Young guns Jack Billings, Jack Newnes and Billy Longer have been named in the 2014 AFL Players’ Association 22Under22 squad.

The 22Under22 concept was introduced in 2013 to recognise the best young talent in the competition, as decided by the fans. To be eligible for this year’s team, players must be aged 22 or younger on Grand Final Day this year.

Billings, Newnes and Longer have been picked in the initial 45-man squad selected by the AFL Players’ Association Board.

The final 22Under22 team will be decided by fans, with the AFL Players’ Association calling on all footy fans to cast their vote by liking the AFL Players’ Facebook page and selecting a 22Under22 team from the 45-man squad.

Last year’s 22Under22 captain, Essendon’s Dyson Heppell, says the concept is a great way to acknowledge the next generation of elite players.

“I think it’s a fantastic initiative from the Players’ Association to have a 22Under22 side,” says Heppell, who’s encouraging all footy fans to make their voice heard in the AFL’s only fan-voted award.

“There are a lot of fans that watch the game quite intently and there was a good spread of players, from across a lot of different sides, in the team last year. It’s great to see a lot of fans interacting with the concept.”

This year’s 22Under22 squad has at least one nominee from each AFL club, with Billings, Newnes and Longer selected from St Kilda.

Billings has been an influential player for the Saints in his debut season. Picked with selection three in the 2013 National Draft, the 19-year-old has shown he has what it takes to impact games at AFL level as both a midfielder and a small forward. 25 possessions and three first-quarter goals against the Eagles in Round 14 was his standout performance of the year.

The versatile Newnes has improved on his consistent 2013, establishing himself as a regular in the Saints line-up. Used in a variety of roles, Newnes is one of the leading tacklers at the club and is part of the new wave of Saints beginning to consistently impact games.

In his first year at the Saints, Longer has played the role of number one ruckman following a run of injuries to Tom Hickey. The 21-year-old has averaged 27 hit-outs per game and reached a career-high of 37 hit-outs on two occasions against Gold Coast and Fremantle.

The final 22Under22 team will be announced at the AFL Players’ MVP Awards on Tuesday, September 9.

You can vote for Billings, Newnes and Longer by submitting your 22Under22 team via the AFL Players’ Facebook page from Wednesday August 20 to September 4. Everyone who enters a team will have a chance to win the ultimate 22Under22 prize-pack.

Click here to create your team and vote.

Find out more about 22Under22 at www.aflplayers.com.au