The 10 AFL players in line to become first-time All-Australians in 2022

The All-Australian blazer is a coveted honour to be acknowledged in the best 22 of the season, and 2022 brings up a new opportunity for some first-timers to obtain an AA nod. Whether they've been unlucky to not make it in the past, or are up and coming and poised to break out this year, here are 10 players who are most likely to become a first-time All-Australian in 2022. SEE ALSO: The SIX current players who may go without an AA jacket Jacob Weitering The star defender for Carlton was extremely unlucky not to make the All-Australian team last season, but 2022 could be his year. Weitering's 2021 was very impressive, averaging a career-high 16.4 disposals and 7.4 marks per game. The 24-year-old rated elite with Champion Data amongst defenders for disposals, marks, rebound 50's, contested one-on-one contests and spoils, but still couldn't break into the side with Steven May and Aliir Aliir making it over him. [player_widget player_id='jacob-weitering' season='2021' stats='Disposals,Marks,Rebound50s' position="Defender"] 2022 could be Weitering's year to get his first blazer as he bears more responsibility in Michael Voss' backline with the retirement of key defender Liam Jones. Another season with similar stats and an improved Carlton defence may be too hard for All-Australian selectors to ignore. Matt Rowell The talented midfielder is entering his third season only having played 17 games due to injury, but in the short sample size we have seen, it's pretty clear that he'll become a special player if he can stay healthy. In his second, third and fourth game in the league, Rowell polled three Brownlow votes in each match before going down with a shoulder injury in round five. The midfield sensation also got injured in the opening round of the 2021 season against West Coast, ruling him out for half the season with a knee injury. [caption id="attachment_41715" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: Matthew Rowell of the Suns celebrates his first goal during the round 2 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the West Coast Eagles at Metricon Stadium on June 13, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Considering the 20-year old was leading the Brownlow Medal count after four games into his career, it's fair to say he will be a great player that will definitely be up for All-Australian contention in 2022 if he can stay healthy. Zak Butters The Port Adelaide livewire is an exciting young talent and landed a spot on the All-Australian squad of 40 in 2020. The 21-year old's 2021 campaign was limited due to a string of injuries that saw him only play seven games. [caption id="attachment_81884" align="alignnone" width="2560"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Zak Butters of Port Adelaide celebrates kicking a goal during the round 16 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Port Adelaide Power at Metricon Stadium on September 05, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] According to reports, Butters has been flying on the track this pre-season and is set to see more midfield minutes in 2022. If he can be as damaging as he was in 2020 in both the midfield and as a high half-forward, then expect the green and gold blazer to be coming his way come season's end. Andrew Brayshaw The Fremantle midfielder has developed into a star in the Dockers' engine room, averaging a career-high 28.4 disposals per game. His elite ball-winning ability is sure to catch the eyes of All-Australian selectors, and he's in an up and coming Fremantle side that will look to contend for finals in 2022. The return of Nat Fyfe from injury may be beneficial for Brayshaw in the engine room, as Fyfe is set to receive attention from the opposition, leaving Brayshaw to be as damaging as he was in 2021. [caption id="attachment_81534" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: Andrew Brayshaw of the Dockers celebrates a goal during the 2021 AFL Round 02 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium on March 28, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] If Brayshaw can reproduce his 2021 campaign, there should be no surprise if he's named on the midfield line or interchange in the All-Australian team for 2022. Tim Taranto The talented midfielder from the Giants has been a consistent performer in the engine room, and with Toby Greene out for the first five weeks, it's more than likely he'll be relied upon inside the forward 50. Giants fan got a glimpse of what Taranto can do in front of goal at the back end of last season, botting two goals against Geelong in Round 21, followed by a four-goal haul against Richmond in Round 22. [caption id="attachment_32763" align="alignnone" width="1024"] HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 16: Tim Taranto of the Giants kicks whilst being tackled by Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos during the round 13 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Greater Western Sydney GIants at Blundstone Arena on June 16, 2019 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] The 23-year old averaged an impressive 26.5 disposals per game to go along with 5.3 tackles. With Taranto a danger in the midfield and up forward, his impact especially in the earlier rounds with Greene out is sure to catch the eye of All-Australian selectors, and moreso if he can turn it on in the middle once Greene returns. Another young player who could definitely