Gold Coast has had an AFL-high eight players selected in the 2014 AFL Players’ Association Under 22 squad.
The 45-man group was selected by the nine-member AFL Players’ board. To be eligible, players must be 22 years old or under for the entire 2014 season.
In 2013, Gold Coast had five players selected in the 22 under 22 team, the most of any AFL club. Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Prestia, Rory Thompson, Tom Nicholls and Trent McKenzie were the SUNS that made the final 22.
AFLPA president, Luke Ball, said the idea of picking the squad is to showcase the standing of young players in the competition.
“Players that have managed to have a consistent impact on the competition at such a young age should be duly recognised,” Ball said.
GC SUNS players feature across the ground, with first-year half-back Kade Kolodjashnij earning a nomination alongside more experienced duo Steven May and Trent McKenzie.
The club’s star-studded midfield also features with David Swallow, Dion Prestia and last year’s NAB AFL Rising Star winner Jaeger O’Meara getting a nod.
Leading goalkicker Tom Lynch and the mecurial Harley Bennell are the two forwards in contention for the final 22 man team.
Fans will decide the make-up of the side by voting via Facebook and Twitter. Each 22 needs to have seven defenders, seven forwards, seven midfielders and a ruckman.
