The Brisbane Lions will be without any representatives in the Four’N Twenty All Australian team for the fourth consecutive year, after the AFL announced its preliminary 40-man squad on Tuesday.

The 2013 All Australian squad is predictably dominated by players from top four teams Hawthorn, Geelong, Fremantle and Sydney, with the Lions one of just four sides – along with Richmond, Carlton and Melbourne – with zero nominees.

Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger and Irishman Pearce Hanley were probably the unluckiest Lions not to be selected, given both have consistently been among the competition’s best players in their respective positions.    

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 on Monday September 16 in Melbourne, is selected to best fit team balance as if to play a match.

The GWS Giants had the first player nominated for potential All Australian selection in the new club’s short two-year history with Jeremy Cameron nominated as one of 25 players who has never previously been named as an All Australian in their careers.

In contrast to the 25 potential debutants, Gold Coast Suns skipper Gary Ablett again made the expanded 40-mansquad and is in line for his seventh consecutive year as an All Australian player while Corey Enright, Lance Franklin, Nick Riewoldt and Dane Swan are each bidding for their fifth separate selections in an All Australian side.

"Selection in the Four’N Twenty All Australian team is recognition for a tremendous year of football, as the best player in your position across the entire competition," AFL CEO Mr Andrew Demetriou said. 

"All Australian selection is a great honour also because of the quality of those players you have competed against, to win your spot, and the selectors nominted the 40-best players of the year to highlight the outstanding players who are in contention for selection as one of the elite players of the season," he said. 

The All Australian selection panel is Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling and Mark Ricciuto, 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:

ALL AUSTRALIAN SQUAD

Patrick Dangerfield,Adelaide
All Australian 2012. 20 games in 2013. 302 kicks, 84 marks, 164 handballs, averaging 14.8 kicks, 5.3 marks, 8.0 handballs. 31 Goals, 18 Behinds. 111 Clearances, 102 Inside 50m (Eighth in the AFL), 31 Rebound 50m. 64 Tackles.

Richard Douglas, Adelaide
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 326 kicks, 116 marks, 175 handballs, averaging 14.8 kicks, 4.9 marks, 6.7 handballs. 20 Goals, 17 Behinds. 76 Clearances, 117 Inside 50m (Third in the AFL), 42 Rebound 50m. 86 Tackles.

Travis Cloke, Collingwood 
All Australian 2011. 21 games in 2013. 248 kicks, 183 marks (Second in the AFL), 64 handballs, averaging 11.8 kicks, 8.7 marks, 3.0 handballs. 66 Goals (Second in the AFL), 50 Behinds. Zero Clearances, 68 Inside 50m, Zero Rebound 50m. 27 Tackles.

Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood 
All Australian 2010, 2011, 2012. 22 games in 2013. 312 kicks, 85 marks, 352 handballs (Second in the AFL), averaging 14.2 kicks, 3.9 marks, 16.0 handballs. 18 Goals, Nine Behinds. 122 Clearances (Seventh in the AFL), 89 Inside 50m, 40 Rebound 50m. 114 Tackles.

Dane Swan, Collingwood 
All Australian 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. 22 games in 2013. 421 kicks (First in the AFL), 120 marks, 274 handballs, averaging 19.1 kicks, 5.5 marks, 12.5 handballs. First in the AFL in total disposals. 18 Goals, 18 Behinds. 111 Clearances, 116 Inside 50m (Fourth in the AFL), 47 Rebound 50m. 76 Tackles.

Jobe Watson, Essendon 
All Australian 2012. 19 games in 2013. 259 kicks, 74 marks, 264 handballs, averaging 13.6 kicks, 3.9 marks, 13.9 handballs. 16 Goals, 18 Behinds. 97 Clearances, 67 Inside 50m, 27 Rebound 50m. 61 Tackles.

Nathan Fyfe, Fremantle
Never previously selected. 19 games in 2013. 300 kicks, 87 marks, 188 handballs, averaging 15.8 kicks, 4.6 marks, 9.9 handballs. 16 Goals, 11 Behinds. 110 Clearances, 85 Inside 50m, 23 Rebound 50m. 60 Tackles.

