Jack Redden and Mitch Golby have both been named in the preliminary squad of 40 players who will ultimately form the AFL Players’ Association’s inaugural team of 22under22.

22under22 is a new concept launched by the AFLPA to recognise the most promising young talent in the competition by forming a team made up from the best players aged 22 and under.

The AFLPA Board has selected a preliminary squad of 40, comprised of 12 defenders, 14 midfielders, 12 forwards and two rucks.

Fans are now encouraged to vote for Redden and Golby via Facebook to help secure them a place in the final 22.  

AFLPA President Luke Ball says the 22under22 concept ensures the impressive performances of the competition’s youngsters are celebrated.

“Players that have managed to have a consistent impact on the competition at such a young age should be duly recognised,” he said.

AFL Players’ Association CEO Matt Finnis agrees.

“The average age of the All-Australian team last year was 27, so this concept provides these young players with a rite of passage – and acts as a form guide for who those future stars of the competition might be,” Finnis said.

This year’s 22under22 side is the first of its kind, although the AFL Players’ Association Board has also selected a retrospective 2012 team, which featured Redden on the interchange bench.

Voting is open from now until Wednesday 4 September on the AFLPlayers Facebook page. You can also visit www.aflpa.com.au for further voting details.

Please find below the 40-man preliminary squad for the AFLPA’s 22under22:

Defenders
• Rory Thompson (Gold Coast)
• Daniel Talia (Adelaide)
• Jake Carlisle (Essendon)
• Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
• Paul Seedsman (Collingwood)
• Jordan Roughead (Western Bulldogs)
• Trent McKenzie (Gold Coast)
• Aaron Mullett (North Melbourne)
• Dylan Roberton (St Kilda)
• Mitch Golby (Brisbane Lions)
• Clancee Pearce (Fremantle)
• Brandon Ellis (Richmond)
 
Forwards
• Allen Christensen (Geelong)
• Jack Darling (West Coast)
• Dustin Martin (Richmond)
• Steven Motlop (Geelong)
• Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
• Jeremy Cameron (GWS Giants)
• Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
• Aaron Black (North Melbourne)
• Michael Walters (Fremantle)
• Jamie Elliott (Collingwood)
• Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs)
• Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide)

Midfielders
• Dan Hannebery (Sydney)
• Jaeger O’Meara (Gold Coast)
• Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)
• Luke Parker (Sydney)
• Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)
• Dion Prestia (Gold Coast)
• Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne)
• Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)
• Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne)
• Jack Redden (Brisbane Lions)
• Adam Treloar (GWS Giants)
• Mitch Duncan (Geelong)
• Tom Mitchell (Sydney)
• Dyson Heppell (Essendon)

Ruck
• Mark Blicavs (Geelong)
• Tom Nicholls (Gold Coast)