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]
| B | Phil Davis (Greater Western Sydney) | Daniel Talia (Adelaide) | Alex Rance (Richmond) |
| HB | Dyson Heppell (Essendon) | Jackson Trengove (Port Adelaide) | Callan Ward (Greater Western Sydney) |
| C | Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) | Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide) (c) | Dan Hannebery (Sydney) |
| HF | David Zaharakis (Essendon) | Jack Darling (West Coast) | Dustin Martin (Richmond) |
| F | Luke Breust (Hawthorn) | Taylor Walker (Adelaide) | Steven Motlop (Geelong) |
| R | Nic Naitanui (West Coast) | Trent Cotchin (Richmond) | Dayne Beams (Collingwood) |
| I/C | Michael Hurley (Essendon) | Jack Redden (Brisbane Lions) | |
| Rory Sloane (Adelaide) | Jeremy Howe (Melbourne) |
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]
| B | Brandon Ellis (Richmond) | Rory Thompson (Gold Coast) | Daniel Talia (Adelaide) |
| HB | Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) | Jake Carlisle (Essendon) | Trent McKenzie (Gold Coast) |
| C | Nat Fyfe (Fremantle) | Dyson Heppell (Essendon) (c) | Dan Hannebery (Sydney) |
| HF | Dustin Martin (Richmond) | Jack Darling (West Coast) | Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) |
| F | Luke Breust (Hawthorn) | Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney) | Steven Motlop (Geelong) |
| R | Tom Nicholls (Gold Coast) | Jaeger O'Meara (Gold Coast) | Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs) |
| I/C | Aaron Mullett (North Melbourne) | Dion Prestia (Gold Coast) | |
| Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne) (vc) | Michael Walters (Fremantle) |
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.
| B | Tom Langdon (Collingwood) | Daniel Talia (Adelaide) | Trent McKenzie (Gold Coast) |
| HB | Brodie Smith (Adelaide) | Steven May (Gold Coast) | Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast) |
| C | Luke Parker (Sydney) | Dyson Heppell (Essendon) (c) | Harley Bennell (Gold Coast) |
| HF | Adam Treloar (Greater Western Sydney) | Jack Darling (West Coast) | Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) |
| F | Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) | Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) (vc) | Jamie Elliott (Collingwood) |
| R | Jarrod Witts (Collingwood) | Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs) | Dion Prestia (Gold Coast) |
| I/C | Luke McDonald (North Melbourne) | David Swallow (Gold Coast) | |
| Brandon Ellis (Richmond) | Jake Carlisle (Essendon) |
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.
| B | Rory Laird (Adelaide) | Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide) | Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast) |
| HB | Adam Saad (Gold Coast) | Jake Lever (Adelaide) | Elliot Yeo (West Coast) |
| C | Lachie Neale (Fremantle) | Patrick Cripps (Carlton) | Adam Treloar (Greater Western Sydney) |
| HF | Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs) (c) | Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) | Luke Parker (Sydney) (vc) |
| F | Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) | Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney) | Tom Lynch (Gold Coast) |
| R | Brodie Grundy (Collingwood) | Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) | Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide) |
| I/C | Tom Langdon (Collingwood) | Dylan Shiel (Greater Western Sydney) | |
| Brandon Ellis (Richmond) | Devon Smith (Greater Western Sydney) |
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]
| B | Rory Laird (Adelaide) | Jacob Weitering (Carlton) | Sam Docherty (Carlton) |
| HB | Callum Mills (Sydney) | Jake Lever (Adelaide) | Zac Williams (Greater Western Sydney) |
| C | Zach Merrett (Essendon) (vc) | Patrick Cripps (Carlton) | Stephen Coniglio (Greater Western Sydney) |
| HF | Isaac Heeney (Sydney) | Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) | Christian Petracca (Melbourne) |
| F | Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs) | Joe Daniher (Essendon) | Darcy Moore (Collingwood) |
