PORT ADELAIDE’s Ollie Wines and Aliir Aliir have been named among the AFL’s Therabody All-Australian side for 2021.
Wines and Aliir are each first-time All-Australians, receiving fitting recognition for their outstanding seasons so far.
Teammate Karl Amon missed out after joining them in the initial 40-man All-Australian squad named on Tuesday night.
Wines, who is averaging an elite 32-disposals this season, was also announced as the runner up in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year Award, won by Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver.
Wines described the All-Australian recognition as a “huge honour” but saved praise for his midfield teammates at Port Adelaide.
“Nobody sets out at the start of the season to make the All-Australian team, it’s probably about team success, but to be recognised in this team along with these guys… who made the team… is a huge honour for me,” he said during the All-Australian announcement, broadcast on Fox Footy.
“We’ve formed a really good relationship with the mids (at Port Adelaide) and it’s a really potent midfield, we think, and I’m proud to play a part in that.”
Aliir has fitted in perfectly at Alberton after making the move from Sydney during last season’s trade period, becoming one of the competition’s best intercept players, ranking third for intercepts and sixth for contested marks.
The 26-year-old becomes the first South Sudanese footballer to be named an All-Australian.
“I just wanted to come in and have a fresh start and play the position I wanted to play in,” Aliir said during the Fox Footy broadcast.
“I think it’s just a lot of credit to the boys and the coaching staff for just making me feel so welcome in a new state and allowing me to play my best footy.”
Aliir and Wines were two of 11 first-time selections, which also included 31-year-old Brisbane veteran Daniel Rich.
Melbourne Captain Max Gawn was named the All-Australian skipper after earning his fifth blazer, and was among five Demons named in the side along with Oliver, Jake Lever, Steven May, Christian Petracca.
Western Bulldogs' skipper Marcus Bontempelli was named as Gawn's vice-captain, getting the nod in a fourth All-Australian team, as did Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins.
The All-Australian selection panel was Gillon McLachlan (non-voting Chairman), Andrew Dillon, Chris Johnson, Glen Jakovich, Warren Tredrea, Cameron Ling, Jude Bolton, Matthew Richardson, Nick Riewoldt and Kevin Bartlett.
The full All-Australian team:
