THE 2016 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team could be dominated by new faces, with 24 potential debutants named in the 40-man squad on Monday.

Adelaide has a League-high six players selected – including four possible debutants – with the Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney (five each) also well represented.

Club captains Joel Selwood (Geelong), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) and Callan Ward (GWS) have been named, with the Brisbane Lions and Essendon the only clubs not represented in the squad. 

Each can claim Dayne Zorko (Lions) and Zach Merrett (Bombers) as notable omissions from the squad. 

The Crows' dominant forwards have been rewarded for their outstanding season, with Eddie Betts (66 goals), Josh Jenkins (60) and Tom Lynch (36) all selected.

See the full All Australian 40-man squad and stats below

West Coast's Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy (80 goals), Gold Coast's Tom Lynch (66), Sydney Swans superstar Lance Franklin (74) and Hawthorn's Jack Gunston (48) will jockey for tall forward positions.

Alongside Betts, Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli (44 goals) and GWS dynamo Toby Greene (39) were the only small forwards selected.

Melbourne's Max Gawn is the sole ruckman, guaranteeing the big Demon his first selection in the team of the year. 

Collingwood's Brodie Grundy was overlooked.

Given the selectors' mandate to prioritise "team balance as if to play a match", Jenkins shapes as the most likely back-up ruckman in the final 22. 

Pick your Virgin Australia 2016 AFL All Australian team for your chance to win

Returning from the 2015 All Australian team are Betts, Kennedy, Rioli, Patrick Dangerfield, Andrew Gaff, Dan Hannebery, Sam Mitchell, Alex Rance and Heath Shaw.

Pendlebury, Geelong's Corey Enright – the oldest player selected at 34 – and Franklin are each pushing for their sixth separate selection as All Australian players.

Bulldog Matthew Boyd, also 34, could earn his third All Australian selection, five years after his most recent in 2011.

A total of 19 midfielders were selected in the squad, including Fremantle's Lachie Neale, who led the AFL for overall disposals and ranked No.3 for clearances.

The AFL's leading clearance player in 2016, Carlton's Patrick Cripps, was overlooked.

Other players unlucky to miss include St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt, Sydney Swans defender Heath Grundy, GWS midfielder Dylan Shiel and West Coast midfielder Matt Priddis.  

Four tall defenders were selected, with Adelaide's Daniel Talia, North Melbourne's Robbie Tarrant and West Coast's Jeremy McGovern in line for their first All Australian honours. 

Richmond star Rance is in line for his third consecutive selection in the team of the year.  

The final 22 will be named on Thursday at a function in Melbourne.

The All Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.

Virgin Australia AFL All Australian 40-man squad

Eddie Betts. All Australian 2015. 22 games in 2016. 214 kicks, 71 marks, 86 handballs, averaging 9.7 kicks, 3.2 marks, 3.9 handballs. 66 goals (fourth in the AFL in goals) 30 behinds. 30 clearances, 47 inside 50m, Eight rebound 50m. 79 tackles.

Josh Jenkins. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 188 kicks, 117 marks, 90 handballs, averaging 8.5 kicks, 5.3 marks, 4.1 handballs. 124 hit outs averaging 5.6 per game. 60 goals (fifth in the AFL in goals) 26 behinds. 18 clearances, 59 inside 50m, Six rebound 50m. 41 tackles.

Rory Laird. Never previously All Australian. 17 games in 2016. 222 kicks, 114 marks, 245 handballs, averaging 13.1 kicks, 6.7 marks, 14.4 handballs. One goal one behind. 18 clearances, 35 inside 50m, 55 rebound 50m. 37 tackles.

Tom Lynch. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2016. 256 kicks, 140 marks, 155 handballs, averaging 12.2 kicks, 6.7 marks, 7.4 handballs. 36 goals 21 behinds. 20 clearances, 75 inside 50m, Nine rebound 50m. 42 tackles.

