The 22 Under 22 team 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 and AFL Women's competitions each year. To be eligible for selection, players must be aged 22 or under for the entire season. 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.
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. 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.
The 2014 22 Under 22 team was announced at the 2014 AFL Players Association awards on 9 September. midfielder Dyson Heppell was named as the side's captain for the second year in a row, with forward Jack Gunston selected as the vice-captain. 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.
The 2015 22 Under 22 team was announced at the 2015 AFL Players Association awards on 15 September. forward Jake Stringer was named as the side's captain, with midfielder Luke Parker selected as the vice-captain. had the most players represented in the side, with four selections – Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith, and Adam Treloar.
B
Rory Laird
Jack Hombsch
Kade Kolodjashnij
HB
Adam Saad
Jake Lever
Elliot Yeo
C
Lachie Neale
Patrick Cripps
Adam Treloar
HF
Jake Stringer
Jesse Hogan
Luke Parker
F
Chad Wingard
Jeremy Cameron
Tom Lynch
R
Brodie Grundy
Marcus Bontempelli
Ollie Wines
I/C
Tom Langdon
Dylan Shiel
Brandon Ellis
Devon Smith
2016
The 2016 22 Under 22 team was announced on 13 September. midfielder Marcus Bontempelli was named as the side's captain, with midfielder Zach Merrett selected as the vice-captain.
B
Rory Laird
Jacob Weitering
Sam Docherty
HB
Callum Mills
Jake Lever
Zac Williams
C
Zach Merrett
Patrick Cripps
Stephen Coniglio
HF
Isaac Heeney
Jesse Hogan
Christian Petracca
F
Jake Stringer
Joe Daniher
Darcy Moore
R
Brodie Grundy
Marcus Bontempelli
Jack Viney
I/C
Jack Martin
Tim Membrey
Ollie Wines
Lachie Hunter
2017
The 2017 22 Under 22 team was announced on 12 September. midfielder Marcus Bontempelli was named as the side's captain for the second consecutive season, with midfielder Zach Merrett selected as the vice-captain also for the second consecutive season.
The 2018 22 Under 22 team was announced on 30 August. midfielder Marcus Bontempelli was named as the side's captain for the third consecutive season, with midfielder Clayton Oliver selected as the vice-captain.
The 2019 22 Under 22 team was announced on 29 August. key defender Harris Andrews was named as the side's captain, with midfielder Josh Dunkley selected as the vice-captain.
B
Sydney Stack
Harris Andrews
Callum Mills
HB
Alex Witherden
Jacob Weitering
Dan Houston
C
Hugh McCluggage
Clayton Oliver
Sam Walsh
HF
Connor Rozee
Eric Hipwood
Liam Ryan
F
Jade Gresham
Aaron Naughton
Harry McKay
R
Tim English
Tim Taranto
Josh Dunkley
I/C
Wayne Milera
James Worpel
Andrew McGrath
Cameron Zurhaar
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.
The 2020 AFLW 22 Under 22 team was announced on 20 April. defender Chloe Molloy was named as the side's captain, with midfielder Madison Prespakis selected as the vice-captain.
