Max King has been voted into the AFL Players’ Association 22Under22 side for the second straight season.

The 21-year-old key forward, listed in the forward pocket alongside Melbourne's Kysaiah Pickett, was one of 10 players to be named in the line-up for consecutive years.

The 22Under22 aims to recognise the best players aged 22 and under throughout the course of the season, with supporters voting on the make-up of the final side.

King bagged his maiden goalkicking honours in 2021 with 38 majors – 22 of which came following the bye – and led the Saints for contested marks (48) and marks inside-50 (54).

Today’s nomination comes as well-deserved recognition after the young spearhead, who was placed under the microscope in the early stages of the year following a lean patch in front of goal.

King bounced back with towering displays post-bye, lighting up the Gabba with a three-goal quarter against Brisbane before a coming-of-age masterclass in the west a fortnight later with six goals and eight contested marks against the Eagles. Additionally, seven of his last eight games yielded multiple majors.

King becomes the first Saint in the men’s competition to be voted into the AFL Players’ Association twice in a row since Jade Gresham (2018, 2019), while Georgia Patrikios achieved the same feat in the women’s competition this season.

Saints voted into the 22Under22

AFL
2016: Tim Membrey
2017: Jack Billings
2018: Jade Gresham
2019: Jade Gresham
2020: Hunter Clark, Nick Coffield, Max King
2021: Max King

AFLW
2020: Caitlin Greiser, Georgia Patrikios
2021: Georgia Patrikios