GEELONG skipper Joel Selwood has been named captain of the 2016 Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team in a line-up that includes nine debutants.
Fremantle ball-magnet Lachie Neale – the AFL's leading possession winner in 2016 – was one of several unlucky omissions, with North Melbourne key defender Robbie Tarrant also missing out.
Selwood and superstar teammate Patrick Dangerfield were named alongside each other on-ball after a brilliant season as a midfield double-act.
It was Selwood's fifth selection in an All Australian team and the third time he has been named captain after earning the honour in 2013 and 2014.
Minor premiers the Sydney Swans dominate the 22, with five players selected, including first-time defender Dane Rampe and midfielder Luke Parker, who was selected on the bench.
On-ballers Josh Kennedy and Dan Hannebery are named on the centre line, while superstar Lance Franklin is named at centre half-forward.
Geelong and Adelaide each had three players named, with veteran Cats defender Corey Enright named at half-back and earning his sixth All Australian selection.
Crows midfielder Rory Sloane was selected in the team of the year for the first time on a wing and also named vice-captain. Defender Daniel Talia and star forward Eddie Betts earned their second selections.
In total 10 teams were represented, with Richmond, West Coast, Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs all with two players in the team announced at Melbourne's Exhibition Centre.
Dominant Melbourne star Max Gawn was the only ruckman named in the 40-man squad, guaranteeing him selection in the final 22 for the first time after a superb season.
Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy is named at full forward for the second straight season after kicking 80 goals, while Gold Coast forward Tom Lynch (66 goals) was named in a pocket.
Hawthorn's Norm Smith medallist Cyril Rioli was named in his third All Australian team at half-forward, with Greater Western Sydney debutant Toby Greene on the opposite flank.
West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern was also selected for the first time in a backline that includes Richmond star Alex Rance for the third consecutive season.
Rance, widely acclaimed as the game's standout key defender this year, has been named at full-back, with McGovern in a pocket as the third tall defender.
Greater Western Sydney defender Heath Shaw is named at half-back in his second team of the year nomination, having led the AFL for rebound 50s (172) and average metres gained (562m a game).
Third-time All Australian Matthew Boyd was named on the interchange alongside Western Bulldogs teammate Marcus Bontempelli, Richmond star Dustin Martin and Parker, who were all selected for the first time.
Overlooked in the backline were Carlton pair Kade Simpson and Sam Docherty, and Port Adelaide's Jasper Pittard.
St Kilda midfielder Jack Steven missed out on what would have been his first All Australian selection, as did West Coast's Luke Shuey and Collingwood midfielder Adam Treloar.
In all there were only seven players from the 2015 All Australian team named again this year.
Finalist North Melbourne was among eight teams without a presence in this year's team, alongside the Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and St Kilda.
Adelaide key defender Daniel Talia has been selected in his second All Australian team, named at centre half-back.
Greater Western Sydney defender Heath Shaw is named at half-back in his second All Australian nomination, having led the AFL for rebound 50s (172) and average metres gained (562m a game).
Veteran Geelong defender Corey Enright tops off the back six, earning his sixth nomination since 2008 and his first since 2013.
Overlooked for starting spots in the backline were members of the 40-man squad Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne), Kade Simpson (Carlton), Rory Laird (Adelaide), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Sam Docherty (Carlton) and Jasper Pittard (Port Adelaide).
