PREMIERSHIP hero Marcus Bontempelli leads a talented list of youngsters named in the AFLPA’s 40-man 22under22 squad for the 2017 season.

Bontempelli, who was named captain of the 22under22 side last year, will be hoping for his fourth successive place in the side and is joined by an esteemed group of young stars.

Brownlow Medal hopeful Josh Kelly has also been named in the squad, alongside a promising midfield group that consists of the likes of Zach Merrett, Clayton Oliver and Patrick Cripps.

Charlie Curnow and Eric Hipwood are among the best key forwards chosen in the squad, while Jake Lever and Harris Andrews lead the list of key defenders included.

Finals Week 1

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The 22under22 side comprises the best young players in the competition, with only footballers 22 years of age or under throughout the entire season eligible for selection.

The 40-man squad is chosen by the AFLPA’s board, with the team voted for by fans and officially announced at the MVP Awards on September 12.

AFLPA president Matthew Pavlich believes the strength of this year’s squad is an indication of just how talented the young players coming through the AFL system currently are.

“There’s quality in every position and, given the impact some of these players are already having on the competition, it’s hard to believe they are still in the infancy of their careers,” he said.

“This concept gives us the opportunity to recognise the young players across the competition who are the next generation of stars.”

The 22under22 concept was introduced in 2012, with superstars Patrick Dangerfield, Dyson Heppell, Jake Stringer and Bontempelli among those named captain of previous teams.

THE AFLPA’S 40-MAN 22UNDER22 SQUAD

DEFENDERS

Jake Lever (Adelaide), Harris Andrews (Brisbane), Oscar McDonald (Melbourne), Tom Barrass (West Coast), Jayden Hunt (Melbourne), Callum Mills (Sydney), Ryan Burton (Hawthorn), Andrew McGrath (Essendon), Luke McDonald (North Melbourne), James Sicily (Hawthorn), Connor Blakely (Fremantle)

FORWARDS

Orazio Fantasia (Essendon), Jack Billings (St Kilda), Lewis Taylor (Brisbane), Jack Martin (Gold Coast), Dan Butler (Richmond), Peter Wright (Gold Coast/DP), Charlie Curnow (Carlton), Darcy Moore (Collingwood), Eric Hipwood (Brisbane), Daniel Rioli (Richmond), Tom Papley (Sydney), Cam McCarthy (Fremantle)

MIDFIELDERS

Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), Zach Merrett (Essendon), Patrick Cripps (Carlton), Isaac Heeney (Sydney), Christian Petracca (Melbourne), Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne), Josh Kelly (GWS Giants), Matt Crouch (Adelaide), Jack Sinclair (St Kilda), Jack Steele (St Kilda), Zak Jones (Sydney), Caleb Daniel (Western Bulldogs), Dom Sheed (West Coast), Lachie Hunter (Western Bulldogs), Toby McLean (Western Bulldogs)

RUCKS

Peter Wright (Gold Coast/DP), Sean Darcy (Fremantle)