AFLPA launches 22under22 initiative

By Brendan Day

Three members of the Sydney Swans and two GWS GIANTS are among the 40 players nominated by the AFL Players’ Association Board for the inaugural 22under22 squad. Dan Hannebery, Tom Mitchell and Luke Parker represent the Swans, whilst Coleman Medal hopeful Jeremy Cameron is joined by his GIANTS teammate Adam Treloar.

Luke Breust, a forward for the Hawthorn Hawks and a product of the Riverina region of NSW, was nominated for the squad as well.

22under22 is an initiative launched by the AFL Players’ Association that recognises the AFL’s best 22 players aged 22 or younger. Fans decide who will be in the team by voting through social media.

CEO Matt Finnis says that the competition is a way to recognise the proliferation of young and talented players across the AFL.

“The average age of the All-Australian team was 27 last year so this concept provides these young players with a rite of passage and acts as a form guide for who those future stars of the competition might be,” Finnis said in an interview with afl.com.au.

Daniel Hannebery, recipient of the 2011 AFL Rising Star, is very likely to be voted into the team. With a starring role in the Swans’ 2012 Grand Final triumph and an average of 27 disposals per game this year, Hannebery has elevated his game and become an integral part of the Swans’ midfield. 

Though he didn’t debut until Round 10 of this year, Tom Mitchell has quickly solidified his spot in the Swans side, being nominated for the 2013 AFL Rising Star award after just his second game and averaging 22 disposals per game.

Luke Parker, another member of the 2012 Grand Final-winning squad, has averaged 20 disposals per game this season and played in every game for the injury-depleted Swans.

Despite being just 20 years old, Jeremy Cameron has kicked 60 goals for the GIANTS in his second season with the club. With one round remaining in the regular season, Cameron is four majors behind Jarryd Roughead in the race to the Coleman Medal. 

Adam Treloar, another 20-year-old, has averaged 24 disposals per game this season whilst playing 20 games as a midfielder for the GIANTS.

Temora’s own Luke Breust has excelled for the competition-leading Hawthorn Hawks, kicking 35 goals this season.

The 2013 22under22 team will be announced at the Be The Influence AFL Players’ MVP awards on September 10. 

Here’s how you can submit your own 22under22 squad, and go in the running to win a 22under22 New Era hat, a limited edition 22under22 jumper and complete set of select 22under22 cards (all signed by the team’s captain):

Facebook
1. Like the AFL Players Facebook page
2. Enter your 22under22 team, in position, by selecting your choices from the designated drop down menus from August 21 to September 4.
3. Share the AFL Players facebook page.
4. If your team is a match for the eventual fan-voted 22under22 team you will go into the draw to win.

Twitter
Submit your player selections using the @AFLPlayers handle and the #22under22 on the designated days:

Tuesday 27th August – Twitter voting for #22under22def (24 hours to vote)
Wednesday 28th August – Twitter voting for #22under22mids (24 hours to vote)
Thursday 29th August – Twitter voting for #22under22ruck (24 hours to vote)
Friday 30th August – Twitter voting for #22under22fwd (24 hours to vote)