PREMIERSHIP favourite Hawthorn has six players in line for the 2015 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team after the 40-man squad was revealed on Tuesday.
The Hawks marginally pipped top-of-the-table Fremantle and emerging teams West Coast and the Western Bulldogs, who each have five players in the squad.
There were 21 players among the 40 nominees who are in line for selection for the first time.
The Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Melbourne, Geelong, Gold Coast and St Kilda did not have a player nominated. It's the first time the Cats will not have a player in the All Australian team since 2006.
Collingwood veteran and Brownlow medallist Dane Swan was nominated after an outstanding season, as was his premiership teammate and now Greater Western Sydney defender Heath Shaw.
The big names – Nat Fyfe, Patrick Dangerfield, Sam Mitchell, Dan Hannebery, Robbie Gray, Scott Pendlebury, Nic Naitanui, Cyril Rioli, Matt Priddis, Taylor Walker and Todd Goldstein – were all nominated.
Priddis, who won the Brownlow Medal last season, has been nominated twice for the All Australian team but is yet to be selected. He looks a huge chance to make the team this season.
Defenders Garrick Ibbotson, Easton Wood, Alex Rance, Jeremy McGovern and Michael Hurley were all nominated while veterans Robert Murphy, Matthew Boyd and Shaw found a place in the squad.
Shaun Higgins was the only player to be nominated in his first season at a new club after crossing from the Western Bulldogs to North Melbourne, while Adelaide's Rory Laird received due recognition after flying under the radar for most of the season.
Young Bulldogs Luke Dahlhaus and Jake Stringer also received acknowledgment for their brilliant seasons with a nomination.
The squad members named are in order of club representation is as follows:
Patrick Dangerfield, Adelaide. All Australian 2012, 2013. 21 games in 2015. 295 kicks, 73 marks, 267 handballs, averaging 14.0 kicks, 3.5 marks, 12.7 handballs. 20 Goals, 14 Behinds. 150 Clearances (Sixth in the AFL), 103 Inside 50m (Fourth in the AFL), 22 Rebound 50m. 117 Tackles.
Rory Laird, Adelaide. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 259 kicks, 122 marks, 251 handballs, averaging 12.3 kicks, 5.8 marks, 12.0 handballs. Two Goals, Four Behinds. 19 Clearances, 38 Inside 50, 70 Rebound 50m. 54 Tackles.
Taylor Walker, Adelaide. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 233 kicks, 155 marks (fifth in the AFL), 67 handballs, averaging 11.1 kicks, 7.4 marks, 3.2 handballs. 55 Goals (fourth in the AFL), 40 Behinds. One Clearances, 74 Inside 50, Three Rebound 50m. 30 Tackles.
Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood. All Australian 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. 22 games in 2015. 321 kicks (ninth in the AFL), 97 marks, 314 handballs (fifth in the AFL in handballs and fifth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 14.6 kicks, 4.4 marks, 14.3 handballs. 15 Goals, Eight Behinds. 99 Clearances, 91 Inside 50, 37 Rebound 50m. 112 Tackles.
Dane Swan, Collingwood. All Australian 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. 21 games in 2015. 336 kicks (seventh in the AFL), 104 marks, 273 handballs, averaging 16.0 kicks, 5.0 marks, 13.0 handballs (seventh in the AFL in total disposals). 21 Goals, 14 Behinds. 121 Clearances, 97 Inside 50 (10th in the AFL), 24 Rebound 50m. 81 Tackles.
Michael Hurley, Essendon. Never previously All Australian. 19 games in 2015. 301 kicks, 131 marks, 104 handballs, averaging 15.8 kicks, 6.9 marks, 5.5 handballs. Two Goals, Four Behinds. Four Clearances, 17 Inside 50m, 107 Rebound 50m (third in the AFL). 20 Tackles.
Nathan Fyfe, Fremantle. All Australian 2014. 18 games in 2015. 252 kicks, 77 marks, 267 handballs, averaging 14.0 kicks, 4.3 marks, 14.8 handballs. 17 Goals, 14 Behinds. 156 Clearances (fourth in the AFL), 79 Inside 50, 22 Rebound 50m. 76 Tackles.
Stephen Hill, Fremantle. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 332 kicks (eighth in the AFL), 79 marks, 175 handballs, averaging 15.8 kicks, 3.8 marks, 8.3 handballs. 16 Goals, 10 Behinds. 68 Clearances, 93 Inside 50, 52 Rebound 50m. 75 Tackles.
Garrick Ibbotson, Fremantle. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 258 kicks, 139 marks, 140 handballs, averaging 11.7 kicks, 6.3 marks, 6.3 handballs. One Goal, One Behind. 12 Clearances, 41 Inside 50, 63 Rebound 50m. 30 Tackles.
David Mundy, Fremantle. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 281 kicks, 89 marks, 283 handballs, averaging 13.4 kicks, 4.2 marks, 13.5 handballs. 10 Goals, Four Behinds. 152 Clearances (sixth in the AFL), 83 Inside 50, 36 Rebound 50m. 115 Tackles.
