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Dyson Heppell named as Captain of inaugural 22under22 team

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Essendon’s Dyson Heppell and North Melbourne’s Jack Ziebell have been announced as Captain and Vice Captain respectively, of the inaugural Players’ Association #22under22 side at the 2013 Be the Influence AFL Players’ MVP Awards on Tuesday night at Peninsula, Docklands.

Launched in Round 22 of this season, this fan-voted concept recognises the best young talent aged 22 years and under, with fans casting their votes through the AFL Players’ Facebook page to select the final 2013 team.

Presented with a squad of 40 players, chosen by the AFL Players’ Board, fans were required to select 7 forwards, 7 defenders, 7 midfielders and 1 ruckman.

Members of the final team were presented with a #22under22 New Era cap with Heppell and Ziebell both present to receive theirs from the Captain of the retrospective 2012 #22under22 team, Patrick Dangerfield.

“It’s got an exciting young feel about it, from the New Era cap through to the trading cards that were handed out on the night, it certainly is an award which aims to be reflective of the age group and I think fans have enjoyed that, Heppell said.

“I think it’s a great concept and I’m certainly proud to have been named as Captain.

“I guess you could say it’s a bit like a young All-Australian side so it’s a great way to recognise some of the best young talent in the game.”

Asked by Scott Pendlebury who he would most like to play next to, Heppell identified Jeremy Cameron as his favourite and said he would welcome the opportunity to play an exhibition game with the team if the opportunity arose.

“I reckon it’s be a pretty handy bunch of blokes to play alongside, so yeah, it’d be pretty cool I reckon,” Heppell said.

AFL Players’ CEO Matt Finnis said the concept had received strong support from the AFL community, who had relished the opportunity to cast their votes through the AFL Players’ Facebook page and decide the final team.

“It’s a fun concept which has certainly got the fans talking and we’ve seen both fans and players alike create and share their teams through social media which has generated plenty of heated discussions and excitement about the team,” Finnis said.

“It’s got an exciting young feel about it, from the New Era cap through to the trading cards that were handed out on the night,

“And it’s hard to believe guys like Sidebottom, Ziebel, Fyfe, Hannebery and Heppel are so young…they feel like they have been around for years.”

Several high profiles players includingGary Ablett Jnr, Andrew Swallow, Luke Ball, Brad Sewell, Andy Otten, Ben Howlett, Michael Barlow, Isaac Smith and even former Swans star Warwick Capper, shared their teams throughout social media with fans relishing the opportunity to discuss their selections with their favourite players.

Gold Coast has the most representatives, with five players selected in the final 22.

Rory Thompson and Trent McKenzie were selected in the back line, while Dion Prestia (named on the bench) and Rising Star winner Jaegar O’Meara were picked as midfielders. Tom Nicholls – who played eight games for the Suns this season – was chose ahead of Mark Blicavs to do the ruck work.

Richmond, Fremantle, Essendon and North Melbourne each had two players picked in the final team.

Young Tigers Dustin Martin and Brandon Ellis were selected in the forward line and back line respectively. Fremantle’s Nathan Fyfe was picked in the midfield, while Walters was nominated as a forward and has been named on the bench.

Bombers Jake Carlisle and Dyson Heppell have been picked in the back line and midfield respectively, while Kangaroos Aaron Mullett and Jack Ziebell were both selected on the interchange bench – Mullett as a defender and Ziebell as a midfielder.

Adelaide’s Daniel Talia and Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom have each been rewarded for consistent seasons with a spot in the defensive six.

Bulldog Tom Liberatore was considered unlucky not to be selected in the All Australian squad but has been recognised in the 22under22 team with a midfield spot, alongside tough Swan Dan Hannebery.

West Coast’s Jack Darling and Greater Western Sydney’s Jeremy Cameron have been selected to hold down key position posts in the forward line, with Geelong’s Steven Motlop, Hawthorn’s Luke Breust and Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard to play alongside them.

The 22 players selected in the final 22under22 team was announced at the 2013 Be the Influence AFL Players’ MVP Awards on Tuesday night, in front of over 650 guests.

Each player will be awarded a limited edition 22under22 New Era cap, presented in a perspex box produced by past player Daniel Pratt.

2013 #22under22 Team

B             Brandon Ellis                    Rory Thompson         Daniel Talia

HB           Steele Sidebottom          Jake Carlisle                Trent  McKenzie

C             Nathan Fyfe                     Dyson Heppell             Daniel Hannebery

F           Dustin Martin                    Jack Darling                Chad Wingard

FF             Steven Motlop                   Jeremy Cameron         Luke Breust

R             Tom Nicholls                     Jaeger O’Meara          Tom Liberatore

B             Aaron Mullett                   Jack Ziebell           Dion Prestia   Michael  Walters

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