ADELAIDE, Essendon and West Coast players headline AFL Media's 2017 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team.

Fourteen AFL.com.au journalists, represented in every AFL state, selected their own team from the AFL's official 40-man squad, announced on Monday, and player nominations decided our final 22.

The Crows, Bombers and Eagles boast three representatives apiece, while Greater Western Sydney, Port Adelaide and Richmond had two each. No North Melbourne, Gold Coast, Fremantle, St Kilda or Western Bulldogs footballers made the side.

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Demon Michael Hibberd edged out Adelaide's Rory Laird for a starting half-back spot – despite playing four fewer matches – with 12 nominations to 10.

The closest battle was a three-way midfield fight for two places between Bomber Zach Merrett, Crow ball magnet Matt Crouch and Swan Josh Kennedy. 

Kennedy was the odd man out, receiving more on-field picks than his rivals, but three fewer overall nominations.