Lachie Neale, Fremantle. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 303 kicks, 109 marks, 302 handballs, averaging 13.8 kicks, 5.0 marks, 13.7 handballs (eighth in the AFL in total disposals). 15 Goals, 10 Behinds. 130 Clearances, 64 Inside 50, 45 Rebound 50m. 83 Tackles.
Jeremy Cameron, Greater Western Sydney. All Australian 2013. 22 games in 2015. 185 kicks, 122 marks, 50 handballs, averaging 8.4 kicks, 5.5 marks, 2.3 handballs. 63 Goals (second in the AFL), 37 Behinds. Two Clearances, 48 Inside 50, Three Rebound 50m. 37 Tackles.
Heath Shaw, Greater Western Sydney. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 420 kicks (first in the AFL), 145 marks, 97 handballs, averaging 19.1 kicks, 6.6 marks, 4.4 handballs. One Goals, Two Behinds. Nine Clearances, 37 Inside 50, 163 Rebound 50 (first in the AFL). 61 Tackles.
Shaun Burgoyne, Hawthorn. All Australian 2006. 22 games in 2015. 202 kicks, 63 marks, 219 handballs, averaging 9.2 kicks, 2.9 marks, 10.0 handballs. Seven Goals, Four Behinds. 66 Clearances, 48 Inside 50m, 41 Rebound 50m. 94 Tackles.
Josh Gibson, Hawthorn. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 251 kicks, 173 marks (first in the AFL), 201 handballs, averaging 12.0 kicks, 8.2 marks, 9.6 handballs. Zero Goals, Three Behinds. Seven Clearances, 35 Inside 50, 55 Rebound 50m. 32 Tackles.
Jack Gunston, Hawthorn. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 258 kicks, 167 marks (second in the AFL), 110 handballs, averaging 11.7 kicks, 7.6 marks, 5.0 handballs. 52 Goals (seventh in the AFL), 33 Behinds. Nine Clearances, 59 Inside 50, 13 Rebound 50m. 47 Tackles.
Jordan Lewis, Hawthorn. All Australian 2014. 19 games in 2015. 304 kicks, 123 marks, 267 handballs, averaging 18.0 kicks, 6.5 marks, 14.1 handballs. Seven Goals, Three Behinds. 90 Clearances, 92 Inside 50, 41 Rebound 50m. 58 Tackles.
Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn. All Australian 2011, 2013. 20 games in 2015. 306 kicks, 77 marks, 305 handballs (ninth in the AFL), averaging 15.3 kicks, 3.9 marks, 15.3 handballs. Six Goals, One Behind. 104 Clearances, 82 Inside 50, 46 Rebound 50m. 80 Tackles.
Cyril Rioli, Hawthorn. All Australian 2012. 20 games in 2015. 190 kicks, 75 marks, 109 handballs, averaging 9.5 kicks, 3.8 marks, 5.5 handballs. 35 Goals, 20 Behinds. 42 Clearances, 61 Inside 50, Four Rebound 50m. 86 Tackles.
Todd Goldstein, North Melbourne. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 141 kicks, 89 marks, 175 handballs, averaging 6.7 kicks, 4.2 marks, 8.3 handballs. 937 hit outs (first in the AFL), averaging 44.6 per game. 10 Goals, 10 Behinds. 74 Clearances, 44 Inside 50m, 20 Rebound 50m. 93 Tackles.
Shaun Higgins, North Melbourne. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 200 kicks, 91 marks, 209 handballs, averaging 9.5 kicks, 4.3 marks, 10.0 handballs. 36 Goals, 21 Behinds. 39 Clearances, 73 Inside 50, 18 Rebound 50m. 78 Tackles.
Robbie Gray, Port Adelaide. All Australian 2014. 21 games in 2015. 252 kicks, 60 marks, 300 handballs, averaging 12.0 kicks, 2.9 marks, 14.3 handballs. 25 Goals, 12 Behinds. 159 Clearances (third in the AFL), 92 Inside 50, 21 Rebound 50m. 91 Tackles.
Chad Wingard, Port Adelaide. All Australian 2013. 22 games in 2015. 270 kicks, 85 marks, 152 handballs, averaging 12.3 kicks, 3.9 marks, 6.9 handballs. 53 Goals (sixth in the AFL), 27 Behinds. 55 Clearances, 79 Inside 50, 12 Rebound 50m. 67 Tackles.
Brett Deledio, Richmond. All Australian 2012. 17 games in 2015. 213 kicks, 105 marks, 159 handballs, averaging 12.5 kicks, 6.2 marks, 9.4 handballs. 26 Goals, 15 Behinds. 44 Clearances, 66 Inside 50m, 15 Rebound 50m. 50 Tackles.
Dustin Martin, Richmond. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 383 kicks (second in the AFL), 99 marks, 193 handballs, averaging 17.4 kicks, 4.5 marks, 8.7 handballs. 24 Goals, 13 Behinds. 72 Clearances, 97 Inside 50m, 46 Rebound 50m. 89 Tackles.
