Two Carlton players have been included in the 40-man squad that is in contention for selection for the 2008 Coca cola All Australian Team. Not surprising to see Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola named in this 40-man squad.

Under the format introduced in 2007, the All Australian selectors were asked to nominate the leading players in each section of the ground – forwards, defenders and midfielders/ruckmen – with the final team of 22 to be named on Monday September 15th.

The final 22 players selected in the All Australian Team will comprise of six of the 12 forwards named in the squad, six of the 12 defenders named in the squad and six of the 16 midfielders/ruckmen named in the squad. The four interchange positions will come from the remaining players in the 40-man squad not selected in the staring 18, to best fit team balance as if to play a match.

Fevola was an All Australian in 2006 when he kicked 84 goals for the season. His 2008 season was even better with a career high 99 goals from his 22 games. While it would seem an obvious selection Fev has some very tough competition in the forward line; Franklin, Riewoldt, Pavlich, Bradshaw and Brown are some of the other key forwards named in the 40-man squad.

Judd too will have plenty of competition for a midfield position as he is in line for his third All Australian guernsey having been selected in 2004 and 2006. He has had a wonderful season and in reality perhaps the only thing that will stop him from being selected in the final 22 is the high standards that he has set during his career. Judd is one of those players that is a victim of setting such high standards than many judge him against his best and not the impact he has on the competition or in comparison to other players.