As the All Australian selectors start narrowing down the best 40 players in the competition, afc.com.au takes a look at the Crows who should be considered this season.

We’ve nominated at least one Adelaide player from each line: midfield, ruck, forward and defence.

Review the statistics below and vote for which Crow(s) you think deserve to be considered for the All Australian squad of 40 for Season 2015.

MIDFIELDERS

PATRICK DANGERFIELD
All Australian 2012, 2013

Dangerfield, 25, has responded to a frustrating 2014 with arguably his most consistent season yet. The influential midfielder has played all 16 games for the Crows, averaging a career-best 27.3 possessions (top 20 in the AFL). Dangerfield is the No.2 ranked midfielder in the competition according to average Champion Data ranking points behind Brownlow Medal favourite Nat Fyfe. He is averaging 15.9 contested possessions per game second only to Fyfe and is fourth in hard-ball gets (6.3). Dangerfield is seventh in the League for average clearances (7.4) and also inside 50ms (4.9).

Key statistics
Average disposals – 27.3 (ranked 19th in the AFL)
Average contested possessions – 15.9 (ranked 2nd in the AFL)
Average hard-ball gets – 6.3 (ranked 4th in the AFL)
Average clearances – 7.4 (ranked 7th in the AFL)
Average inside 50ms – 4.9 (ranked 7th in the AFL)
Average loose-ball gets 4.2 (ranked 10th in the AFL
Average tackles – 5.9 (ranked 21st in the AFL)
Average Score involvements – 6.8 (ranked 4th at Adelaide)
Total Goals – 14
Total Games – 16

SCOTT THOMPSON
All Australian 2012

Thompson, 32, started the season in the SANFL as he recovered from a pre-season hamstring complaint, but picked up where he left off last year when he returned to the AFL team in Round Three. The evergreen onballer has amassed 30 or more possessions in six games, averaging 27.3 for the season. He’s averaged 8.2 clearances per game – ranked third in the AFL. Thompson is also top 12 in the League for contested possessions (fifth), loose-ball gets (seventh) and tackles (11th). He won the Phillip Walsh Medal for best on ground in Adelaide’s Round 16 Showdown win and has kicked six goals.

Key statistics (averages)
Average disposals – 27.3 (ranked 19th in the AFL)
Average contested possessions – 14.8 (ranked 5th in the AFL)
Average clearances – 8.2 (ranked 3rd in the AFL)
Average loose-ball gets – 4.4 (ranked 7th in the AFL)
Average tackles – 6.2 (ranked 11th in the AFL)
Average handball receives – 10.1 (ranked 1st at Adelaide)
Average Score involvements – 6.0 (ranked 5th at Adelaide)
Total goals – 6
Total games – 14

RUCK

SAM JACOBS
All Australian nominee 2012, 2014

Jacobs, 27, is enjoying another solid season doing the lion’s share of Adelaide’s ruck work. The former Carlton rookie has played all 16 games for the Crows, and attended 1,356 ruck contests – second only to North Melbourne big man Todd Goldstein (1,482). Jacobs ranks third in the AFL for total hit-outs (572), hit-outs to advantage (193) and also disposals by a ruckman (247). He’s been included in the 40-man All Australian squad twice before and could be around the mark again with a strong finish to the season.

Key statistics
Total hit-outs – 572 (ranked 3rd in the AFL)
Total hit-outs to advantage – 193 (ranked 3rd in the AFL)
Total disposals – 247 (ranked 3rd in the AFL)
Total goals – 3
Total games – 16

FORWARDS

EDDIE BETTS
All Australian nominee 2011, 2012, 2014

Betts, 28, has maintained his standing among the game’s elite. The lively forward has kicked 42 goals to be fifth in the Coleman Medal race despite having played one fewer game than most of the other contenders. The four leading goalkickers ahead of Betts are all key-position players; Josh Kennedy, Jeremy Cameron, Lance Franklin and Jack Riewoldt. He was the hottest property in the AFL between rounds four and nine when he bagged 26 goals and supplied several goal and mark of the year contenders. Betts has kicked at least one goal in every game and boasts the best accuracy (71.2 per cent) of the top 10 goalkickers. He’s ranked equal-first in score involvements at Adelaide and seventh in the AFL for goal assists. His defensive pressure remains a feature, ranked fifth in the League for forward 50m tackles. Betts has been included in the All-Australian squad of 40 on three prior occasions, but never made the final team … hopefully this is his year.

Key statistics
Total goals – 42 (ranked 5th in the AFL)
Goalkicking accuracy – 71.2 per cent (ranked No.1 among top 10 goalkickers this season)
Total goal assists – 27 (ranked 7th in the AFL)
Total score involvements – 117 (ranked 1st at Adelaide)
Total forward 50m tackles – 23 (ranked 5th in the AFL)
Total ground-ball gets in forward 50m – 42 (ranked No.1 in the AFL)
Games – 16

DEFENDERS

RORY LAIRD
Never previously nominated

A strong and injury-free pre-season put Laird on track for a career-best year. The 21-year-old former rookie has played every game, averaging a personal-best 23.6 disposals – ranked fourth in the AFL among all defenders. This includes an average of 8.9 contested possessions, which ranks Laird second among defenders. He’s No.1 in the League for ground-ball gets in defensive 50m and 10th for intercept possessions (possession gains). Laird’s composure and creativity across half-back has been an asset, ranked No.1 at Adelaide in effective kicks, rebound 50ms and handball receives. He’s displayed great versatility, playing both attacking and shut down roles in defence and also pushing into the midfield at times. As well as providing good run, Laird has only conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game to his direct opponents. Of Laird's 22 one-on-one contests this year he has lost just five. Starting to gain recognition outside of South Australia and deserves to be rewarded for an individually brilliant year.

Key statistics
Average disposals – 23.6 (ranked 4th in the AFL among defenders)
Average contested possessions – 8.9 (ranked 2nd in the AFL among defenders)
Average ground-ball gets in defensive 50m – 2.6 (ranked No.1 in the AFL among defenders)
Total possession gains (intercept possessions) – 114 (ranked 10th in the AFL)
Total effective kicks – 137 (ranked No.1 at Adelaide)
Total uncontested possessions – 235 (ranked No.1 at Adelaide)
Total handball receives – 141 (ranked No.1 at Adelaide)
Total rebound 50ms – 48 (ranked No.1 at Adelaide)
Total marks – 85 (ranked 3rd at Adelaide)
Total games - 16

DANIEL TALIA
All Australian 2014

Talia, 23, has backed up an All Australian and best-and-fairest winning year with another solid season. The reliable defender might not be as eye-catching as the likes of Richmond full-back Alex Rance or Essendon utility Michael Hurley, but he remains one of the toughest players to beat in a contest. He's lost less than a quarter of all one-on-one battles he's engaged in (21.3 per cent) and has been the general in a very young backline. Talia has conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game, slightly higher than last season as he and the Adelaide defenders adapt to a new structure as well as different personnel in the back half. He’s ranked 13th in the AFL for spoils (No.1 at Adelaide) and is averaging 10.9 disposals. Talia has endured a frustrating few weeks, being concussed and missing his first game in nearly three years because of illness.

Key statistics
Spoils – 77 (ranked 13th in the AFL)
Goals conceded on average – 1.6
Average disposals – 10.9
Total games - 15