More than half of the 40 players short-listed for this year's All-Australian team are in contention to make the final cut for the first time.
Emerging midfielders Brandon Ellis, Tom Liberatore, Brodie Smith and Luke Parker are among the 26 players to have received their maiden nominations. Alex Rance, Daniel Talia and Eric Mackenzie also fit that category, having been recognised for the stellar seasons in defence for, respectively, Richmond, Adelaide and West Coast.
Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis, Fremantle's Nat Fyfe, Carlton's Bryce Gibbs, Essendon's Dyson Heppell and Brisbane's Tom Rockliff are the higher-profile midfielders who could be chosen for the first time.
Only six players who made last year's 22-man team were chosen for this year's squad of 40.
Rance and Ellis have been joined in the squad by Tigers teammate Dustin Martin, with influential midfield duo Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin missing selection.
Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett, whose year ended prematurely due to shoulder surgery, is in contention to make the team for an eighth consecutive season, with Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury a chance for his fifth.
The teams that filled the top two on this year's ladder, Sydney and Hawthorn, unsurprisingly occupied the same berths for squad nominees, each with five.
Parker and fellow Swans defender Nick Smith and resurgent half-back flanker Nick Malceski all received their maiden call-ups, with Lance Franklin and Josh Kennedy the other representatives from Sydney.
Three Hawks forwards - Luke Breust, Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead - were nominated, along with midfielders Jordan Lewis and Shaun Burgoyne.
Melbourne was the only club not to receive a nomination. Of the seven teams to have only one player nominated, North Melbourne was the only one to have made the finals. Its evergreen veteran, Brent Harvey, is in contention to make the team for the fifth time.
Essendon duo Paddy Ryder and Michael Hibberd, North Melbourne's Michael Firrito, Gold Coast's Dion Prestia, Port's Justin Westhoff and Melbourne's Nathan Jones are among the players who have enjoyed solid seasons but have missed selection.
Conversely, 10th-placed Adelaide's tally of four nominees - Smith, Talia, Eddie Betts, Sam Jacobs - ranks it equal third with Geelong. The latter has been represented by Tom Hawkins, Tom Lonergan, Joel Selwood and Harry Taylor, with defender Lonergan in contention for his first appearance in the team.
Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak has been joined by two teammates yet to earn selection: recently crowned coaches' player of the year Robbie Gray and sharpshooter Jay Schulz.
The Hawks' 31-year-old midfielder Burgoyne could be selected for the first time since 2006. North's Harvey (2008) and St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt (2009) are also a chance to end streaks where they have missed selection.
The oldest player in contention for a maiden All-Australian team selection is 30-year-old Malceski, followed by 29-year-olds Schulz and Matt Priddis, 28-year-old Lewis and 27-year-old Betts.
The final team will be named in two weeks during preliminary final week.
2014 ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD - NOMINATIONS TALLY
5 - Hawthorn (Breust*, Burgoyne, Gunston*, Lewis*, Roughead), Sydney (Franklin, Kennedy, Malceski*, Parker*, Smith*)
4 - Adelaide (Betts*, Jacobs*, Smith*, Talia*), Geelong (Hawkins, Lonergan*, Selwood, Taylor)
3 - Fremantle (Ballantyne*, Fyfe*, Sandilands), Port Adelaide (Boak, Gray*, Schulz*), Richmond (Ellis*, Martin*, Rance*)
2 - Collingwood (Beams, Pendlebury), Essendon (Heppell*, Hooker*), West Coast (Mackenzie*, Priddis*)
1 - Brisbane (Rockliff*), Carlton (Gibbs*), Gold Coast (Ablett), GWS (Ward*), North Melbourne (Harvey), St Kilda (Riewoldt), Western Bulldogs (Liberatore*)
0 - Melbourne
* = Never before made AA team
2014 ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD (IN CLUB ORDER)
Eddie Betts, Adelaide (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 167 kicks, 53 marks, 123 handballs, averaging 7.6 kicks, 2.4 marks, 5.6 handballs. 51 Goals (ninth in the AFL), 22 Behinds. 30 Clearances, 37 Inside 50m, Eight Rebound 50m. 74 Tackles.
Sam Jacobs, Adelaide (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 193 kicks, 90 marks, 165 handballs, averaging 8.8 kicks, 4.1 marks, 7.5 handballs. 763 hit outs (second in the AFL) averaging 34.7 per game. Seven Goals, Three Behinds. 69 Clearances, 40 Inside 50m, 20 Rebound 50m. 46 Tackles.
