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
editThe 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
edit2012
editIn 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editThe 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]
2021
editThe 2021 22 Under 22 team was announced on 26 August. Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh was named as the side's captain, with Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw selected as the vice-captain.[15]
2022
editThe 2022 22 Under 22 team was announced on 23 August. Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw was named as the side's captain, with Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh selected as the vice-captain.[16]
2023
editThe 2023 22 Under 22 team was announced on 23 August. Collingwood midfielder Nick Daicos was named as the side's captain, with Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe selected as the vice-captain.[17]
2024
editThe 2024 22 Under 22 team was announced on 22 August. Collingwood midfielder Nick Daicos was named as the side's captain for the second year running, with North Melbourne midfielder Harry Sheezel selected as the vice-captain.[18]
Most selections
edit| Selections | Player | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Marcus Bontempelli | 2014, 2015, 2016 (c), 2017 (c), 2018 (c) |
| 4 | Andrew McGrath | 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (c) |
| Aaron Naughton | 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 | |
| Sam Walsh | 2019, 2020, 2021 (c), 2022 (vc) | |
| Bailey Smith | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 | |
| Luke Jackson | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |
| 3 | Jack Darling | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| Daniel Talia | 2012, 2013, 2014 | |
| Chad Wingard | 2013, 2014, 2015 | |
| Ollie Wines | 2015, 2016, 2017 | |
| Isaac Heeney | 2016, 2017, 2018 | |
| Zach Merrett | 2016 (vc), 2017 (vc), 2018 | |
| Harris Andrews | 2017, 2018, 2019 (c) | |
| Callum Mills | 2016, 2017, 2019 | |
| Clayton Oliver | 2017, 2018 (vc), 2019 | |
| Jacob Weitering | 2016, 2019, 2020 (vc) | |
| Andrew Brayshaw | 2020, 2021 (vc), 2022 (c) | |
| Adam Cerra | 2020, 2021, 2022 | |
| Max King | 2020, 2021, 2022 | |
| Kysaiah Pickett | 2021, 2022, 2023 | |
| Nick Daicos | 2022, 2023 (c), 2024 (c) |
AFLW teams
edit2017–2019
editNo 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.[19]
2020
editThe 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.[20]
2021
editThe 2021 AFLW 22 Under 22 team was announced on 20 April. Collingwood defender Chloe Molloy was named as the side's captain for the second consecutive year, with Carlton midfielder Madison Prespakis once more selected as the vice-captain.[21]
2022 (S6)
editThe 2022 (S6) AFLW 22 Under 22 team was announced on 29 March. Richmond midfielder Monique Conti was named as the side's captain, with Carlton midfielder Madison Prespakis once more selected as the vice-captain.[22]
2022 (S7)
editThe 2022 (S7) AFLW 22 Under 22 team was announced on 22 November. Richmond midfielder Monique Conti and Essendon midfielder Madison Prespakis were once again named as the side's captain and vice-captain.[23][24]
2023
editThe 2023 AFLW 22 Under 22 team was announced on 22 November. Gold Coast midfielder Charlie Rowbottom was named the side's captain, with Geelong midfielder Georgie Prespakis named the side's vice-captain.[25]
Most selections
edit| Selections | Player | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Monique Conti | 2017–2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 (S6) (c), 2022 (S7) (c) |
| Madison Prespakis | 2017–2019, 2020 (vc), 2021 (vc), 2022 (S6) (vc), 2022 (S7) (vc) | |
| 4 | Alyce Parker | 2017–2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 (S6) |
| 3 | Chloe Molloy | 2017–2019, 2020 (c), 2021 (c) |
| Georgia Gee | 2020, 2021, 2022 (S6) | |
| Jordyn Allen | 2021, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7) | |
| Eleanor Brown | 2021, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7) | |
| Nat Grider | 2021, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7) | |
| Emma O'Driscoll | 2021, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7) | |
| Danielle Ponter | 2017–2019, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7) | |
| Jesse Wardlaw | 2020, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7) | |
| Nina Morrison | 2020, 2022 (S7), 2023 | |
| Georgie Prespakis | 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7), 2023 (vc) | |
| Charlie Rowbottom | 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7), 2023 (c) |
References
edit- ^ Rynne, Nick. "Here are 22 reasons future is bright". The West Australian. The West Australian. Archived from the original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ Baldwin, Adam. "22under22 is here". AFL Players' Official Website. AFL Players' Association. Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ AFL Players'. "AFL Players' Facebook page". AFL Players' Official site. AFL Players' Association. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ Baldwin, Adam. "22under22 is here". AFL Players' Official site. AFL Players' Association. Archived from the original on 10 September 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ McInerney, Sam. "2013 22under22 Team Announced". AFL Players' Official Website. AFL Players' Association. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ Baldwin, Adam. "2013 22under22 Team" (PDF). AFL Players' Official Website. AFL Players' Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ McInerney, Sam. "22under22 team announced". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ Baldwin, Adam (9 September 2014). "Dyson Heppell named captain of 2014 AFL Players' Association 22Under22 team". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 9 September 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
- ^ Beveridge, Riley (15 September 2015). "Jake Stringer named captain of the AFLPA'S '22under22' team". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. 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. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. 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. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ "2018 22under22 team unveiled". AFLPA. 30 August 2018. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ "2019 22under22 team unveiled". AFLPA. 29 August 2019. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "22Under22 side revealed for 2020". AFLPA. 22 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Fans take shine to Dees, Suns". AFLPA. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "Dockers dominate as AFLPA's 22Under22 announced". Australian Football League. 23 August 2022. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ Cotton, Ben (23 August 2023). "No.1 pick's weird snub; 2023's big slide worse than we first thought: AFL's best young team revealed". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
- ^ "Daicos bestowed honour for second year running". collingwoodfc.com.au. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "RETROSPECTIVE AFLW 22UNDER22 SIDE 2017-2019". AFL Players. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 September 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. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Balmer, Matt (20 April 2021). "Revealed: Trio of Lions stars rewarded with selection in coveted AFLPA 22under22". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
- ^ Zita, David (29 March 2022). "Star siblings make AFLW history as 22under22 squad is revealed". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ Zita, David (22 November 2022). "Lions lead all-comers as AFLW 22Under22 side revealed". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ Beaton, Bobby (22 November 2022). "Lions Roar in Season 7 AFLW 22under22 Side". AFL Players Association. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
- ^ "STAR CYGNETS LEAD FINAL 22UNDER22". AFL Players' Association Limited. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.