THE strength of Adelaide’s crop of gun youngsters has been reaffirmed, with seven Crows named in the AFLPA’s 22under22 squad.

Adelaide has far and away the most number of players chosen in the 50-man squad, reflecting the bright future that lies ahead of Don Pyke’s side.

Crows midfielders Matt Crouch, Brad Crouch and Rory Atkins made the cut, with defenders Rory Laird and Jake Lever also included, as well as forwards Charlie Cameron and Mitch McGovern.

Adelaide’s kids have played a pivotal role in the team’s rise up the ladder this season, with the Crows sitting in second position with just one game remaining and set to secure a home qualifying final this week.

Round 18

The Western Bulldogs have had five players selected, led by gun midfielder Marcus Bontempelli, while Essendon and Melbourne have also had five players each named in the squad.

North Melbourne is the only team not to have a single player picked in the group.

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“It’s really promising to sit back and look at the young players coming through that are already consistently strong performers so early on in their career,” AFLPA president Matthew Pavlich said.

“Some of these guys in this squad have only been in the AFL system for one or two years and a few of them are already considered their team’s most important player.

“It’s a really exciting time for the future of the game — I can’t wait to see who the fans select as their final 22.”

Into its fifth year of existence, the 22under22 side recognises the best players aged 22 or under throughout the entirety of the 2016 season.

The squad of 50 will be whittled down by supporters, who can vote for their team at the AFLPA’s website. The final team will be announced at the AFLPA MVP Awards on September 13.

Patrick Dangerfield, Dyson Heppell and Jake Stringer are among those that have previously been named captain of the 22under22 side.

VOTE FOR YOUR 22UNDER22 SIDE HERE

The full squad. Source: Supplied

FULL 22UNDER22 SQUAD

Adelaide (7): Matt Crouch, Brad Crouch, Rory Atkins, Charlie Cameron, Mitch McGovern, Rory Laird, Jake Lever.

Brisbane (1): Harris Andrews.

Carlton (3): Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Jacob Weitering.

Collingwood (4): Jack Crisp, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard, Brodie Grundy.

Essendon (5): Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Orazio Fantasia, Joe Daniher, Marty Gleeson.

Fremantle (1): Tom Sheridan.

Geelong (2): Lincoln McCarthy, Jake Kolodjashnij.

Gold Coast (3): Peter Wright, Jack Martin, Kade Kolodjashnij.

GWS Giants (4): Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield, Zac Williams.

Hawthorn (1): James Sicily.

Melbourne (5): Jack Viney, Christian Petracca, Dean Kent, Jesse Hogan, Jayden Hunt.

North Melbourne (0): No players selected.

Port Adelaide (2): Ollie Wines, Darcy Byrne-Jones.

Richmond (1): Nick Vlastuin.

St Kilda (3): Luke Dunstan, Tim Membrey, Jack Billings.

Sydney (2): Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills.

West Coast (1): Liam Duggan.

Western Bulldogs (5): Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Lachie Hunter, Caleb Daniel, Jake Stringer.