Coleman medallist, Geelong sharpshooter Jeremy Cameron, was stunned at being named skipper, admitting "I haven't captained anything in my life".
The All-Australian captain role has largely been a ceremonial one in recent years, with Sydney legend Lance Franklin and Geelong premiership hero Tom Hawkins tagged with the honour despite never having leadership roles at their own clubs.
Despite the Demons enduring a tumultuous season that resulted in the sacking of premiership coach Simon Goodwin, Gawn and fellow Demon Kysaiah Pickett shone brightly.
Gawn and Sydney giant Grundy, who played one season at Melbourne, were battling it out for the coveted ruck position after North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri didn't make the 44-man squad.
Gawn joins fellow greats Gary Ablett Snr, Gary Ablett Jnr, Patrick Dangerfield, Lance Franklin, Robert Harvey and Mark Ricciuto to receive eight All-Australians.
It means Gawn has only missed selection twice - 2017 and 2023 - since first being named All-Australian back in 2016.
Pickett, who has turned into one of the most damaging forward-midfielders, was among 11 players to earn selection for the first time.
Newly re-signed St Kilda star Naisah Wanganeen-Milera was named at half-back, while Gold Coast will be boosted even further after securing their first finals appearance with gun midfielders Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell both making the team.
After years of snubs when he was selected in the squad but not in the final team, Brisbane Lions vice-captain Hugh McCluggage has finally been rewarded.
His teammates Zac Bailey (first appearance) and Harris Andrews (third) mean the Lions have the equal most representatives, tied with the Western Bulldogs - Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards, and Bailey Dale.
Bontempelli's seventh All-Australian selection eventuated despite him missing the first five games of the season due to a calf injury.
2025 All-Australian team
B: Josh Battle (Hawthorn), Sam Taylor (GWS), Jordan Clark (Fremantle)
HB: Bailey Dale (Western Bulldogs), Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions), Naisah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda)
C: Bailey Smith (Geelong), Jordan Dawson (Adelaide), Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
HF: Isaac Heeney (Sydney), Jeremy Cameron (Geelong), Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions)
F: Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Riley Thilthorpe (Adelaide), Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)
Rucks: Max Gawn (Melbourne), Noah Anderson (Gold Coast), Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs)
Interchange: Nick Daicos (Collingwood), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Caleb Serong (Fremantle), Matt Rowell (Gold Coast).
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