Bradley Hill and Jack Gunston have been named in the 2014 AFL Players’ Association 22Under22 squad.
The 22Under22 concept was introduced in 2013 to recognise the best young talent in the competition, as decided by the fans. To be eligible for this year’s team, players must be aged 22 or younger on Grand Final Day this year.
Hill and Gunston have been picked in the initial 45-man squad selected by the AFL Players’ Association Board.
The final 22Under22 team will be decided by fans, with the AFL Players’ Association calling on all footy fans to cast their votes by liking the AFL Players’ Facebook page and selecting a 22Under22 team from the 45-man squad.
Last year’s 22Under22 captain, Essendon’s Dyson Heppell, says the concept is a great way to acknowledge the next generation of elite players.
“I think it’s a fantastic initiative from the Players’ Association to have a 22Under22 side,” says Heppell, who’s encouraging all footy fans to make their voice heard in the AFL’s only fan-voted award.
“There are a lot of fans that watch the game quite intently and there was a good spread of players, from across a lot of different sides, in the team last year. It’s great to see a lot of fans interacting with the concept.”
This year’s 22Under22 squad has at least one nominee from each AFL club, with Hill and Gunston selected from Hawthorn.
A running machine, Hill has emerged as one of the Hawks’ most important players in 2014. The speedy wingman is averaging 20 disposals a game – but it’s the quality of his possessions that shows his worth. He’s one of the Hawks’ key link-up players and often catches the opposition out on fast-breaks.
Gunston has proven he’s more than capable of holding down a key forward post since ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s departure at the end of 2013. The crafty tall doesn’t need much of the ball to have an impact and is clean and polished with the footy in his hands. With an average of more than two goals a game, Gunston looks likely to break his goal-kicking record of 46 from last season.
The final 22Under22 team will be announced at the AFL Players’ MVP Awards on Tuesday, September 9.
You can vote for Hill and Gunston by submitting your 22Under22 team via the AFL Players’ Facebook page up until September 4. Everyone who enters a team will have a chance to win the ultimate 22Under22 prize-pack.
Click here to create your team and vote.
Find out more about 22Under22 at www.aflplayers.com.au
