The All-Australian team is (usually) comprised of the best 22 players each season. With a league littered with stars, every season a few unlucky players are left off the list. While not all snubs are as egregious as Brownlow Medal-winning pait Shane Woewoden and Matthew Priddis, there are some excellent performances that have been left out of the team.
Some players are disappointed for missing out on one standout season. While others have had a whole career of missing the cut for the All-Australian team.
We take a look at six players who have had exceptional careers, filled with accomplishments and accolades, and despite those careers, only one thing has eluded them... an All-Australian selection.
6. Mitch Duncan
Arriving at the Cats in the middle of their dynasty, Duncan was one of the few young players who were able to break into a stacked Geelong squad. While facing limited opportunity in his first season, he broke into the lineup in 2011 and has been a mainstay since.
Injuries have been the only thing that has slowed down Duncan over the course of his career. 2015 and 2021 are the only years where he didn't play more than 20 matches.
The midfielder has been able to adapt his game to suit the needs of his club. Early in his career, he spent more time up forward averaging around one goal per game during those seasons. As players left the club, and Duncan continued to improve, he began to spend more time in the midfield. While this decreased his impact on the scoreboard, it saw his disposals skyrocket due to the changes. At his in 2017, he averaged 29.1 disposals, 5.3 tackles, 4.3 clearances and 0.6 goals per game.
While 2017 was his peak, Duncan has been a consistent performer in the midfield throughout his career. Since moving into more of a midfield role in 2013, he hasn't averaged less than 21 touches, two clearances, 2.3 tackles, 1.5 rebound 50s and 2.7 inside 50s (except in shortened matches of 2020).
Despite some spectacular seasons, Duncan hasn't garnered the same attention as some of his peers. Largely due to his teammates, he has never had the opportunity to be the team's premier midfielder. Playing with names such as Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett Jr, Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Corey, Paul Chapman and Cameron Guthrie, Duncan has always had to play without the spotlight. Those players often took away recognition and consideration for the All-Australian team that his numbers and play warranted.
Similar to others on this list, Duncan might have left his run too late. At age 30, he only has another few seasons performing at this level. Playing in a stacked position, there is a heap of young midfielders who could keep Duncan on the outside for the remainder of his career. Players such as Dustin Martin, Marcus Bontempelli and Christian Petracca are more high-profile players that play a similar midfield/forward role.
Duncan is still in good form, averaging around his career averages in 2021. He will still be an important contributor to the Cats as they make one final push towards a top-four finish. For Duncan to make one final case for an All-Australian selection, he will need to get back to career-best form in order to make a genuine case.
Given the improved play around the competition, he might even need to exceed that. Due to that, it is likely that the Geelong great will not make the All-Australian team before his career is over.
