Marcus Bontempelli named captain of AFLPA’s 22-under-22 team as young guns shine
MARCUS Bontempelli has kept his perfect 22-under-22 record intact, elevated to captain in the AFL Players’ Association team of young guns. SEE THE TEAM
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MARCUS Bontempelli has kept his perfect 22-under-22 record intact, elevated to captain in the AFL Players’ Association team of young guns.
The Western Bulldogs star has been selected in the line-up in each of his three sparkling seasons and he will remain eligible until 2018.
Bontempelli joined Brandon Ellis (Richmond) and Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide) as three-time representatives, the most recorded since the concept began in 2012.
The All-Australian was named the AFLPA best first-year player in 2014 and on Tuesday night he replaced teammate Jake Stringer as the under-22 captain.
Bontempelli said he was yet to put any emphasis on his leadership aspirations at the Dogs, but was “massively humbled” by the honour.
“Being selected in itself is an honour and then to be lucky enough to go on and be lucky enough to be selected as captain with the quality of players is just a massive honour,” Bontempelli said.
The brilliant midfielder is the youngest player to be named skipper of the 22 under-22 side.
Superstar Patrick Dangerfield was named the inaugural 22-under-22 inaugural skipper in 2012, his fifth season at Adelaide.
The Dogs were the only finalist to boast three players in the team, with Stringer retaining his place and ball magnet Lachie Hunter named on the bench.
Rebuilding clubs Carlton and Melbourne also produced three players.
Blue Jacob Weitering and Swan Callum Mills were the only draftees named in the team.
Weitering went at No.1 while injured Rising Star Mills went at No.3.
Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond and West Coast were all overlooked, while the Kangaroos failed to have a player selected in the 50-man squad.
Bontempelli and Dangerfield are the only AFL players averaging 24 disposals and a goal per game this season.
The 20-year-old became the youngest player in VFL-AFL history to captain a victory this year when he led the Dogs in Round 11.
That feat was followed by Essendon best-and-fairest Zach Merrett, who led the Bombers from Rounds 21-22.
Merrett was last night named the 22-under-22 vice-captain.
St Kilda’s leading goalkicker Tim Membrey breakout season earned him selection just two years after he left Sydney Swans.
The AFLPA selected the 50-man squad before 6000 votes cast by fans narrowed that to last night’s team.
YOUNG GUNS
2016 22-Under22 team
B: Rory Laird (Ade), Jacob Weitering (Carl), Sam Docherty (Carl)
HB: Callum Mills (Syd), Jake Lever (Adel), Zac Williams (GWS)
C: Zach Merrett (Ess), Patrick Cripps (Carl), Stephen Coniglio (GWS)
HF: Isaac Heeney (Syd), Jesse Hogan (Mel), Christian Petracca (Mel)
F: Jake Stringer (WB), Joe Daniher (Ess), Darcy Moore (Coll)
Foll: Brodie Grundy (Coll), Marcus Bontempelli (WB), Jack Viney (Melb)
Int: Jack Martin (GC), Tim Membrey (StK), Ollie Wines (PA), Lachie Hunter (WB)
Captain: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)