five score involvements to boot.
Seemingly, Flanders was on the cusp of inclusion in the 44-man squad, however he slightly ranks below the defenders and midfielders chosen instead. Perhaps consecutive strong seasons and a firm position either in the midfield or down back is what is required for Flanders to earn recognition by the All-Australian panel.
Potentially the best contested ball-winner of the competition this year, Rowell's exclusion from the All-Australian squad is perplexing for many supporters.
A contested bull, Rowell averages the third-most contested possessions in the competition with 14 a game, ranking sixth for clearances at an average of 7.1, and an AFL-leading eight tackles per game. Rowell even fell just shy of breaking an AFL record this season with his 20 clearances against Richmond in Opening Round.
However, Rowell finds himself unrecognised for a stellar season of consistency despite playing all 23 games for a second consecutive year. Ahead of him in the pecking order include Patrick Cripps, Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli, who all excel in both the contest and skill efficiency.
Similarly to Rowell, GWS bull Tom Green too was snubbed from the All-Australian squad despite his immense contested possession numbers. Rowell may average 14 contested possessions, but only 9.6 of his disposals are uncontested. Green on the other hand averages 16 uncontested possessions, but his disposal efficiency is subpar at just 66.2%.
In a highly competitive position, Rowell's one-dimensional midfield strengths may have been the costly reason for an All-Australian squad snubbing this season.