Star Richmond pair Dustin Martin and Alex Rance have been rewarded for their consistent performances across the 2016 home-and-away season by being named in the 40-man Virgin Australia AFL All Australian squad.

Dynamic midfielder Martin was selected in last year’s squad but missed the final cut, while it marks key defender, Rance’s third call-up having been named in the final side the last two years.

Martin had a blistering season, averaging 31 disposals per game (12.6 contested) and turning heads as a Brownlow Medal contender.

Martin had 427 kicks in season 2016 – the second highest in the competition.

Rance averaged 19 disposals per game this season and is ranked No. 4 in the competition for marks, taking an impressive 155 marks at an average of 7.8 per game.

The All-Australian selection panel includes Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.

The final team of 22 will be named on Thursday, September 1.

Will Rance or Martin take home the 2016 Jack Dyer Medal? Be there to watch as history is made on Thursday, September 8 at Crown Palladium. Secure your ticket to the prestigious event here.

Dustin Martin, Richmond. Never Previously All Australian. 22 games in 2016. 427 kicks (second in the AFL in kicks), 99 marks, 257 handballs (fourth in the AFL in total disposals), averaging 19.4 kicks, 4.5 marks, 11.7 handballs. Nine Goals Nine Behinds. 115 Clearances (fifth in the AFL in I50), 112 Inside 50m, 54 Rebound 50m. 80 Tackles.

Alex Rance, Richmond. All Australian 2014, 2015. 20 games in 2016. 212 kicks, 155 marks (fourth in the AFL in marks), 161 handballs, averaging 10.6 kicks, 7.8 marks, 8.1 handballs. Zero Goals Zero Behinds. Three Clearances, 11 Inside 50m, 68 Rebound 50m. 43 Tackles.

Virgin Australia AFL All Australian 40-man squad

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 

No nominated players: Brisbane Lions, Essendon