Gawn’s Eighth, Cameron’s Surprise Captaincy in 2025 All-Australian Team
The AFL world has been buzzing after the announcement of the 2025 All-Australian team, and it’s fair to say this year’s selections have given fans plenty to talk about. The headline moment belonged to Melbourne’s towering ruckman, Max Gawn, who was named an All-Australian for the eighth time in his career. With that achievement, he has joined an elite group of just seven players in history to earn eight jackets, sitting alongside icons like Gary Ablett Snr and Jnr, Patrick Dangerfield, and Lance Franklin. At 33, Gawn has shown no signs of slowing down, averaging 20 disposals, five clearances, and nearly 35 hit-outs per game across the season. He continues to prove why he’s regarded as one of the most influential big men of the modern era.
But perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was Geelong sharpshooter Jeremy Cameron being named captain of the All-Australian side. The Coleman Medallist himself admitted he was shocked, joking that he had never captained anything in his life. The role, while largely symbolic, has often been given to greats who may not have held captaincy at their clubs, and Cameron now finds himself following in the footsteps of names like Lance Franklin and Tom Hawkins.
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Melbourne’s season may have been turbulent — even marked by the sacking of coach Simon Goodwin — but Gawn wasn’t the only Demon to shine. Kysaiah Pickett earned his very first All-Australian nod after a blistering year, becoming one of 11 debutants in the side. His ability to damage opponents both as a small forward and a rotating midfielder made him one of the season’s most exciting players.
There were other feel-good stories too. Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage, after years of near misses, finally broke through to make the final team. His teammates Zac Bailey and Harris Andrews also got the call-up, giving the Lions three representatives and tying them with the Western Bulldogs for the most in the squad. The Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli earned his seventh All-Australian honour despite missing the first five games of the season with injury — a true testament to his consistency.
In the midfield, Gold Coast’s rise was recognised with Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell both being selected, a huge boost as the Suns prepare for their first-ever finals campaign. And at half-back, St Kilda’s Naisah Wanganeen-Milera’s selection highlighted just how far his game has come.
Beyond the All-Australian team itself, individual honours were also handed out. Collingwood’s Nick Daicos capped off another brilliant season by being named the AFLPA’s Most Valuable Player, voted by his peers. Averaging 30 disposals across 23 games, he became the youngest winner of the MVP since Nick Riewoldt back in 2004, and the first Magpie to win it since Dane Swan in 2010.
From Gawn’s enduring dominance, to Cameron’s unexpected captaincy, to the next generation of stars like Pickett, Rowell, and Daicos stepping into the spotlight, the 2025 All-Australian team feels like both a celebration of established greatness and a glimpse into the AFL’s future. This year’s lineup will no doubt be debated for months, but one thing is certain: it’s a side stacked with talent that represents the very best the game has to offer.
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