FOUR Demons have been recognised for their outstanding individual campaigns with selection in the 2022 Therabody All-Australian side.
Steven May (full-back), Christian Petracca (half-forward), Max Gawn (ruck), and Clayton Oliver (centre) have earned their place in the final 22, announced at Wednesday night’s AFL Awards ceremony.
The team’s reveal marks a special one for Melbourne’s skipper, who claims his sixth blazer in seven years to be the most decorated Demon of all time.
Gawn missed just two matches this season, averaging 2.5 contested marks per game (the second most in the league) and proving to be the superior ruckman in the competition once again.
The 30-year-old averaged 26.5 hit-outs per game and had the highest percentage of hit-outs per ruck contest (52.6 percent).
He also had the highest average disposals (19) and clearances (4.7) out of all ruckmen in the league.
Oliver’s figures were equally as impressive, as the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year received a third All-Australian call-up.
The midfielder was dominant in his 21 games this year, leading the league in disposals (averaging 33.5), contested possessions (averaging 17.7) and clearances (averaging 8.7).
Petracca also did plenty of good work in the middle averaging 28.3 disposals (14th in the league) and 12.7 contested possessions (11th in the league), but his third consecutive All-Australian nod comes up forward.
The 26-year-old dominated around the goals with the most inside 50s (averaging 6.6), goal assists (averaging 1.3) and kicks inside 50 retained (averaging 2.8) in the competition.
Down the other end of the field, May earned his second blazer after another strong year for the league’s best defensive side.
The full-back took on the opposition’s best key forward each week, while having an impact offensively.
May averaged 7.9 rebound 50s (the second most in the competition) driving the Demons out of defence, while taking 57 intercept marks and ranking eighth for intercept possessions.
On what was overall a successful night for the club, squad members Angus Brayshaw and Bayley Fritsch were the unlucky omissions from the starting 22.
