We take a look at the numbers for the midfielders in All-Australian contention

THEY’RE the AFL’s elite midfielders, but tonight selectors will reveal who of 2018’s all-star crop have earned All-Australian honours. SEE THE STATS for the game’s best ballwinners.

Dustin Martin will likely earn a place in the 22. Pic: Michael Klein

IT’S a bit like sifting through a box of chocolates.

They’re all good, but in the end you have to settle on one. Or in this case, a select few.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE MIDFIELDERS’ KEY NUMBERS

When picking the All-Australian squad, selectors settled on their share of rolled-gold stars.

AFL DAILY: FANS SLAM SAINTS OVER FREEMAN

MITCH McGOVERN: IS STAR BLUES BOUND?

But how many will get the nod when the final 22 is announced tonight? And who will be passed over?

This week’s announcement of the 40-man All-Australian squad was greeted with the usual debate.

Try fitting 60 pegs into 40 holes....it’s never going to fit. The annual #AllAustralian squad outrage gets me up every year. Let the debate rage.

— Matthew Richardson (@mattricho0) August 27, 2018

How many of the midfield crew make the final 22 tonight remains to be seen.

Last year, Giant Josh Kelly, Dustin Martin, Zach Merrett, Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Mitchell all earned starting positions. Dayne Beams was named on a half forward flank.

Has Trent Cotchin done enough to earn an All-Australian jumper? Pic: Michael Klein

Patrick Cripps will likely earn All-Australian selection. Pic: Getty Images

Matt Crouch, Dylan Shiel and Joel Selwood (along with Elliot Yeo) were also selected, that trio being named on the bench.

Several players will be unlucky to be overlooked tonight.

We’ve taken a look at the key numbers behind those short-listed in the 40-man squad.

For the purpose of this exercise, we’ve left out the likes of Andrew Gaff (wing) and Robbie Gray, and decided to hone in on those most in contention for a berth in the centre square.

By the numbers: All-Australian midfielders

PLAYER (club)	Disposals (ave)	Contested possessions	Clearances	Metres gained	Goals	Score Involvements	Pressure points
D.Beams	29.1	11.2	5.6	416.2	0.9	6.5	35.4
T. Cotchin	21.7	11.3	4.7	334	0.2	5.5	51.2
P. Cripps	29.6	17.5	7.6	260	0.5	5.4	52.6
Dangerfield	28.3	15.1	5.5	426.6	1.1	8.1	36.8
S. Higgins	27.4	10.7	5.1	474.3	0.7	7.2	38.8
K. Lambert	22.6	8.6	4.7	334	0.8	6.8	37.7
J. Macrae	32.8	13.5	6.2	393	0.4	6.5	48.1
D. Martin	25.5	11.8	5.3	449.2	1.4	8.6	27.8
T. Mitchell	35.7	16	7.9	453.1	0.5	6.4	51.6
L. Neale	30.3	15	7.1	284	0.5	5.5	48.5
C. Oliver	29.8	16.4	6.6	382.1	0.5	7.6	59.5
D. Smith	22	8.5	3.4	362.8	0.8	4.9	72.8
Pendlebury	27.8	10.9	5.3	356.3	0.4	6.1	53.7
C. Ward	27	12.9	6.8	337.6	0.3	7.2	39.3

* Stats courtesy of CHAMPION DATA

** Scroll using the bar to see every player’s stats.

Devon Smith doesn’t win as much footy as some, but his pressure points rating is through the roof. Pic: Michael Klein

Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin average more than a goal a game in 2018. Pic: Michael Klein

The numbers make for interesting reading.

How the All-Australian selectors choose to separate the likes of

Whatever the case, we know some players will be very stiff to miss out.

Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as We take a look at the numbers for the midfielders in All-Australian contention