Brodie Smith, Adelaide Crows (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 287 kicks, 108 marks, 209 handballs, averaging 13.0 kicks, 4.9 marks, 9.5 handballs. 11 Goals, Eight Behinds. 18 Clearances, 76 Inside 50, 109 Rebound 50m (second in the AFL). 35 Tackles.
Daniel Talia, Adelaide Crows (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 167 kicks, 105 marks, 93 handballs, averaging 7.6 kicks, 4.8 marks, 4.2 handballs. Zero Goals, One Behinds. Zero Clearances, 25 Inside 50, 52 Rebound 50m. 24 Tackles.
Tom Rockliff, Brisbane Lions (never previously All-Australian)
18 games in 2014. 309 kicks, 96 marks, 280 handballs (seventh in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 17.2 kicks, 5.3 marks, 15.6 handballs. 10 Goals, Three Behinds. 112 Clearances, 53 Inside 50, 64 Rebound 50m. 163 Tackles (second in the AFL).
Bryce Gibbs, Carlton (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 308 kicks, 89 marks, 237 handballs, averaging 14.0 kicks, 4.0 marks, 10.8 hand balls. 18 Goals, 15 Behinds. 124 Clearances (Tenth in the AFL), 91 Inside 50m(Tenth in the AFL), 38 Rebound 50m. 108 Tackles.
Dayne Beams, Collingwood (All-Australian 2012)
19 games in 2014. 278 kicks, 68 marks, 238 handballs, averaging 14.6 kicks, 3.6 marks, 12.5 handballs. 23 Goals, 16 Behinds. 115 Clearances, 86 Inside 50, 34 Rebound 50m. 100 Tackles.
Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood (All-Australian 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
21 games in 2014. 292 kicks, 75 marks, 304 handballs (sixth in the AFL in handballs and third in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 13.9 kicks, 3.6 marks, 14.5 handballs. 13 Goals, 10 Behinds. 113 Clearances, 72 Inside 50, 51 Rebound 50m. 116 Tackles.
Dyson Heppell, Essendon (never previously All-Australian)
21 games in 2014. 312 kicks, 111 marks, 280 handballs (fifth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 14.9 kicks, 5.3 marks, 13.3 handballs. Six Goals, Five Behinds. 107 Clearances, 64 Inside 50, 34 Rebound 50m. 97 Tackles.
Cale Hooker, Essendon (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 234 kicks, 170 marks (second in the AFL), 175 handballs, averaging 10.6 kicks, 7.7 marks, 8.0 handballs. Zero Goals, Zero Behinds. Four Clearances, 18 Inside 50m, 67 Rebound 50m. 33 Tackles.
Hayden Ballanytne, Fremantle (never previously All-Australian)
19 games in 2014. 187 kicks, 83 marks, 49 handballs, averaging 9.8 kicks, 4.4 marks, 2.6 handballs. 49 Goals (Tenth in the AFL), 25 Behinds. 13 Clearances, 57 Inside 50, Seven Rebound 50m. 48 Tackles.
Nat Fyfe, Fremantle (never previously All-Australian)
18 games in 2014. 239 kicks, 72 marks, 243 handballs, averaging 13.3 kicks, 4.0 marks, 13.5 handballs. 21 Goals, Nine Behinds. 121 Clearances, 64 Inside 50, 24 Rebound 50m. 80 Tackles.
Aaron Sandilands, Fremantle (All-Australian 2008, 2009, 2010)
21 games in 2014. 68 kicks, 76 marks, 203 andballs, averaging 3.2 kicks, 3.6 marks, 9.7 handballs. 798 hit outs (first in the AFL), averaging 38.0 hit outs. Seven Goals, Five Behinds. 56 Clearances, 23 Inside 50m, 14 Rebound 50m. 41 Tackles.
Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats (All-Australian 2012)
22 games in 2014. 202 kicks, 146 marks (sixth in the AFL), 72 handballs, averaging 9.2 kicks, 6.6 marks, 3.2 handballs. 62 Goals (second in the AFL), 35 Behinds. One Clearance, 47 Inside 50, Zero Rebound 50m. 30 Tackles.
Tom Lonergan, Geelong Cats (never previously All-Australian)
21 games in 2014. 124 kicks, 88 marks, 109 handballs, averaging 5.9 kicks, 4.2 marks, 5.2 handballs. One Goal, Two Behinds. One Clearance, 17 Inside 50m, 34 Rebound 50m. 39 Tackles.
