The 2022 All‑Australian team is an honorary Australian rules football side composed of the 22 players judged to have been the best performers over the 2022 Australian Football League (AFL) season. The team is selected each year by an independent panel appointed by the AFL and is announced after the home‑and‑away season but before the finals series.
Selection process
- Initial squad – A provisional squad of 44 players is announced in late July.
- Final team – The panel reduces the squad to a final team of 22 players, arranged in a traditional AFL lineup (defenders, midfielders, forwards, ruckmen).
- Captain and vice‑captain – The final announcement includes a designated All‑Australian captain and vice‑captain, chosen from among the selected players.
- Coach – The All‑Australian coach is not named at the time of the team announcement; traditionally the coach of the premiership‑winning side is awarded the All‑Australian coach honour after the Grand Final.
Announcement
- The 2022 All‑Australian team was announced on 24 August 2022 by the AFL.
- The selection panel comprised senior AFL figures, including former players, coaches and journalists (exact panel membership is recorded in AFL press releases and reputable sport archives).
Composition
- The final side consists of 22 players representing a range of AFL clubs.
- Selections reflect performance across the regular season, with particular emphasis on consistency, impact in games, and statistical contributions.
- The team is purely ceremonial; it does not play matches.
Significance
- Being named All‑Australian is considered one of the highest individual honours in Australian rules football.
- The annual All‑Australian team provides a benchmark for player excellence and is widely reported in national sport media.
For detailed player listings, including the captain, vice‑captain, and club representation, refer to official AFL communications and reputable encyclopedic sources such as the AFL’s website and the Wikipedia entry titled “2022 All‑Australian team.”
