Western Bulldogs champion Marcus Bontempelli has been named All-Australian captain as Melbourne ruck star Max Gawn joined an elite group of players with his seventh selection in the team of the year.

Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps was named vice-captain to fellow Brownlow Medal contender Bontempelli, who earned his sixth All-Australian blazer.

Minor premiers Sydney were well represented with four players — Errol Gulden, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney — in the side.

The other seven finalists all had at least one player make the cut, while no other club had more than two representatives.

Gulden and Collingwood midfield star Nick Daicos were picked on the wings, meaning there was no room for Hawthorn’s Massimo D’Ambrosio to complete his rags-to-riches tale with a first blazer.

Also among the notable absentees were Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow, Brisbane Lions co-captain Harris Andrews and Essendon skipper Zach Merrett.

Carlton defender Jacob Weitering finally broke through for his first selection, named at full-back after being in four previous All-Australian squads without making the final cut.

Weitering was one of seven players picked for the first time alongside Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Jake Waterman, Jesse Hogan, Dylan Moore and Adam Treloar.

Hogan was named at full-forward after a career-best season in which he kicked 69 goals from 23 games and was a clear winner of the Coleman Medal.

Waterman also had a career-best campaign in 2024, recovering from serious illness which threatened to derail his career before starring for West Coast with 53 goals in 20 games.

Gawn edged out North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri and Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron for the ruck position and is now one of 10 players in the history of the game with at least seven All-Australian selections.

Gawn matches Wayne Carey, Stephen Silvagni and current All-Australian selector Nathan Buckley with seven blazers each.

The record is eight, held jointly by Gary Ablett Snr, Gary Ablett Jnr, Patrick Dangerfield, Lance Franklin, Robert Harvey and Mark Ricciuto.

West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern was named in the All-Australian team for a fifth time after a five-year absence, having returned to his best after a series of injury setbacks.

McGovern previously won four consecutive blazers from 2016-2019.

Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko (seven years) and GWS playmaker Lachie Whitfield (six) were also picked again after long absences.

Only six players retained their All-Australian places after being named in last year’s team: Dan Houston, Caleb Serong, Zak Butters, Daicos, Gulden and Bontempelli.

All-Australian team, 2024

FB: Nick Blakey (Sydney), Jacob Weitering (Carlton), Luke Ryan (Fremantle)

HB: Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions), Jeremy McGovern (West Coast), Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)

C: Errol Guldon (Sydney), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs — captain), Nick Daicos (Collingwood)

HF: Chad Warner (Sydney), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong), Isaac Heeney (Sydney)

FF: Jake Waterman (West Coast), Jesse Hogan (GWS), Dylan Moore (Hawthorn)

FOLL: Max Gawn (Melbourne) Patrick Cripps (Carlton — vice-captain), Caleb Serong (Fremantle)

I/C: Lachie Whitfield (GWS), Lachie Neale (Brisbane Lions), Adam Treloar (Western Bulldogs), Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)

AAP