Daniel Hannebery, Luke Parker and Tom Mitchell have been named in the inaugural AFL Players’ Association 22under22 squad.

22under22 is a new concept that recognises the best 22 young players in the competition.

Hannebery, Parker and Mitchell have been nominated for the 40-man squad by the AFL Players’ Association Board and fans will decide the final team by voting via social media.

Hannebery’s phenomenal performance in last year’s Grand Final earned him the respect of the football world and the 22-year-old hasn’t missed a beat since. Hannebery is averaging 27 disposals per game this season and has become one of the Swans’ most important players.

Mitchell didn’t make his debut until Round 10 this season but is already performing with the poise expected of 200-game players. The young Swan is averaging 22 possessions, five tackles and a goal per game.

While he flies under the radar more than some of his teammates, Luke Parker is enjoying another outstanding season. The substitute in the 2012 Grand Final, Parker has taken his game to a new level, playing every game and averaging 20 possessions and five tackles in just his third season.

AFL Players’ Association CEO Matt Finnis says the 22under22 concept celebrates the abundance of young talent across the competition.

“The average age of the All-Australian team was 27 last year 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.

AFL Players’ Association President Luke Ball agrees.

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

The 2013 22under22 team will be announced at the Be The Influence AFL Players’ MVP awards on September 10.  

Players must be aged 22 or under for the entire AFL season in order to be eligible and those selected in the final team will be presented with a 22under22 New Era hat in a Perspex case.

Fans can vote via Facebook and Twitter from August 21 to September 4.

To vote for Daniel, Tom and Luke go to the AFL Players’ Facebook page or the AFL Players’ Twitter.

2013 22under22 squad?

Defenders
1. Rory Thompson
2. Daniel Talia
3. Jake Carlisle
4. Steele Sidebottom
5. Paul Seedsman
6. Jordan Roughead
7. Trent McKenzie
8. Aaron Mullet
9. Dylan Roberton
10. Mitch Golby
11. Clancee Pearce
12. Brandon Ellis

Forwards
1. Allen Christensen
2. Jack Darling
3. Dustin Martin
4. Steven Motlop
5. Luke Bruest
6. Jeremy Cameron
7. Jack Gunston
8. Aaron Black
9. Michael Walters
10. Jamie Elliot
11. Luke Dahlhaus
12. Chad Wingard

Midfielders
1. Dan Hannebery
2. Jaeger O’Meara
3. Nathan Fyfe
4. Luke Parker
5. Ollie Wines
6. Dion Prestia
7. Ben Cunnington
8. Tom Liberatore
9. Jack Ziebell
10. Jack Redden
11. Adam Treloar
12. Mitch Duncan
13. Tom Mitchell
14. Dyson Heppell

Ruck
1. Mark Blicavs
2. Tom Nicholls