Gary Ablett has been awarded with his seventh consecutive All Australian jumper, becoming the first AFL player to do so.
Just days after being collecting his fifth AFLPA MVP Award, Ablett was once again centre stage at the All Australian dinner tonight at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne.
He now joins Craig Bradley, Nathan Buckley, Wayne Carey and Paul Roos as the only players in the game’s history to achieve the honour seven times.
The Gold Coast SUNS skipper enjoyed another perfect season, averaging 31 disposals and more than a goal a game, including a 49-disposal performance against Collingwood in Round 17 at Metricon Stadium.
A runaway favourite to secure his second Brownlow Medal, Ablett’s selection came as no surprise.
Just days after being acknowledged by his peers as the second best captain in the AFL land, Ablett was named Vice-Captain alongside Captain Joel Selwood – ensuring his honorary leadership streak continued for a fourth year.
GC SUNS senior coach Guy McKenna told goldcoastfc.com.au Ablett’s latest accolade was a further testament to the fantastic season he produced this year.
“To do what he did this year, whilst the rest of his team mates continued to grow around him, was nothing short of remarkable,” McKenna said.
“He was an inspirational leader for us each week, and it not only showed in our internal voting for the Club Championship but also in the AFLPA MVP voting and now by the All Australian selection committee.”
McKenna is hopeful Ablett’s historic seventh All Australian honour would spur a flurry of future nomination for the Gold Coast, with NAB AFL Rising Star Jaeger O’Meara and Club Champion runner-up Dion Prestia regarded highly as future nominees.
“We have a host of young players coming through, last week the AFLPA released their own All Australian team for players aged under 22, and we had a staggering five players in the side many of whom could find themselves in All Australian contention in the coming year,” said McKenna.
2013 All Australian Team
B: C. Enright,. S. Thompson, M. Johnson
HB: J. McVeigh, H. Taylor and S. Mitchell
C: R. Griffen, J. Selwood (Captain), S. Pendlebury
HF: P. Dangerfield, T. Cloke, K. Jack
F: J. Roughead, J. Cameron, C. Wingard
R: W. Minson, D. Swan, G. Ablett (Vice-Captain)
Interchange: T. Boak, D. Hannebery, A. Mackie, J. Watson
