RICHMOND could dominate the 2018 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team, with eight premiership Tigers included in the 40-man squad released on Monday.
Star quartet Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance and Trent Cotchin lead the list of Richmond players named in the squad, with Josh Caddy, Dylan Grimes, Shane Edwards and Kane Lambert also hoping to earn their first ever All Australian jackets.
A total of 22 players are aiming to join them as first-time All Australians, with nine players looking to earn back-to-back inclusions in the team, which will be named on Wednesday.
The All Australian squad has been selected by Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Danny Frawley, Steve Hocking, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.
The final 22 will be revealed on Wednesday evening.
Josh Caddy, Richmond. Never Previously All Australian. 20 games in 2018. 195 kicks, 73 marks, 140 handballs averaging 9.8 kicks, 3.6 marks, 7.0 handballs. 44 goals (Tenth in the AFL in goals), 13 behinds, 43 clearances, 64 Inside 50m, 10 Rebound 50m. 63 tackles.
Trent Cotchin, Richmond. All Australian 2012. 20 games in 2018. 226 kicks, 47 marks, 208 handballs averaging 11.3 kicks, 2.4 marks, 10.4 handballs. Five goals, 12 behinds, 91 clearances, 81 Inside 50m, 20 Rebound 50m. 91 tackles.
Shane Edwards, Richmond. Never Previously All Australian. 22 games in 2018. 175 kicks, 50 marks, 258 handballs averaging 8.0 kicks, 2.3 marks, 11.7 handballs. 13 goals, Six behinds, 61 clearances, 79 Inside 50m, 28 Rebound 50m. 62 tackles.
Dylan Grimes, Richmond. Never Previously All Australian. 21 games in 2018. 135 kicks, 69 marks, 103 handballs averaging 6.4 kicks, 3.3 marks, 4.9 handballs. Five clearances, 21 Inside 50m, 33 Rebound 50m. 77 tackles.
Kane Lambert, Richmond. Never Previously All Australian. 20 games in 2018. 185 kicks, 75 marks, 266 handballs averaging 9.3 kicks, 3.8 marks, 13.3 handballs. 15 goals, 10 behinds, 56 clearances, 76 Inside 50m, 28 Rebound 50m. 61 tackles.
Dustin Martin, Richmond. All Australian 2016, 2017. 21 games in 2018. 338 kicks, 79 marks, 198 handballs averaging 16.1 kicks, 3.8 marks, 9.4 handballs. 30 goals, 19 behinds, 114 clearances, 127 Inside 50m (First in the AFL in I50m), Four Rebound 50m. 45 tackles.
Alex Rance, Richmond. All Australian 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 (captain). 22 games in 2018. 179 kicks, 122 marks, 173 handballs averaging 8.1 kicks, 5.5 marks, 7.9 handballs. 0 Clearances, 12 Inside 50m 74 Rebound 50m. 32 tackles.
Jack Riewoldt, Richmond. All Australian 2010, 2015. 22 games in 2018. 232 kicks, 137 marks, 80 handballs averaging 10.6 kicks, 6.2 marks, 3.6 handballs. 65 goals (First in the AFL in goals), 33 behinds, Nine clearances, 71 Inside 50m, one Rebound 50m. 55 tackles.
