CARLTON duo Harry McKay and Sam Walsh have been recognised for their standout seasons, earning their maiden selection in the 2021 Therabody All-Australian team on Thursday evening.

Among the esteemed 22, McKay was named as full forward while Walsh took his place on the wing, with the pair donning their first All-Australian blazers after just 67 and 61 career games respectively.

While missing out on selection in the final 22, Carlton defender Jacob Weitering was also recognised for his efforts across the 2021 season as a member of the 40-person All-Australian squad.

McKay’s inclusion in the line-up comes after he was awarded the 2021 Coleman Medal following the conclusion of the home-and-away season on Sunday night, kicking 58 goals across 19 appearances this year. 

In addition to claiming the League’s leading goalkicking title, McKay also ranked No.1 in the competition for marks inside 50 and contested marks per game.

The 23-year-old’s most dominant performance came in Round 3, where he slotted a career-high seven goals and collected 17 disposals and 10 marks to see his side claim a 43-point victory over Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.

Asserting himself as the competition’s best forward, the Blues’ spearhead delighted the Carlton faithful when he signed a two-year contract extension midway through the season to remain in the Navy Blue until at least the end of 2023.

Taking the football world by storm when he arrived on the scene as the No.1 pick in the 2018 draft, Walsh’s selection among the competition’s elite sees him duly acknowledged as arguably the best young talent in the game.

Walsh proved to be an unstoppable force in the Blues’ midfield for his third prolific season, averaging just shy of 30 disposals per game.

The 21-year-old’s campaign saw him finish among the top 10 in the League for disposals, while he ranked elite for uncontested possessions, score involvements and pressure acts.

Among his most dominant performances for the year, Walsh amassed a career-high 39 disposals, nine marks, five tackles and a goal in Carlton’s Round 18 win over Collingwood at the MCG.

On Thursday afternoon, Walsh was honourably made captain of the AFL Players’ Association’s 22under22 side, having been selected for the third consecutive year.

The Therabody All-Australian selection panel is comprised of AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan (non-voting Chairman), Andrew Dillon, Chris Johnson, Glen Jakovich, Warren Tredrea, Cameron Ling, Jude Bolton, Matthew Richardson, Nick Riewoldt and Kevin Bartlett.