North Melbourne sharpshooter Nick Larkey has been named in the AFL All-Australian Team for the first time in his career.
The star key forward was the club's sole representative in the squad of 44 announced earlier in the week and takes up a spot on the interchange in the final 2023 team.
The well-deserved recognition comes after the No.20 booted a career-high 71 goals for the season - which featured two bags of six and a personal best of nine against the Suns in Round 24 - which placed him behind only Carlton's Charlie Curnow (78) and Adelaide's Taylor Walker (76) in the race for the Coleman Medal.
His 71.24 is also the most a Kangaroo has kicked in the home and away season since Wayne Carey slotted 73.37 in 1998.
Appearing in every game this year, Larkey set career-high totals for disposals and marks en route to becoming North Melbourne's first All-Australian since Shaun Higgins in 2018.
As he continues to blossom in his role as the main inside 50 target at Arden Street, the 25-year-old is proving to be one of the biggest draft steals in the club's history having been selected with the 73rd pick back in 2016.
Wednesday night's distinction could be just the first in a string of accolades for Larkey, with the forward likely to be a frontrunner in next month's Syd Barker Medal count.
