Young guns Jake Carlisle and Dyson Heppell have been named in the inaugural AFL Players’ Association 22under22 squad.
22under22 is a new concept that recognises the best 22 young players in the competition.

Carlisle and Heppell have been nominated for the 40-man squad by the AFL Players’ Association Board and fans will decide the final team by voting via social media.

AFL Players’ Association CEO Matt Finnis says the 22under22 concept celebrates the abundance of young talent across the competition.

“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 agrees.

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

Starting the season as a permanent defender, Carlisle took one big scalp after another, constantly out-marking the competition’s best key forwards. In the second half of the season he has proven be a valuable swingman. His 13 marks against Carlton – most of which were taken after being moved forward – were crucial in the Bombers’ win.   

Heppell has barely put a foot wrong since winning the NAB Rising Star award in his debut season in 2011. The silky midfielder is averaging 25 disposals in 2013 and is fast becoming one of Essendon’s most important players.

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

Players must be aged 22 or under for the entire AFL season in order to be eligible and those selected in the final team will be presented with a 22under22 New Era hat in a Perspex case.

Fans can vote via Facebook and Twitter from August 21 to September 4.

To vote for Jake and Dyson go to the AFL Players’ Facebook page or the AFL Players’ Twitter.

https://www.facebook.com/AFLPlayers

https://twitter.com/AFLPlayers