After another outstanding season for Fremantle, Aaron Sandilands has been selected in the 40 man All Australian squad.

The All Australian selection panel met today for their final meeting of the 2009 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, to confirm the 40-man squad that is in contention for selection for the 2009 Four’N Twenty All Australian Team.

Sandiland’s league leading 659 hit outs for the season, which is a new club record for Fremantle, saw him earn his place in the preliminary squad. He will be up against Mitchell Clark from the Brisbane Lions and Hamish McIntosh from North Melbourne who are all vying for the ruck position.

If selected, it would be Sandilands second successive selection after earning the honours in 2008.

After imposing himself on the competition last season, he has further impressed the football world in 2009, not only with his dominance in the ruck contests but with his work ethic around the ground and up forward. 

Under the format introduced in 2007, the All Australian selectors were asked to nominate the leading players in each section of the field -- forwards, defenders and midfielders / ruckmen -- with the final team of 22 to be named on Monday September 14 in Melbourne.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou, the Chairman for the All Australian panel, said the final team would comprise six of the 12 forwards named in the squad, six of the 12 defenders named in the squad and six of the 16 midfielders / ruckmen named in the squad. The four interchange positions would come from the remaining players not selected in the starting 18, to best fit team balance as if to play a match.

"All Australian selection is recognition for a tremendous year of football, as the best player in your position across the entire competition," Mr Demetriou said.

"All Australian selection is also a recognition of the quality of those players you have competed against, to win your spot, and the aim of this approach is to highlight the outstanding players who are in contention for selection, and those who eventually win out to claim a position as one of the elite players of the season," he said.

The All Australian selection panel is: Andrew Demetriou (chairman), Adrian Anderson, Kevin Bartlett, Gerard Healy, James Hird, Glen Jakovich, Mark Ricciuto and Robert Walls.

Defenders

Craig Bolton, Sydney Swans. Previously selected 2006. 20 games in 2009. 188 kicks, 101 marks, 140 handballs, averaging 9.4 kicks, 5.1 marks, 7.0 handballs. Zero Goals Zero Behinds. Eight Clearances, 29 Inside 50m, 72 Rebound 50m.

Corey Enright, Geelong Cats. Previously selected 2008. 22 games in 2009. 302 kicks, 123 marks, 244 handballs, averaging 13.7 kicks, 5.6 marks, 11.1 handballs. Three Goals One Behind. 23 Clearances, 63 Inside 50m, 67 Rebound 50m.

Dustin Fletcher, Essendon. Previously selected 2000, 2007. 17 games in 2009. 213 kicks, 82 marks, 92 handballs, averaging 12.5 kicks, 4.8 marks, 5.4 handballs. One Goal One Behind. 12 Clearances, Eight Inside 50m, 75 Rebound 50m.

Sam Gilbert, St Kilda. Never previously selected. 19 games in 2009. 253 kicks, 137 marks, 157 handballs, averaging 13.3 kicks, 7.2 marks, 8.2 handballs. One Goal Zero Behinds. 12 Clearances, 25 Inside 50m, 62 Rebound 50m.

Brendon Goddard, St Kilda. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2009. 320 kicks, 126 marks, 262 handballs, averaging 15.2 kicks, 6.0 marks, 12.5 handballs. 13 Goals Nine Behinds. 58 Clearances, 78 Inside 50m, 58 Rebound 50m.

Simon Goodwin, Adelaide. Previously selected 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006. 19 games in 2009. 198 kicks, 109 marks, 294 handballs, averaging 10.4 kicks, 5.7 marks, 15.5 handballs. Three Goals One Behind. 12 Clearances, 26 Inside 50m, 67 Rebound 50m.

Ryan Hargrave, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2009. 319 kicks, 142 marks, 168 handballs, averaging 16.0 kicks, 7.1 marks, 8.4 handballs. One Goals Two Behinds. 24 Clearances, 40 Inside 50m, 97 Rebound 50m.

Brian Lake, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 258 kicks, 192 marks, 160 handballs, averaging 11.7 kicks, 8.7 marks, 7.3 handballs. Two Goals Five Behinds. Two Clearances, 12 Inside 50m, 79 Rebound 50m.

Andrew Mackie, Geelong Cats. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2009. 243 kicks, 138 marks, 205 handballs, averaging 11.6 kicks, 6.6 marks, 9.8 handballs. Seven Goals Five Behinds. 20 Clearances, 61 Inside 50m, 59 Rebound 50m.

Nick Maxwell, Collingwood. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2009. 178 kicks, 129 marks, 182 handballs, averaging 8.9 kicks, 6.5 marks, 9.1 handballs. Zero Goals Two Behinds. Six Clearances, Eight Inside 50m, 29 Rebound 50m.