| R | Brodie Grundy (Collingwood) | Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) (c) | Jack Viney (Melbourne) |
| I/C | Jack Martin (Gold Coast) | Tim Membrey (St Kilda) | |
| Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide) | Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs) |
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]
| B | Andrew McGrath (Essendon) | Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions) | Callum Mills (Sydney) |
| HB | Jayden Hunt (Melbourne) | Jake Lever (Adelaide) | Ryan Burton (Hawthorn) |
| C | Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) (c) | Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) | Josh Kelly (Greater Western Sydney) |
| HF | Jack Billings (St Kilda) | Charlie Curnow (Carlton) | Jack Martin (Gold Coast) |
| F | Orazio Fantasia (Essendon) | Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions) | Tom Papley (Sydney) |
| R | Peter Wright (Gold Coast) | Zach Merrett (Essendon) (vc) | Matt Crouch (Adelaide) |
| I/C | James Sicily (Hawthorn) | Isaac Heeney (Sydney) | |
| Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide) | Daniel Rioli (Richmond) |
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]
| B | Alex Witherden (Brisbane Lions) | Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions) | Andrew McGrath (Essendon) |
| HB | Conor McKenna (Essendon) | Tom Doedee (Adelaide) | Jayden Short (Richmond) |
| C | Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne) | Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) (vc) | Isaac Heeney (Sydney) |
| HF | Jade Gresham (St Kilda) | Charlie Curnow (Carlton) | Jordan De Goey (Collingwood) |
| F | Ben Ronke (Sydney) | Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions) | Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood) |
| R | Sean Darcy (Fremantle) | Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) (c) | Zach Merrett (Essendon) |
| I/C | Ed Langdon (Fremantle) | Christian Petracca (Melbourne) | |
| Tom Phillips (Collingwood) | Dan Butler (Richmond) |
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]
| B | Sydney Stack (Richmond) | Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions) (c) | Callum Mills (Sydney) |
| HB | Alex Witherden (Brisbane Lions) | Jacob Weitering (Carlton) | Dan Houston (Port Adelaide) |
| C | Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions) | Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) | Sam Walsh (Carlton) |
| HF | Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide) | Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions) | Liam Ryan (West Coast) |
| F | Jade Gresham (St Kilda) | Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) | Harry McKay (Carlton) |
| R | Tim English (Western Bulldogs) | Tim Taranto (Greater Western Sydney) | Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs) (vc) |
| I/C | Wayne Milera (Adelaide) | James Worpel (Hawthorn) | |
| Andrew McGrath (Essendon) | Cameron Zurhaar (North Melbourne) |
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]
| B | Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast) | Jacob Weitering (Carlton) (vc) | Jordan Ridley (Essendon) |
| HB | Hunter Clark (St Kilda) | Noah Balta (Richmond) | Liam Baker (Richmond) |
| C | Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions) | Andrew McGrath (Essendon) (c) | Sam Walsh (Carlton) |
| HF | Zak Butters (Port Adelaide) | Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) | Gryan Miers (Geelong) |
| F | Izak Rankine (Gold Coast) | Max King (St Kilda) | Josh Daicos (Collingwood) |
| R | Sean Darcy (Fremantle) | Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs) | Tim Taranto (Greater Western Sydney) |
| I/C | Nick Coffield (St Kilda) | Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle) | |
| Adam Cerra (Fremantle) | Ben King (Gold Coast) |
2021[]
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]
| B | Brandon Starcevich (Brisbane Lions) | Sam Taylor (Greater Western Sydney) | Wil Powell (Gold Coast) |
| HB | Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn) | Jordan Ridley (Essendon) | Isaac Quaynor (Collingwood) |
