PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Connor Rozee has been recognised with selection for the first time in the Therabody All-Australian 44-man preliminary squad.

Rozee’s outstanding season was kick-started after being shifted from the forward line into the midfield, resulting in a career-best 23.2 disposals per game to go with 18 goals.

The talented 22-year-old played all 22 matches this season, also averaging 3.2 clearances and 3.5 tackles per game.

The fifth pick in the 2018 AFL National Draft is the only Port Adelaide player selected in the squad, which will be trimmed to a final 22 announced on Wednesday.

Reigning premiers Melbourne had the most players selected in the squad, with six nominations, while minor premiers Geelong had five players nominated.

Eleven members of the 2021 team were again nominated as potential All Australians while 2021 captain Max Gawn could be selected for a sixth separate All-Australian team, as the most-capped player in the squad. The Geelong Cats’ Tom Hawkins and Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli are both in line for a potential fifth All Australian selection.

The 2022 All Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Andrew Dillon, Glen Jakovich, Gerard Healy, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Nick Riewoldt and Brad Scott. Kevin Sheehan is also a selector for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award. The squad members named are in alphabetical order and are as follows:

Connor Rozee, Port Adelaide
Never previously All Australian
22 matches this season
Averages 23.2 disposals, 74.9 per cent disposal efficiency, 0.8 goals, one score assist 4 marks, 3.8 tackles and 4.1 inside 50s per game.