Essendon guns Jake Stringer, Zach Merrett and Darcy Parish have been named in the 40-man squad for the 2021 Therabody All Australian Team.
The trio, who all re-signed this season, have been recognised for their starring roles in the Bombers' journey to finals, with Parish in contention for a maiden All-Australian selection and Merrett (2017) and Stringer (2015) vying for their second blazer.
Parish has enjoyed a monumental rise as a full-time midfielder this season, winning the Anzac Medal, Yiooken Award and Tom Wills Medal as best afield in the Bombers' feature matches.
He finished the home-and-away season as the No.1 player in the League for centre clearances, while breaking Essendon's all-time disposals record with 44 touches against Richmond in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
The 24-year-old has formed a lethal partnership in midfield with Merrett, with the ball-magnets combining for 1360 disposals.
That figure was just 28 short of the all-time record for combined disposals for two players at one club in a single season, set by Adelaide pair Matt Crouch and Rory Laird in 2017.
Stringer, who will face his former side Western Bulldogs in Sunday's elimination final, has produced a career-best season as he chases his first All-Australian selection as a Bomber.
The freakish talent has exploded with more time in midfield, stepping up to deliver several match-winning performances in the Bombers' finals surge.
He set new career-highs for disposals (16.8), inside 50s (4.9), tackles (3.8), clearances (4.5) and metres gained (375) this season, while leading the club's goalkicking with 39 majors.
The final 22 for the 2021 Therabody All Australian Team will be revealed on Thursday.