Rory Sloane. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2016. 250 kicks, 79 marks, 286 handballs, averaging 11.9 kicks, 3.8 marks, 13.6 handballs.   12 goals Eight behinds. 103 clearances, 82 inside 50m, 22 rebound 50m. 151 tackles (third in the AFL in tackles).

Daniel Talia. All Australian 2014. 22 games in 2016. 197 kicks, 133 marks, 156 handballs, averaging 9.0 kicks, 6.0 marks, 7.1 handballs. One Goal zero behinds. Two clearances, 16 inside 50m, 64 rebound 50m. 40 tackles. 

Sam Docherty. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 359 kicks (fourth in the AFL in kicks), 173 marks (second in the AFL in marks), 207 handballs, averaging 16.3 kicks, 7.9 marks, 9.4 handballs. One Goal two behinds. 14 clearances, 45 inside 50m, 119 rebound 50m (third in the AFL in R50). 57 tackles. 

Kade Simpson. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 383 kicks (third in the AFL in kicks), 152 marks (sixth in the AFL in marks), 214 handballs, averaging 17.4 kicks, 6.9 marks, 9.7 handballs.  Three goals zero behinds. 14 clearances, 52 inside 50m, 101 rebound 50m (fifth in the AFL in R50). 54 tackles. 

Scott Pendlebury. All Australian 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. 22 games in 2016. 289 kicks, 78 marks, 341 handballs (ninth in the AFL in handballs, ninth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 13.1 kicks, 3.5 marks, 15.5 handballs. 11 goals seven behinds 103 clearances, 87 inside 50m, 46 rebound 50m. 123 tackles.

Adam Treloar. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 283 kicks, 71 marks, 390 handballs (second in the AFL in handballs, fifth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 12.9 kicks, 3.2 marks, 17.8 handballs. 13 goals 18 behinds. 118 clearances, 88 inside 50m, 41 rebound 50m. 139 tackles (eighth in the AFL in tackles). 

Lachie Neale. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 289 kicks, 90 marks, 448 handballs (first in the AFL in handballs, first in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 13.1 kicks, 4.1 marks, 20.4 handballs. Seven goals four behinds. 161 clearances (third in the AFL in clearances), 63 inside 50m, 44 rebound 50m. 101 tackles. 

Patrick Dangerfield. All Australian 2012, 2013, 2015. 22 games in 2016. 351 kicks (seventh in the AFL in kicks), 112 marks, 337 handballs (eighth in the AFL in handballs, second in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 16.0 kicks, 5.1 marks, 15.3 handballs. 23 goals 23 behinds. 145 clearances (equal fourth in the AFL in clearances), 179 inside 50m (first in the AFL in I50), 31 rebound 50m. 101 tackles.

Corey Enright. All Australian 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. 21 games in 2016. 299 kicks, 123 marks, 201 handballs, averaging 14.2 kicks, 5.9 marks, 9.6 handballs. Four goals One behind. 26 clearances, 27 inside 50m, 73 rebound 50m. 58 tackles.

Joel Selwood. All Australian 2009, 2010, 2013 (captain), 2014 (captain). 22 games in 2016. 308 kicks, 76 marks, 305 handballs, averaging 14.0 kicks, 3.5 marks, 13.9 handballs. Seven goals 11 behinds. 143 clearances (equal sixth in the AFL in clearances), 102 inside 50m (10th in the AFL in I50), 30 rebound 50m. 122 tackles. 

Tom Lynch. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 219 kicks, 153 marks (fifth in the AFL in marks), 120 handballs, averaging 10.0 kicks, 7.0 marks, 5.5 handballs. 66 goals (third in the AFL in goals) 34 behinds. Four clearances, 56 inside 50m, Three rebound 50m. 37 tackles. 

Stephen Coniglio. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2016. 272 kicks, 65 marks, 319 handballs, averaging 13.0 kicks, 3.1 marks, 15.2 handballs. 11 goals 10 behinds. 118 clearances, 78 inside 50m, 33 rebound 50m. 116 tackles.

