The 2016 All-Australian team represents the best performed Australian Football League (AFL) players in the 2016 season. It was announced on 1 September, as a complete Australian rules football team of 22 players. The team is honorary and does not play any games.
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Selection panel
The All-Australian selection panel were Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Kevin Bartlett, Luke Darcy, Mark Evans, Danny Frawley, Glen Jakovich, Cameron Ling, Matthew Richardson and Warren Tredrea.
Team
The chosen team was announced on 1 September. Sydney had the most selections with five. Geelong captain, Joel Selwood, was announced as the All-Australian captain, with Adelaide midfielder, Rory Sloane, announced as the vice-captain. The team saw nine players selected in an All-Australian side for the first time in their career.
Note: the position of coach in the All-Australian team is traditionally awarded to the coach of the premiership team.
Initial squad
The initial 40-man squad was announced on 29 August. Adelaide had the most nominations with six, while the two Sydney clubs, Sydney and Greater Western Sydney, had five nominations each. The two worst-performed teams during the season, the Brisbane Lions and Essendon, were the only clubs not to receive a nomination, with Brisbane's Dayne Zorko, Carlton's Patrick Cripps, Essendon's Zach Merrett, St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt and Sydney's Heath Grundy among those considered unlucky to miss selection.