Sydney Swans Aim for Rare All-Australian Feat in 2024

Sydney is on track to achieve a rare milestone in the AFL, with the team potentially having five or more players named in the All-Australian side by the end of the year. This feat has only been accomplished 15 times since the competition became national in 1991.

Key Players in Contention

In AFL.com.au's mid-season All-Australian team, the Swans had four players selected:

Isaac Heeney: Brownlow Medal favorite and one of five unanimous selections.
Chad Warner: Another Brownlow contender, chosen by eight out of nine reporters.
Errol Gulden: Received seven selections.
Nick Blakey: Dashing defender, selected by eight reporters.

Additional Contenders

Brodie Grundy: Pushing for his first All-Australian blazer since 2019 as the No.1 ruck.
Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, James Rowbottom: Mentioned as players to watch in the second half of the season.

Historical Context

If the Swans achieve this milestone, they will join an elite group. Here’s a look at past teams with five or more All-Australian selections in a season:

Year	Club	Number of Selections	Players
2007	Geelong	9	Matthew Scarlett, Darren Milburn, Matthew Egan, Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Gary Ablett, Joel Corey, Cameron Ling
2008	Geelong	7	Matthew Scarlett, Tom Harley, Jimmy Bartel, Steve Johnson, Gary Ablett, Joel Corey, Corey Enright
2011	Collingwood	6	Ben Reid, Leon Davis, Dale Thomas, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Dane Swan
2010	Geelong	6	Corey Enright, Harry Taylor, Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman, Gary Ablett, Steve Johnson
2002	Brisbane	6	Chris Johnson, Justin Leppitsch, Jason Akermanis, Simon Black, Michael Voss, Nigel Lappin
2022	Geelong	5	Tom Stewart, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, Tyson Stengle, Mark Blicavs
2021	Melbourne	5	Jake Lever, Steven May, Christian Petracca, Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver
2016	Sydney	5	Dane Rampe, Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy, Lance Franklin, Dan Hannebery
2009	Geelong	5	Matthew Scarlett, Joel Selwood, Paul Chapman, Gary Ablett, Corey Enright
2009	St Kilda	5	Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo, Brendon Goddard
2004	Brisbane	5	Chris Johnson, Simon Black, Nigel Lappin, Jason Akermanis, Luke Power
2000	Carlton	5	Andrew McKay, Brett Ratten, Scott Camporeale, Anthony Koutoufides, Lance Whitnall
1995	Carlton	5	Stephen Silvagni, Ang Christou, Justin Madden, Craig Bradley, Anthony Koutoufides
1993	Adelaide	5	Ben Hart, Greg Anderson, Tony Modra, Tony McGuinness, Nigel Smart
1991	Geelong	5	Ken Hinkley, Paul Couch, Garry Hocking, Mark Bairstow, Bill Brownless

Implications

Having five or more All-Australian players usually signals a successful season, but it doesn't guarantee a premiership. Out of the 15 teams with this many selections: