The AFL Players' Association have revealed their 22under22 squad for the 2018 season on Tuesday night.
Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli was named in the 40-man squad and is in the running achieve the honour for a fifth straight season
Other young stars that feature include Zach Merrett, Christian Petracca, Isaac Heeney, Clayton Oliver and Charlie Curnow following their impressive 2018 campaigns.
Geelong superstar and AFLPA president Patrick Dangerfield praised the talent of the young side while admitting it would be tough to narrow the side down to 22.
“With names like Bontempelli, Merrett, Heeney and Oliver, the 22under22 squad for 2018 is packed with talent once again,” Dangerfield told AFLplayers.com.au.
“Despite their tender age, all players in this squad have had a significant impact on their teams this season, which makes the task of selecting the 22 players all the more difficult.”
Heeney saluted being chosen in the squad for the third time and applauded his peers.
“To be included in the 22Under22 squad again is a tremendous honour, especially when you consider the other guys in the squad,” Heeney told AFLplayers.com.au.
To be eligible for the 22under22 squad, which is in its sixth edition, players must be aged under 22 for the entirety of the season, including finals.
2018 22under22 40-man squad
Defenders: Tom Doedee (Adelaide), Wayne Milera (Adelaide), Harris Andrews (Brisbane), Alex Witherden (Brisbane), Andrew McGrath (Essendon), Conor McKenna (Essendon), Ed Langdon (Fremantle), Lachie Weller (Gold Coast Suns), Dougal Howard (Port Adelaide), Jayden Short (Richmond), Bailey Williams (Western Bulldogs)
Forwards: Eric Hipwood (Brisbane), Charlie Curnow (Carlton), Jordan De Goey (Collingwood), Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood), Bayley Fritsch (Melbourne), Alex Neal-Bullen (Melbourne), Dan Butler (Richmond), Jade Gresham (St Kilda), Ben Ronke (Sydney), Will Hayward (Sydney), Billy Gowers (Western Bulldogs)
Midfielders: Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane), Zac Fisher (Carlton), Tom Phillips (Collingwood), Zach Merrett (Essendon), Touk Miller (Gold Coast), Tim Taranto (GWS Giants), Jacob Hopper (GWS Giants), Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne), James Harmes (Melbourne), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne), Christian Petracca (Melbourne), Sam Powell-Pepper (Port Adelaide), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Isaac Heeney (Sydney), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Toby McLean (Western Bulldogs)
Rucks: Sean Darcy (Fremantle), Tim English (Western Bulldogs)
To vote on the 22under22 side, clink this link.
