Dream Team coach Mark Williams has likened picking his Hall of Fame Tribute Match squad to the online game Fantasy Footy, combined with the draft benefits of 'coming bottom 17 years in a row'.
But what isn't fantasy is the window of opportunity for other players to break into the one-off line-up. Williams said there were a range of individuals in contention if their form is good enough over the coming weeks.
"Obviously Brad Ottens is someone standing out that hasn't played at all and there have been others that have been a little down in form, a little down in match fitness that haven't been selected," Williams said.
"Shane Crawford is available and he played one game and I thought he played terrifically well, so he's someone else I'll watch in time."
Power ruckman Brendon Lade hasn't been playing at his best but his duel against Dean Cox this weekend could determine whether he'll make the squad.
Meanwhile North Melbourne's Hamish McIntosh and the Western Bulldogs' Daniel Cross were among the other players being considered. Williams admitted he only found out that Cross was from New South Wales, and not Victoria, a day ago.
"We are sure some of those are going to come into the group," he said.
"We are picking the players that are in good form, not players based on their reputations and I think that's only fair."
"I certainly apologise for those who have missed out. I can guarantee I'll hear from some players that think they should be in it and I'll be happy to watch them in the next few weeks and analyse them against other players."
At the other end of the scale, Williams said the squad opens up amazing opportunities for players new to the game.
The Lions' 19-year-old Matthew Leuenberger has been included in the squad after playing just 13 senior games.
"I thought Leuenberger played fantastic last week and that's a fact. That kid might not get in at the end but to be picked in this famous game as a young kid says he's doing something right," he said.
The Port Adelaide leader said picking the 40-man squad had been an exciting task.
"It's more exciting than doing an EPL Dream Team. This is right up there and it's not actually in fantasy, it's in reality… no salary cap as well," he said.
"Apparently there are 6000 games amongst it (the squad) and 5000 goals and it's pretty exciting."
"If you start looking at premiership players and all the different medals and all the different experiences they've had, you'll start to get together and say 'Wow this is unbelievable'."
But, he added that job was difficult giving the immense talent pool available within the competition.
"You try and pick and I guarantee you'll leave someone out," he said.
"Out of those 40 we've probably got 20 midfielders, you try and pick them. Whoever misses out is going to be extremely unlucky and everyone can make a case for the other person."