We have already had our 2021 All-Australian team predicted, and now we have shifted our gaze to the names that could find themselves being tailored for a gaudy jacket by season's end.
Some of this group have lengthy resumes and can count themselves rigor mortis stiff not to have already cracked a nomination for the national side. Whilst others are budding stars, set to once again put their best feet forward.
From the dubious to the near on locks, here are the 10 players that appear best placed to end 2021 with their first All-Australian selection.
As always, let us know who we have missed.
5. Jayden Short
If the manner in which Jayden Short started his 2021 campaign is anything to go by, expect him to add a gaudy blazer to his Jack Dyer and Premiership medals.
After doing as he pleased against Collingwood in the AAMI Community Series, the half-back flanker finished the night with 43 disposals and a diabolical 171 Fantasy points.
Top scorers from the #AAMISeries
Jayden Short 171
Dan Houston 154
Jack Macrae 152
Tom Phillips 141
Jordan Clark 135
Zach Merrett 134
Ethan Hughes 133
Marcus Bontempelli 133
Josh Dunkley 130
Jordan De Goey 127More stats ๐https://t.co/ufFjn2XJ1G#AFLFantasy pic.twitter.com/fVJ8ZYIUgC
— AFL Fantasy (@AFLFantasy) March 10, 2021
Having averaged 19.04 disposals through the succinct quarters of 2020, Short was beyond stiff to miss the 40-man squad last season. However, should opposition teams fail to mark him and his disposal counts balloon, it is unlikely the selectors will deny him this year.