Three Collingwood midfielders have been nominated in the 40-man All-Australian squad.

Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Dayne Beams will vie for a spot in the final 22-man team that is set to be announced on September 17.

It is the fourth time Swan has been nominated in as many years. With a berth in the past three All-Australian teams, Swan sits behind only Nathan Buckley (a seven time All-Australian) as the most capped Magpie.

Pendlebury, Collingwood’s vice-captain, has also been nominated for four years running, but missed selection in the final team in 2009.

Although the pair represent the kingpins of the Pies’ midfield and have done so for some time, they have had to make room for Dayne Beams in the engine room’s top echelon.

Or, more accurately, Beams has forced his way into the team and competition’s elite courtesy of his blinding season that has seen him gather 30 or more disposals in 16 of his 21 games.

The 22-year-old has been one of the in-form players in the competition and has featured prominently in the various end of season awards dished out by respected media and AFL bodies.

Beams was voted radio 3AW’s Player of the Year and finished runner-up to Richmond’s Trent Cotchin in the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award.

His nomination in the All-Australian squad alongside recognised superstars in the form of Swan and Pendlebury serves as further confirmation that Collingwood has assembled a midfield capable of dealing with any other in the land.

The vital stats
Dayne Beams:
Never previously selected. 21 games in 2012. 337 kicks, 97 marks, 319 handballs (fourth in the AFL), averaging 16.0 kicks, 4.6 marks, 15.2 handballs. Third in the AFL in total disposals. 27 goals, 14 behinds. 121 clearances, 96 inside 50m, 34 rebound 50m. 83 tackles.?

Scott Pendlebury: All Australian 2010, 2011. 18 games in 2012. 269 kicks, 70 marks, 261 handballs, averaging 14.9 kicks, 3.9 marks, 14.5 handballs. 10 goals, seven behinds. 109 clearances, 67 inside 50m, 41 rebound 50m. 93 tackles.??

Dane Swan: All Australian 2009, 2010, 2011. 18 games in 2012. 382 kicks (second in the AFL), 123 marks, 260 handballs, averaging 21.2 kicks, 6.8 marks, 14.4 handballs. Fifth in the AFL in total disposals. 22 goals, 21 behinds. 116 clearances, 78 inside 50m, 40 rebound 50m. 58 tackles.