Essendon trio Zach Merrett, Andrew McGrath and Conor McKenna have been selected in the AFL Players’ Association’s 2018 22Under22 team.

Merrett has been awarded a spot in the side for the third year running, emphasising his consistency as one of the league’s best on-ballers.

McGrath’s selection is his second in a row after being named in the line-up in his first season in 2017, while it is McKenna’s first time in the side.

The final team was selected by fans after an initial 40-man squad was named last week made up of players aged 22 or younger for the entire AFL season (including finals).

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 (MELB), 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)