Toby Greene. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2016. 259 kicks, 102 marks, 192 handballs, averaging 12.3 kicks, 4.9 marks, 9.1 handballs. 39 goals 25 behinds. 37 clearances, 115 inside 50m (third in the AFL in I50), 13 rebound 50m. 78 tackles.

Tom Scully. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 261 kicks, 107 marks, 280 handballs, averaging 11.9 kicks, 4.9 marks, 12.7 handballs. 21 goals 11 behinds. 65 clearances, 105 inside 50m (eighth in the AFL in I50), 33 rebound 50m. 93 tackles.

Heath Shaw. All Australian 2015. 22 games in 2016. 468 kicks (first in the AFL in kicks), 172 marks (third in the AFL in marks), 71 handballs, averaging 21.3 kicks, 7.8 marks, 3.2 handballs. Zero goals zero behinds. 11 clearances, 36 inside 50m, 172 rebound 50m (first in the AFL in R50). 58 tackles.

Callan Ward. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 257 kicks, 77 marks, 278 handballs, averaging 11.7 kicks, 3.5 marks, 12.6 handballs. 15 goals 12 behinds. 128 clearances (10th in the AFL in clearances), 88 inside 50m, 30 rebound 50m. 104 tackles. 

Jack Gunston. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 242 kicks, 142 marks, 108 handballs, averaging 11.0 kicks, 6.5 marks, 4.9 handballs. 48 goals (eighth in the AFL in goals) 31 behinds. 10 clearances, 57 inside 50m, 17 rebound 50m. 65 tackles.

Sam Mitchell. All Australian 2011, 2013, 2015. 20 games in 2016. 314 kicks, 78 marks, 284 handballs, averaging 15.7 kicks, 3.9 marks, 14.2 handballs. Zero goals two behinds. 112 clearances, 79 inside 50m, 53 rebound 50m. 70 tackles. 

Cyril Rioli. All Australian 2012, 2015. 19 games in 2016. 181 kicks, 68 marks, 85 handballs, averaging 9.5 kicks, 3.6 marks, 4.5 handballs. 44 goals (10th in the AFL in goals) 11 behinds. 45 clearances, 54 inside 50m, Six rebound 50m. 120 tackles. 

Max Gawn. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 154 kicks, 91 marks, 165 handballs, averaging 7.0 kicks, 4.1 marks, 7.5 handballs. 928 hit outs (first in the AFL in hit outs) averaging 42.2 per game. 16 goals 11 behinds. 66 clearances, 33 inside 50m, 19 rebound 50m. 80 tackles. 

Robbie Tarrant. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 238 kicks, 142 marks, 122 handballs, averaging 10.8 kicks, 6.5 marks, 5.5 handballs. Zero goals One Behind. Eight clearances, 31 inside 50m, 91 rebound 50m. 43 tackles. 

Jasper Pittard. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 339 kicks, 102 marks, 159 handballs, averaging 15.4 kicks, 4.6 marks, 7.2 handballs. One goal five behinds. 16 clearances, 64 inside 50m, 117 rebound 50m (fourth in the AFL in R50). 48 tackles. 

Dustin Martin. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 427 kicks (second in the AFL in kicks), 99 marks, 257 handballs (fourth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 19.4 kicks, 4.5 marks, 11.7 handballs. Nine goals nine behinds. 115 clearances (fifth in the AFL in I50), 112 inside 50m, 54 rebound 50m. 80 tackles.

Alex Rance. All Australian 2014, 2015. 20 games in 2016. 212 kicks, 155 marks (fourth in the AFL in marks), 161 handballs, averaging 10.6 kicks, 7.8 marks, 8.1 handballs. Zero goals zero behinds. Three clearances, 11 inside 50m, 68 rebound 50m. 43 tackles. 

