Young gun Breust making his mark

By James Matthey

Since debuting in 2011, gun Hawthorn player Luke Breust has gone on to establish himself as one of the best young players in the competition.

This assertion was reinforced earlier this week when the Temora junior was nominated for the 40-man 22under22 squad, a new initiative launched by the AFL Players’ Association that aims to recognise the best young talent in the game.

AFL Players’ Association CEO, Matt Finnis said that the concept was designed to celebrate the achievements of the competition’s younger generation and provide them with a pathway to future success.

“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.

AFL Players’ Association President Luke Ball said that it was important to recognise the feats of those who have managed to reach a high standard despite their relative inexperience.

“Guys that have managed to have a consistent impact on the competition at such a young age should be duly recognized,” he said.

After an outstanding 2012 campaign that saw Breust rewarded with the Most Promising Player Award on Peter Crimmins Medal night after finishing the season as Hawthorn’s second-leading goal kicker, the young gun has continued to impress in 2013.

The small forward has kicked 32 goals this year, with his best return a five-goal haul against Melbourne in Round 10, while he continues to be one of the leading goal assist players in the competition.

The final 22under22 team will be unveiled later this year at the Be The Influence AFL Players’ MVP awards on September 10. 

Fans will have the chance to have their say on who should make the final cut by taking to Facebook and Twitter from August 21 to vote for their favourite players.