All five of Brisbane’s eligible young guns have been named in the AFL Players’ Association’s final 22Under22 team, with the competition’s brightest young stars compiled into one side.
The quintet of Will Ashcroft, Logan Morris, Jaspa Fletcher, Levi Ashcroft and Darcy Wilmot all made the fan-voted side, which was compiled from an initial 40-person squad selected by St Kilda great Leigh Montagna, with support from the AFLPA and Champion Data.
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos was selected as captain of the side for a third year running, and joins the likes of Bailey Smith, Andrew McGrath, Aaron Naughton, and Sam Walsh as four-time 22Under22 representatives. Recently signed St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was announced as his deputy.
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Only Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has ever been selected in the side five times, which requires players to be aged 22 and under for the entirety of the AFL season, inclusive of Grand Final Day. Potential selections must also have played a minimum of 12 games in the season, with Adelaide’s Josh Rachele only just making the cut with 13 so far in 2025.
The ladder-leading Crows had two other players of their own named in the side, with Dan Curtin and Max Michalanney listed alongside the injured Rachele.
Wanganeen-Milera, along Will Ashcroft and Sam Darcy, were all chosen in more than 90 per cent of fans’ teams, with Darcy appearing in more sides than any other player, at 97 per cent.
Players who made the squad of 40, but didn’t make the final cut include Gold Coast’s Bohdi Uwland, GWS’ Aaron Cadman, Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan, North Melbourne’s Colby McKercher and Western Bulldog Joel Friejah.
Carlton and Sydney were the only two clubs without a nominee in the initial listing, having had three between them in last year’s 40-man squad.
2025 AFLPA 22Under22 Final Team
B: Max Michalanney (ADE), Mac Andrew (GCS), Darcy Wilmot (BL)
HB: Jaspa Fletcher (BL), Josh Weddle (HAW), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (vc) (STK)
C: Harry Sheezel (NM), Harley Reid (WCE), Finn Callaghan (GWS)
HF: Josh Rachele (ADE), Logan Morris (BL), Jason Horne-Francis (PTA)
F: Murphy Reid (FRE), Aaron Cadman (GWS), N.Caddy (ESS)
R: Sam Darcy (WB), Will Ashcroft (BL), Nick Daicos (c) (COL)
I/C: Ollie Dempsey (GEE), Levi Ashcroft (BL), Dan Curtin (ADE), Nick Watson (HAW)
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