Simon Prestigiacomo, Collingwood. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 66 kicks, 57 marks, 112 handballs, averaging 3.0 kicks, 2.6 marks, 5.1 handballs. Zero Goals Two Behinds. Six Clearances, Eight Inside 50m, 29 Rebound 50m.

Matthew Scarlett, Geelong Cats. Previously selected 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008. 19 games in 2009. 204 kicks, 104 marks, 143 handballs, averaging 10.7 kicks, 5.5 marks, 7.5 handballs. Zero Goals One Behind. Three Clearances, 14 Inside 50m, 56 Rebound 50m.

Midfielders / Ruckmen

Gary Ablett, Geelong Cats. Previously selected 2007 2008. 19 games in 2009. 252 kicks, 81 marks, 402 handballs, averaging 13.3 kicks, 4.3 marks, 21.2 handballs. 24 Goals 20 Behinds. 86 Clearances, 67 Inside 50m, 36 Rebound 50m.

Jimmy Bartel, Geelong Cats. Previously selected 2007, 2008. 21 games in 2009. 302 kicks, 133 marks, 275 handballs, averaging 14.4 kicks, 6.3 marks, 13.1 handballs. Nine Goals 14 Behinds. 67 Clearances, 75 Inside 50m, 46 Rebound 50m.

Matthew Boyd, Western Bulldogs. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 293 kicks, 106 marks, 338 handballs, averaging 13.3 kicks, 4.8 marks, 15.4 handballs. 15 Goals Five Behinds. 124 Clearances, 86 Inside 50m, 39 Rebound 50m.

Mitchell Clark, Brisbane Lions. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 181 kicks, 133 marks, 184 handballs, 489 hit outs, averaging 8.2 kicks, 6.0 marks, 8.4 handballs, 22.2 hit outs. Seven Goals Seven Behinds. 63 Clearances, 51 Inside 50m, 34 Rebound 50m.

Nick Dal Santo, St Kilda. Previously selected 2005. 21 games in 2009. 333 kicks, 77 marks, 255 handballs, averaging 15.9 kicks, 3.7 marks, 12.1 handballs. 15 Goals Five Behinds. 91 Clearances, 95 Inside 50m, 51 Rebound 50m.

Alan Didak, Collingwood. Previously selected 2006. 17 games in 2009. 326 kicks, 94 marks, 127 handballs, averaging 19.2 kicks, 5.5 marks, 7.5 handballs. 19 Goals 11 Behinds. 54 Clearances, 78 Inside 50m, 27 Rebound 50m.

Lenny Hayes, St Kilda. Previously selected 2003, 2005. 19 games in 2009. 253 kicks, 79 marks, 274 handballs, averaging 13.3 kicks, 4.2 marks, 14.4 handballs. Three Goals Five Behinds. 102 Clearances, 77 Inside 50m, 34 Rebound 50m.

Chris Judd, Carlton. Previously selected 2004. 2006, 2008 (captain). 22 games in 2009. 299 kicks, 52 marks, 280 handballs, averaging 13.6 kicks, 2.4 marks, 12.7 handballs. 11 Goals 18 Behinds. 124 Clearances, 129 Inside 50m, 27 Rebound 50m.

Hamish McIntosh, North Melbourne. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 174 kicks, 112 marks, 188 handballs, 514 hit outs, averaging 7.9 kicks, 5.1 marks, 8.5 handballs, 23.4 hit outs. 13 Goals Three Behinds. 47 Clearances, 47 Inside 50m, 20 Rebound 50m.

Leigh Montagna, St Kilda. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2009. 347 kicks, 109 marks, 247 handballs, averaging 16.5 kicks, 5.2 marks, 11.7 handballs. Seven Goals 17 Behinds. 76 Clearances, 110 Inside 50m, 53 Rebound 50m.

Marc Murphy, Carlton. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 276 kicks, 105 marks, 287 handballs, averaging 12.5 kicks, 4.8 marks, 12.9 handballs. 30 Goals 16 Behinds. 82 Clearances, 98 Inside 50m, 38 Rebound 50m.

Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2009. 270 kicks, 105 marks, 268 handballs, averaging 13.5 kicks, 5.3 marks, 13.4 handballs. Eight Goals Four Behinds. 89 Clearances, 69 Inside 50m, 47 Rebound 50m.

Aaron Sandilands, Fremantle. Previously selected 2008. 20 games in 2009. 143 kicks, 80 marks, 205 handballs, 659 hit outs, averaging 7.2 kicks, 4.0 marks, 10.3 handballs, 32.9 hit outs. 13 Goals Eight Behinds. 103 Clearances, 37 Inside 50m, 13 Rebound 50m.

