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]
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.
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]
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]
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.
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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
The 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]
The 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]
The 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]
The 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]
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) |
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. [19]
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. [20]
The 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]
The 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]
The 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]
The 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]
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) |
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Marcus Bontempelli is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). He has served as Western Bulldogs captain since the 2020 season, and was previously the vice-captain from 2018 to 2019.
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