Which defenders will make the 22Under22 squad? Be sure to check aflplayers.com.au on Wednesday to view the full 47-man squad. 22Under22 voting opens this Wednesday, 26th August at 9:00am.
The future of the AFL looks bright with a mix of toughness, skill and sheer class emerging in 2015.
It’s the engine room where games of footy are won, and the list of quality contenders in the midfield for this year’s 22Under22 team is an exciting prospect.
Carlton extractor Patrick Cripps has joined the elite on-ballers in only his second season with many tipping him to take out the 2015 Rising Star award and possibly the club’s best and fairest.
Such has been the success of the Western Bulldogs in 2015 that they have received three midfield nominations in the 47-man squad.
Mitch Wallis has stepped into the shoes of injured teammate Tom Liberatore, averaging over 20 disposals and nearly a goal a game, while 21 year-old Jack Macrae is among the club’s top ball winners.
Perhaps the most notable story for the finals-bound Dogs has been the improvement of 19 year-old Marcus Bontempelli. The classy midfielder has worked hard on the defensive side of his game and is averaging more than five tackles an outing this season.
Brandon Ellis is no stranger to the 22Under22 team with the Richmond star earning the chance to win selection for a third consecutive year.
Scroll down to see the list of midfielders selected in this year’s 22Under22 squad.
The steady rise of the Greater Western Sydney Giants has been typified by the continual improvement of their young midfield brigade. Adam Treloar will be eyeing off his second consecutive selection, ranking 15th in the AFL for total disposals, while Dylan Shiel has continued to catch the eyes of fans.
Stephen Coniglio has shown why he was selected with pick two in the 2011 National Draft, becoming a permanent rotation in the Giants’ midfield in a breakout 2015 season.
Melbourne have seen on-field improvement in 2015. Angus Brayshaw and Jack Viney among the key reasons behind the Dees’ progress.
Tom Mitchell has looked at home in one of the best midfields in the competition. After breaking into Sydney’s 22 against the Bulldogs in Round 5, Mitchell has averaged 25 disposals and six tackles per game.
When speaking of established midfields, it’s hard to go past Fremantle. Lachie Neale has managed to find himself as a permanent rotation among Brownlow fancies Nat Fyfe and David Mundy, topping the ladder-leading Dockers for both disposals and marks in 2015.
Talent runs deep in the west, with the Eagles proving to be one of the surprise packets of the year. Integral to their success has been the improvement of youngster Dom Sheed. He is enjoying his best season since being drafted with pick 11 in the 2013 National Draft.
Twenty-two-year-old speedster Bradley Hill has been rewarded for his 2015 season with the Hawks and the premiership player is a contenders for a cap in this year’s 22Under22 outfit.
Collingwood has recruited a couple of gems in recent seasons. Taylor Adams and Jack Crisp have been recognised with their maiden nominations in the 22Under22 squad. Ex-Giant Adams boasts an impressive 26 disposals per game in his second year with the Magpies, while Crisp has flourished in his new surrounds, playing every game in 2015.
It’s been a difficult season for the Power in 2015, but the club’s future is in safe hands. Ollie Wines has struggled with injuries but the midfield powerhouse still managed 24 disposals and five tackles per game before surgery on a troublesome shoulder.
The abundance of young midfield class is an exciting prospect for football fans, and this hand-picked bunch are sure to join the growing list of AFL greats.
The ruck battle, meanwhile, is down to Collingwood big man Brodie Grundy and St Kilda’s Billy Longer.
Which defenders will make the 22Under22 squad? Be sure to check aflplayers.com.au on Wednesday to view the full 47-man squad. 22Under22 voting opens this Wednesday, 26th August at 9:00am.
