AFL All-Australian selector Abbey Holmes addresses ‘hard-luck story’ from 44-man squad

All-Australian selector and Channel 7 star AFL presenter Abbey Holmes has opened up on the major problem — according to fans and experts — with this year’s AA squad of 44.

Fans were left perplexed when the squad was revealed, with one name, St Kilda ruck Rowan Marshall, surprisingly missing.

There were three rucks included in the squad and they were Melbourne’s veteran superstar Max Gawn, North Melbourne’s rising sensation Tristan Xerri, and Collingwood big man Darcy Cameron.

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Marshall was left on the cutting room floor despite an outstanding season.

Outraged fans were quick to compare Marshall’s stats with Cameron’s.

He averaged 20.7 disposals, 26.4 hitouts and 5.7 clearances along with 15 goals, while Cameron averaged fewer disposals (15.6), 29.3 hitouts, fewer clearances (3.7), and four fewer goals.

In fact, Marshall averaged more disposals and more goals than all the rucks in the squad, but his average hitouts were lower than the other three.

Speaking on the Footy Talk podcast, Holmes said it was “always topical” when the All-Australian squad dropped.