Exciting Essendon trio Darcy Parish, Zach Merrett and Joe Daniher have been recognised at the AFL Players’ MVP Awards.

Parish finished runner-up to Sydney’s Callum Mills in the voting for the competiton’s best first year player.

The award is voted on by players across the competiton.

Merrett and Daniher were named in the 22under22 team, with Merrett named Vice-Captain.

Around 6,000 votes were cast across the country to narrow a 50-man squad down to the best 22 players aged 22 and under. 

Best First Year Player 2016 – presented by Ladder

1)    Callum Mills – 328 votes

2)    Darcy Parish – 137 votes

3)    Jacob Weitering – 108 votes

4)    Jade Gresham – 40 votes

5)    Marcus Adams – 30 votes

2016 22-Under22 team

B: Rory Laird (Ade), Jacob Weitering (Carl), Sam Docherty (Carl)

HB: Callum Mills (Syd), Jake Lever (Adel), Zac Williams (GWS)

C: Zach Merrett (Ess), Patrick Cripps (Carl), Stephen Coniglio (GWS)

HF: Isaac Heeney (Syd), Jesse Hogan (Mel), Christian Petracca (Mel)

F: Jake Stringer (WB), Joe Daniher (Ess), Darcy Moore (Coll)

Foll: Brodie Grundy (Coll), Marcus Bontempelli (WB), Jack Viney (Melb)

Int: Jack Martin (GC), Tim Membrey (StK), Ollie Wines (PA), Lachie Hunter (WB)

Captain: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

Vice-Captain: Zach Merrett (Ess)