The AFL wishes to advise the All Australian selection panel has confirmed the 40-man squad that is in contention for selection for the 2017 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian Team.

Under the format introduced in 2007, the All Australian selectors were not asked to nominate the leading players in each section of the field -- forwards, defenders and midfielders / ruckmen – but simply to name the best players of the season.

However, the final team of 22, to be named later this week on Wednesday August 30 in Melbourne, is selected to best fit team balance as if to play a match.

The Adelaide Crows (eight) clearly led the competition with the most representatives in this year’s squad, with 16 different clubs having at least one player nominated from their list.

A total of 26 players were nominated for a potential first-ever All Australian selection while 12 players from last year's best team were again nominated as potential selections this year – Eddie Betts, Marcus Bontempelli, Patrick Dangerfield, Lance Franklin, Toby Greene, Sydney Swans’ Josh Kennedy, West Coast’s Josh Kennedy, Jeremy McGovern, Dustin Martin, Alex Rance, Joel Selwood and Rory Sloane.

Franklin could receive his seventh separate All Australian blazer later this week while Selwood is in line for his sixth selection as an All Australian, with three of those years as captain.

The All Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Andrew Dillon, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea, while the All Australian selectors, along with Kevin Sheehan, also choose the winner of the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.

The squad members named are in order of club representation is as follows:
Eddie Betts, Adelaide Crows. All Australian 2015 and 2016. 21 games in 2017. 192 kicks, 71 marks, 93 handballs averaging 9.1 kicks, 3.4 marks, 4.4 handballs. 49 Goals (equal sixth in the AFL), 30 Behinds. 26 clearances, 50 Inside 50m, one Rebound 50m. 71 tackles.

Matt Crouch, Adelaide Crows. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 295 kicks, 63 marks, 431 handballs (third in the AFL) averaging 13.4 kicks, 2.9 marks, 19.6 handballs. Six Goals, Seven Behinds. 126 clearances, 69 Inside 50m, 43 Rebound 50m. 102 tackles.

Sam Jacobs, Adelaide Crows. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 169 kicks, 83 marks, 151 handballs averaging 7.7 kicks, 3.8 marks, 6.9 handballs. Eight Goals, five Behinds. 63 clearances, 882 hit outs (first in the AFL) averaging 40.1 hit outs per game, 50 Inside 50m, 25 Rebound 50m. 64 tackles.

Rory Laird, Adelaide Crows. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 325 kicks, 117 marks, 337 (ninth in the AFL) handballs averaging 14.8 kicks, 5.3 marks, 15.4 handballs. Three Goals, One Behind. 25 clearances, 55 Inside 50m, 107 Rebound 50m (equal sixth in the AFL). 50 tackles.

Jake Lever, Adelaide Crows. Never previously All Australian. 17 games in 2017. 175 kicks, 107 marks, 100 handballs, averaging 10.3 kicks, 6.3 marks, 5.9 handballs. One Goal, One Behind. Two Clearances, 30 Inside 50m, 59 Rebound 50m. 31 Tackles.

Tom Lynch, Adelaide Crows. Never previously All Australian. 20 games in 2017. 256 kicks, 141 marks, 153 handballs averaging 12.8 kicks, 7.1 marks, 7.7 handballs. 28 Goals, 22 Behinds. 17 clearances, 66 Inside 50m, nine Rebound 50m. 40 tackles.

Rory Sloane, Adelaide Crows. All Australian 2016 (vice-captain). 22 games in 2017. 290 kicks, 66 marks, 250 handballs averaging 13.2 kicks, 3.0 marks, 11.4 handballs. 18 Goals, six Behinds. 139 clearances (eighth in the AFL), 101 Inside 50m (ninth in the AFL), 33 Rebound 50m. 176 tackles (first in the AFL).

Taylor Walker, Adelaide Crows. Never previously All Australian. 20 games in 2017. 209 kicks, 126 marks, 96 handballs averaging 10.5 kicks, 6.3 marks, 4.8 handballs. 49 Goals (equal sixth in the AFL), 32 Behinds. Two clearances, 80 Inside 50m, two Rebound 50m. 40 tackles.

Dayne Zorko, Brisbane Lions. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 341 kicks, 79 marks, 185 handballs averaging 16.2 kicks, 3.8 marks, 8.8 handballs. 34 Goals, 27 Behinds. 112 clearances, 104 Inside 50m (sixth in the AFL), 44 Rebound 50m. 147 tackles (fifth in the AFL).

Sam Docherty, Carlton. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 460 kicks (first in the AFL), 199 marks (first in the AFL), 153 handballs averaging 20.9 kicks, 9.0 marks, 7.0 handballs. Three Goals, three Behinds. 25 clearances, 43 Inside 50m, 126 Rebound 50m (second in the AFL). 72 tackles.

Matthew Kreuzer, Carlton. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 206 kicks, 69 marks, 115 handballs averaging 9.8 kicks, 3.3 marks, 5.5 handballs. 12 Goals, 12 Behinds. 94 clearances, 665 hit outs (eighth in the AFL) averaging 31.7 hit outs per game, 58 Inside 50m, 32 Rebound 50m. 107 tackles.

