GIANTS superstar full forward Jesse Hogan has been crowned an All Australian for the first time while dashing defender Lachie Whitfield has received his second All-Australian blazer on Thursday night.
Taking their deserved place amongst the elite of the competition, Hogan and Whitfield were recognised for their stellar individual seasons with selection in the final 22-person side announced at the AFL Awards on Thursday night.
His maiden All-Australian selection, Hogan takes his rightful place at full forward following a dominant career-best season which saw the 29-year-old claim his first Coleman Medal with a league-best 69 majors across the home and away season.
Our Coleman Medallist collects his first All-Australian blazer 🧡 pic.twitter.com/YKMCNigznr
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 29, 2024
Causing headaches for defenders across the season, Hogan finished 11 goals clear of second on the Coleman Medal leaderboard to cement himself as the AFL’s most dominant attacking force in season 2024.
Playing in all 23 games, Hogan was just as dominant in the air, with the West Australian leading the competition in both contested marks and marks inside-50.
Such was his supremacy up forward, Hogan tallied 92 marks inside 50 across the season, 28 clear of Gold Coast’s Ben King in second at 64.
His maiden All-Australian selection continues a brilliant career resurgence for Hogan who has excelled at his third club to become not only one of the competition’s premier players but one of the best success stories across the AFL.
Joining Hogan in the 2024 All-Australian side is Whitfield, who earns his second blazer after being named on the interchange following a brilliant campaign off half-back for the GIANTS.
Adding to his selection in the 2018 All-Australian team, Whitfield takes his place amongst the AFL’s cream of the crop once more after a career-best season which saw him finish as the competition’s leading disposal getter.
A remarkable season rewarded ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/r8y0wLlQkA
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) August 29, 2024
Further cementing himself as one of the AFL’s most lethal weapons out of defence, Whitfield finished the home and away season ranked elite in the competition for disposals, metres gained, marks and score involvements.
Playing every game of the season, the two-time Kevin Sheedy Medallist – and now two-time All Australian – averaged a career-high 30.9 disposals to go along with 7.3 marks, 5.8 rebound-50s and 4.3 score involvements per game.
GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said Hogan and Whitfield’s All-Australian selection was great reward for their starring seasons.
“We are incredibly proud of the seasons that Jesse and Lachie have put together and it’s great to see them both recognised with selection in the final side,” McCartney said.
“Jesse’s story is well documented and it’s been fantastic to see him get his body right and be able to showcase what an amazing talent he is.
“After winning the Coleman Medal it’s been a big week for Jesse and we’re excited to see what he can continue to produce as we embark on another finals campaign next weekend.
“Likewise it’s great to see Lachie continue to establish himself as one of the best players in the competition with his second All-Australian selection.
“He’s a big part of the GIANTS both on and off the field and it’s great to see him recognised for what’s been an extremely consistent season.
“I’d also like to congratulate Brent Daniels who was named in the All-Australian squad for the first time earlier this week and who would have look out of place in the final side following a brilliant season.”
Hogan and Whitfield’s inclusion in the All-Australian side comes after both played crucial roles in leading the GIANTS to a top four finish to book a qualifying final with the Swans at the SCG in the first week of finals.
While not making the final side, GIANTS star small forward Brent Daniels was named in his first All-Australian squad earlier this week.