Record awaits for Ablett

GEELONG megastar Gary Ablett is expected to set an AFL modernday record for the most All Australian jumpers after inclusion in the 40-man squad. Ablett is in line for his ninth All Australian selection when the final 22 players are announced tomorrow night.

Ablett, his father Gary, Sydney’s Lance Franklin, Adelaide’s Mark Ricciuto and St Kilda great Robert Harvey are the only players with eight All Australian jumpers in the modern era.

They sit above the pack since the All Australian team wasn’t chosen from performances at the now-defunct national carnivals held from 1953 to 1988. From the carnival era, when it was possible to earn mid-season and postseason All Australian selection, eight players have eight or more jumpers — Craig Bradley, Terry Daniher, Gerard Healy, Stephen Kernahan, Simon Madden, John Platten, Paul Roos and Greg Williams.

This year, West Coast have a league-high seven representatives in the 40 names released by the AFL on Monday.

Eagles Jack Darling, Andrew Gaff, Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern, Brad Sheppard, Luke Shuey and Elliot Yeo are candidates.

Gold Coast, St Kilda and Essendon are the only clubs without a player nominated. A total of 20 players have been nominated for a potential first All Australian jumper.

And nine players from last year’s ceremonial team — Patrick Cripps, Brodie Grundy, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Stewart, Max Gawn, Dustin Martin, Gaff, Hurn and McGovern — have been nominated again. AAP