AFL releases 2018 All Australian squad of 40

The AFL has confirmed 2018’s All Australian squad of 40, from which a best 22 for the season will be named on Wednesday night.

Premiership favourites Richmond have been given a strong vote of confidence by the selectors with the most players picked in the squad – no less than eight.

That is twice as many as any other team in the league – Collingwood, Geelong and West Coast have all picked up four nominees each.

Hawthorn have the least of any top-four side with three, while Melbourne (3), GWS (2) and Sydney (2) all have some representation.

Even wooden spooners Carlton have gotten a nod with their only nominee, Patrick Cripps, certain to be included in the final team.

Gold Coast and St Kilda are the only teams in the league to not have a single nomination in the 40, while along with Carlton, Adelaide (Rory Laird), Essendon (Devon Smith), Fremantle (Lachie Neale) and the Western Bulldogs (Jack Macrae) only have one each.

The full squad is as follows:

Rory Laird, Adelaide.
Harris Andrews, Brisbane.
Dayne Beams, Brisbane.
Patrick Cripps, Carlton.
Jordan de Goey, Collingwood.
Brodie Grundy, Collingwood.
Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood.
Steele Sidebottom, Collingwood.
Devon Smith, Essendon.
Lachie Neale, Fremantle.
Mark Blicavs, Geelong.
Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong.
Tom Hawkins, Geelong.
Tom Stewart, Geelong.
Callan Ward, GWS.
Lachie Whitfield, GWS.
Luke Breust, Hawthorn.
Jack Gunston, Hawthorn.
Tom Mitchell, Hawthorn.
Max Gawn, Melbourne.
Clayton Oliver, Melbourne.
Ben Brown, North Melbourne.
Shaun Higgins, North Melbourne.
Robbie Gray, Port Adelaide.
Tom Jonas, Port Adelaide.
Josh Caddy, Richmond.
Trent Cotchin, Richmond.
Shane Edwards, Richmond.
Dylan Grimes, Richmond.
Kane Lambert, Richmond.
Dustin Martin, Richmond.
Alex Rance, Richmond.
Jack Riewoldt, Richmond.
Lance Franklin, Sydney.
Jake Lloyd, Sydney.
Andrew Gaff, West Coast.
Shannon Hurn, West Coast.
Jeremy McGovern, West Coast.
Elliot Yeo, West Coast.
Jack Macrae, Western Bulldogs.