AFLPA 22 Under 22: Marcus Bontempelli, Jordan De Goey, Charlie Curnow, Clayton Oliver headline elite youth team

THE future of the AFL is in elite hands, with young stars Marcus Bontempelli, Jordan De Goey, Charlie Curnow and Clayton Oliver spearheading the AFLPA’s 22 Under 22 team.

Charlie Curnow, Clayton Oliver, Marcus Bontempelli and Jordan De Goey headline the AFLPA's 22 Under 22 team.

THE future of the AFL is in elite hands, with young stars Marcus Bontempelli, Jordan De Goey, Charlie Curnow and Clayton Oliver headlining the AFLPA’s 22 Under 22 team.

Western Bulldog Bontempelli, already a premiership player and an established star, captains the side, with Demon prime mover Oliver his deputy.

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Charlie Curnow, Clayton Oliver, Marcus Bontempelli and Jordan De Goey headline the AFLPA's 22 Under 22 team.

Star Collingwood forward De Goey helped spearhead the Pies club’s run to the top four, along with teammate and Rising Star favourite Jaidyn Stephenson — that pair booting 70 goals between them.

A pair of Brisbane Lions bookend the team, with Harris Andrews — who was in All Australian form before being knocked out by Giant Jeremy Cameron — named at full back and wiry teammate Eric Hipwood occupying the other goalsquare.

Curnow was among the few brightspots for Carlton in a dark season, while Essendon’s Zach Merrett will receive ruck service from emerging Fremantle big man Sean Darcy.

Adelaide revelation Tom Doedee and vastly improved Tiger Jayden Short are also in a team that would not have been complete without Sydney superstar Isaac Heeney.

Demon Christian Petracca was named on the bench.

The Lions, Bombers, Pies and Demons share the equal highest representation, with three each.

The full 2018 22 Under 22 team.

HOW THE TEAM IS PICKED

■ 22 Under 22 is a fan-voted concept that recognises the best 22 players aged 22 and under for the entirety of the season.

■ The AFL Players’ Board selects a squad of 40 players

■ Fans then have the opportunity to decide the final 22 by voting on the AFLPA website

■ The fan whose team is the best match for the final team wins a prize

■ Players selected in the final team are presented with snapback 22Under22 hat