The AFL Players' Association has released it's official 22Under22 squad for 2024, picking 40 of the brightest young guns in the competition ahead of the season's end.
Just two clubs have not been represented, with glaring concern for wooden spoon favourites Richmond, who require as many rising stars on their as possible during their rebuilding phase.
Essendon are the other club without any featured players, with young star Nate Caddy having too small a sample size in his short career to warrant selection.
North Melbourne excitingly have the most features with five, on all positional lines except the ruck spot. One Shinboner in Harry Sheezel has also earned dual-position status as a midfield/forward prodigy, joining Elijah Hollands (fwd/mid), Oliver Dempsey (mid/fwd) and Sam Darcy (ruck/fwd) with their prowess in multiple positions.
Hawthorn unsurprisingly hold four representatives, as do Fremantle; an exciting prospect for a top four contender.
Adelaide, Gold Coast and West Coast make up the group of developing sides with three players featured, while Melbourne and Geelong also feature three despite their reputations as the elder clubs of the competition.
Introducing the 22Under22 AFL Squad for 2024, proudly presented by Snaffle๐
Now itโs your turn! Select your 22Under22 team: https://t.co/MXTnd07mCB pic.twitter.com/WwHzdkGKqR
— aflplayers (@AFLPlayers) August 8, 2024
Fans of most clubs are sure to share their disapproval of the squad and the potential snubs from their beloved side. Some notable omissions, albeit with small sample sizes acknowledged, include:
- Lawson Humphries, Geelong
- Luke Nankervis, Adelaide
- Koltyn Tholstrup, Melbourne
- Blake Howes, Melbourne
- Jake Bowey, Melbourne
- Bailey Humphrey, Gold Coast
- Tom Brown, Richmond
- Darcy Jones, GWS
- Harvey Thomas, GWS
- Nick Watson, Hawthorn
- Mitch Owens, St Kilda
- Mattaes Phillipou, St Kilda
- Darcy Wilson, St Kilda
- Logan Morris, Brisbane
- Will Ashcroft, Brisbane
2024 22under22 Squad
Adelaide
- Josh Rachele (fwd)
- Jake Soligo (mid)
- Max Michalanney (def)
Brisbane
- Kai Lohmann (fwd)
- Darcy Wilmot (def)
Carlton
- Elijah Hollands (mid/fwd)
Collingwood
- Nick Daicos (mid)
Essendon
- N/A
Fremantle
- Jye Amiss (fwd)
- Josh Treacy (fwd)
- Luke Jackson (ruck)
- Josh Draper (def)
Geelong
- Oliver Dempsey (mid/fwd)
- Tanner Bruhn (mid)
- Max Holmes (def)
Gold Coast
- Sam Clohesy (mid)
- Bodhi Uwland (def)
- Mac Andrew (def)
GWS
- Finn Callaghan (mid)
Hawthorn
- Connor Macdonald (fwd)
- Jack Ginnivan (fwd)
- Massimo D'Ambrosio (mid)
- Josh Weddle (def)
Melbourne
- Jacob Van Rooyen (fwd)
- Caleb Windsor (mid)
- Judd McVee (def)
North Melbourne
- Paul Curtis (fwd)
- Tom Powell (mid)
- Harry Sheezel (mid/fwd)
- George Wardlaw (mid)
- Colby McKercher (def)
Port Adelaide
- Jase Burgoyne (mid)
- Jason Horne-Francis (mid)
Richmond
- N/A
St Kilda
- Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (def)
Sydney
- Logan McDonald (fwd)
- Errol Gulden (mid)
West Coast
- Harley Reid (mid)
- Reuben Ginbey (mid)
- Brady Hough (def)
- Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (fwd)
- Sam Darcy (ruck/fwd)