Six Crows have been included in the All Australian squad of 40 for Season 2016.

Forwards Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins and Tom Lynch, midfielder Rory Sloane and defenders Rory Laird and Daniel Talia are all in contention for the All Australian team, which will be presented in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Adelaide has the most players nominated ahead of minor premiers the Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney, who each have five players in the extended squad. A total of 16 clubs had at least one player selected in the squad.

Betts, 29, was one of nine players from last year’s All Australian team to be nominated again. The brilliant forward was also named in the 2011, 2012 and 2014 squads, but had to wait until last season to earn a spot in the 22 for the first time.

Betts has backed up an incredible 2015 with an even better 2016. He kicked 66 goals in the home and away season to finish equal-third in the Coleman Medal level, and better his previous career-best tally of 63 goals from 23 games last season. Betts, who notched up his 250^th AFL game in Round 22, also ranked second in the League in forward 50m tackles (43) and sixth for goal assists (22).

Nominated for the first time, Jenkins and Lynch have also been recognised for their contribution to the highest-scoring team in the competition. Jenkins kicked a personal best 60 goals in the home and away season to finish in the Coleman Medal race behind Betts and was equal-seventh overall for goal assists (21).

An important link in Adelaide’s attack, Lynch has also achieved a personal best goal tally (36) in 2016. The 25-year-old, who led the League in score assists last season, ranked third in the AFL for score involvements (185) in the home and away season and was equal-11^th in uncontested marks (129). He’s averaging a career-high 19.6 possessions.

Remarkably never previously nominated, Sloane has also enjoyed a career-best season. The 2013 Crows Club Champion was involved in 169 scores in the minor round – ranked 10^th overall and third among all midfielders. Despite missing a match through suspension, Sloane finished third in the AFL for tackles (151) and 12^th for contested possessions (270) in the home and away season. He’s averaged a personal best 25.5 possessions and five clearances, and sat second in the AFL Coaches Association award before voting was taken behind closed doors in Round 22.

Talia is in line for his second All Australian crown having been part of the best 22 in 2014. Whilst conceding a miserly average of only 1.2 goals per game, Talia has added an offensive element this season. The 24-year-old is averaging 16 possessions (up from 10.6 in 2015) and six marks (up from 3.7). He ranked second in the AFL for spoils (184) in the minor round and equal-eight in (intercept) marks from opposition kicks (54).

Laird, 22, has improved on a breakout 2015. The creative and courageous small defender is averaging 27.5 possessions 6.7 marks and 3.2 rebound 50ms per game. Despite missing four games through injury, he’s the ninth-ranked defender overall according to Champion Data statistics.

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 Thursday September 1 in Melbourne, is selected to best fit team balance as if to play a match.

A total of 24 players were nominated for a potential first-ever All Australian selection. In contrast to the 24 potential debutants, Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury, the Geelong Cats’ Corey Enright and the Sydney Swans’ Lance Franklin are each in line for their potential sixth separate selection as an All Australian player.

The All Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea, while the All Australian selectors, along with Kevin Sheehan, also choose the winner of the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.

The squad of 40 is:
Adelaide: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Rory Laird, Tom Lynch, Rory Sloane, Daniel Talia
Carlton: Sam Docherty, Kade Simpson
Collingwood: Scott Pendlebury, Adam Treloar
Fremantle: Lachie Neale
Geelong: Patrick Dangerfield, Corey Enright, Joel Selwood
Gold Coast: Tom Lynch
Greater Western Sydney: Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Tom Scully, Heath Shaw, Callan Ward
Hawthorn: Jack Gunston, Sam Mitchell, Cyril Rioli
Melbourne: Max Gawn
North Melbourne: Robbie Tarrant
Port Adelaide: Jasper Pittard
Richmond: Dustin Martin, Alex Rance
St Kilda: Jack Steven
Sydney Swans: Lance Franklin, Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe
West Coast: Andrew Gaff, Josh Kennedy, Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey
Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli, Matthew Boyd