IN A HISTORIC night for the Melbourne Football Club, five Demons have been named in the 2021 AFL All-Australian Team.
Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca, Jake Lever and Steven May have all been recognised for their outstanding seasons, included as part of the star-studded 22 that was revealed on Thursday evening.
It marks the most selections the club has ever had – its previous best was two inclusions in the AFL All-Australian side and four in the AFLW team.
Having been first named in 2016 and then again from 2018 onwards, Gawn bolsters his position among the league’s best, now as a five-time All-Australian.
An incredible year from our No.6. ??
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) August 26, 2021
Congratulations to Luke Jackson, who has been crowned the 2021 NAB AFL Rising Star. ??
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Becoming just the second Demon to achieve such feat (Karen Paxman is the other, who has received five acknowledgements in the AFLW team) wasn’t the only accolade for Gawn, who was also given the honour of being named captain of the prestigious side.
It follows another dominant year from the 29-year-old, who’s sitting atop with 700 hitouts and averaging 18 disposals a game. He also clocked up 98 clearances and 51 contested marks for the home-and-away season.
Benefitting from the ruckman’s work, Oliver and Petracca have been congratulated for their impact, being named respectively as rover and at half forward.
It is the second selection for both, with Oliver earning a follow-up to his maiden appearance in 2018.
The 24-year-old has been a powerhouse through the middle for the Dees, collecting the most contested possessions (388, which is 62 more than the next best) and clearances (167) in the league.
Well-deserved recognition after an unbelievable season. ??
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) August 26, 2021
Congratulations to Clayton Oliver, who is the recipient of the 2021 AFLCA’s Champion Player of the Year Award. ??
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Oliver’s efforts also earned him the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year Award, which was presented amidst the All-Australian announcements during the Fox Footy broadcast.
Equally as impressive in season 2021 was Petracca, who made it a back-to-back feature.
Averaging 28.6 disposals a game, he has managed to step up his game again this season, proving damaging around stoppages and up forward.
The 25-year-old, who signed a seven-year contract extension with Melbourne earlier this year, has recorded the most scoring involvements (173) in the competition and is sitting at 6.2 clearances a game, with 24 goals to his name.
While the Dees’ midfield is among the elite, its defence has been on another level – and that’s largely thanks to the dynamic duo of Lever and May.
No.1 in the league for intercept marks, Lever finished the regular season with the highest ever average of 4.3 per game (94 in total), highlighting his impact down back.
His voice on the ground adds another string to his bow and earns him his first All-Australian blazer, named in the back pocket.
May joins him at the tailors, being selected for the first time in his 11-year career.
The 29-year-old, who lines up at full back, has played 20 games this season and averaged 18.4 disposals, while being ranked among the best for rebound 50s and metres gained.
On-field leadership comes naturally for the former Suns captain, who well and truly earns his spot in this year’s backline.
The quintet was also joined by young gun Luke Jackson in being recognised on the AFL’s celebratory night, named as the 2021 NAB AFL Rising Star Award.
It added another page to the history books, being the first time Melbourne has recorded two Rising Stars in the same year, following Tyla Hanks’ win in April.
The Demons will now turn their attention to Saturday night’s Qualifying Final, where all will be integral to their battle against Brisbane at Adelaide Oval.
