The AFL Players’ Association have revealed five Bulldogs in its 2016 22Under22 squad, which recognises the next generation of AFL stars.

The 50-man squad was ratified by the AFL Players’ Board and acknowledges the best young players who have achieved consistency across the 2016 home and away season.

Marcus Bontempelli, Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae, Caleb Daniel and Jake Stringer have all been named in the squad.
Adelaide received the most nominations for the squad, with seven players featured.

VOTE NOW: Load up your 22Under22 team full of Bulldogs players here.

The Bulldog’s five nominations was the equal second most of any club, along with Essendon and Melbourne.

To be eligible, players must be aged 22 years and under for the entirety of the 2016 season, including the finals series.

Now in its fourth year, 22Under22 is the industry’s only recognised fan-voted award and provides the footy public with the authority to select the final team.

AFL Players’ Association President Matthew Pavlich said that this year’s selection process was particularly difficult due to the high calibre of eligible candidates.

“It’s really promising to sit back and look at the young players coming through that are already consistently strong performers so early on in their career,” he said.

“Some of these guys in this squad have only been in the AFL system for one or two years and a few of them are already considered their team’s most important player, so it’s a really exciting time for the future of the game – I can’t wait to see who the fans select as their final 22.”

AFL Players’ Association CEO Paul Marsh believes the 22Under22 plays an important role in not only celebrating the competition’s youth but gives the fans a voice.

“It’s great to provide a platform where the younger players are recognised and footy fans can throw their vote behind the young players they love watching each week,” he said.

Fans can now visit 22under22.com.au to cast their vote, before the final 2016 22Under22 team is revealed at the AFL Players’ MVP Awards on Tuesday September 13.

Fans who submit a team that matches the final 22Under22 team will automatically go into the draw to win the 22Under22 prize pack.

Voting closes on Tuesday 6th September.
Click here to vote for your best 22Under22.22Under22 squad of 50
 
Midfielders
Marcus Bontempelli (WB), Jack Viney (MELB), Stephen Conigilio (GWS), Josh Kelly (GWS), Patrick Cripps (CAR), Zach Merrett (ESS), Ollie Wines (PA), Matt Crouch (ADEL), Jack Crisp (COLL), Lachie Hunter (WB), Rory Atkins (ADEL), Jack Macrae (WB), Luke Dunstan (STK), Darcy Parish (ESS), Lachie Whitfield (GWS), Caleb Daniel (WB), Brad Crouch (ADEL) (17)
 
Forwards
Jake Stringer (WB), Christian Petracca (MELB), Peter Wright (GCS), Dean Kent (MELB), Tim Membrey (STK), Orazio Fantasia (ESS), Charlie Cameron (ADEL), Isaac Heeney (SYD), Jesse Hogan (MELB), James Sicily (HAW), Joe Daniher (ESS), Jack Billings (STK), Mitch McGovern (ADEL), Darcy Moore (COLL), Lincoln McCarthy (GEEL), Liam Duggan (WCE) (16)
 
Defenders
Zac Williams (GWS), Sam Docherty (CARL), Rory Laird (ADEL), Jake Lever (ADEL), Jayden Hunt (MELB), Jack Martin (GCS), Callum Mills (SYD), Jacob Weitering (CARL), Marty Gleeson (ESS), Darcy Byrne-Jones (PA), Nick Vlastuin (RICH), Kade Kolodjashnij (GCS), Tom Sheridan (FREM), Brayden Maynard (COLL), Harris Andrews (BL), Jake Kolodjashnij (GEEL) (16)
 
Rucks
Brodie Grundy (COLL), Peter Wright (GCS - listed as both forward and ruck) (2)