A week after receiving the AFL Players Association MVP award for the fourth time Gold Coast SUNS skipper and back to back Club Champion Gary Ablett is tonight expected to be named in the 2012 Four’N’Twenty All Australian team, however there are many who believe the Brownlow medal favourite will also be announced as the teams Captain for the second straight season.

Selected in the All Australian team in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 (Vice Captain) and 2011 as Captain, Ablett said selection in the All Australian side was a huge honour and he had been honoured to be selected as Captain in 2011.

It’s a great night and a even greater honour to be named in the All Australian team.

“To be named captain last year was a significant honour, there are a number of guys who could achieve that this year and I am sure that whoever gets the nod will be a deserved skipper.”

One of the codes most exciting and best exponents, Ablett took his game to a new level in 2012, the SUNS skipper contesting twenty games to finish the regular season with 389 kicks (first in the AFL), 61 marks, 287 handballs (tenth in the AFL), averaging 19.5 kicks, 3.1 marks, 14.4 handballs. Second in the AFL in total disposals. 26 goals, 19 behinds. 132 clearances (ninth in the AFL), 101 inside 50m (ninth in the AFL), 61 rebound 50m. 110 tackles.

While it appears Ablett’s selection in the team is merely a formality, he faces stiff competition for midfield spots with Trent Cotchin (Richmond), Jobe Watson (Essendon) and Scott Thompson (Adelaide) all hopeful of claiming prized midfield roles.

You could make a case for all of the 44 players nominated to find a spot in the team, even some of the not named in the initial squad are probably a little stiff.

goldcoastfc.com.au’s All Australian Team
 

B: Darren Glass (WC), Ted Richards (Syd), Grant Birchall (Haw)
HB: Brett Deledio (Rich), Luke McPharlin (Frem), Beau Waters (WC)
C: Scott Thompson (Adel), Jobe Watson (Ess), Trent Cotchin (Rich)
HF: Patrick Dangerfield (Adel), Matthew Pavlich (Frem, Vice Captain), Dayne Beams (Coll)
F: Lance Franklin (Haw), Jack Riewoldt (Rich), Stephen Milne (St Kilda)
Foll: Dean Cox (WC), Josh Kennedy (Syd), Gary Ablett (GC, Captain)
Inter: Sam Jacobs (Adel), Joel Selwood (Geel), Lenny Hayes (St Kilda), Sam Mitchell (Haw)

44 Man All Australian Squad
 

The 2012 All Australian Team will be selected from the 44 players listed below.

ADELAIDE
Patrick Dangerfield: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 359 kicks (sixth in the AFL), 93 marks, 241 handballs, averaging 16.3 kicks, 4.2 marks, 11.0 handballs. Tenth in the AFL in total disposals. 22 goals, eight behinds. 147 clearances (fourth in the AFL), 128 inside 50m (second in the AFL), 43 rebound 50m. 72 tackles.

Sam Jacobs: Never previously selected. 21 games in 2012. 175 kicks, 92 marks, 118 handballs, averaging 8.3 kicks, 4.4 marks, 5.6 handballs. 656 hit-outs (second in the AFL), averaging 31.2 hit-outs. Seven goals, eight behinds. 34 clearances, 37 inside 50m, 25 rebound 50m. 29 tackles.

Brent Reilly: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 303 kicks, 128 marks, 121 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 5.8 marks, 5.5 handballs. Two goals, two behinds. 24 clearances, 38 inside 50m, 64 rebound 50m. 61 tackles.

Scott Thompson: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 363 kicks (fifth in the AFL), 95 marks, 288 handballs (ninth in the AFL), averaging 16.5 kicks, 4.3 marks, 13.1 handballs. Fourth in the AFL in total disposals. 10 goals, 13 behinds. 158 clearances (second in the AFL), 90 inside 50m, 42 rebound 50m. 102 tackles.

