There’s reason for optimism for Fremantle’s future despite a sombre season, with the club leading this year’s AFLPA 22Under22 squad with five members.
The 15th-placed Dockers boast the most representatives in this year’s side — featuring Jordan Clark, Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, Jye Amiss and Luke Jackson — followed by Melbourne and Adelaide, who have four members each.
Fremantle also has the most players represented from last year’s final team with four (Clark, Young, Serong and Jackson), while Amiss is among 11 players who’ve never previously been selected.
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Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith is in contention to become a four-time representative, equalling teammate Aaron Naughton, Essendon’s Andrew McGrath and Carlton’s Sam Walsh, with Dogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli’s five selections a record.
To be eligible, players needed to be aged 22 for the entirety of the season — including Grand Final Day (September 30) — and to have played a minimum of 12 games across the year.
“Picking a squad of 44 players is always a difficult task with the amount of serious talent that are already making their mark on the competition,” 22Under22 Chair of Selectors Michael Barlow said.
“These players are future All-Australians, best and fairest and MVP Award winners and the fans will have a tough time narrowing the squad down to a final team.”
Overall, 17 of the 18 clubs are represented in the squad, with no West Coast players in the squad.
Fans can vote on the 22under22 side by tapping here, with voting closing on Thursday August 17.
THE 22UNDER22 SQUAD OF 40 FOR 2023
Adelaide (4) — Nick Murray, Luke Pedlar, Josh Rachele, Riley Thilthorpe
Brisbane (2) — Will Ashcroft, Darcy Wilmot
Carlton (2) — Brodie Kemp, Jesse Motlop
Collingwood (2) — Nick Daicos, Beau McCreery
Essendon (2) — Nic Martin, Archie Perkins
Fremantle (5) — Jordan Clark, Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, Jye Amiss, Luke Jackson
Geelong (3) — Sam De Koning, Max Holmes, Ollie Henry
Gold Coast (2) — Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell
GWS (3) — Lachie Ash, Finn Callaghan, Tom Green
Hawthorn (3) — Will Day, Jai Newcombe, Josh Ward
Melbourne (4) — Jake Bowey, Trent Rivers, Kysaiah Pickett, Jacob van Rooyen
North Melbourne (1) — Harry Sheezel
Port Adelaide (2) — Miles Bergman, Jason Horne-Francis
Richmond (1) — Samson Ryan
St Kilda (2) — Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens
Sydney (3) — Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, Logan McDonald
Western Bulldogs (3) —Bailey Smith, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Cody Weightman
