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Collingwood\u2019s Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, have begun a potential September to remember for the Magpies with selection in this year\u2019s All Australian team, as Toby Greene completed his transition from bad boy to dux of the class.<\/p>\n
The Greater Western Sydney leader created history when he was given the prestigious gong of skipper of the AFL\u2019s team of the year, edging out fellow club captains Marcus Bontempelli, who was named vice-captain, Darcy Moore, Jordan Dawson, James Sicily and Zach Merrett.<\/p>\n
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Giant Toby Greene is the 2023 All-Australian team captain.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n Greene\u2019s recognition comes just on two years to the day that he touched an umpire and was subsequently banned for six matches on appeal by the league.<\/p>\n Named Giants captain this year, the fiery forward has since transformed into an inspirational on-field leader for the expansion club, and a major reason why they have defied the odds to return to September in coach Adam Kingsley\u2019s first season at the helm.<\/p>\n Western Bulldogs fan favourite Tom Liberatore, Richmond champion Dustin Martin and Harris Andrews were the hard luck stories, left out of a side with representation from 15 of the 18 clubs.<\/p>\n Fremantle young gun Caleb Serong and North Melbourne sharpshooter Nick Larkey were the bolters in a 22 that included 12 players receiving their first blazer, and five who retained their place from last year.<\/p>\n The Daicos brothers are following in the footsteps of their legendary father Peter, who was named in the V\/AFL\u2019s team of the year three times.<\/p>\n Collingwood\u2019s Nick and Josh Daicos were both named in the 2023 All-Australian side.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n Nick\u2019s All-Australian selection continues an already prosperous awards season that has netted him captaincy of the AFL Players Association\u2019s 22under22. He is also the favourite in some markets to win the game\u2019s most prestigious individual award, the Brownlow Medal.<\/p>\n But it is the premiership medallion Daicos senior won on the first Saturday of October in 1990 that is the prize Nick and Josh want the most.<\/p>\n Moore was the third Magpie in the side, named at centre half-back despite missing the final two games with injury. The Magpies, along with Port, had the most players in the side with three, ahead of St Kilda, the Bulldogs and Adelaide, who each had two.<\/p>\n Josh Daicos was rewarded for a career-best season by the 10-person selection panel, who picked specialist wingmen for the first time since 2018. His partner on the other wing is Sydney sensation Errol Gulden, who was the AFLPA\u2019s best first-year player just two seasons ago.<\/p>\n Nick was named as rover in a centre-square combination alongside Port Adelaide star Zak Butters and Bontempelli, while Bulldogs big man Tim English ended Max Gawn\u2019s five-year run in the All Australian team.<\/p>\n Zak Butters has made his first All-Australian side.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n Reflecting the status on-ballers have in the modern game, midfielders Christian Petracca and Connor Rozee were named as half-forwards ahead of players who have spent more time in attack, such as Martin.<\/p>\n Martin had been in contention for a fifth All-Australian blazer, and his first since 2020, after a return to close to his best this year.<\/p>\n There was also no room for sentimental favourite and clearance specialist Liberatore, whose quest for a first All-Australian selection was thwarted by midfielders with a more dynamic outside game.<\/p>\n Serong, the Dockers\u2019 young star, was preferred ahead of him on the bench, possibly due to his more even spread of contested to uncontested possessions. Dawson and Merrett claimed two other positions on the bench in side loaded with midfield talent.<\/p>\n Larkey was the most surprising selection in a forward line containing the five leading goalscorers of the season. Charlie Curnow and Taylor Walker were locks in the key positions, as was Greene in the pocket as a medium-sized forward capable of threatening in the air and at ground level.<\/p>\n Charlie Cameron\u2019s status as the game\u2019s premier goalsneak was recognised with his selection as the sole small forward. Larkey, who kicked 71 goals in a Kangaroos side that won just three games, was picked on the bench.<\/p>\n Selectors deviated from the norm at clubland by not naming a forward who has played as the second ruck, or a second frontline ruckman, and picked only six specialist defenders.<\/p>\n Wilkie, a squad member last year, was awarded his first blazer after another fine season in defence, while Sicily was rewarded after being unlucky 12 months ago.<\/p>\n Tom Stewart becomes a five-time All-Australian, while St Kilda\u2019s Jack Sinclair and Port\u2019s Dan Houston are the two running backs.<\/p>\n Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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