Michael Johnson, Fremantle 
Never previously selected. 21 games in 2013. 291 kicks, 143 marks (Ninth in the AFL), 116 handballs, averaging 13.9 kicks, 6.8 marks, 5.5 handballs. Five Goals, Two Behinds. Two Clearances, 32 Inside 50m, 72 Rebound 50m. 41 Tackles.

Chris Mayne, Fremantle
Never Previously Selected. 21 games in 2013. 175 kicks, 127 marks, 170 handballs, averaging 8.3 kicks, 6.0 marks, 8.1 handballs. 35 Goals, Nine Behinds. 13 Clearances, 40 Inside 50m, Four Rebound 50m. 90 Tackles.

David Mundy, Fremantle 
Never Previously Selected. 19 games in 2013. 272 kicks, 80 marks, 185 handballs, averaging 14.3 kicks, 4.2 marks, 9.7 handballs. Seven Goals, Seven Behinds. 114 Clearances, 81 Inside 50m, 36 Rebound 50m. 101 Tackles.

Michael Walters, Fremantle
Never Previously Selected. 18 games in 2013. 203 kicks, 96 marks, 81 handballs, averaging 11.3 kicks, 5.3 marks, 4.5 handballs. 40 Goals, 20 Behinds. 17 Clearances, 57 Inside 50m, 11 Rebound 50m. 47 Tackles.

Corey Enright, Geelong 
All Australian 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. 21 games in 2013. 314 kicks, 151 marks (Fifth in the AFL), 164 handballs, averaging 15.0 kicks, 7.2 marks, 7.8 handballs. One Goal, Four Behinds. 19 Clearances, 62 Inside 50m, 77 Rebound 50m. 39 Tackles.

Andrew Mackie, Geelong 
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 314 kicks, 141 marks, 210 handballs, averaging 14.3 kicks, 6.4 marks, 6.8 handballs. Five Goals, Five Behinds. 10 Clearances, 79 Inside 50m, 59 Rebound 50m. 37 Tackles.

Steve Motlop, Geelong 
Never previously selected. 21 games in 2013. 240 kicks, 72 marks, 129 handballs, averaging 11.4 kicks, 3.4 marks, 6.1 handballs. 39 Goals, 22 Behinds. 12 Clearances, 86 Inside 50m, 26 Rebound 50m. 38 Tackles.

Joel Selwood, Geelong 
All Australian 2009, 2010. 22 games in 2013. 278 kicks, 91 marks, 266 handballs, averaging 12.6 kicks, 4.1 marks, 12.1 handballs. 28 Goals, 16 Behinds. 112 Clearances, 93 Inside 50m, 24 Rebound 50m. 127 Tackles (Ninth in the AFL).

Harry Taylor, Geelong 
All Australian 2010. 21 games in 2013. 246 kicks, 158 marks (Third in the AFL), 116 handballs, averaging 11.7 kicks, 7.5 marks, 5.5 handballs. 14 Goals, Nine Behinds. Six Clearances, 40 Inside 50m, 87 Rebound 50m. 32 Tackles.

Gary Ablett, Gold Coast 
All Australian 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 (vice-captain), 2011 (captain), 2012. 21 games in 2013. 343 kicks (Ninth in the AFL), 73 marks, 312 handballs (Fourth in the AFL), averaging 16.3 kicks, 3.5 marks, 14.9 handballs. Third in the AFL in total disposals. 28 Goals, 23 Behinds. 124 Clearances (Sixth in the AFL), 113 Inside 50m (Sixth in the AFL), 39 Rebound 50m. 96 Tackles.

Jeremy Cameron, Greater Western Sydney
Never previously selected. 21 games in 2013. 170 kicks, 106 marks, 54 handballs, averaging 8.1 kicks, 5.0 marks, 2.6 handballs. 62 Goals (Third in the AFL), 27 Behinds. One Clearances, 62 Inside 50m, Four Rebound 50m. 27 Tackles.

