Breakout seasons from Carlton young guns Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty have earned them both a possible selection in the AFL Players’ Association 2015 22Under22 team.
The fan-voted 22Under22 concept was launched in 2013 to honour the young stars of the game, and recognises the AFL’s best players aged 22 and under for the entire AFL season (including finals).
Cripps, who was the Round 4 Rising Star nominee, has been averaging 23 disposals and seven clearances in 2015, while Docherty has been averaging 21 touches and four rebounds from 50.
The AFL Players’ Association Board, led by President Matthew Pavlich, has picked a preliminary squad of 47 players, including Cripps in the middle and Docherty down back.
Cripps, who is 20, and Docherty, 21, are up against the likes of Collingwood’s Taylor Adams, Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin, Port Adelaide’s Ollie Wines and Adelaide’s Rory Laird.
Football fans will decide the final team by voting via the AFL Players’ Facebook page, with the team to be announced at the 2015 AFL Players’ MVP Awards on Tuesday 15 September.
.@patrickcripps has scored another perfect 10 from the @AFLCoaches: http://t.co/IxuD59YorI #NAVYBLUES pic.twitter.com/4b7k24MOCN
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 25, 2015
AFL Players’ CEO Paul Marsh says 22Under22 is a fantastic way for the young stars of the game to be honoured.
“The younger players who have had an outstanding year can sometimes be overlooked for end of season honours, so it’s great to provide a platform where their achievements can be recognised and the fans can have their say,” Marsh said.
Click here To select ‘Crippa’ and ‘Doc’ in your best #22under22
Voting closes Wednesday 9 September.
Fans who submit a team that matches the final 22Under22 team will automatically go into the draw to win the ultimate 22Under22 prize pack.