A SEASON like no other deserves a Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team like no other.

At the halfway point of an interrupted, ever-changing, yet highly entertaining Toyota AFL Premiership Season, AFL.com.au's reporters identify which players could be in the running for an All-Australian jacket.

THE RUN HOME Who will make the eight, who will miss out?

First timers, seasoned pros and a few unfamiliar faces are all in the mix, with our crew of reporters out to find which players could be selected in a potential 40-man squad later this year.

Here are our All-Australian contenders.

Adelaide Crows

At 0-12, it's no surprise that there aren't any Crows who are legitimate All Australian contenders this season. Last year was the first time in eight seasons Adelaide hasn't had any representative in the team of the year but as they head for the wooden spoon, and possibly the first winless season since 1964, it's impossible to see any Crows even make the squad. Brodie Smith has had some good games, and Rory Laird has picked his form up recently, but neither will be adding new jackets to the All Australian section of their cupboards.

 
Dual All-Australian Rory Laird wears his second jacket in 2018. Picture: AFL Photos

- Callum Twomey

THE LADDER Where is your team sitting?

Brisbane Lions

Harris Andrews
Still the premier defender in the competition, the Lions' fullback is not only the No.1 spoiler but also in the top 10 for intercept marks. Andrews not only stops his opponent, but also launches Lions' attacks.

Charlie Cameron
Not quite the heights of 2019 just yet, but the reigning All-Australian small forward has again been a barometer for Brisbane success, kicking 20 goals.

Hugh McCluggage
If the selectors pick true wingmen, the fourth-year Lion is a near certainty. Although his finishing has let him down this season, his ball-winning and delivery to forwards has been exemplary.

WHO'S LEADING THE LIST? Check out the AFL.com.au Brownlow predictor

Lachie Neale
The Brownlow Medal favourite has had a magnificent season. In reduced game time he's averaging 29 disposals and the improvement - if that was possible - has come from his ability to kick goals, of which he has 11.

- Michael Whiting 

Carlton

Jacob Weitering
The key defender is Carlton's leading candidate, given his consistently impressive work at full-back so far this year. Weitering has blanketed some of the game's best key forwards, while improving his intercept work.

Patrick Cripps
Hasn't been his best season by any stretch of the imagination, but still leads the League in clearances and is top-three for contested possessions. Carries an unbelievable work load in Carlton's midfield.

Sam Docherty
Hasn't missed a beat since returning from two years out of the game with successive ACL injuries. He's averaging more than 20 disposals per game, while he's a composed ball user across half-back. Would be an outside chance.

- Riley Beveridge

 Collingwood

Taylor Adams
Has arguably been the pick of the bunch within a very talented Collingwood midfield this season. He wins his own footy, averaging 22.3 disposals per game, while he tackles hard and has become a dependable player out of the centre.

Brayden Maynard
Has soundly beaten some of the game's best small forwards this year, while the offensive side of his game from half-back has improved out of sight. Averaging 19.7 disposals, with his penetrating kicking skills a handy weapon for Collingwood.

 
Brayden Maynard puts the clamps on Patrick Dangerfield in the Pies' win over the Cats. Picture: AFL Photos

Darcy Moore
Among the best key defenders in the competition so far this year. Blankets his opponents effectively, backs himself in the air to intercept and can use the ball with his fantastic kicking skills. Having a career-best year.

Brodie Grundy
Hasn't enjoyed his best individual campaign, but would still be in the running for a ruck spot. Still leads the League for hitouts, but his disposal average has dipped to 15.2 per match. He is still one of the game's most influential ruckmen.

Steele Sidebottom
Would be an outside chance, given he will miss almost a quarter of the season through suspension, but when he has played he's been outstanding. Averaging 23.8 disposals and is having a huge influence forward of centre. Is he a sneaky chance?

- Riley Beveridge

Essendon

Zach Merrett
It's been a change of role for Merrett this season with the 2017 All Australian moved out to the wing. He's produced some excellent games, including in wins against Adelaide and Sydney, and last week's draw with Gold Coast, and has averaged 24 disposals. 

