Three Bulldogs have been named in the AFL Players Association’s fan-voted 22Under22 side, revealed Tuesday night at the AFLPA MVP Awards in Melbourne.
Marcus Bontempelli will skipper the side, with Essendon’s Zach Merrett his deputy, while Jake Stringer and Lachie Hunter will also join the 20-year-old Bulldogs midfielder in the line-up.
The Bulldogs shared honours with Melbourne and Carlton, as the Club having the most number of players in it – three in total.
For Hunter it was his first year selected in the team, while Stringer was one of six players be named for the second consecutive year.
Bontempelli’s selection is his third in succession, joining Richmond’s Brandon Ellis and Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard as the only three players to have received this honour.
In further recognition for Bontempelli on the night, the young Bulldog finished eight in AFLPA MVP voting, behind winner Patrick Dangerfield.
After the initial release of the 50-man squad, 6,000 votes were cast by fans from all over Australia to determine the best 22 players aged 22 or under.
To be eligible for the 22Under22 team, players must aged 22 or younger for the entire AFL season, including finals.
The 22Under22 team is now in its fourth year, and is the only recognised fan-voted award that puts the power in the hands of the football public to name the team.
2016 AFLPA 22Under22 Team
Captain: Marcus Bontempelli; Vice-Captain: Zach Merrett
FB: Rory Laird (ADEL) 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 (MELB) Christian Petracca (MELB)
FF: Jake Stringer (WB) Joe Daniher (ESS) Darcy Moore (COLL)
FOLL: Brodie Grundy (COLL) Marcus Bontempelli (WB) Jack Viney (MELB)
I/C: Jack Martin (GC) Tim Membrey (STK) Ollie Wines (PA) Lachie Hunter (WB)