Joel Selwood, Geelong Cats. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 272 kicks, 95 marks, 344 handballs, averaging 12.4 kicks, 4.3 marks, 15.6 handballs. 10 Goals Nine Behinds. 87 Clearances, 75 Inside 50m, 31 Rebound 50m.

Brad Sewell, Hawthorn. Never previously selected. 19 games in 2009. 209 kicks, 83 marks, 281 handballs, averaging 11.0 kicks, 2.8 marks, 14.8 handballs. Four Goals Three Behinds. 100 Clearances, 94 Inside 50m, 25 Rebound 50m.

Bernie Vince, Adelaide. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 306 kicks, 132 marks, 291 handballs, averaging 13.9 kicks, 6.0 marks, 13.2 handballs. 13 Goals Nine Behinds. 76 Clearances, 75 Inside 50m, 42 Rebound 50m.

Forwards

Jonathan Brown, Brisbane Lions. Previously selected 2007. 22 games in 2009. 255 kicks, 179 marks, 96 handballs, averaging 11.6 kicks, 8.1 marks, 4.4 handballs. 78 Goals 48 Behinds. 19 Clearances, 60 Inside 50m, Two Rebound 50m.

Paul Chapman, Geelong Cats. Never previously selected. 17 games in 2009. 294 kicks, 112 marks, 174 handballs, averaging 17.3 kicks, 6.6 marks, 10.2 handballs. 27 Goals 12 Behinds. 59 Clearances, 94 Inside 50m, 27 Rebound 50m.

Leon Davis, Collingwood. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2009. 326 kicks, 98 marks, 105 handballs, averaging 16.3 kicks, 4.9 marks, 5.3 handballs. 34 Goals 22 Behinds. 42 Clearances, 70 Inside 50m, 39 Rebound 50m.

Brendon Fevola, Carlton. Previously selected 2006, 2008. 22 games in 2009. 243 kicks, 143 marks, 45 handballs, averaging 11.0 kicks, 6.5 marks, 2.0 handballs. 86 Goals 56 Behinds. Seven Clearances, 42 Inside 50m, Three Rebound 50m.

Lance Franklin, Hawthorn. Previously selected 2008. 21 games in 2009. 187 kicks, 109 marks, 129 handballs, averaging 8.9 kicks, 5.2 marks, 6.1 handballs. 67 Goals 46 Behinds. 15 Clearances, 42 Inside 50m, 12 Rebound 50m.

Adam Goodes, Sydney Swans. Previously selected 2003, 2006. 22 games in 2009. 294 kicks, 135 marks,175 handballs, averaging 13.4 kicks, 6.1 marks, 8.0 handballs. 38 Goals 17 Behinds. 72 Clearances, 111 Inside 50m, 32 Rebound 50m.
Steve Johnson, Geelong Cats. Previously selected 2007, 2008. 16 games in 2009. 235 kicks, 93 marks, 104 handballs, averaging 14.7 kicks, 5.8 marks, 6.5 handballs. 39 Goals 35 Behinds. 17 Clearances, 80 Inside 50m, 16 Rebound 50m.

Mark Le Cras, West Coast. Never previously selected. 21 games in 2009. 194 kicks, 87 marks, 98 handballs, averaging 9.2 kicks, 4.1 marks, 4.7 handballs. 58 Goals 26 Behinds. 19 Clearances, 44 Inside 50m, Five Rebound 50m.

Stephen Milne, St Kilda. Never previously selected. 20 games in 2009. 194 kicks, 98 marks, 78 handballs, averaging 9.7 kicks, 4.9 marks, 3.9 handballs. 44 Goals 26 Behinds. Three Clearances, 28 Inside 50m, Three Rebound 50m.

Jason Porplyzia, Adelaide. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 186 kicks, 80 marks, 126 handballs, averaging 8.5 kicks, 3.6 marks, 5.7 handballs. 52 Goals 19 Behinds. 27 Clearances, 54 Inside 50m, Four Rebound 50m.

Nick Riewoldt, St Kilda. Previously selected 2004, 2006, 2008. 21 games in 2009. 284 kicks, 204 marks, 79 handballs, averaging 13.5 kicks, 9.7 marks, 3.8 handballs. 68 Goals 44 Behinds. Six Clearances, 81 Inside 50m, Two Rebound 50m.

Dane Swan, Collingwood. Never previously selected. 22 games in 2009. 401 kicks, 149 marks, 299 handballs, averaging 18.2 kicks, 6.8 marks, 13.6 handballs. 17 Goals 22 Behinds. 88 Clearances, 113 Inside 50m, 50 Rebound 50m.