Jordan Ridley
Essendon's best chance to make the All Australian side is a youngster enjoying a breakout season. Ridley has been a revelation this year across half-back, with his intercept marking, smarts in the air and damaging kicking giving the Bombers a weapon. The 21-year-old has been one of he finds of the season. 

Adam Saad
The speedy half-back started the season in brilliant form and would likely have been in the All Australian side if it was picked a third of the way into the season. Clubs continue to try to shut down his blistering run given his importance to the way Essendon plays.

Dylan Shiel
Shiel started the season in hot form and was one of the early Brownlow Medal contenders before he was suspended for two weeks for a bump against North Melbourne. He hasn't come back in the same form, but would still be high in Essendon's best-and-fairest count.

- Callum Twomey

Fremantle

Nat Fyfe
Last year's All-Australian captain has missed three games with a hamstring injury and has spent more time forward than ever before. Still averaging 22 disposals and over a goal a game and must be considered.

Luke Ryan
Has taken his game to another level in 2020 and is thriving in the Dockers' injury-hit backline. The interceptor is playing well above his height and would be deserving of a maiden All-Australian jacket.

Matt Taberner 
One of only two players to have kicked a goal in every game this year and is equal fourth in the race for the Coleman Medal. Also sits second in the competition for contested marks.

Michael Walters
Slightly down on his 2019 numbers which saw him earn his first All-Australian blazer. He is still one of the best small forwards in the competition, a gun midfielder and a proven matchwinner.

- Chris Correia

Geelong Cats

Patrick Dangerfield
After two matches as a permanent forward, 'Danger' was back to his brilliant best with a 24-disposal performance second only to Tom Hawkins against Port Adelaide. It was the type of outing selectors will take note of ahead of the Cats' final five games. 

Mitch Duncan
Always considered around the mark and has enjoyed another consistent season. Has been overlooked from the squad in previous seasons with arguably better numbers, so will be an outside chance in 2020.

Cameron Guthrie
Career-best season as an inside midfielder. Ranked 16th in the competition for disposals (21.2), but his defensive output to allow others to shine can't be missed. Good chance to make the squad on current form. 

Tom Hawkins
Leading the competition in goals, goal assists and fifth for contested marks. Lock for a second consecutive blazer at 32 years of age.

Sam Menegola
Has taken his game to new heights this season in a defined wing role. Averaging 21.4 disposals and has pushed forward for 11 goals. Would be in the Cats' top-three in the best and fairest. 

Mark O'Connor: His performance to keep Dan Butler to a goalless four disposals in round 11 highlights the Irishman's importance to Geelong. Has the odd shaky moment with ball in hand, but is defensively superb. Could be a sniff for the squad.

Mitch Cleary

 Gold Coast Suns

Sam Collins
A magnificent season for the Suns' fullback and should be right in the mix for not only the squad of 40, but the final team. Second in the League for intercept marks, Collins has rarely been beaten.

 
Sam Collins gets a handball away ahead of Jake Aarts. Picture: AFL Photos

Jarrod Witts
An outside chance of the squad at best, Witts has had a terrific season. Trails Nic Naitanui, Max Gawn, Todd Goldstein and is close with Brodie Grundy, the Suns' co-captain has improved on his best and fairest 2019 season.

- Michael Whiting

GWS Giants

Toby Greene
What will be the magic number of games needed to get into this year's All Australian side? On impact, Greene has been one of the best this year from his seven appearances, booting 14 goals, including hauls of three, four and five. The Giants' best player will need to finish the season strongly on return from a hamstring injury to be a shot.

Nick Haynes
One of the competition's best key defenders could snag his maiden All Australian jumper after another consistent season holding up the Giants' backline. The understated Haynes is rarely beaten and takes on some of the competition's best forwards.

Harry Perryman
Perryman started the season in a blaze of hot form playing in the Giants' midfield and pushing forward to hit the scoreboard. He has slowed down on the goal front but has been a consistent player for the Giants.

Lachie Whitfield
A Giants star who has largely kept up his form this season despite their underwhelming performances. Whitfield's damaging kicking and dangerous ball movement catches the eye and he averaged 26 disposals between rounds 4-10.

