MINOR premiers Gippsland, fellow semi-finalists Sandringham and the powerful Oakleigh have received the most recognition in the NAB League Team of the Year, with four players each selected in the 24-man line-up named at the 2022 NAB League Boys Awards.

The Power, who were undefeated for the first nine rounds of the season before dropping three of their last four home and away games, have been rewarded with Max Knobel, the son of former AFL player Trent, selected in the ruck, captain and Morrish Medal third placegetter Bailey Humphrey named in a forward pocket, long-distance traveller Cooper Vickery in a back pocket and prodigiously talented bottom ager Zane Duursma on the bench.

Vickery travels from Orbost to Morwell – a distance of 223km or 2¾ hours – just for training and home games but has still become one of the team’s best players, while Duursma, the brother of Port Adelaide’s Xavier (AFL) and Yasmin (AFLW) is widely being considered as a top 5 NAB AFL Draft pick next year.

Cooper Vickery of the Gippsland Power in action during the NAB League Boys match between Gippsland and Greater Western Victoria at Shepley Oval on August 07, 2022. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

The Chargers crashed out of the NAB League premiership race with a surprise loss to Bendigo on the Wildcard Weekend after finishing fifth on the ladder, with Josh Weddle picked at centre half-back, likely top 5 pick Elijah Tsatas on a forward flank, Matthew Jefferson at full-forward and Blake Drury on the bench.

The Dragons provided the captain Will Ashcroft alongside fellow midfielders Cam McKenzie and Charlie Clarke and half-forward Harry Sheezel.

The other two semi-finalists, Tasmania and Dandenong, each had three players selected including the joint Morrish medallists Lachie Cowan and Taj Campbell-Farrell, the Pioneers had two and Eastern Ranges, Geelong, GWV and Northern Knights one apiece, with Calder Cannons, Murray Bushrangers and Western Jets missing out.

The Rebels’ sole selection was a no-brainer, with the league’s leading goalkicker Aaron Cadman being named as vice-captain.

Duursma and Stingray Henry Hustwaite followed their brothers into the NAB League Team of the Year, with Xavier and Henry’s brother Campbell, now the Collingwood VFL co-captain, both named in the 2018 team.

Duursma is also in another select group, with he and Bendigo's Harley Reid earning selection despite being bottom-aged talents.

Aaron Cadman in action for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels against the Northern Knights on August 27, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said the team was picked based on the entire talent program.

“(It is selected on) NAB League performances quite obviously, but we take in the entire talent pathway, so Vic Country, Vic Metro and the Allies, even the trial matches leading into that representative season is (included in) the body of work we’ve assessed,” he told host Nigel Carmody on the telecast.

“Twelve months ago 18 players who made the NAB League Team of the Year were drafted onto an AFL list and we would be anticipating most of these names are going to follow suit.

“And if there are any that don’t make it it’s not the end – it’s the first time you’re up and other opportunities will come your way if you keep working at it.”

Ashcroft, 18, the son of Brisbane Lions triple premiership great Marcus, who will head to the Gabba as a father-son selection, possibly at No.1, in November, said it was an honour to be named captain of such a strong team – one Sheehan wished could play in the AFL in its own right.

“There’s been a lot of great players and great captains throughout the year and that's been exemplified by their performances and their leadership, so it's an awesome honour and I’m really glad to be captain,” he told Carmody and Sheehan.

“(My goals this year were) trying to delve deeper into it and not sort of reflect on possessions … some defensive numbering off after the contest, that sort of stuff on defence, I worked on that and also my power out of the stoppages and trying to drop my legs a bit more and be a bit more damaging.

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2022 NAB League Boys Awards

And the winners are? Watch the 2022 NAB League Boys Awards

Published on Aug 25, 2022

“I listen to a lot of people and take all that on board, because everyone’s got different opinions, which can be good and bad, but I think at the end of the day just coming back to the people you trust the most.

“My parents are a huge part of that and obviously dad knows about footy, so I listen to him pretty closely, and Wayne Cripps, the Sandy Dragons coach, he’s been huge for me this year and for the Dragons team.”

Ashcroft was delighted to have three teammates in the team alongside him, while Bendigo’s NSW import also caught his eye.

“We’ve had a fair few (Dragons) in the team this year – Cam McKenzie, Harry Sheezel and Charlie Clarke – I love playing alongside them they’ve had a cracking year for Sandy and Vic Metro.

“(But the hardest opponent) I played against (was against) the Allies, but unfortunately he got injured in that game – Jason Gillbee, I thought he had a great year for the Pioneers … I watched his game on the weekend against Oakleigh and I thought he was really good.”

Jason Gillbee of the Allies kicks the ball during the U18 Boys Championship match between the Allies and Western Australia at Thebarton Oval on July 9, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Ashcroft said he was keen to finish off the season strongly for the Dragons, but was also looking forward to his impending return to Queensland after getting a taste of playing against men in two impressive VFL games for the Lions this year.

