MELBOURNE ruckman Max Gawn has been inclucded in the intial 40-man squad selected by the AFL. The final team of 22 players will be announced on Thursday Setember 1
 
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.
 
A total of 16 clubs had at least one player selected in the squad with the Adelaide Crows (six), GWS Giants and the Sydney Swans (both five players) supplying the most representatives.
 
A total of 24 players were nominated for a potential first-ever All Australian selection while nine players from last year's best team were again nominated as potential selections this year – Eddie Betts, Patrick Dangerfield, Andrew Gaff, Dan Hannebery, West Coast’s Josh Kennedy, Sam Mitchell, Alex Rance, Cyril Rioli and Heath Shaw.
 
In contrast to the 24 potential debutants, Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury, the Geelong Cats’ Corey Enright and the Sydney Swans’ Lance Franklin are each in line for their potential sixth separate selection as an All Australian player.
 
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, 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. 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, Adelaide Crows. 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, Adelaide Crows. 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, Adelaide Crows. 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, Adelaide Crows. 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, Adelaide Crows. 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, Carlton. 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, Carlton. 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, Collingwood. 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, Collingwood. 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, Fremantle. 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, Geelong Cats. 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, Geelong Cats. 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, Geelong Cats. 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 (tenth in the AFL in I50), 30 Rebound 50m. 122 Tackles.
 
Tom Lynch, Gold Coast Suns. 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, GWS Giants. 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, GWS Giants. 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, GWS Giants. 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, GWS Giants. 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, GWS Giants. 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 (tenth in the AFL in clearances), 88 Inside 50m, 30 Rebound 50m. 104 Tackles.
 
Jack Gunston, Hawthorn. 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, Hawthorn. 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, Hawthorn. 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 (tenth in the AFL in goals) 11 Behinds. 45 Clearances, 54 Inside 50m, Six Rebound 50m. 120 Tackles.
 
Max Gawn, Melbourne. 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, North Melbourne. 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, Port Adelaide. 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, Richmond. 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, Richmond. 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, St Kilda. 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, Sydney Swans. 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, Sydney Swans. 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, Sydney Swans. 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, Sydney Swans. 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, Sydney Swans. 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, West Coast. All Australian 2015. 21 games in 2016. 352 kicks (sixth in the AFL in kicks), 79 marks, 270 handballs (tenth 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, West Coast. 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, West Coast. 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, West Coast. 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, Western Bulldogs. 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, Western Bulldogs. All Australian 2009, 2011.  20 games in 2016. 347 kicks (tenth in the AFL in kicks), 146 marks (tenth 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.