| C | Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs) | Sam Walsh (Carlton) (c) | Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast) |
| HF | Shai Bolton (Richmond) | Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs) | Zac Bailey (Brisbane Lions) |
| F | Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne) | Ben King (Gold Coast) | Max King (St Kilda) |
| R | Luke Jackson (Melbourne) | Andrew Brayshaw (Fremantle) (vc) | Adam Cerra (Fremantle) |
| I/C | Jaidyn Stephenson (North Melbourne) | Oscar Allen (West Coast) | |
| Tom McCartin (Sydney) | Trent Rivers (Melbourne) |
| Marcus Bontempelli: 5 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) |
| Daniel Talia: 3 (2012, 2013, 2014) |
| Sam Walsh: 3 (2019, 2020, 2021) |
| Jacob Weitering: 3 (2016, 2019, 2020) |
| Chad Wingard: 3 (2013, 2014, 2015) |
| Jack Darling: 3 (2012, 2013, 2014) |
| Ollie Wines: 3 (2015, 2016, 2017) |
| Isaac Heeney: 3 (2016, 2017, 2018) |
| Harris Andrews: 3 (2017, 2018, 2019) |
| Clayton Oliver: 3 (2017, 2018, 2019) |
| Callum Mills: 3 (2016, 2017, 2019) |
| Charlie Curnow: 2 (2017, 2018) |
| Patrick Cripps: 2 (2015, 2016) |
| Adam Cerra: 2 (2020, 2021) |
| Jack Martin: 2 (2016, 2017) |
| Christian Petracca: 2 (2016, 2018) |
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.[16]
| B | Libby Birch (Western Bulldogs) | Chloe Molloy (Collingwood) | |
| HB | Gabriella Pound (Carlton) | Brianna Davey (Carlton/Collingwood) | Sarah Allan (Adelaide) |
| C | Emily Bates (Brisbane) | Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide) | Ally Anderson (Brisbane) |
| HF | Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs) | Tayla Harris (Brisbane/Carlton) | Jasmine Garner (Collingwood/North Melbourne) |
| F | Sabrina Frederick (Brisbane) | Kate Hore (Melbourne) | |
| R | Emma King (Collingwood/North Melbourne) | Monique Conti (Western Bulldogs) | Madison Prespakis (Carlton) |
| I/C | Erin McKinnon (Greater Western Sydney) | Shannon Campbell (Brisbane) | Anne Hatchard (Adelaide) |
| Alyce Parker (Greater Western Sydney) | Danielle Ponter (Adelaide) | Sophie Conway (Brisbane) |
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.[17]
| B | Chloe Molloy (Collingwood) (c) | Libby Birch (Melbourne) | |
| HB | Isabel Huntington (Western Bulldogs) | Gabby Newton (Western Bulldogs) | Charlotte Wilson (Carlton) |
| C | Georgia Patrikios (St Kilda) | Alyce Parker (Greater Western Sydney) | Monique Conti (Richmond) |
| HF | Georgia Gee (Carlton) | Sabreena Duffy (Fremantle) | Kalinda Howarth (Gold Coast) |
| F | Roxanne Roux (Fremantle) | Caitlin Greiser (St Kilda) | |
| R | Lauren Bella (Gold Coast) | Madison Prespakis (Carlton) (vc) | Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide) |
| I/C | Sarah Allan (Adelaide) | Nina Morrison (Geelong) | Jesse Wardlaw (Brisbane) |
| Jasmine Grierson (North Melbourne) | Eden Zanker (Melbourne) | Sophie Conway (Brisbane) |
2021[]
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.[18]
| B | Nat Grider (Brisbane) | Tahlia Randall (North Melbourne) | |
| HB | Jordyn Allen (Collingwood) | Rebecca Webster (Geelong) | Eleanor Brown (Western Bulldogs) |
| C | Madison Prespakis (Carlton) (vc) | Georgia Patrikios (St Kilda) | Monique Conti (Richmond) |
| HF | Courtney Hodder (Brisbane) | Chloe Molloy (Collingwood) (c) | Tyla Hanks (Melbourne) |
| F | Georgia Gee (Carlton) | Isabel Huntington (Western Bulldogs) | |
| R | Eden Zanker (Melbourne) | Ellie McKenzie (Richmond) | Alyce Parker (Greater Western Sydney) |
| I/C | Georgia Garnett (Greater Western Sydney) | Jess Fitzgerald (Western Bulldogs) | Sabreena Duffy (Fremantle) |
| Emma O'Driscoll (Fremantle) | Mikala Cann (Collingwood) | Dakota Davidson (Brisbane) |
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.
- ^ "Fans take shine to Dees, Suns". AFLPA. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Balmer, Matt (20 April 2021). "Revealed: Trio of Lions stars rewarded with selection in coveted AFLPA 22under22". Fox Sports.
- Australian rules football awards
- Awards established in 2013
- 2013 establishments in Australia