Three Fremantle players are in the running for selection in the AFL Players 22under22, with the initial squad of 40 released on Wednesday.
Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra have all been selected in the squad after continuing their impressive development as midfielders.
The trio were all nominated in 2020, with Brayshaw and Cerra earning selection in the final 22 alongside Sean Darcy, who has turned 23.
Their selection is now in the hands of the fans, and voting is open for seven days from 11 August to 18 August at https://22under22.com.au/ with the final team to be announced on August 24.
Speaking to The West Australian, Serong said that competition was strong among the AFL's youngest players.
“The talent at the moment in the AFL under 22 is really strong at the moment and there’s a lot of guys playing serious football,” Serong said.
“With me being there, we’ve only played just under two years of football together and I feel like our connection and understanding of each others game is really strong already.
“That’s only going to grow the more time we spend together, train together and play together.
“At this stage, no one has put a ceiling on it and the sky is the limit for us.”
Serong said he was learning to live with high expectations on his career as a winner of the prestigious NAB AFL Rising Star award in 2020.
“No one can put any more pressure on myself than I put on myself personally,” Serong told The West Australian.
“I’m really hard on myself. I judge my games internally and quite harshly. That’s where my internal drive and motivation comes from.
“Any of that external pressure or expectation doesn’t weigh on me because of how much pressure I put on myself individually to get better and play my best footy.
“Having the senior guys around like Dave Mundy and Nat Fyfe has helped me stay calm and grounded and anchored to my strengths and role in the team.
“Those simple focus points have allowed me to stay present and not focus on the outside stuff.
“I have to pinch myself to believe how the last two years have gone and how things are going as a club and individually.
“I’m living my dream over here and I’m sharing that with the guys I’m playing with.”
The 2021 AFL Players Association 22under22 squad
DEFENDERS
Jordon Butts (Adel), Brandon Starcevich (BL), Isaac Quaynor (Coll), Jordan Ridley (Ess), Charlie Ballard (GC), Wil Powell (GC), Sam Taylor (GWS), Changkuoth Jiath (Haw), Harrison Petty (Melb), Trent Rivers (Melb), Tom McCartin (Syd)
MIDFIELDERS
Sam Walsh (Carl), Josh Daicos (Coll), Adam Cerra (Frem), Andrew Brayshaw (Frem), Caleb Serong (Frem), Jack Lukosius (GC), Noah Anderson (GC), Tom Green (GWS), James Worpel (Haw), James Jordon (Melb), Luke Davies-Uniacke (NM), Willem Drew (PA), Shai Bolton (Rich), James Rowbottom (Syd), Justin McInerney (Syd), Bailey Smith (WB)
FORWARDS
Harry Schoenberg (Adel), Zac Bailey (BL), Ben King (GC), Dylan Moore (Haw), Kysaiah Pickett (Melb), Jaidyn Stephenson (NM), Tarryn Thomas (NM), Mitchell Georgiades (PA), Max King (StK), Errol Gulden (Syd), Aaron Naughton (WB)
RUCKS
Luke Jackson (Melb), Oscar Allen (WC)
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