Alex Rance, Richmond. All Australian 2014. 22 games in 2015. 193 kicks, 130 marks, 188 handballs, averaging 8.8 kicks, 5.9 marks, 8.5 handballs. Zero Goals, Zero Behinds. Three Clearances, 18 Inside 50m, 76 Rebound 50m. 65 Tackles.
Jack Riewoldt, Richmond. All Australian 2010. 22 games in 2015. 214 kicks, 137 marks, 72 handballs, averaging 9.7 kicks, 6.2 marks, 3.3 handballs. 50 Goals (ninth in the AFL), 30 Behinds. 10 Clearances, 72 Inside 50m, Three Rebound 50m. 48 Tackles.
Dan Hannebery, Sydney Swans. All Australian 2013. 22 games in 2015. 293 kicks, 94 marks, 373 handballs (third in the AFL for handballs and first in the AFL for total disposals), averaging 13.3 kicks, 4.3 marks, 17.0 handballs. 14 Goals, Seven Behinds. 101 Clearances, 108 Inside 50m (third in the AFL), 37 Rebound 50m. 115 Tackles.
Josh Kennedy, Sydney Swans. All Australian 2012, 2014. 22 games in 2015. 278 kicks, 66 marks, 386 handballs (second in the AFL in handballs and second in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 12.6 kicks, 3.0 marks, 17.5 handballs. 14 Goals, 20 Behinds. 176 Clearances (first in the AFL), 92 Inside 50, 30 Rebound 50m. 130 Tackles (eighth in the AFL).
Andrew Gaff, West Coast. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 377 kicks (fourth in the AFL), 105 marks, 283 handballs (third in the AFL for total disposals), averaging 17.1 kicks, 4.8 marks, 12.9 handballs. 11 Goals, Seven Behinds. 59 Clearances, 99 Inside 50m (sixth in the AFL), Four Rebound 50m. 55 Tackles.
Josh Kennedy, West Coast. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 208 kicks, 144 marks (fourth in the AFL), 80 handballs, averaging 9.5 kicks, 6.5 marks, 3.6 handballs. 75 Goals (first in the AFL), 50 Behinds. Three Clearances, 53 Inside 50m, One Rebound 50m. 47 Tackles.
Jeremy McGovern, West Coast. Never previously All Australian. 17 games in 2015. 139 kicks, 97 marks, 94 handballs, averaging 8.2 kicks, 5.7 marks, 5.5 handballs. One Goal, One Behind. Two Clearances, 20 Inside 50m, 39 Rebound 50m. 23 Tackles.
Nic Naitanui, West Coast. All Australian 2012. 20 games in 2015. 116 kicks, 30 marks, 125 handballs, averaging 5.8 kicks, 3.0 marks, 6.3 handballs. 17 Goals, 12 Behinds. 676 Hit Outs (fourth in the AFL), averaging 33.8 per game. 79 Clearances, 53 Inside 50m, 14 Rebound 50m. 75 Tackles.
Matt Priddis, West Coast. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 221 kicks, 43 marks, 439 handballs (first in the AFL for handballs and fourth in the AFL for total disposals), averaging 10.0 kicks, 2.0 marks, 20 handballs. Six Goals, Four Behinds. 170 Clearances (second in the AFL), 75 Inside 50m, 26 Rebound 50m. 162 Tackles (first in the AFL).
Matthew Boyd, Western Bulldogs. All Australian 2009, 2011. 18 games in 2015. 306 kicks, 144 marks, 189 handballs, averaging 17.0 kicks, 8.0 marks, 10.5 handballs. One Goal, Six Behinds. 24 Clearances, 44 Inside 50m, 79 Rebound 50m. 38 Tackles.
Luke Dahlhaus, Western Bulldogs. Never previously All Australian. 22 games in 2015. 265 kicks, 75 marks, 298 handballs, averaging 12.0 kicks, 3.4 marks, 13.5 handballs. 16 Goals, 10 Behinds. 86 Clearances, 79 Inside 50m, 35 Rebound 50m. 117 Tackles.
Robert Murphy, Western Bulldogs. All Australian 2011. 20 games in 2015. 306 kicks, 93 marks, 139 handballs, averaging 15.3 kicks, 4.7 marks, 7.0 handballs. Two Goals, Two Behinds. 10 Clearances, 59 Inside 50m, 84 Rebound 50m. 31 Tackles.
Jake Stringer, Western Bulldogs. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 227 kicks, 75 marks, 75 handballs, averaging 10.8 kicks, 3.6 marks, 3.6 handballs. 54 Goals (fifth in the AFL), 30 Behinds. 34 Clearances, 67 Inside 50m, Nine Rebound 50m. 58 Tackles.
Easton Wood, Western Bulldogs. Never previously All Australian. 21 games in 2015. 215 kicks, 146 marks, 157 handballs, averaging 10.2 kicks, 7.0 marks, 7.5 handballs. Five Goals, Zero Behinds. Eight Clearances, 47 Inside 50m, 57 Rebound 50m. 31 Tackles.