Taylor Walker: Never previously selected. 16 games in 2012. 168 kicks, 111 marks, 69 handballs, averaging 10.5 kicks, 6.9 marks, 4.3 handballs. 53 goals (seventh in the AFL), 30 behinds. Two clearances, 50 inside 50m, two rebound 50m. 28 tackles.

CARLTON
Eddie Betts: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 182 kicks, 72 marks, 103 handballs, averaging 8.3 kicks, 3.3 marks, 4.7 handballs. 48 goals (ninth in the AFL), 30 behinds. 26 clearances, 46 inside 50m, five rebound 50m. 62 tackles.

COLLINGWOOD
Dayne Beams: Never previously selected. 21 games in 2012. 337 kicks, 97 marks, 319 handballs (fourth in the AFL), averaging 16.0 kicks, 4.6 marks, 15.2 handballs. Third in the AFL in total disposals. 27 goals, 14 behinds. 121 clearances, 96 inside 50m, 34 rebound 50m. 83 tackles.

Scott Pendlebury: All Australian 2010, 2011. 18 games in 2012. 269 kicks, 70 marks, 261 handballs, averaging 14.9 kicks, 3.9 marks, 14.5 handballs. 10 goals, seven behinds. 109 clearances, 67 inside 50m, 41 rebound 50m. 93 tackles.

Dane Swan: All Australian 2009, 2010, 2011. 18 games in 2012. 382 kicks (second in the AFL), 123 marks, 260 handballs, averaging 21.2 kicks, 6.8 marks, 14.4 handballs. Fifth in the AFL in total disposals. 22 goals, 21 behinds. 116 clearances, 78 inside 50m, 40 rebound 50m. 58 tackles.

ESSENDON
Jobe Watson: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 343 kicks (eighth in the AFL), 106 marks, 295 handballs (eighth in the AFL), averaging 15.6 kicks, 4.8 marks, 13.4 handballs. Sixth in the AFL in total disposals. 20 goals, eight behinds. 154 clearances (third in the AFL), 94 inside 50m, 42 rebound 50m. 105 tackles.

FREMANTLE
Luke McPharlin: Never previously selected. 21 games in 2012. 230 kicks, 171 marks (first in the AFL), 119 handballs, averaging 11.0 kicks, 8.1 marks, 5.7 handballs. One goal, two behinds. Two clearances, 12 inside 50m, 65 rebound 50m. 28 tackles.

Matthew Pavlich: All Australian 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. 21 games in 2012. 239 kicks, 130 marks, 137 handballs, averaging 11.4 kicks, 6.2 marks, 6.5 handballs. 62 goals (second in the AFL), 32 behinds. 32 clearances, 73 inside 50m, 10 rebound 50m. 62 tackles.

GEELONG
Corey Enright: All Australian 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. 21 games in 2012. 268 kicks, 124 marks, 168 handballs, averaging 12.8 kicks, 5.9 marks, 8.0 handballs. Two goals, three behinds. 11 clearances, 35 inside 50m, 75 rebound 50m. 50 tackles.

Tom Hawkins: Never previously selected. 21 games in 2012. 194 kicks, 141 marks (eighth in the AFL), 75 handballs, averaging 9.2 kicks, 6.7 marks, 3.6 handballs. 62 goals (second in the AFL), 36 behinds. nine clearances, 44 inside 50m. 25 tackles.

Tom Lonergan: Never previously selected. 21 games in 2012. 141 kicks, 96 marks, 104 handballs, averaging 6.7 kicks, 4.6 marks, 5.0 handballs. Three goals, one behind. Two clearances, 18 inside 50m, 53 rebound 50m. 39 tackles.

Joel Selwood: All Australian 2009, 2010. 20 games in 2012. 280 kicks, 72 marks, 231 handballs, averaging 14.0 kicks, 3.6 marks, 15.5 handballs. 12 goals, 12 behinds. 133 clearances (eighth in the AFL), 102 inside 50m (eighth in the AFL), 28 rebound 50m. 113 tackles.

