The cream of our midfield crop have today been announced as members of a 40-man All Australian squad.

Scott Pendlebury and Adam Treloar both received nominations for dominant 2016 campaigns.

They join the AFL’s best players in the squad, with a final 22 set to be named on Thursday 1 September.

Pendlebury joins Geelong’s Corey Enright and Sydney’s Lance Franklin as players selected with the most All Australian experience.

The Collingwood captain capped off a memorable 2010 campaign with the first selection of his career, before being named among the league’s best in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Forever a face of endurance, he this year played all 22 games in a season of mixed fortunes for the Magpies.

The season began with a new role. Pendlebury spent time behind the ball in the opening rounds as Nathan Buckley toyed with the idea of a new-look midfield.

The idea was scrapped and Pendlebury continued to do what he does best.

He finished the season in the AFL’s top 10 in handballs (ninth) and total disposals (ninth), and had 103 clearances, 123 tackles and kicked 11 goals.

At times injury clouds circled before Pendlebury’s professionalism shone through.

At 28-years-old, he was one of only three Magpies to play all 22 games in 2016.

Another was Treloar.

Arriving at the Holden Centre full of enthusiasm and optimism, Treloar quickly won a legion of Black and White fans.

He was a shining light during a dark outing in Sydney in round one, before maintaining strong form throughout the season.

Treloar ranked first at the club in total disposals (673), handballs (390), tackles (139), inside 50s (88) and clearances (118).

Compared to his peers outside of Collingwood, the numbers are equally impressive.

Treloar ranked second in the AFL in handballs, fifth in disposals and eighth in tackles.

At 23 and with 101 games to his name, he has never been named in an All Australian team.

2016 may be the year that all changes.

SCOTT PENDLEBURY
All Australian: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
22 games
11 goals
13.1 kicks per game
3.5 marks
15.5 handballs
28.6 disposals



ADAM TRELOAR
All Australian: nil
22 games
13 goals
12.9 kicks per game
3.2 marks
17.8 handballs
30.6 disposals