Adelaide defender Wayne Milera has spoken candidly about the honour of being named as an All-Australian for the first time. 

Milera was recognised as a member of the competition’s most prestigious team at the AFL Awards on Tuesday night after a home and away season where he posted career-best numbers in disposals (26 per game), contested possessions (6.3 per game) and marks (5.94 per game). 

Speaking to the media upon returning to Adelaide on Wednesday morning, Milera reflected on his journey to a maiden jacket.

“I got told early on in my career that your footy career is a roller coaster, and it's definitely been that,” Milera said.

“But I think the most important thing (about my journey), and what's helped me sort of get this recognition, is all the people that have supported me throughout that journey, and that's probably one that I've sort of reflected on.

“How you get there is the people who look after you. There's countless people, too many to acknowledge at once.

“I’ve really benefited from bouncing off other people, how they deal with their struggles or their injuries and how they bounce back, and I’ve taken a lot from those sorts of conversations.”

Since being drafted in 2015, Milera had developed himself into a damaging defender and crucial cog in the Crows’ system, but had yet to stamp himself as one of the competition’s elite due to consistent injury troubles. 

In 2026, the 28-year-old was able to take that leap, something he put down to a consistent pre-season of training and believing in his ability. 

“I've always believed that I can play really good AFL footy, but it's probably just more so the consistency of it, so it's been nice this year, to be able to find that consistency,” Milera said. 

“I've worked a lot with that with our backs, and Jack Hombsch as well, our backline coach, he's been awesome for me this year in terms of just nailing down my role and knowing exactly what I got to do to perform each week.

“Obviously, it starts with the off-season and being able to really attack my program for the whole off-season and then train fully in the pre-season, I think it really set me up for a pretty good year.”

Milera was joined in the 2026 All-Australian team by Skipper Jordan Dawson, who also took him AFL Players’ Association Best Captain and Most Courageous Player awards. 

Dawson also delivered a heartfelt speech on the night to those struggling with mental health, which drew widespread praise from the football community. 

“He was outstanding, wasn't he? An absolute inspiration on the field, but off the field as well and he spoke very well last night,” Milera said.

“It was great to see him get recognised for his year, we know that he's been through a tough time, for him and his family.

“So for him to get the recognition last night, we're incredibly lucky to have him at our football Club and to learn off him every day, and have someone like that as a role model in the Club.

“On the field, he will stand up in the big moments, but then you know he just leads us brilliantly off the field. Whether it's that training, in meetings or just being there as a support person, he's our team.” 

The Crows will enjoy a week off before their major round series begins with an elimination final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, September 5.

Milera said the group was in a good state of mind heading into the do-or-die clash. 

“We're extremely confident that we can produce our best footy (in the finals series),” Milera said. 

“We were disappointed last year going out in straight sets, but I feel like we've learned a lot from that, and we'll review that all this week and get ready to go.”

The opponent of Adelaide’s elimination final will be determined this weekend as the AFL hosts its wildcard finals.