Joel Selwood, Geelong Cats (All-Australian 2009, 2010, 2013 [captain])
22 games in 2014. 280 kicks, 100 marks, 279 handballs, averaging 12.7 kicks, 4.5 marks, 12.7 handballs. 21 Goals, 16 Behinds. 133 Clearances (fifth in the AFL), 89 Inside 50, 34 Rebound 50m. 130 Tackles (tenth in the AFL).
Harry Taylor, Geelong Cats (All-Australian 2010, 2013)
21 games in 2013. 199 kicks, 142 marks (ninth in the AFL), 129 handballs, averaging 9.5 kicks, 6.8 marks, 6.1 handballs. Two Goals, Two Behinds. Four Clearances, 24 Inside 50m, 62 Rebound 50m. 44 Tackles.
Gary Ablett, Gold Coast Suns (All-Australian 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 [captain], 2012, 2013)
15 games in 2014. 254 kicks, 30 marks, 227 handballs, averaging 16.9 kicks, 2.0 marks, 15.1 handballs. 24 Goals, Seven Behinds. 119 Clearances, 77 Inside 50, 38 Rebound 50m. 91 Tackles.
Callan Ward, GWS Giants (never previously All-Australian)
20 games in 2014. 240 kicks, 75 marks, 258 handballs, averaging 12.0 kicks, 3.7 marks, 12.9 handballs. Seven Goals, 10 Behinds. 131 Clearances (sixth in the AFL), 60 Inside 50, 44 Rebound 50m. 115 Tackles.
Luke Breust, Hawthorn (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 176 kicks, 72 marks, 162 handballs, averaging 8.0 kicks, 3.3 marks, 7.4 handballs. 53 Goals (seventh in the AFL), 10 Behinds. 40 Clearances, 65 Inside 50m, Nine Rebound 50m. 69 Tackles.
Shaun Burgoyne, Hawthorn (All-Australian 2006)
22 games in 2014. 257 kicks, 84 marks, 241 handballs, averaging 11.7 kicks, 3.8 marks, 11.0 handballs. 10 Goals, Five Behinds. 73 Clearances, 75 Inside 50, 42 Rebound 50m. 89 Tackles.
Jack Gunston (never previously All-Australian)
20 games in 2014. 207 kicks, 119 marks, 115 handballs, averaging 10.4 kicks, 5.9 marks, 5.8 handballs. 51 Goals (eighth in the AFL), 23 Behinds. 14 Clearances, 46 Inside 50, Nine Rebound 50m. 36 Tackles.
Jordan Lewis, Hawthorn (never previously All-Australian)
21 games in 2013. 294 kicks, 121 marks, 295 handballs (ninth in the AFL in handballs and sixth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 14.0 kicks, 5.8 marks, 14.0 handballs. 14 Goals, Nine Behinds. 120 Clearances, 76 Inside 50, 27 Rebound 50m. 82 Tackles.
Jarryd Roughead, Hawthorn (All-Australian 2013)
20 games in 2014. 215 kicks, 93 marks, 108 handballs, averaging 10.8 kicks, 4.7 marks, 5.4 handballs. 62 Goals (second in the AFL), 37 Behinds. 27 Clearances, 47 Inside 50, Seven Rebound 50m. 60 Tackles.
Brent Harvey, North Melbourne (All-Australian 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008)
20 games in 2014. 283 kicks, 101 marks, 232 handballs, averaging 14.1 kicks, 5.0 marks, 11.6 handballs. 27 Goals, 19 Behinds. 34 Clearances, 86 Inside 50m, 21 Rebound 50m. 57 Tackles.
Travis Boak, Port Adelaide (All-Australian 2013)
21 games in 2014. 230 kicks, 79 marks, 331 handballs (third in the AFL), averaging 11.0 kicks, 3.8 marks, 15.8 handballs. 17 Goals, Five Behinds. 111 Clearances, 103 Inside 50 (fifth in the AFL), 19 Rebound 50m. 82 Tackles.
Robbie Gray, Port Adelaide (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 275 kicks, 91 marks, 276 handballs, averaging 12.5 kicks, 4.1 marks, 12.5 handballs. 34 Goals, 30 Behinds. 128 Clearances (seventh in the AFL), 76 Inside 50, 24 Rebound 50m. 64 Tackles.