earn their first blazer this season. Hugh McCluggage The Lions wingman is as classy as they get, and is unlucky not to have an All-Australian blazer already. Due to the All-Australian selectors not picking actual wingman on the wing, McClugage has been hard done by in recent years. Adelaide's Paul Seedsman and Port Adelaide's Karl Amon also suffer from the same dilemma. The North Ballarat product has made the All-Australian squad of 40 the past three years without making the final 22, which should drive the hard-running wingman to new heights in 2022. [caption id="attachment_32047" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26: Hugh McCluggage of the Lions celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2019 AFL round 10 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] McCluggage averaged 25 disposals per game on the wing for the Lions in 2021, and could even move forward and impact the scoreboard, kicking 15 goals. The 23-year old is silky smooth with the footy and is very consistent week in, week out. The Lions will have high expectations in 2022, and so will McCluggage. Jayden Short The slick defender from Richmond is still yet to feature in an All-Australian team despite winning Richmond's best-and-fairest in their premiership year of 2020. It is unusual to see him not on the All-Australian half-back line due to his booming kick, delivering astounding metres gained numbers and his damaging ability with the foot in defence as well as goals from outside 50. [caption id="attachment_80663" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Jayden Short of the Tigers handballs during the round 15 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium on September 02, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] The 26-year old was unlucky not to win the Norm Smith Medal in 2020, which still deservedly went to Dustin Martin, but Short is in the prime of his career and will continue to push for All-Australian selection. With Richmond looking to bounce back following a disappointing 2021, Short will look to be one of the key leaders for the Tigers and will have to step up in Bachar Houli's absence. Jarryd Lyons Jarryd Lyons is as consistent as they come as an inside ball-winner, averaging a career-high 28.1 disposals per game to go along with 4.9 marks and 6.4 tackles per game. Lyons led the charge for the Lions' on-ball brigade with Lachie Neale injured for a portion of the season and was unlucky to not get an All-Australian selection due to so many quality midfielders in the competition. [caption id="attachment_33242" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Jarryd Lyons of the Lions controls the ball during the round 21 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba on August 10, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] The tough midfielder made the squad of 40 last year and will look to go one better along with his team that has struggled to get over their finals hump. The 29-year old is still in his prime and is more than capable of reproducing 2021's effort and will definitely put his best foot forward to obtain his first green and gold blazer. Bayley Fritsch Fritsch was one of the best forwards in the competition in 2021, coming off a career-best year with his side winning the premiership, where Fritsch contributed 59 goals including six goals in the season decider. Fritsch was edged out to make sure that the best players in the competition made the team rather than being put in their position, with Christian Petracca and Marcus Bontempelli being placed on the half-forward flank despite being onballers. [caption id="attachment_18343" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 01: Bayley Fritsch of the Demons kicks during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session at Gosch's Paddock on December 1, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Despite the All-Australian snub, the 25-year old would be ecstatic with his season to be the leading goalkicker on a premiership side. Another year with similar production and Fritsch will be an All-Australian in no time. Caleb Serong Serong is one who is set for a breakout year with the Dockers. The 21-year old has been used as a mixture between forward and midfield in his first couple of seasons in the league, but with the departure of midfielder Adam Cerra to Carlton, Serong is set to spend much more time in the midfield alongside Nat Fyfe and Andrew Brayshaw. [caption id="attachment_59974" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: Caleb Serong of the Dockers handpasses the ball during the round nine AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Collingwood Magpies at Optus Stadium on August 02, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Serong has already won several accolades early on in his career, including the Rising Star Award, Goal of the Year last year and Coaches Association Best Young Player last year. It is clear that he is highly valued by the players and coaches in the competition, and after averaging 22.9 disposals per game across 22 matches in 2021, it would be no surprise if Serong adds an All-Australian blazer to his collection come the end of 2022.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

The 10 AFL players in line to become first-time All-Australians in 2022

After 11 players claimed their first jacket in 2021, we’ve named 10 players who could land a similar fate this year.

8. Jarryd Lyons

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