22 Under 22 team
The 22 Under 22 team (stylised as 22under22) is an honorary representative Australian rules football team created by the AFL Players' Association that seeks to recognise the best young talent in the Australian Football League (AFL) and AFL Women's (AFLW) competitions each year.[1] To be eligible for selection, players must be aged 22 or under for the entire season (including finals). An initial squad of 40 is selected by the AFL Players' Board, before fans select a final team of 22 by voting via social media.[2]
Selection process
The 22 Under 22 team is the only AFL award decided by fans. Supporters were asked to pick their best teams via Facebook, or vote for individual players via Twitter.
The concept proved to be popular amongst AFL players, with many high-profile footballers voting and sharing their teams on social media.[3] Current stars Gary Ablett, Drew Petrie, Brad Sewell, Luke Ball, Andrew Swallow and Isaac Smith all selected sides, as did former players Cameron Mooney, Daniel Harford and Warwick Capper.
Several AFL journalists, including Mick Warner and Warwick Green, also voted and shared their teams.
AFL teams
2012
In the lead-up to the first 22 Under 22 team being announced, the AFL Players' Association selected a retrospective side from the 2012 season. Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield was named captain, while young stars Trent Cotchin, Dayne Beams and Nic Naitanui were amongst those selected.[4]
2013
The inaugural 22 Under 22 team was announced at the 2013 "Be the Influence" AFL Players' MVP Awards on 10 September.[5] Essendon midfielder Dyson Heppell was named as the side's captain, with North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell selected as the vice-captain.[6]
Gold Coast had the most players selected of any club, with five Suns being picked in the final team – Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia, Rory Thompson, Tom Nicholls and Trent McKenzie.
Rather than being awarded a medal or trophy, each player selected was presented with a New Era 22 Under 22 cap, designed by former North Melbourne player Daniel Pratt.[7]
2014
The 2014 22 Under 22 team was announced at the 2014 AFL Players Association awards on 9 September. Essendon midfielder Dyson Heppell was named as the side's captain for the second year in a row, with Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston selected as the vice-captain.[8]
Gold Coast had the most players represented in the side, for the second year in a row, with six representatives – Harley Bennell, Kade Kolodjashnij, Steven May, Trent McKenzie, Dion Prestia, and David Swallow.
2015
The 2015 22 Under 22 team was announced at the 2015 AFL Players Association awards on 15 September. Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer was named as the side's captain, with Sydney midfielder Luke Parker selected as the vice-captain.[9]
Greater Western Sydney had the most players represented in the side, with four selections – Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith, and Adam Treloar.
2016
The 2016 22 Under 22 team was announced on 13 September. Western Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli was named as the side's captain, with Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett selected as the vice-captain.[10]
2017
The 2017 22 Under 22 team was announced on 12 September. Western Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli was named as the side's captain for the second consecutive season, with Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett selected as the vice-captain also for the second consecutive season.[11]
2018
The 2018 22 Under 22 team was announced on 30 August. Western Bulldogs midfielder Marcus Bontempelli was named as the side's captain for the third consecutive season, with Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver selected as the vice-captain.[12]
2019
The 2019 22 Under 22 team was announced on 29 August. Brisbane Lions key defender Harris Andrews was named as the side's captain, with Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley selected as the vice-captain.[13]
2020
The 2020 22 Under 22 team was announced on 22 September. Essendon midfielder Andrew McGrath was named as the side's captain, with Carlton key defender Jacob Weitering selected as the vice-captain.[14]
AFLW teams
2017–2019
No AFLW 22 Under 22 teams were awarded in the 2017 to 2019 seasons. On March 24 the AFLPA announced a retrospective team covering those three seasons.[15]
2020
The 2020 AFLW 22 Under 22 team was announced on 20 April. Collingwood defender Chloe Molloy was named as the side's captain, with Carlton midfielder Madison Prespakis selected as the vice-captain.[16]
References
- Rynne, Nick. "Here are 22 reasons future is bright". The West Australian. The West Australian. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- Baldwin, Adam. "22under22 is here". AFL Players' Official Website. AFL Players' Association. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- AFL Players'. "AFL Players' Facebook page". AFL Players' Official site. AFL Players' Association. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- Baldwin, Adam. "22under22 is here". AFL Players' Official site. AFL Players' Association. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- McInerney, Sam. "2013 22under22 Team Announced". AFL Players' Official Website. AFL Players' Association. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- Baldwin, Adam. "2013 22under22 Team" (PDF). AFL Players' Official Website. AFL Players' Association. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- McInerney, Sam. "22under22 team announced". Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- Baldwin, Adam (9 September 2014). "Dyson Heppell named captain of 2014 AFL Players' Association 22Under22 team". Herald Sun.
- Beveridge, Riley (15 September 2015). "Jake Stringer named captain of the AFLPA'S '22under22' team". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- Waterworth, Ben (13 September 2016). "22under22 team revealed: Marcus Bontempelli named captain, Caleb Daniel misses out". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- Lauren, Wood (12 September 2017). "Western Bulldogs young gun Marcus Bontempelli named captain of the 2017 22Under22 team". herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- "2018 22under22 team unveiled". AFLPA. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- "2019 22under22 team unveiled". AFLPA. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- "22Under22 side revealed for 2020". AFLPA. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- "RETROSPECTIVE AFLW 22UNDER22 SIDE 2017-2019". AFL Players. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- Balmer, Matt (20 April 2020). "Revealed: Full team of best AFLW young stars for 2020". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 20 May 2020.