This was an interesting exercise, but it was difficult to narrow down the players currently aged 23 and under to fewer than 26 and eventually the best 22.
The four players chosen as emergencies deserve honourable mentions, as it was tough to leave them out, but that’s the reality of picking a team: there are players who have to miss out.
Sam Walsh is the captain of this team as he has all the qualities that make a great leader: he believes in himself but is still humble. Tim Taranto is vice-captain of this formidable line-up as it was impossible to go past Sam Walsh as captain!
This team would be a formidable line-up if it played an exhibition match, as many of these players have All Australian potential. Players must have played a minimum of one season of AFL to be considered.
Under-23s line-up
B: Brayden Maynard (Collingwood Magpies), Tom Doedee (Adelaide Crows), Liam Duggan (West Coast Eagles)
HB: Jordan Dawson (Sydney Swans), Ryan Burton (Port Adelaide Power), Sam Petrevski-Seton (Carlton Blues)
C: Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions), Tim Taranto (vice-captain, Greater Western Sydney Giants), Sam Walsh (captain, Carlton Blues)
HF: Jade Gresham (St Kilda Saints), Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions), Tom Phillips (Collingwood Magpies)
F: Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans), Charlie Curnow (Carlton Blues), Tom Papley (Sydney Swans)
Foll: Tim English (Western Bulldogs), Josh Dunkley (Western Bulldogs), James Worpel (Hawthorn Hawks),
IC: Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide Power), Andrew Mcgrath (Essendon Bombers), Jacob Hopper (Greater Western Sydney Giants), Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs)
Emg: Kyle Langford (Essendon Bombers), Sean Darcy (Fremantle Dockers), Darcy Tucker (Fremantle Dockers), Jy Simpkin (North Melbourne Kangaroos)
Backs
Brayden Maynard has plenty of ability and is a pivotal player in the Collingwood defence.
Tom Doedee is a key player for Adelaide. He was added to their leadership group and is capable of playing a role as a key defender.
Liam Duggan has so much talent and has All Australian potential.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Halfbacks
Jordan Dawson can provide a lot of run off the half-back line.
Ryan Burton can play centre-half-back and not only hold down a key position but also provide plenty of run out of the back line.
Sam Petrevski-Seton is underrated. He managed to finish in the top ten of the Carlton best and fairest in 2019.
(Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Centres
Hugh McCluggage has a lot of ability and has the capability of being the Brisbane Lions best player while spending time in the middle of the ground as well as on the wing.
Tim Taranto was the 2019 best and fairest winner for the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
Sam Walsh was elevated to the Carlton leadership group. He has the ability to win a best and fairest for the Blues and be regarded as one of the best players in the AFL.
(Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Half-forwards
Jade Gresham is capable of being St Kilda’s most important player.
Eric Hipwood has already kicked over 100 goals despite being only 22 years of age.
Tom Phillips finished seventh in the Collingwood best and fairest in 2019. He is underrated and has the capability of being elite.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Forwards
Isaac Heeney showed his class in Round 1 in 2020 by kicking four goals and being the matchwinner for the Sydney Swans. He managed to finish sixth in the 2019 best and fairest.
Charlie Curnow is a quality player and arguably Carlton’s most important player from a structural perspective. If Curnow can stay injury free, he has the potential to develop into a second ruckman, which will make him more versatile.
Tom Papley is an outstanding player who has already kicked over 100 goals in his career. He managed to finish fourth in Sydney’s best and fairest in 2019.
(Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Interchange
Connor Rozee finished fourth in the Port Adelaide best and fairest in 2019 and showed that he has the ability to play in the midfield, where he gathered 21 possessions and kicked a goal in Round 1 in 2020.
Andrew McGrath can play through the midfield and have a big impact there, as he showed in Round 1 in 2020 when he gathered 23 possessions and worked hard defensively, making eight tackles.
Jacob Hopper showed what a quality player he is in 2019 by finishing third in the Greater Western Sydney Giants best and fairest.
Caleb Daniel finished fifth in the Western Bulldogs best and fairest in 2019. Round 1 of 2020 is indicative of Daniel’s mental strength, as he never stopped trying, even though his team didn’t perform well. He finished the game with 20 possessions, his endeavour impressive.
Emergencies
Kyle Langford nearly made this team, just missing out as he needs to be more consistent despite having plenty of ability.
