Collingwood young gun Nick Daicos has been snubbed from a 44-man All-Australian squad named for the 2022 season.
The 19-year-old did not feature on the list released on Monday afternoon, which was larger than the typical 40-player roster so selectors could pick more stars than previous years.
“The list of players in the wider squad was expanded to ensure it recognised elite performers across the home and away season,” an AFL statement read.
PAUL GALLEN: ‘Crazy’ Tamou idea opens ‘a whole new can of worms’
READ MORE: Fuming McIlroy hurls fan’s gimmick into lake
READ MORE: Icon’s blunt Hird-Bombers call after ‘unforgivable’ stint
But the omission of Daicos is, for that reason, even more bizarre, given he had what some experts are saying may have been the best first-year season in the game’s recent history.
He is considered a shoo-in to win the AFL’s Rising Star award for his outstanding debut campaign with the Magpies.
Daicos – the son of legend Peter Daicos – was beaten to the All-Australian squad by his brother Josh – four years Nick’s senior.
Carlton defender Sam Docherty and Adelaide backman Jordan Dawson are other worthy players who have been snubbed from the list.
Reigning premiers Melbourne have six nominees, while Carlton and Geelong each have five players in the squad.
Demons captain Max Gawn looks set to earn his sixth All-Australian nod, as one of only three ruckmen in the squad. Tom Hawkins and Marcus Bontempelli are hoping to get selected for a fifth time.
The final 22-man team will be announced on Thursday night.
The selection panel this year is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Andrew Dillon, Glen Jakovich, Gerard Healy, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Nick Riewoldt, and Brad Scott.
2022 ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD
Adelaide: Rory Laird, Taylor Walker
Brisbane: Charlie Cameron, Hugh McLuggage, Lachie Neale
Carlton: Patrick Cripps, Charlie Curnow, Adam Saad, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering
Collingwood: Jack Crisp, Josh Daicos, Brayden Maynard
Essendon: Nil
Fremantle: Andrew Brayshaw, Brennan Cox
Geelong: Mark Blicavs, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, Tyson Stengle, Tom Stewart
Gold Coast: Touk Miller, Jarrod Witts
GWS Giants: Josh Kelly, Sam Taylor
Hawthorn: James Sicily
Melbourne: Angus Brayshaw, Bayley Fritsch, Max Gawn, Steven May, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca
North Melbourne: Nil
Port Adelaide: Connor Rozee
Richmond: Shai Bolton, Tom Lynch, Daniel Rioli
St Kilda: Jack Sinclair, Callum Wilkie
Sydney: Issac Heeney, Callum Mills, Tom Papley, Chad Warner
West Coast: Tom Barrass
Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
The sporting figures we’ve lost in 2022