- Callum Twomey

Hawthorn

Tom Mitchell
Hasn't performed to his lofty 2017-18 standard, but is warming to the task and still ranks seventh for average disposals, equal-second in handballs, sixth for effective disposals and 10th for groundball-gets and uncontested possessions.

James Sicily
Won't play again this year because of his ACL setback. However, Sicily rates elite for kicks, effective kicks, rebound 50s, metres gained, intercept possessions, marks, intercept marks, contested marks and spoils.

Chad Wingard
Spends most of his time up forward, with midfield stints. He ranks third among general forwards for inside 50s, equal-fifth in score involvements, sixth for metres gained and equal-eighth in disposals.

- Marc McGowan

Melbourne

Max Gawn
The triple All-Australian averages more hitouts to advantage than anyone, and ranks first or equal-first among ruckmen for score launches, marks, intercept possessions and effective kicks.

ARE THEY GETTABLE? Meet 2020's 'pre-agents'

Steven May
Has rarely lowered his colours, even when the Demons were struggling. Ranks fourth among key defenders for disposals, fifth for effective disposals, second for effective kicks and metres gained, and equal-third for rebound 50s.

Clayton Oliver
Ranks inside the top four in average disposals, contested possessions, groundball-gets, centre clearances, total clearances and pressure acts, while he's ninth for tackles and 13th for inside 50s.

Christian Petracca
The Brownlow fancy leads the AFL in score involvements per game and is second in the AFL Coaches' Association champion player voting. Places fourth in groundball-gets, sixth in contested possessions and equal-ninth in disposals.

Jack Viney
Doesn't have as strong a case as fellow onballers Oliver or Petracca, but is seventh for inside 50s, equal-ninth in contested possessions, stoppage clearances and pressure acts, and ninth in clearances.

- Marc McGowan

North Melbourne

Todd Goldstein
The 2015 All-Australian is equal-fourth for clearances and No.1 for ruckmen. Among big men he is also first in contested possessions, groundball-gets, stoppage clearances, score launches and ruck contests, and second in score involvements and pressure acts.

 
Todd Goldstein gets front position against Jon Ceglar. Picture: AFL Photos

Robbie Tarrant
Sits in the top four for key defenders in disposals, effective disposals, kicks, effective kicks, rebound 50s, metres gained and uncontested possessions. Hasn't been outmarked in any of his 22 defensive one-on-one contests – and lost only three of them.

- Marc McGowan

Port Adelaide

Travis Boak
Age is no barrier for Boak. At 32, he continues to take his game to new levels and is enjoying another fantastic campaign this year. Averaging 21.6 disposals, while he's having a distinct influence forward of centre. One of the best midfielders in the League this year.

Charlie Dixon
Has been one of the most imposing and dominant key forwards in the competition. His contested marking is nearly unstoppable, while he's fourth in the Coleman Medal race with 21 goals. Deserves to be considered at full-forward.

Tom Jonas
Would surely be in the mix for All-Australian captaincy at this rate. Plays above his height at just 188cm, but blankets some of the game's best key forwards. He's a superb one-on-one defender, while he can also intercept just as effectively.

Zak Butters
The second-year midfielder has become one of Port Adelaide's most important players. Acts like a mini-Robbie Gray with his ability to win his own footy, but then also influence the play in the forward line. A superb pressure player.

Darcy Byrne-Jones
His work off half-back often goes underrated. He's averaging 17 disposals per game this year, while he provides plenty of run and drive out of defence. He's also improved his intercept work this season.

- Riley Beveridge

Richmond

Shai Bolton
The 21-year-old has taken his game to another level since moving to the midfield. Ranks elite in clearances, inside 50s and metres gained, while no one at Richmond has more than his 5.5 score involvements per game. An outside chance to make the squad.

Dylan Grimes
Won his first All Australian blazer last year and has barely put a foot wrong in 2020. Continues to shut down opposition forwards and once again got the better of Charlie Cameron, keeping him to just one goal in round 10. 

Dustin Martin
While his numbers are down on his record-breaking 2017 season, the superstar Tiger is still having a great year. He is averaging a goal a game and also ranks elite in clearances, contested possessions and inside 50s. 

Nick Vlastuin
Unlucky to miss out on last year's 40-man squad, Vlastuin will be a very strong chance in 2020. He is ranked second behind Luke Ryan in intercept possessions per game with 7.5 and provides great drive off half-back.

