Sydney Swans young stars Isaac Heeney and Ben Ronke have rubber stamped their strong 2018 season by named in the AFL Players Association 22under22 team.
The competitions brightest young stars were named in the side announced at Thursday night’s AFL Players Association MVP awards.
Heeney has blossomed as a midfielder this season after originally joining the Swans in a role playing mainly up forward.
He is thriving under the guidance of battle-hardened on-ballers Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery and Kieren Jack, as well as the coaching of midfield mentors Brett Kirk and Dean Cox.
Ronke burst onto the scene in 2018 kicking 23 goals from 17 matches after making his debut in Round 6 against Geelong.
The 20-year-old’s standout performance came against Hawthorn in Round 8 when he booted seven goals.
Now in its sixth year, 22under22 is the AFL’s only recognised fan-voted award and provides the footy public with the power to select the final 22.
Fans cast their votes at 22under22.com.au before the final team was revealed at the AFL Players’ MVP Awards on Thursday.
2018 22Under22 Team:
B – Alex Witherden (BL), Harris Andrews (BL), Andrew McGrath (ESS)
HB – Conor McKenna (ESS), Tom Doedee (ADEL), Jayden Short (RICH)
C – Angus Brayshaw (BL), Clayton Oliver – VC (MELB), Isaac Heeney (SYD)
HF – Jade Gresham (STK), Charlie Curnow (CAR), Jordan De Goey (COLL)
F – Ben Ronke (SYD), Eric Hipwood (BL), Jayden Stephenson (COLL)
R – Sean Darcy (FRE), Marcus Bontempelli – C (WB), Zach Merrett (ESS)
I/C – Ed Langdon (FRE), Christian Petracca (MELB), Tom Phillips (COLL), Dan Butler (RICH)
