How’d they miss out!? The stars snubbed in ‘best of the rest’ All-Australian side

The 2024 All-Australian side has been locked in. And naturally, some big names missed out.

You do have to feel for the selectors at times. Forty four doesn’t fit into 22, so there’s always going to be some hard luck stories.

Foxfooty.com.au has already ranked the ‘unlucky 22’ that weren’t selected in the final side from the extended squad … but what if we made a new 22 altogether notwithstanding the original squad?

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Well, we’ve compiled a totally new side made up of the “best of the rest” 22 players based on their 2024 season.

Port Adelaide legend and All-Australian selector Kane Cornes has already admitted the toughest call was whether to put Jacob Weitering or Harris Andrews in the key defender spot, so Andrews and Sam Taylor hold down the back posts in our side.

Taylor only played 16 games this year, but it’s hard to go past him if you’re putting together the best team possible with no parameters.

The star Giants defender ranked first in the AFL in intercepts per game, while there’s not many players that have a greater defensive impact than the 2022 All-Australian.

Taylor is joined in defence by James Sicily and Harry Sheezel, two of the unluckier omissions to not make the side, plus Tom Stewart, who missed the squad altogether and a potential bid for a sixth blazer in eight seasons.

In a similar vein, we’ve picked Izak Rankine despite the Crows star playing 15 games, averaging 18 disposals with a total of 29 goals.

Charlie Curnow and Joe Daniher fill the attacking key position spots, with Curnow having led the Coleman Medal race for the majority of the season prior to getting struck down with injury.

Jason Horne-Francis, who you sense will be a regular feature in the All-Australian side in the coming years, also occupies a spot on the half forward flank.

In the middle of the ground, Massimo D’Ambrosio fills the wing spot alongside two stars who missed out on the 44-man squad — Tom Green and Hugh McCluggage.

We’ve gone with two ruckmen — Tristan Xerri in the starting role backed up by Rowan Marshall instead of All-Australian squad member Darcy Cameron — with Zach Merrett and Andrew Brayshaw also on the ball.

Merrett was another one of the surprise omissions from the actual side despite some calling for him to get the nod as captain at stages throughout the year.

In addition to Cameron, Jordan Clark, Sam Collins, Cameron Rayner, Brent Daniels and Bailey Dale were the other players selected in the All-Australian squad that didn’t make our team.

‘BEST OF THE REST’ 2024 ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM

B: Tom Stewart, Harris Andrews, James Sicily

HB: Harry Sheezel, Sam Taylor, Jack Sinclair

C: Massimo D’Ambrosio, Tom Green, Hugh McCluggage

HF: Izak Rankine, Joe Daniher, Jason Horne-Francis

F: Tyson Stengle, Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay

FOLL: Tristan Xerri, Zach Merrett, Andrew Brayshaw

IC: Rowan Marshall, Noah Anderson, Hayden Young, Max Holmes