Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge is a stunning omission from the AFL All-Australian team that was announced on Monday night in Melbourne.
The team featured Gold Coast star Gary Ablett, who became the first player in VFL/AFL history to make seven consecutive All-Australian lineups.
But there was no room for Hodge, who played 20 games this season and has been one of the keys to his team again being premiership contenders.
Injury restricted him to only 10 senior games last year, but Hodge has returned to top form this year and he was widely tipped to make his fourth All-Australian team.
Another surprise was fellow preliminary finalists Fremantle only gaining one selection from five nominations.
Dockers defender Michael Johnson made the team for the first time, but midfielder Nathan Fyfe was another big name who missed out.
Hawthorn had two selections, with Coleman Medallist Jarryd Roughead and utility Sam Mitchell predictably making the lineup.
But another Hawk unlucky to miss out is tall defender Josh Gibson.
In Friday night’s preliminary final, the Hawks will renew their fierce rivalry with Geelong, who have won their last 11 clashes.
The Cats had the most selections this year with four, including All-Australian captain Joel Selwood.
Corey Enright, Harry Taylor and Andrew Mackie were the other Geelong players in the lineup.
Mackie and Johnson were among 12 players to make their first All-Australian team, three down on last year’s record number of debutants.
Fremantle’s Saturday night preliminary final opponents Sydney had three selections – defender Jarrad McVeigh and midfielders Kieren Jack and Dan Hannebery.
Ablett’s seven selections are the most of any current player and he is now only two short of the overall record.
His father, Gary Snr, made eight All-Australian teams.
Greater Western Sydney key forward Jeremy Cameron was named at full-forward and is his club’s first All-Australian.
Livewire Port Adelaide forward Chad Wingard was rewarded for an outstanding year when he made the team in only his second season.
Enright and Collingwood star Dane Swan earnt All-Australian selection for the fifth time.
Essendon captain Jobe Watson made his second-successive All-Australian team after a tumultuous season for himself and the Bombers.
Watson admitted to taking the banned substance AOD-9604 in the midst of the AFL and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) into the club’s controversial 2012 supplements program.
The star onballer was regularly booed by opposition fans in matches after the stunning admission.
Watson also suffered a broken collarbone late in the season.
The AFL hit Essendon with severe penalties late last month, including their ejection from the top eight.
Watson and his teammates remain under ASADA investigation.