Lance Franklin, Hawthorn 
All Australian 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012. 19 games in 2013. 195 kicks, 76 marks, 100 handballs, averaging 10.3 kicks, 4.0 marks, 5.36 handballs. 55 Goals (Fifth in the AFL), 36 Behinds. 13 Clearances, 59 Inside 50m, Four Rebound 50m. 46 Tackles.

Josh Gibson, Hawthorn 
Never previously selected. 21 games in 2013. 164 kicks, 88 marks, 209 handballs, averaging 7.8 kicks, 4.2 marks, 10.0 handballs. Zero Goals, Zero Behinds. Five Clearances, 17 Inside 50m, 67 Rebound 50m. 39 Tackles.

Luke Hodge, Hawthorn 
All Australian 2005, 2008, 2010 (captain). 20 games in 2013. 303 kicks, 99 marks, 138 handballs, averaging 15.1 kicks, 4.9 marks, 6.9 handballs. 11 Goals, 10 Behinds. 54 Clearances, 83 Inside 50m, 47 Rebound 50m. 74 Tackles.

Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn
All Australian 2011. 21 games in 2013. 326 kicks, 75 marks, 268 handballs, averaging 15.5 kicks, 3.6 marks, 12.8 handballs. Seventh in the AFL in Total Disposals. Five Goals, Five Behinds. 89 Clearances, 71 Inside 50m, 62 Rebound 50m. 67 Tackles.

Jarryd Roughead, Hawthorn
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 231 kicks, 102 marks, 127 handballs, averaging 10.5 kicks, 4.6 marks, 5.8 handballs. 53 Hit Outs, averaging 2.4 per game. 68 Goals (First in the AFL), 28 Behinds. 53 Clearances, 49 Inside 50m, Six Rebound 50m. 55 Tackles.

Todd Goldstein, North Melbourne
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 113 kicks, 66 marks, 150 handballs, averaging 5.1 kicks, 3.0 marks, 6.8 handballs. 822 hit outs (Second in the AFL), averaging 37.4 hit outs. 13 Goals, Four Behinds. 55 Clearances, 32 Inside 50m, 14 Rebound 50m. 65 Tackles.

Lindsay Thomas, North Melbourne
Never previously selected. 20 games in 2013. 168 kicks, 53 marks, 43 handballs, averaging 8.4 kicks, 2.6 marks, 2.6 handballs. 53 Goals (Seventh in the AFL), 23 Behinds. 12 Clearances, 50 Inside 50m, Three Rebound 50m. 53 Tackles.

Scott Thompson, North Melbourne
Never previously selected. 19 games in 2013. 228 kicks, 124 marks, 144 handballs, averaging 12.0 kicks, 6.5 marks, 7.6 handballs. Two Goals, Zero Behinds. Six Clearances, 35 Inside 50m, 80 Rebound 50m. 42 Tackles.

Daniel Wells, North Melbourne
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 291 kicks, 80 marks, 177 handballs, averaging 13.2 kicks, 3.6 marks, 8.0 handballs. 25 Goals, 10 Behinds. 98 Clearances, 101 Inside 50m (Ninth in the AFL), 29 Rebound 50m. 52 Tackles.

Travis Boak, Port Adelaide
Never previously selected. 21 games in 2013. 297 kicks, 91 marks, 244 handballs, averaging 14.1 kicks, 4.3 marks, 11.6 handballs. 18 Goals, 11 Behinds. 117 Clearances, 116 Inside 50m (Fourth in the AFL), 26 Rebound 50m. 88 Tackles.

Chad Wingard, Port Adelaide
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 288 kicks, 95 marks, 183 handballs, averaging 13.1 kicks, 4.3 marks, 8.3 handballs. 40 Goals, 19 Behinds. 55 Clearances, 101 Inside 50m (Ninth in the AFL), 27 Rebound 50m. 45 Tackles.

