Essendon’s Jake Stringer and Carlton’s Jacob Weitering were two notable omissions from the 2021 All-Australian team.
Stringer kicked 39 goals in 18 games and was equally as damaging through the midfield, averaging 4.5 clearances and 4.9 inside 50s per game, exploding into career-best form.
Weitering, who was also overlooked last year, was a rock down back for the Blues with an elite rating in disposals, marks, spoils, one-on-one contests and rebound 50s.
Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes says Stringer and Weitering can count themselves unlucky to not be in the final 22.
“I think the backline is so strong,” Cornes told SEN Brekafast.
“The unlucky players for me were Jake Stringer and Jacob Weitering.
“I’m OK with the All-Australian team. I know it’s topical and it causes a lot of debate.
“It’s a tough job.”
Dual North Melbourne premiership player David King is perplexed by Stringer’s non-selection.
“Jake Stringer’s omission from the AA team is the greatest selection error in years,” King tweeted.
Jake Stringer’s omission from the AA team is the greatest selection error in years.
— David King (@davidking34) August 26, 2021
Western Bulldogs great Doug Hawkins says it’s “ridiculous” that genuine wingmen continue to be ignored by All-Australian selectors.
“The young kid (Sam) Walsh, how long did he play on the wing?” Hawkins told SEN Breakfast.
“What about (Zach) Merrett, he would have been four per cent?
“You’ve got (Paul) Seedsman, the boy at Adelaide, you’ve got (Lachie) Hunter at the Bulldogs, you’ve got (Isaac) Smith at Geelong, (Karl) Amon, the left footer that kicks it a long way at Port Adelaide.
“You look at those blokes as your specialist wingman, we’re losing that role because those boys I’ve just mentioned, they haven’t played on the wing.
“It’s just ridiculous.”
Gillon McLachlan (non-voting Chairman), Andrew Dillon, Chris Johnson, Glen Jakovich, Warren Tredrea, Cameron Ling, Jude Bolton, Matthew Richardson, Nick Riewoldt and Kevin Bartlett make up the All-Australian selection panel.
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