22 under 22, the All-Australian team with a twist. The best of the best selected not from the entire AFL, but from those who were aged 22 or younger at the conclusion of the 2017 AFL home-and-away season.
This year has been a difficult one to select from, with a plethora of young talent being featured across all 18 teams. Did we get it right?
FB: Jake Lever, James Sicily, Andrew McGrath
HB: Zak Jones, Ryan Burton, Zac WilliamsC: Josh Kelly, Matt Crouch, Zach Merrett
Foll: Sean Darcy, Ollie Wines, Clayton OliverHF: Marcus Bontempelli, Charlie Curnow, Isaac Heeney
FF: Jack Billings, Eric Hipwood, Orazio FantasiaInt: Connor Blakely, Callum Mills, Christian Petracca, Jade Gresham
Unlucky: Alex Witherden, Sam Powell-Pepper, Blake Acres, Luke Ryan, Caleb Daniel, Daniel Rioli and Ben Ainsworth
Defenders: Since a mid-season move to the back six, the fiery James Sicily has thrived, becoming one of the intercept kings of the competition. Highly sought after Crow Jake Lever has again shown that he is a superstar in the making, while Zak Jones and Zac Williams have done the same with stellar campaigns.
Rising Star winner Andrew McGrath has excelled in his first season as a lock-down defender, much alike runner-up Ryan Burton, who in his second season has demonstrated his magnificent composure.
On the bench, Connor Blakley was excellent for Fremantle before succumbing late to a shoulder injury, and Callum Mills backed up his 2016 season in style. Alex Witherden and Luke Ryan didn’t miss a beat since coming into their respective teams, but didn’t quite notch up enough games to feature.
Midfielders: What a season it has been for the young midfielders of the competition. The future looks bright for whichever teams are lucky enough to have their hands on these untouchable young guns.
Matt Crouch, Josh Kelly, Zach Merret, Ollie Wines and Clayton Oliver; a list of names who not only would be considered the best under-22 midfielders in the comp, but more simply, the best midfielders in the comp.
Take Dustin Martin out of the equation and many of these names would be red-hot Brownlow Medal fancies, and should be in the years to come. In particular Crow Matt Crouch had a brilliant, break-out season for the minor premiers, and out-of-contract Giant Josh Kelly is rightfully on the radar of rival clubs after a stunning 2017.
Unfortunately given the superstar nature of this midfield group, many young-guns such as Sam Powell-Pepper weren’t worthy of a spot just yet.
Forwards: Eric Hipwood shows glimpses of a Buddy Franklin-like prowess in the forward 50, and with more experience, will be a future Coleman Medal contender. Isaac Heeney, Jack Billings and Orazio Fantasia remain some of the most dangerous small-forwards in the competition and proved it with standout seasons.
Marcus Bontempelli (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Anthony Koutoufides doppelganger Charlie Curnow was deservedly among the Rising Star voting after impressing in the Blues outfit, while match-winner Marcus Bontempelli, who at times this year has drifted forward, replicated his brilliance of the last few seasons yet again.
Christian Petracca kicked 26 goals and is shaping as a superstar, as is Jade Gresham who kicked 30 for St Kilda. Richmond and Gold Coast will be licking their lips over their respective jets Daniel Rioli and Ben Ainsworth, with both enjoying fine seasons and falling just short of selection.
Steve009
Roar Rookie
Cripps was closer to outstanding than just OK last year. And like most players, missing such a large chunk of the pre season with injury he was unlikely to capture his best form this year. Needs to get his body right, but if he does I would expect him to continue his progression to be becoming the best inside midfielder in the league.
Steve009
Roar Rookie
Cripps was closer to outstanding than just OK last year. And like most players, missing such a large chunk of the pre season with injury he was unlikely to capture his best form this year. Needs to get his body right, but if he does I would expect him to continue his progression to be becoming the best inside midfielder in the league.
Sam Staunton
Roar Rookie
Thanks Matt! And yes, I agree. McLean showed great promise for the dogs this year, and like you said, would've been a lock with a better start. Probably would've made it in most years, but this years young midfielders and forwards were next level.
Matto
Guest
Andrew who?
Mattyb
Guest
Nice response to a drama fuelled comment Sam,I think you've done a pretty good job. Any thoughts on McLeans season? I thought his second half was exceptional,probably not worthy of this side though considering his slow start.
Sam Staunton
Roar Rookie
Admittedly, he should have at least been in the unlucky category. But i will take your feedback on board and use it to improve with my next articles.
Sam Staunton
Roar Rookie
Played 15 games and was competing with Josh Kelly, Zach Merrett, Ollie Wines, Clayton Oliver and Matt Crouch. Which one of those would you omit?
Shannon Davies
Guest
How I Harris Andrews not even unlucky you lose all credibility with that omission 5 mins of my life I won't get back
Matt
Guest
Cripps not being this is a complete joke
Birdman
Guest
add Blake Hardwick to the unlucky list. had an outstanding season
TomC
Roar Guru
I'm not totally sold on Hunt just yet. Consistency is one thing, but even when he gets a lot of it I think he has a tendency to run and kick for distance down the wing, instead of using his speed to find space and spot up the best option. Plenty of potential, but also a lot of work to do. Zak Jones was a good choice I think. Presumably Andrews was just an oversight. I'd have him and Barrass as the key defenders if I was to pick this type of team. Sicily plays a bit of a different role.
Sam Staunton
Roar Rookie
I did look at Peter Wright but felt he was more of genuine tall forward and merely a backup ruckman, whereas Sean Darcy is a genuine first ruck option, and as a result Wright couldn't fit in to the dominant forward line. In terms of the Jayden Hunt point, I felt he was less consistent than Jones and that Jones was pivotal in the Sydney resurgence. Point taken about Harris Andrews as well, I did feel that Sicily was vital in the Hawks defence (who didn't concede more than 100 points following round 6), and his intercept work was unmatched by most other defenders other than a few such as Rance, but Harris Andrews was also very impressive.
Handles
Roar Guru
Unfortunately I was busy when Fremantle played this year (except when they beat Gawn-less Melbourne) so I didn't get much of a look at Sean Darcy, but I would have thought Peter Wright was a better bet at ruck? And Jayden Hunt's form was a little variable, but his best was better than the best of a few in the team, including Zac Jones. Wouldn't that front 6 put the wind up opposition coaches?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Beat me to it you two. Harris Andrews a glaring omission from the back 6.
Mattyb
Guest
It will be a big season for Cripps next year. After an ok,but nothing outstanding year last year,Cripps was average this year at best before succumbing to another injury. After at one time looking like he could be the second best player from his draft year,he has been overtaken by numerous players which is a good indication that his development has somewhat stalled.
Will Cuckson
Roar Rookie
If Wines turns 23 next month, but Cripps doesn't until next year, how come Cripps wasn't even in the squad?
Liam
Guest
That is one of the least accountable back halves I've ever seen. You've got players who play as extras in McGrath, Burton, Lever and Sicily. I guarantee if you played all four, you'd be having Adelaide-esque scores kicked against you every week.
CME
Guest
James Sicily over Harris Andrews? Yikes.
Andrew Blake
Roar Rookie
Pretty good. Except you left out the not-yet-22 Harris Andrews. You can't pretend any of those back six are better defenders.
Slane
Guest
Has there ever been a team with so many Zak/Zach/Zac's in it?