Four young Bulldogs have made the preliminary 45-man squad in the AFL Players’ Association 22 under 22 representative team for 2014, including first year recruit Marcus Bontempelli.
Highlighting the best young talent in the league, the AFLPA’s 22 under 22 concept was first introduced in 2013 with Tom Liberatore the sole Bulldog making the final list.
This year Liberatore is joined by Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Luke Dahlhaus in the mix for the honours, with the final side determined by fan votes on Thursday 4 September 2014.
This season Liberatore has continued to impose himself as one of the best inside midfielders of the game, ranking first in the league in both clearances and tackles and is in the top five for contested possessions.
Jack Macrae’s breakout season sees him ranked 13th in the league for disposals and fifth for uncontested possessions, despite only being a second year player.
Livewire Dahlhaus’s influence has gone to new heights in 2014 as well, averaging over 2.5 scoreboard influences per game while also rotating through the midfield.
Only the Gold Coast Suns (eight) and Port Adelaide (five) have more representatives in the initial squad, highlighting the breadth of young talent available at the Club.
Brisbane Lions, St Kilda, Collingwood and GWS Giants all have three players in the mix.
The initial squad was voted on by the AFLPA Board, headed by Collingwood’s Luke Ball, with every team represented by at least one player.
Fan voting for the final side incorporates naming your chosen starting 22 through the AFL Players Facebook page and sharing via social media platforms using #22under22.