Jack Steven. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 310 kicks, 62 marks, 305 handballs, averaging 14.1 kicks, 2.8 marks, 13.9 handballs. 14 goals six behinds. 120 clearances, 117 inside 50m (second in the AFL in I50), 26 rebound 50m. 123 tackles. 

Lance Franklin. All Australian 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014. 22 games in 2016. 276 kicks, 128 marks, 112 handballs, averaging 12.5 kicks, 5.8 marks, 5.1 handballs. 74 goals (second in the AFL in goals) 49 behinds. Five clearances, 101 inside 50m, Four rebound 50m. 56 tackles.

Dan Hannebery. All Australian, 2013, 2015. 22 games in 2016. 317 kicks, 83 marks, 371 handballs (sixth in the AFL in handballs, third in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 14.4 kicks, 3.8 marks, 16.9 handballs. 12 goals 15 behinds. 114 clearances, 114 inside 50m (fourth in the AFL in I50), 33 rebound 50m. 100  tackles.

Josh Kennedy. All Australian 2012, 2014. 21 games in 2016. 267 kicks, 52 marks, 389 handballs (fourth in the AFL in handballs, seventh in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 12.7 kicks, 2.5 marks, 18.5 handballs. 16 goals five behinds. 163 clearances (second in the AFL in clearances), 107 inside 50m (seventh in the AFL in I50), 26 rebound 50m. 120 tackles.

Luke Parker. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 291 kicks, 82 marks, 326 handballs, averaging 13.2 kicks, 3.7 marks, 14.8 handballs. 21 goals 17 behinds. 138 clearances (eighth in the AFL in clearances), 84 inside 50m, 34 rebound 50m. 136 tackles.

Dane Rampe. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 247 kicks, 106 marks, 144 handballs, averaging 11.2 kicks, 4.8 marks, 6.5 handballs. One goal two behinds. One clearances, 28 inside 50m, 141 rebound 50m (second in the AFL in R50). 52 tackles. 

Andrew Gaff. All Australian 2015. 21 games in 2016. 352 kicks (sixth in the AFL in kicks), 79 marks, 270 handballs (10th in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 16.8 kicks, 3.8 marks, 12.9 handballs. Seven goals six behinds. 55 clearances, 79 inside 50m, 62 rebound 50m. 26 tackles.

Josh Kennedy. All Australian 2015. 22 games in 2016. 217 kicks, 140 marks, 67 handballs, averaging 9.9 kicks, 6.4 marks, 3.0 handballs. 80 goals (first in the AFL in goals) 36 behinds. Three clearances, 43 inside 50m, Three rebound 50m. 67 tackles.

Jeremy McGovern. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2016. 229 kicks, 130 marks, 97 handballs, averaging 10.9 kicks, 6.2 marks, 4.6 handballs. Three goals five behinds. Four clearances, 30 inside 50m, 75 rebound 50m. 31 tackles. 

Luke Shuey. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 266 kicks, 55 marks, 302 handballs, averaging 12.1 kicks, 2.5 marks, 13.7 handballs. 12 goals eight behinds. 145 clearances (equal fourth in the AFL in clearances), 84 inside 50m, 44 rebound 50m. 143 tackles (sixth in the AFL in tackles).

Marcus Bontempelli. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 244 kicks, 86 marks, 296 handballs, averaging 11.1 kicks, 3.9 marks, 13.5 handballs. 22 goals 14 behinds. 89 clearances, 93 inside 50m, 24 rebound 50m. 107 tackles.

Matthew Boyd. All Australian 2009, 2011.  20 games in 2016. 347 kicks (10th in the AFL in kicks), 146 marks (10th in the AFL in marks), 210 handballs, averaging 17.4 kicks, 7.3 marks, 10.5 handballs. Zero goals one Behind. 15 clearances, 41 inside 50m, 93 rebound 50m (sixth in the AFL in R50). 42 tackles.

No nominated players: Brisbane Lions, Essendon