Harry Taylor: All Australian 2010. 21 games in 2012. 198 kicks, 132 marks, 146 handballs, averaging 9.4 kicks, 6.3 marks, 7.0 handballs. 14 goals, four behinds. 12 clearances, 35 inside 50m, 49 rebound 50m. 45 tackles.

GOLD COAST SUNS
Gary Ablett: All Australian 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 (vice-captain), 2011 (captain). 20 games in 2012. 389 kicks (first in the AFL), 61 marks, 287 handballs (tenth in the AFL), averaging 19.5 kicks, 3.1 marks, 14.4 handballs. Second in the AFL in total disposals. 26 goals, 19 behinds. 132 clearances (ninth in the AFL), 101 inside 50m (ninth in the AFL), 61 rebound 50m. 110 tackles.

HAWTHORN
Grant Birchall: Never previously selected. 20 games in 2012. 281 kicks, 125 marks, 204 handballs, averaging 14.1 kicks, 6.3 marks, 10.2 handballs. One goal, three behinds. 21 clearances, 67 inside 50m, 55 rebound 50m. 36 tackles.

Lance Franklin: All Australian 2008, 2010, 2011. 16 games in 2012. 214 kicks, 92 marks, 74 handballs, averaging 13.4 kicks, 5.8 marks, 4.6 handballs. 59 goals (fourth in the AFL), 52 behinds. 10 clearances, 65 inside 50m, one rebound 50m. 58 tackles.

Sam Mitchell: All Australian 2011. 21 games in 2012. 303 kicks, 81 marks, 266 handballs, averaging 14.4 kicks, 3.9 marks, 12.7 handballs. seven goals, seven behinds. 126 clearances (tenth in the AFL), 81 inside 50m, 40 rebound 50m. 116 tackles.

Cyril Rioli: Never previously selected. 20 games in 2012. 188 kicks, 60 marks, 119 handballs, averaging 9.4 kicks, 30 marks, 6.0 handballs. 35 goals, 17 behinds. 45 clearances, 81 inside 50m, six rebound 50m. 108 tackles.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Drew Petrie: All Australian 2011. 22 games in 2012. 196 kicks, 142 marks (seventh in the AFL), 86 handballs, averaging 8.9 kicks, 6.5 marks, 3.9 handballs. 57 goals (fifth in the AFL), 18 behinds. 14 clearances, 64 inside 50m, six rebound 50m. 55 tackles.

Andrew Swallow: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 261 kicks, 70 marks, 302 handballs (sixth in the AFL), averaging 11.9 kicks, 3.2 marks, 13.7 handballs. nine goals, 10 behinds. 144 clearances (fifth in the AFL), 93 inside 50m, 41 rebound 50m. 160 tackles (first in the AFL).

RICHMOND
Trent Cotchin: Never previously selected: 22 games in 2012. 372 kicks (fourth in the AFL), 92 marks, 234 handballs, averaging 16.9 kicks, 4.2 marks, 10.6 handballs. Eighth in the AFL in total disposals. 21 goals, 16 behinds. 113 clearances, 116 inside 50m (fourth in the AFL), 31 rebound 50m. 107 tackles.

Brett Deledio: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 339 kicks (tenth in the AFL), 110 marks, 266 handballs, averaging 15.4 kicks, 5.0 marks, 12.1 handballs. Ninth in the AFL in total disposals. 17 goals, 15 behinds. 82 clearances, 129 inside 50m (first in the AFL), 42 rebound 50m. 102 tackles.

Ivan Maric: Never previously selected. 21 games in 2012. 158 kicks, 92 marks, 175 handballs, averaging 7.5 kicks, 4.4 marks, 8.3 handballs. 652 hit-outs (third in the AFL), averaging 31.0 hit-outs. seven goals, six behinds. 65 clearances, 47 inside 50m, 17 rebound 50m. 79 tackles.

Jack Riewoldt: All Australian 2010. 21 games in 2012. 211 kicks, 114 marks, 80 handballs, averaging 9.6 kicks, 5.2 marks, 3.6 handballs. 65 goals (first in the AFL), 48 behinds. nine clearances, 40 inside 50m, one rebound 50m. 57 tackles.

