The "spine" provided the biggest talking points of this year's AFL All-Australian team as 10 players received the honour for the first time.

St Kilda's Coleman Medallist Fraser Gehrig, Port Adelaide centre half-forward Warren Tredrea and Brisbane full-back Mal Michael were all unlucky not to be picked.

Hawthorn centre half-back Trent Croad took that position ahead of St Kilda's Matt Maguire.

Indeed, the Hawks had the equal-highest total of three players in the team, despite winning only five games this season, while finalists Melbourne and Geelong had none picked.

Defender Luke Hodge and ruckman Peter Everitt were the other Hawthorn players to earn selection.

Croad enjoyed another strong season in defence, playing 21 games and earning his first All-Australian selection.

While only five All-Australians held their places from last year, Adelaide's Mark Ricciuto will captain the team for the second-straight season and this will be his eighth All-Australian selection.

That is only one berth behind the record held by modern-day AFL legends Craig Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, Simon Madden, Paul Roos and John Platten.

West Coast captain Ben Cousins was named as Ricciuto's deputy, winning selection for the fifth time in his career.

Western Bulldogs pair Scott West and Brad Johnson were also named for the fourth time.

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