Nick Riewoldt, St Kilda 
All Australian 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 (Captain). 21 games in 2013. 281 kicks, 202 marks (First in the AFL), 109 handballs, averaging 13.4 kicks, 9.6 marks, 5.2 handballs. 50 Goals (Eighth in the AFL), 36 Behinds. Four Clearances, 71 Inside 50m, 10 Rebound 50m. 41 Tackles.

Jack Steven, St Kilda 
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 312 kicks, 83marks, 299 handballs (Tenth in the AFL), averaging 14.2 kicks, 3.8 marks, 12.7 handballs. Eighth in the AFL in total disposals. 16 Goals, Eight Behinds. 118 Clearances (Tenth in the AFL), 85 Inside 50m, 34 Rebound 50m. 87 Tackles.

Dan Hannebery, Sydney Swans
Never previously selected. 21 games in 2013. 250 kicks, 70 marks, 297 handballs (Sixth in the AFL), averaging 11.9 kicks, 3.3 marks, 14.1 handballs. 16 Goals, 13 Behinds. 70 Clearances, 77 Inside 50m, 27 Rebound 50m. 59 Tackles.

Kieren Jack, Sydney Swans
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 305 kicks, 45 marks, 253 handballs, averaging 13.9 kicks, 2.0 marks, 11.5 handballs. 22 Goals, 14 Behinds. 111 Clearances, 126 Inside 50m (First in the AFL), 27 Rebound 50m. 145 Tackles (Third in the AFL).

Josh Kennedy, Sydney Swans 
All Australian 2012. 22 games in 2013. 230 kicks, 38 marks, 371 handballs (First in the AFL), averaging 10.5 kicks, 1.7 marks, 16.9 handballs. Fifth in the AFL in Total Disposals. 13 Goals, 14 Behinds. 167 Clearances (Second in the AFL), 71 Inside 50m, 23 Rebound 50m. 101 Tackles.

Jarrad McVeigh, Sydney Swans 
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 353 kicks (Seventh in the AFL), 86 marks, 245 handballs, averaging 16.0 kicks, 3.9 marks, 11.1 handballs. Sixth in the AFL in total disposals. 13 Goals, Seven Behinds. 61 Clearances, 79 Inside 50m, 80 Rebound 50m. 75 Tackles.

Nick Malceski, Sydney Swans
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 392 kicks (Third in the AFL), 92 marks, 109 handballs, averaging 17.8 kicks, 4.2 marks, 5.0 handballs. Five Goals, Four Behinds. 16 Clearances, 79 Inside 50m, 177 Rebound 50m (First in the AFL). 43 Tackles.

Josh Kennedy, West Coast
Never previously selected. 21 games in 2013. 210 kicks, 143 marks (Ninth in the AFL), 63 handballs, averaging 10.0 kicks, 6.8 marks, 3.0 handballs. 60 Goals (Fourth in the AFL), 23 Behinds. One Clearances, 60 Inside 50m, Two Rebound 50m. 69 Tackles.

Eric Mackenzie, West Coast
Never previously selected. 20 games in 2013. 146 kicks, 85 marks, 89 handballs, averaging 7.3 kicks, 4.2 marks, 4.4 handballs. Three Goals, One Behind. Four Clearances, 22 Inside 50m, 55 Rebound 50m. 52 Tackles.

Ryan Griffen, Western Bulldogs
Never previously selected. 20 games in 2013. 304 kicks, 63 marks, 275 handballs, averaging 15.2 kicks, 3.2 marks, 13.8 handballs. Tenth in the AFL in total disposals. 14 Goals, 10 Behinds. 121 Clearances (Eighth in the AFL), 121 Inside 50m (Second in the AFL), 28 Rebound 50m. 98 Tackles.

Will Minson, Western Bulldogs
Never previously selected. 22 games in 2013. 152 kicks, 40 marks, 168 handballs, averaging 6.9 kicks, 1.8 marks, 7.6 handballs. 860 hit outs (First in the AFL), averaging 39.1 hit outs. Seven Goals, Five Behinds. 105 Clearances, 35 Inside 50m, 25 Rebound 50m. 81 Tackles.