All-Australian 2023: Fremantle Dockers trio Caleb Serong, Luke Ryan and Luke Jackson on 44-man shortlist

Luke Ryan is a step closer to becoming just the fourth player in Fremantle history to earn multiple All-Australian nods, with the defender one of three Dockers named on the 44-man shortlist.

Ryan was recognised for another consistent year anchoring Freo’s back line, joining midfield star Caleb Serong and rising ruck tyro Luke Jackson to add a purple flavour to the extended squad despite the club’s disappointing season.

If selected in the final team of 22, Ryan will join Matthew Pavlich (six selections), Aaron Sandilands (four) and Nat Fyfe (three) as the only Dockers to have achieved two or more All-Australian call-ups.

It comes as Oscar Allen was also picked on the shortlist after spearheading West Coast’s forward line in its horror three-win campaign that resulted in a wooden spoon.

Allen (53 goals) and North Melbourne’s Nick Larkey (71 goals) were both named from the AFL’s bottom two sides, with every club represented by at least one player in the extended squad for the first time.

Serong is considered the most likely of the WA-based quartet to make the final side after a superb year that saw him lead the league in total disposals despite missing one game through suspension.

The fourth-year midfielder averaged 30.7 disposals - the second-highest tally in a season in Dockers history - to go with 7.6 clearances and five tackles per game, while also contributing 22 goal assists. He was named The Herald Sun’s Player of the Year after last weekend’s final home-and-away round, beating Christian Petracca and Zak Butters to the prize.

Jackson was recognised by the selection committee - which includes WA-based greats Glen Jakovich and Pavlich - after building a strong campaign in his first year since crossing from Melbourne, starring in the back end of the season when taking the primary ruck role in Sean Darcy’s absence.

Minor premiers Collingwood led all clubs with five players nominated, including Nick and Josh Daicos and potential All-Australian skipper Darcy Moore. Brisbane had four players named, with Port Adelaide, Carlton, St Kilda, GWS, the Western Bulldogs, Essendon and Hawthorn joining Fremantle with three.

The likes of West Coast’s Tim Kelly, Richmond’s Tim Taranto and Geelong duo Jeremy Cameron and Gryan Miers were overlooked despite having strong claims.

44-MAN SHORTLIST - BY CLUB

Collingwood: Josh Daicos, Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, Isaac Quaynor

Brisbane: Harris Andrews, Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher, Lachie Neale

Port Adelaide: Zak Butters, Dan Houston, Connor Rozee

Carlton: Patrick Cripps, Charlie Curnow, Jacob Weitering

St Kilda: Rowan Marshall, Jack Sinclair, Callum Wilkie

GWS: Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Tom Green

Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli, Tim English, Tom Liberatore

Essendon: Kyle Langford, Zach Merrett, Mason Redman

Fremantle: Luke Jackson, Luke Ryan, Caleb Serong

Hawthorn: Luke Breust, Jai Newcombe, James Sicily

Melbourne: Christian Petracca, Jack Viney

Sydney: Nick Blakey, Errol Gulden

Adelaide: Jordan Dawson, Taylor Walker

Geelong: Tom Stewart

Richmond: Dustin Martin

Gold Coast: Noah Anderson

North Melbourne: Nick Larkey

West Coast: Oscar Allen