Forwards Jack Gunston and Luke Breust 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.

Gunston and Breust 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 recognized,” he said.

Gunston has played a selfless role in Hawthorn’s forward line in 2013, playing higher up the ground and providing a foil for Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead. Gunston is averaging 15 possessions and almost two goals per game. After playing in a grand final in his first year at the Hawks, the 193cm former Crow will be looking to play a major role in Hawthorn’s finals campaign again this September.

Breust has been another prevalent goal-kicker for the Hawks this season, averaging almost two goals per game at the feet of the big forwards. He is also one of the leading goal assist players in the competition.

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 Jack and Luke go to the AFL Players’ Facebook page or the AFL Players’ Twitter.