Hawthorn star James Sicily has earned a spot in the 40-man All Australian squad off the back of an exceptional return campaign from injury.
The 27-year-old is in contention for his first All Australian blazer following an outstanding 2022 season in the Hawks defence where he has averaged 23.8 disposals at 80 per cent efficiency
Featuring in all 22 games this year, Sicily finished first in the league for rebound 50s (8.1 per game) and marks (8.6), and third for intercept possessions (8.5) following the conclusion of the home-and-away season.
He also finished 12th in the competition for spoils (6.6 per game) and 15th for intercept marks (2.6).
Sicily may have left his best performance for Round 23, where he had a career-high 33 disposals and 17 marks.
The impressive year comes after the defender missed the entire 2021 season due to his recovery from a ruptured ACL that he suffered in 2020.
It is the second time in Sicily’s eight-year career that he has been named in the squad after earning a selection in 2019.
The final team of 22 will be named on Wednesday 24 August as part of the AFL Awards.
The full All Australian squad
Tom Barras, West Coast Eagles
Mark Blicavs, Geelong Cats
Shai Bolton, Richmond
Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs
Andrew Brayshaw, Fremantle
Angus Brayshaw, Melbourne
Charlie Cameron, Brisbane Lions
Jeremy Cameron, Geelong Cats
Patrick Cripps, Carlton
Jack Crisp, Collingwood
Brennan Cox, Fremantle
Charlie Curnow, Carlton
Josh Daicos, Collingwood
Bailey Fritsch, Melbourne
Max Gawn, Melbourne
Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats
Isaac Heeney, Sydney Swans
Josh Kelly, GWS GIANTS
Rory Laird, Adelaide Crows
Tom Lynch, Richmond
Jack Macrae, Western Bulldogs
Steven May, Melbourne
Hugh McCluggage, Brisbane Lions
Brayden Maynard, Collingwood
Touk Miller, Gold Coast SUNS
Callum Mills, Sydney Swans
Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lions
Clayton Oliver, Melbourne
Tom Papley, Sydney Swans
Christian Petracca, Melbourne
Daniel Rioli, Richmond
Connor Rozee, Port Adelaide
Adam Saad, Carlton
James Sicily, Hawthorn
Jack Sinclair, St Kilda
Tyson Stengle, Geelong Cats
Tom Stewart, Geelong Cats
Sam Taylor, GWS GIANTS
Taylor Walker, Adelaide Crows
Sam Walsh, Carlton
Chad Warner, Sydney Swans
Jacob Weitering, Carlton
Callum Wilkie, St Kilda
Jarrod Witts, Gold Coast SUNS