Jeremy Howe, Collingwood. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 294 kicks, 181 marks (second in the AFL), 164 handballs averaging 14.0 kicks, 8.6 marks, 7.8 handballs. Three Goals, two Behinds. Seven clearances, 48 Inside 50m, 86 Rebound 50m. 33 tackles.

Adam Treloar, Collingwood. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 275 kicks, 54 marks, 353 handballs (fifth in the AFL) averaging 13.1 kicks, 2.6 marks, 16.8 handballs. 13 Goals, 11 Behinds. 114 clearances, 95 Inside 50m, 34 Rebound 50m. 133 tackles (equal tenth in the AFL).

Joe Daniher, Essendon. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 235 kicks, 147 marks (tenth in the AFL), 100 handballs averaging 10.7 kicks, 6.7 marks, 4.5 handballs. 62 Goals (fourth in the AFL), 37 Behinds. 19 clearances, 77 hit outs averaging 3.5 hit outs per game, 69 Inside 50m, 11 Rebound 50m. 30 tackles.

Michael Hurley, Essendon. All Australian 2015. 20 games in 2017. 339 kicks, 151 marks (equal sixth in the AFL), 168 handballs averaging 16.9 kicks, 7.5 marks, 8.4 handballs. Three Goals, one Behind. Four clearances, 24 Inside 50m, 141 Rebound 50m (first in the AFL). 21 tackles.

Zach Merrett, Essendon. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 370 kicks (sixth in the AFL), 93 marks, 268 handballs averaging 17.6 kicks, 4.4 marks, 12.8 handballs. Nine Goals, Eight Behinds. 91 clearances, 86 Inside 50m, 63 Rebound 50m. 116 tackles.

Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong Cats. All Australian 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. 21 games in 2017. 277 kicks, 93 marks, 360 handballs (fourth in the AFL) averaging 13.2 kicks, 4.4 marks, 17.1 handballs. 38 Goals, 24 Behinds. 162 clearances (first in the AFL), 119 Inside 50m (equal second in the AFL), 19 Rebound 50m. 123 tackles.

Joel Selwood, Geelong Cats. All Australian 2009, 2010, 2013 (captain), 2014 (captain), 2016 (captain). 18 games in 2017. 217 kicks, 61 marks, 248 handballs, averaging 12.1 kicks, 3.4 marks, 13.8 handballs. Six goals, Three Behinds. 114 Clearances, 73 Inside 50m, 28 Rebound 50m. 90 Tackles.

Toby Greene, GWS Giants. All Australian 2016. 16 games in 2017. 195 kicks, 95 marks, 99 handballs, averaging 12.2 kicks, 5.9 marks, 6.2 handballs. 41 Goals, 26 Behinds. 21 Clearances, 60 Inside 50m, Five Rebound 50m. 44 Tackles.

Josh Kelly, GWS Giants. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 294 kicks, 72 marks, 320 handballs averaging 14.0 kicks, 3.4 marks, 15.2 handballs. 18 Goals, 20 Behinds. 106 clearances, 102 Inside 50m (eighth in the AFL), 32 Rebound 50m. 133 tackles (equal tenth in the AFL).

Tom Scully, GWS Giants. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 210 kicks, 77 marks, 274 handballs, averaging 10.0 kicks, 3.7 marks, 13.0 handballs. 14 Goals, Six Behinds. 67 Clearances, 74 Inside 50m, 33 Rebound 50m. 60 Tackles.

Dylan Shiel, GWS Giants. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 306 kicks, 64 marks, 300 handballs averaging 13.9 kicks, 2.9 marks, 13.6 handballs. 11 Goals, 13 Behinds. 146 clearances (equal third in the AFL), 96 Inside 50m, 33 Rebound 50m. 83 tackles.

Tom Mitchell, Hawthorn. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 307 kicks, 117 marks, 480 handballs (second in the AFL) averaging 13.9 kicks, 5.3 marks, 21.9 handballs. 10 Goals, 10 Behinds. 137 clearances (tenth in the AFL), 76 Inside 50m, 46 Rebound 50m. 143 tackles (seventh in the AFL).

Jeff Garlett, Melbourne. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 171 kicks, 56 marks, 65 handballs averaging 8.1 kicks, 2.7 marks, 3.1 handballs. 42 Goals, 28 Behinds. Nine clearances, 51 Inside 50m, seven Rebound 50m. 74 tackles.

Michael Hibberd, Melbourne. Never previously All Australian. 18 games in 2017. 305 kicks, 97 marks, 188 handballs averaging 16.9 kicks, 5.4 marks, 10.4 handballs. One Goal, One Behind. 16 clearances, 48 Inside 50m, 123 Rebound 50m (fourth in the AFL). 23 tackles.

Neville Jetta, Melbourne. Never Previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 151 kicks, 94 marks, 164 handballs, averaging 6.9 kicks, 4.3 marks, 7.5 handballs. Three Goals, Zero Behinds. Six Clearances, Seven Inside 50m, 38 Rebound 50m. 68 Tackles.