Sean Darcy has to be an emergency because I’ve picked Tim English as the only genuine ruckman in the best 22. Darcy has to improve his work around the ground.
Darcy Tucker often flies under the radar and wasn’t far away from making this team’s best 22. His performance in Round 1 of 2020 shows why he nearly made the team.
Jy Simpkin needs to replicate his performance against St Kilda in Round 1 of 2020 to become highly regarded, as he definitely has the ability to do so.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Burton will show he is a quality player; that's why Port Adelaide recruited him?
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Doedee is better than Andrews in my opinion.
Andrew
Guest
With Rance retired Andrews and Mcgovern are clearly the 2 best key defenders in the comp. No idea how the former doesnt make an under 23 side lmao
Seymorebutts
Guest
Prospect? No offence bud, but did you watch Allens games? He has been a gun, not just ''playing well for someone his age' he has played well full stop. Im not saying those other guys arent good, but Allen can play both CHB and CHF, and can pinch hit in the ruck. That is a rare bird indeed ;-) If he played for a Victorian club I have no doubt he would have won the rising star award last year.
Seymorebutts
Guest
Oscar is a gun, not sure how old he is, 19 or 20... but already he has covered in key defensive potions when the Guv was out, played up forward when JK was injured, pinch hits in the ruck, not only covered for them, he did well in their place... is there nothing he cant do? If this is JK's last year, next year shove the Guv up forward, and let Oscar taker over at CHB.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Compare the pair's highlight reels against Oscar's . . . they're way ahead at this stage. Oscar Allen is a prospect, no doubt, but the other two are already delivering.
PriddisJunior
Roar Rookie
wHo?
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Baaaaa.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I never said Burton should be in there mate, Andrews is spud and you’re just another sheep, one with an especially sh@tty attitude, that thinks because some other sheep voted him into the AA that it’s the be all and end all of the conversation……on a sports debate site no less. No need to get so precious champ, everyone’s allowed an opinion.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Harris Andrews being left out "AFL All Stars Under 23's" is laughable. There would be arguments to be made that he should be in "AFL All Stars" Squad. Actually not arguments. He is! Ryan Burton is not a number 1 or number 2 key defender. He's the third tall defender. Half the time Doran I think you throw stuff like this out there just to get reactions.... Well done you got me!
Roo
Guest
Garbage. Andrews is a far better player than Jonas. Now you’re just taking the urine. Take your Port glasses off. You’ve now plugged Jonas, Burton, Dan Houston. Anyone else? I suppose John Butcher was a better player than Harris Andrews? What about Cain Ackland?
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
You say herd mentality is ridiculous, but you only need to look at how predictable the brownlow has become to see that it well and truly is a thing. Tom Jonas makes Andrews look like a little boy, but he’s unfashionable so…….herd mentality, every year a team surprises people and becomes their second team, Port 2014, bulldogs in their premiership year, the lions last year. Happens all the time. Players get over-rated from that particular team. He’s just a decent footy player, which at his age is pretty good, but the AA was a bit of a joke.
Cam
Guest
Bailey Smith
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Who?
Roo
Guest
Herd mentality? What a ridiculous comment. He was widely picked in many teams of the year and is touted as one of the best defenders in the game by many esteemed judges (and current players). You talk about Burton and Doedee going to be ‘real stars of the comp’. Andrews is already there. ‘Should probably make the under 23 team’? Yeah I reckon a current AA player ‘probably’ should... Andrews is a star.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I don’t think Harris Andrews is anywhere near the best defender in the game, not even close. The AA selection was typical herd mentality and a snap judgement due to Brisbane’s run up the ladder with an easy draw. Good player but over-rated, probably should make the u-23 team though. Not sure why you would have Burton at CHB though, that’s not really his position, he and Doedee are going to be real stars of the comp going forward, Burton is 6″4′ and has beautiful foot skills, wait until he settles at Port, you’ll see It’s Dawson you should be asking questions about, I was like “who”?
Blitz
Guest
Oscar Allen?
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Stacky? Liam Baker?
Roo
Guest
Who are you referring to? Omitting Harris Andrews is ridiculous. Arguably the best one-on-one defender in the game and the current AA fullback. You know, the best team in the land regardless of age.. Not bad for a bloke who ‘hasn’t quite made it’. Leaving him out over Doedee and Ryan Burton (!!) is pure ignorance. And he doesn’t even snag an emergency...
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Nothing against RIchmond; thanks for the feedback though!