North Melbourne trio Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw and Colby McKercher have been recognised for their outstanding seasons with selection in the AFL Players’ Association 22under22 team.

Sheezel, 19, received the most votes across the board in this year's team, making 93 per cent of fans' teams, and has been voted as this year’s vice-captain.

He was named on the ball, following his selection at half-back in the same team last year. 

First-year player McKercher, also 19, was named on the half-back flank, while 20-year-old Wardlaw earned a spot on the interchange bench. 

A fan-voted concept, the 22under22 team recognises the best 22 players aged 22 and under for the entirety of the season. For a player to be eligible for selection in the team they must have played a minimum of 12 games throughout the 2024 season.

Below Sheezel in the top five in the voting were Mac Andrew (90 per cent of teams), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (89 per cent), Nick Daicos (89 per cent) and Harley Reid (84 per cent). 

Sheezel, Wardlaw and McKercher were selected in the 40-man squad earlier this month along with teammates Tom Powell and Paul Curtis, before fans had their say on the best young talent in the competition to narrow it down the final 22.

‌North Melbourne is one of only three teams to have three or more representatives in this year's team, along with Hawthorn (Massimo D’Ambrosio, Jack Ginnivan, Josh Weddle) and Fremantle (Jye Amiss, Josh Draper, Luke Jackson, Josh Treacy).

Wardlaw and McKercher are also in the mix to claim this year’s Telstra AFL Rising Star Award, after being nominated in Round 2 and 9 respectively.

Sheezel took out the prestigious award last year, becoming North Melbourne's first Rising Star since Byron Pickett in 1998.

22Under22 2024 Team