Ben Brown, North Melbourne. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 180 kicks, 120 marks, 76 handballs averaging 8.2 kicks, 5.5 marks, 3.5 handballs. 63 Goals (third in the AFL), 30 Behinds. Nine clearances, 35 hit outs averaging 1.5 hit outs per game, 44 Inside 50m, Three Rebound 50m. 27 tackles.

Robbie Gray, Port Adelaide. All Australian 2014 and 2015. 22 games in 2017. 220 kicks, 93 marks, 186 handballs averaging 10.0 kicks, 4.2 marks, 8.5 handballs. 47 Goals (ninth in the AFL), 28 Behinds. 61 clearances, 60 Inside 50m, 18 Rebound 50m. 52 tackles.

Tom Jonas, Port Adelaide. Never Previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 186 kicks, 111 marks, 100 handballs, averaging 8.9 kicks, 5.3 marks, 4.8 handballs. Zero goals, Zero behinds. Three Clearances, 28 Inside 50m, 55 Rebound 50m. 54 Tackles.

Paddy Ryder, Port Adelaide. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 167 kicks, 71 marks, 104 handballs averaging 8.0 kicks, 3.4 marks, 5.0 handballs. 11 Goals, seven Behinds. 88 clearances, 777 hit outs (second in the AFL) averaging 37.0 hit outs per game, 67 Inside 50m, 14 Rebound 50m. 58 tackles.

Dustin Martin, Richmond. All Australian 2016. 22 games in 2017. 434 kicks (second in the AFL), 97 marks, 233 handballs averaging 19.7 kicks, 4.4 marks, 10.6 handballs. 32 Goals, 23 Behinds. 146 clearances (equal third in the AFL), 137 Inside 50m (first in the AFL), 22 Rebound 50m. 78 tackles.

Alex Rance, Richmond. All Australian 2014, 2015 and 2016. 22 games in 2017. 196 kicks, 111 marks, 161 handballs averaging 8.9 kicks, 5.0 marks, 7.3 handballs. One Goal, zero Behinds. Three clearances, one hit out, 18 Inside 50m, 83 Rebound 50m. 54 tackles.

Dylan Roberton, St Kilda. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 385 kicks (third in the AFL), 137 marks, 123 handballs averaging 17.5 kicks, 6.2 marks, 5.6 handballs. Five Goals, Four Behinds. nine clearances, 39 Inside 50m, 124 Rebound 50m (third in the AFL). 38 tackles.

Sebastian Ross, St Kilda. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2017. 318 kicks, 79 marks, 339 handballs (eighth in the AFL) averaging 14.5 kicks, 3.6 marks, 15.4 handballs. Five Goals, nine Behinds. 112 clearances, 89 Inside 50m, 43 Rebound 50m. 94 tackles.

Lance Franklin, Sydney Swans. All Australian 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016. 22 games in 2017. 299 kicks, 151 marks (equal sixth in the AFL), 84 handballs averaging 13.6 kicks, 6.9 marks, 3.8 handballs. 69 Goals (first in the AFL), 56 Behinds. 10 clearances, Two hit outs, 118 Inside 50m (fourth in the AFL), Five Rebound 50m. 51 tackles.

Josh Kennedy, Sydney Swans. All Australian 2012, 2014 and 2016. 19 games in 2017. 230 kicks, 47 marks, 313 handballs averaging 12.1 kicks, 2.5 marks, 16.5 handballs. 14 Goals, Six Behinds. 131 clearances, 77 Inside 50m, 27 Rebound 50m. 94 tackles.

Josh Kennedy, West Coast Eagles. All Australian 2015 (vice-captain) and 2016. 17 games in 2017. 154 kicks, 107 marks, 52 handballs averaging 9.1 kicks, 6.3 marks, 3.1 handballs. 65 Goals (second in the AFL), 38 Behinds. Five hit outs, 27 Inside 50m, 0 Rebound 50m, 24 tackles.

Jeremy McGovern, West Coast Eagles. All Australian 2016. 22 games in 2017. 236 kicks, 169 marks (third in the AFL), 125 handballs averaging 10.7 kicks, 7.7 marks, 5.7 handballs. 10 Goals, 14 Behinds. 11 clearances, 50 Hit outs averaging 2.3 hit outs per game, 50 Inside 50m, 52 Rebound 50m. 40 tackles.

Elliot Yeo, West Coast Eagles. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2017. 319 kicks, 148 marks (ninth in the AFL), 178 handballs averaging 15.2 kicks, 7.0 marks, 8.5 handballs. Eight Goals, Seven Behinds. 50 clearances, 83 Inside 50m, 66 Rebound 50m. 75 tackles.

Marcus Bontempelli, Western Bulldogs. All Australian 2016. 22 games in 2017. 285 kicks, 88 marks, 220 handballs averaging 13.0 kicks, 4.0 marks, 10.0 handballs. 20 Goals, 29 Behinds. 90 clearances, Three hit outs, 100 Inside 50m (equal tenth in the AFL), 28 Rebound 50m. 138 tackles (ninth in the AFL).