Young Port star Jason Horne-Francis has earned a maiden All Australian squad selection on his steady rise towards the competition's elite, with Geelong's Tyson Stengle returning into contention after a strong year on the scoresheet.
Horne-Francis, who slotted into the wing position in the AFL Players' Association's 22under22 team last week, averaged 22 touches and the best part of six clearances across a dominant year helping the Power lock down a home qualifying final in second spot.
The 21-year-old proved one of Port's most damaging players and produced in front of goals, scoring a career-high 25 goals through the home-and-away season.
He'll contend with teammate and 2023 All Australian Zak Butters and the likes of reigning Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale, Carlton bull Patrick Cripps, Nick Daicos and Swans minor premiership trio Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner in vying for a spot in the final side's midfield.
After storming into the competition's elite crop of small forwards in his return year on track to Geelong's 2022 premiership, Stengle earned a nod after recreating career-best form in 2024.
The 25-year-old averaged close to two goals a game for 42 majors total without missing a game in the Cats' push to finishing the home-and-away stage in third position.
Stengle sits in line for his second All Australian jacket after making his debut appearance in the side two years ago.
22under22 team defender Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has missed out on selection in the squad despite averaging 25 touches rebounding off the Saints' backline as his career builds.
Fellow fan-voted member of the comp's best young side, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's career-best goal haul - and equal tenth finish in the Coleman medal standings, wasn't enough to earn a spot in the squad.
Lions livewire Charlie Cameron missed out on squad selection after a modest return, by his own standards, in 2024 looking likely to fall short of 50 goals for the first time since 2020.
The All Australian team will be announced at the AFL Awards on Thursday night.