- Ben Sutton

St Kilda

Dan Butler
Been a revelation at his second home, kicking 22 goals to sit third on the Coleman Medal leaderboard after 12 rounds. Season highlighted by a three-goal best-on-ground showing against former club Richmond in round four.

Jack Billings
Rarely plays a bad game. Mixing between wing and half-forward, the former No.3 pick is averaging more than 20 touches a game and would be an outside chance to sneak into the squad. 

Hunter Clark
Others have had more disposals than his 18 per match, but his impact has been profound, oozing class across half-back with bursts through the midfield. Slim chance for the squad. 

Jack Steele
Transformed from a lockdown midfielder to the Saints' best ball-winner. After back-to-back podium finishes in the club's best and fairest, would likely be leading it this year after 12 matches. 

Callum Wilkie
Haven't heard of him? Let's hope the selectors have. The South Australian accountant has played every game in his two years at the club. Not flashy offensively, but continually locks down on his opponents and could be a surprise chance.

Mitch Cleary

Sydney Swans

Jake Lloyd
Wins more possessions and effective disposals than any general defender, and is also in elite company in kicks, handballs, rebound 50s, contested and uncontested possessions, groundball-gets, effective kicks, metres gained and intercept possessions.

Callum Mills
Has mostly remained in defence, but has had stints through the middle. That muddies his numbers somewhat, but he's had fewer than 17 disposals just twice in 11 matches and is equal-fourth in the competition for intercept possessions.

Tom Papley
Arguably the game's best small forward and sits equal-fourth in the Coleman Medal race. No general forward has more marks on the lead, shots at goal or score involvements, and he's also elite in tackles inside 50 and marks inside 50.

Luke Parker
Midfield spots are hard to win, but the 2016 All-Australian's stoppage work and pressure give him an outside chance. Is equal-ninth for centre clearances and 15th for total clearances, while placing equal-fifth in tackles and equal-ninth for pressure acts.

Dane Rampe
Won't play again this season due to a setback with his hand injury. However, he has won more than 40 per cent of his 47 defensive one-on-one contests – ahead of everyone in the top 10 – and most are against the AFL's top forwards. Rates elite among key defenders for rebound 50s, uncontested possessions and score involvements.

Marc McGowan

West Coast Eagles

Andrew Gaff
His 23.9 disposals per game has him on par with his numbers from his most recent All-Australian year of 2018 (30.7) when extrapolated to normal game time (extra 25 per cent). 

Shannon Hurn
Why couldn't the former skipper make it three consecutive blazers? He hasn't lost a thing defensively and his 15.6 disposals fall just shy of his 21.2 from 2018 when 'normalised' due to shorter quarters. 

Tim Kelly
Has been a key driver in the Eagles' 7-0 run after a slow start. An outside chance to make the squad but a strong end to the year will only help. Needs to hit the scoreboard more with just three goals to date after 11 at this point last year.

Josh Kennedy
Three goals behind Coleman Medal leader Tom Hawkins with an extra game up his sleeve. Has hauls of seven, four and four against top eight sides Collingwood, Geelong and Port Adelaide. 

Nic Naitanui
After a proper pre-season for the first time since 2016, Naitanui has re-established himself as the premier tap ruckman in the competition. Should add to his blazer collection he started in 2012. 

Brad Sheppard
Been so good in defence that he's even snuck forward for goals in back-to-back weeks. A squad member last year, this could be his year to earn a spot in the 22. Second in the competition for marks.

Mitch Cleary

Western Bulldogs

Marcus Bontempelli
After a slow start, the skipper has put in back-to-back outstanding efforts to increase his average disposals to 20.8 per game. If he had made more of his opportunities up forward, Bontempelli would be a lock.


Jack Macrae
Only Lachie Neale has racked up more disposals than Macrae this year, with the gun ball-winner starting to find a great mix of contested and uncontested possessions. Macrae's the best chance from the Dogs.

Caleb Daniel
The clever defender is finally getting the plaudits he's deserved. His sharp kicking should see him in the mix for a squad spot, but he's got tough competition.

- Jourdan Canil