The 2017 AFL All Australian Awards will be held on Thursday, September 1, to kick off finals festivities.

A preliminary squad of 40 will be named prior to the event in Melbourne.

The team at AFL Media assesses the All Australian contenders from each club.

ADELAIDE

Eddie Betts: Had a few quiet games, but the champion small forward has still booted 45 goals this season (seventh in the AFL) to go with 21 goal assists (third in the league). On track for his third straight All Australian jumper.

Matt Crouch: One of the big improvers in an under-rated Crows midfield. Has the second-most disposals with 647 this season, averaging 32.4 per game. Has had 30 or more possessions in 14 straight games.

Sam Jacobs: Got the better of fellow All Australian contender Paddy Ryder in round 20 to win the Showdown Medal. Leads the AFL in hit-outs with 783 at 39.2 per game.

Rory Laird: An All Australian nominee for the past two years, the running defender is building a resume too good to ignore. He's second in effective disposals, fourth in disposals (602 at 30.1 per game) and sixth for rebound 50s.

Jake Lever: The 21-year-old defender has shrugged off speculation about his future to take his game to another level, with his intercept marking a highlight.

Tom Lynch: Another consistent season from the important link-up forward, averaging 20.7 possessions and 7.2 marks per game while kicking 27 goals. In the 40-man AA squad in 2016.

Rory Sloane: Last year's All Australian vice-captain had some quiet weeks when tagged, but has dominated enough games to be named in the 40-man squad. - Lee Gaskin 

See the contenders from all 18 clubs