Max Gawn Makes History with Record Ninth All-Australian Blazer
Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn has been named to a record ninth All-Australian team and appointed captain of the 2026 side, breaking a tie with some of the biggest names in the game's history.
Gawn's ninth selection moves him clear of the eight blazers won by Gary Ablett Snr, Gary Ablett Jnr, Patrick Dangerfield, Lance Franklin, Robert Harvey and Mark Ricciuto. Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli joined that group of eight this year, but Gawn stands alone on nine at age 34. The All-Australian blazer is awarded each season to the competition's best 22 players across all 18 clubs, as judged by the AFL's selection panel. The Guardian
Gawn credited the late Jim Stynes — a former Melbourne ruckman and Brownlow Medallist — as a mentor. Stynes played 264 games for Melbourne and served as club president before his death in 2012. Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson was named vice-captain of the 2026 team. Dawson's elder brother Jaryd died in April this year.
Minor premiers Fremantle dominated the final team with five selections: key forward Josh Treacy, ruckman Luke Jackson, Murphy Reid, Shai Bolton and Jordan Clark. The Dockers had led the initial 46-player squad with eight nominations before the final 23 was confirmed. AFL.com.au
Reigning premiers Brisbane had three players named: Harris Andrews, Zac Bailey and Logan Morris. Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow — the league's leading goalkicker for the season — was Sydney's sole representative. The Swans had suspended five players during the year, including Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Nick Blakey, ruling them ineligible for selection.
The 2026 team featured a record five Indigenous players, including Melbourne's Kysaiah Pickett. Nine players earned their first All-Australian blazer, while ten retained their spots from the 2025 team, among them Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Bailey Smith.
A year ago, Gawn drew level on eight selections in a 2025 All-Australian team captained by Geelong's Jeremy Cameron. He has now gone one better, alone at the top of a list that spans four decades of football.
