WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23 2020 SPORT 53 Danger in race for rare triumph Cats star aims for All Australian milestone

NICK SMART

GEELONG star Patrick Dan- gerfield (pictured) is on track to join an exclusive group after being included in the 40-per- son squad for this year’s AFL All Australian team. The Cats and minor pre- miers Port , each with five nominations, lead the competition with the most rep- resentatives in this year’s squad, with 15 different clubs ~ ---- having at least one player from their list named. field, , , Only Adelaide, Gold Coast , Tom Hawkins, and North failed to , and earn a nomination from their . lists. Pendlebury is in line for his , here celebrating a goal with teammates, has signed on for another year with Carlton. Picture: GETTY Dangerfield could receive seventh selection as an All his eighth All Australian blazer Australian, while Fremantle’s later this week and become Fyfe, Melbourne’s Gawn and only the sixth person to Richmond’s are MURPHY AND FRIENDS REMAIN BLUES achieve this milestone. all aiming for their fourth. Only Gary Ablett Sr, Gary The All Australian selection Ablett Jr, , Rob- panel is Gillon McLachlan RUSSELL GOULD for two and mark, while Curnow should decade. For where our list is ert Harvey and (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, for one. play his 200th match in 2021. currently at, it is invaluable to have earned selection eight , Steve Hocking, CARLTON has gone on a Michael Gibbons has “There is enormous belief have someone of Murph’s times in the non-carnival era. , Chris Johnson, post-season re-signing spree, earned a promotion to the across our entire football club experience, professionalism A total of 24 players were , Matthew Rich- locking away 10 players senior list for the 2021 in the direction we are and knowledge of what it nominated for potential first- ardson and . including former captain season, while first-round heading, and today’s takes to earn a long career at ever All Australian selection, The All Australian select- Marc Murphy for one more pick Sam Philp, Josh announcement is further the elite level.” while 10 players from last ors, along with Kevin Sheehan, year with and Levi Honey and Matthew Cottrell proof of that,” Carlton list Murphy added: “The level year’s best team were again also choose the winner of the Casboult also set to play on at earned new deals. manager Nick Austin said. of motivation I’ve got to earn nominated as potential selec- coveted NAB AFL Rising Star the Blues for 2021. Murphy, 33, will play on “Murph has been a class success with this group is as tions this year. Award. Defender Lachie Plowman into a 16th season and most player and leader for this strong as it has ever been They are , The final team of 22 will be has signed for three years, likely pass the 300 game football club for well over a during my 14 years here.” , Danger- unveiled on Thursday night. When it comes to goals, Hawkins’ grandma knows best JOSH BARNES Once it became clear Port ple who are proud of me and I “She has barracked for Gee- Mooney, Steve Johnson and Paul Adelaide forward Charlie Dixon am proud of myself but at this long for a long time and she will Chapman ingrained the need to IN a season during which he wasn’t going to match his tally, stage in my mind I have got big- get a lot of enjoyment out of it bring others into the game. won the and led Hawkins took a moment to ger fish to fry,” Hawkins said. and I get enjoyment out of see- “Certainly the way Cam the league in goal assists, Tom think about those who helped “Probably the one person is ing the people I love happy, so Mooney played, who had a great Hawkins has pleased just about him along the way. my grandmother and she is a lit- that was a nice text message to influence in my career, for him it everyone. He said he got more enjoy- tle bit old school in the way she receive from her.” was all about taking the moment But the spearhead ment out of the reactions of barracks for her grandson, she Despite the urging from his when he had the opportunity but still gets some friendly advice those around him than from doesn’t like me passing the footy grandmother, Hawkins is always also if there was someone in a from his grandmother whenever kicking the 42 goals this year off. She encourages me to have keen to pass the ball off if he can. better position he would always he passes the ball off from a scor- that secured the medal. shots and kick goals, partly be- A career born in the shadow kick the ball to them,” Hawkins Tom Hawkins. ing position. “I know there are a lot of peo- cause she thinks I’m a good kick. of premiership stars Cameron said.

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