Jay Schulz, Port Adelaide (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 193 kicks, 141 marks (tenth in the AFL), 77 handballs, averaging 8.8 kicks, 6.4 marks, 3.5 handballs. 62 Goals (second in the AFL), 22 Behinds. Two Clearances, 41 Inside 50, Three Rebound 50m. 54 Tackles.
Brandon Ellis, Richmond (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 346 kicks (sixth in the AFL), 123 marks, 235 handballs (ninth in the AFL for disposals), averaging 15.7 kicks, 5.6 marks, 10.7 handballs. 10 Goals, 11 Behinds. 41 Clearances, 64 Inside 50m, 90 Rebound 50m (fifth in the AFL). 53 Tackles.
Dustin Martin, Richmond (never previously All-Australian)
21 games in 2014. 365 kicks (second in the AFL), 104 marks, 166 handballs, averaging 17.4 kicks, 5.0 marks, 7.9 handballs. 27 Goals, 14 Behinds. 54 Clearances, 80 Inside 50m, 40 Rebound 50m. 54 Tackles.
Alex Rance, Richmond (never previously All-Australian)
17 games in 2014. 146 kicks, 97 marks, 149 handballs, averaging 8.6 kicks, 5.7 marks, 8.8 handballs. Zero Goals, Zero Behinds. Seven Clearances, 14 Inside 50m, 54 Rebound 50m. 48 Tackles.
Nick Riewoldt, St Kilda (All-Australian 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 [captain])
22 games in 2014. 262 kicks, 191 marks (first in the AFL), 105 handballs, averaging 11.9 kicks, 8.7 marks, 4.8 handballs. 49 Goals (10th in the AFL), 21 Behinds. Three Clearances, 72 Inside 50, 11 Rebound 50m. 31 Tackles.
Lance Franklin, Sydney Swans (All-Australian 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012)
19 games in 2014. 226 kicks, 116 marks, 86 handballs, averaging 11.9 kicks, 6.1 marks, 4.5 handballs. 67 Goals (first in the AFL), 44 Behinds. 10 Clearances, 76 Inside 50m, Two Rebound 50m. 60 Tackles.
Josh Kennedy, Sydney Swans (All-Australian 2012)
20 games in 2014. 243 kicks, 63 marks, 336 handballs (second in the AFL in handballs and tenth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 12.1 kicks, 3.1 marks, 16.8 handballs. 12 Goals, 18 Behinds. 126 Clearances (eighth in the AFL), 91 Inside 50 (tenth in the AFL), 16 Rebound 50m. 114 Tackles.
Nick Malceski, Sydney Swans (never previously All-Australian)
21 games in 2014. 390 kicks (first in the AFL), 84 marks, 130 handballs, averaging 17.6 kicks, 4.0 marks, 6.2 handballs. Eight Goals, Six Behinds. 24 Clearances, 80 Inside 50, 107 Rebound 50m. 64 Tackles.
Luke Parker, Sydney Swans (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 255 kicks, 92 marks, 315 handballs (fifth in the AFL), averaging 11.6 kicks, 4.2 marks, 14.3 handballs. 21 Goals, 12 Behinds. 104 Clearances, 72 Inside 50m, 32 Rebound 50m. 134 Tackles (seventh in the AFL).
Nick Smith, Sydney Swans (never previously All-Australian)
20 games in 2014. 165 kicks, 75 marks, 145 handballs, averaging 8.2 kicks, 3.8 marks, 7.2 handballs. Zero Goals, One Behind. 12 Clearances, Six Inside 50m, 53 Rebound 50m. 53 Tackles.
Eric Mackenzie, West Coast (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 232 kicks, 159 marks (fourth in the AFL), 105 handballs, averaging 10.5 kicks, 7.2 marks, 4.8 handballs. Two Goals, Zero Behinds. Two Clearances, 21 Inside 50m, 74 Rebound 50m. 37 Tackles.
Matt Priddis, West Coast (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 261 kicks, 56 marks, 366 handballs (first in the AFL in handballs and first in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 11.9 kicks, 2.5 marks, 16.6 handballs. 10 Goals, Eight Behinds. 147 Clearances (second in the AFL), 70 Inside 50, 44 Rebound 50m. 161 Tackles (third in the AFL).
Tom Liberatore, Western Bulldogs (never previously All-Australian)
22 games in 2014. 244 kicks, 61 marks, 278 handballs, averaging 11.1 kicks, 2.8 marks, 12.6 handballs. Seven Goals, Five Behinds. 154 Clearances (first in the AFL), 69 Inside 50m, 39 Rebound 50m. 173 Tackles (first in the AFL).