ST KILDA
Sean Dempster: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 274 kicks, 155 marks (fourth in the AFL), 115 handballs, averaging 12.5 kicks, 7.0 marks, 5.2 handballs. zero goals, two behinds. seven clearances, 41 inside 50m, 72 rebound 50m. 43 tackles.

Lenny Hayes: All Australian 2003, 2005, 2009. 22 games in 2012. 255 kicks, 71 marks, 283 handballs, averaging 11.6 kicks, 3.2 marks, 12.9 handballs. Seven goals, eight behinds. 120 clearances, 79 inside 50m, 40 rebound 50m. 130 tackles (third in the AFL).

Stephen Milne: All Australian 2011. 22 games in 2012. 218 kicks, 81 marks, 56 handballs, averaging 9.9 kicks, 3.7 marks, 2.5 handballs. 56 goals (sixth in the AFL), 38 behinds. 11 clearances, 55 inside 50m, seven rebound 50m. 47 tackles.

Nick Riewoldt: All Australian 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009. 19 games in 2012. 200 kicks, 125 marks, 76 handballs, averaging 10.5 kicks, 6.6 marks, 4.0 handballs. 47 goals (11th in the AFL), 31 behinds. Three clearances, 57 inside 50m, two rebound 50m. 47 tackles.

SYDNEY SWANS
Kieren Jack: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 323 kicks, 59 marks, 218 handballs, averaging 14.7 kicks, 2.7 marks, 9.9 handballs. 25 goals, 11 behinds. 109 clearances, 123 inside 50m (third in the AFL), 27 rebound 50m. 120 tackles (tenth in the AFL).

Lewis Jetta: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 244 kicks, 72 marks, 108 handballs, averaging 11.1 kicks, 3.3 marks, 4.9 handballs. 40 goals, 15 behinds. 24 clearances, 106 inside 50m (fifth in the AFL), 21 rebound 50m. 65 tackles.

Josh Kennedy: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 267 kicks, 61 marks, 350 handballs (first in the AFL), averaging 12.1 kicks, 2.8 marks, 15.9 handballs. Seventh in the AFL in total disposals. 24 goals, nine behinds. 164 clearances (first in the AFL), 85 inside 50m, 35 rebound 50m. 109 tackles.

Ted Richards: Never previously selected. 22 games in 2012. 173 kicks, 115 marks, 144 handballs, averaging 7.9 kicks, 5.2 marks, 6.5 handballs. Zero goals, zero behinds. Three clearances, 23 inside 50m, 78 rebound 50m. 45 tackles.

WEST COAST
Dean Cox: All Australian 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011. 22 games in 2012. 216 kicks, 133 marks, 136 handballs, averaging 9.8 kicks, 6.0 marks, 6.2 handballs. 558 hit-outs (fifth in the AFL), averaging 25.4 hit-outs. 26 goals, 13 behinds. 59 clearances, 53 inside 50m, 25 rebound 50m. 38 tackles.

Darren Glass: All Australian 2006, 2007, 2011. 20 games in 2012. 101 kicks, 100 marks, 151 handballs, averaging 5.1 kicks, 5.0 marks, 7.6 handballs. Zero goals, zero behinds. Five clearances, six inside 50m, 30rebound 50m. 49 tackles.

Nic Naitanui: Never previously selected. 20 games in 2012. 109 kicks, 60 marks, 153 handballs, averaging 5.5 kicks, 3.0 marks, 7.7 handballs. 505 hit-outs (seventh in the AFL), averaging 25.3 hit-outs. 22 goals, 13 behinds. 57 clearances, 51 inside 50m, 15 rebound 50m. 70 tackles.

Beau Waters: Never previously selected. 19 games in 2012. 276 kicks, 144 marks (fifth in the AFL), 143 handballs, averaging 14.5 kicks, 7.6 marks, 7.5 handballs. Eight goals, four behinds. Three clearances, 52 inside 50m, 61 rebound 50m. 47 tackles.