“The (VFL) game obviously moves a lot quicker and it’s a lot more physical playing in the inside against bigger bodies and guys who were willing to hit a bit harder,” he said.

“It’s probably a little bit easier to find the ball uncontested, but I think that’s just because people know how to move it a little bit better, but probably the biggest one was the physicality and the bigger bodies I played against.

“(On nominating the Lions) I took a lot of time making sure I went through that process and weighed up all the options on the field and off the field and what that would look like for me next year, so I’m really happy to be part of the Lions now and I’m looking forward to next year and what the future holds.

“My parents have been huge for me over many years and that doesn’t go unnoticed, the guys at Sandy Dragons, Mark Wheeler, Wayne Cripps, all the assistants, my teammates, I wouldn’t be where I am without them – I’m really grateful to be part of the Dragons and I’m looking forward to finishing out the year with them.”

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL

2022 NAB LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR

BACKS
Cooper Vickery (Gippsland Power/Bairnsdale): Age 17, 180cm; 12 matches, 17.3 disposals, 4.5 marks, 2.3 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 1.3 entries, 4.4 rebounds; Score: 1.0.

Harley Reid during the NAB League Boys match between Bendigo Pioneers and Geelong Falcons in 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

Lewis Hayes (Eastern Ranges/Lysterfield): Age 17, 197cm; 11 matches, 20.7 disposals, 5.3 marks, 2.2 tackles, 0.1 hitouts, 0.6 entries, 4.7 rebounds, Score: 0.0.
*Harley Reid (Bendigo Pioneers/Tongala): Age 17, 185cm; 12 matches, 21.8 disposals, 4.8 marks, 4.2 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 3.7 entries, 1.8 rebounds; Score: 9.15.

HALF-BACKS
Lachlan Cowan (Tasmania Devils/North Launceston, Morrish medallist): Age 17, 188cm; 11 matches, 27.4 disposals, 5.0 marks, 2.7 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 3.5 entries, 8.5 rebounds; Score: 4.4.

Dandenong Stingrays' Henry Hustwaite marks strongly over Geelong Falcons' Jhye Clark during their Round 5 NAB League match at Queen Elizabeth Oval on May 01, 2022. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

Josh Weddle (Oakleigh Chargers/Eltham): Age 18, 192cm; 6 matches, 12.8 disposals, 4.5 marks, 2.2 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 1.5 entries, 1.7 rebounds; Score: 0.1.
Henry Hustwaite (Dandenong Stingrays/Rosebud): Age 18, 194cm; 11 matches, 23.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 3.8 tackles, 0.1 hitouts, 3.0 entries, 1.6 rebounds; Score: 1.2.

CENTRES
Jason Gillbee (Bendigo Pioneers/Balranald): Age 18, 192cm; 10 matches, 21.9 disposals, 5.3 marks, 1.9 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 3.6 entries, 3.3 rebounds; Score: 7.7.

Geelong Falcons' Jhye Clark handballs during the Round 5 NAB League match against Dandenong Stingrays at Queen Elizabeth Oval on May 01, 2022. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

Jhye Clark (Geelong Falcons/Queenscliff): Age 18, 180cm; 9 matches, 25.4 disposals, 4.7 marks, 4.8 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 5.8 entries, 2.7 rebounds; Score: 5.5.
Cameron McKenzie (Sandringham Dragons/Beaumaris): Age 18, 187cm; 8 matches, 24.1 disposals, 3.5 marks, 3.6 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 4.8 entries, 1.3 rebounds; Score: 2.3.

HALF-FORWARDS
Elijah Tsatas (Oakleigh Chargers/Surrey Park): Age 17, 187cm; 6 matches, 33.8 disposals, 7.2 marks, 1.3 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 8.2 entries, 2.2 rebounds. Score: 2.6.

Harry Sheezel in action during Sandringham's NAB League clash with Geelong in July, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Aaron Cadman (GWV Rebels/Darley, vice-captain): Age 18, 194cm; 12 matches,16.8 disposals, 5.5 marks, 3.3 tackles, 1.4 hitouts,3.6 entries. 0.1 rebounds; Score: 34.23.
Harry Sheezel (Sandringham Dragons/Ajax): Age 17, 184cm; 12 matches, 20.1 disposals, 3.7 marks, 3.4 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 3.2 entries, 1.0 rebounds; Score: 29.21.

FORWARDS
Bailey Humphrey (Gippsland Power/Moe): Age 18, 184cm; 10 matches, 20.4 disposals, 5.9 marks, 4.8 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 5.0 entries, 1.3 rebounds; Score: 20.18.

Matthew Jefferson is tackled during Vic Metro's clash against Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships on July 2, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Matthew Jefferson (Oakleigh Chargers/Ashburton): Age 18, 195cm; 6 matches, 9.5 disposals, 6.5 marks, 1.7 tackles, 0.2 hitouts, 2.2 entries, 0.2 rebounds; Score: 13.13.
Brandon Leary (Tasmania Devils/North Launceston): Age 19, 177cm; 13 matches, 12.8 disposals, 4.0 marks, 2.8 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 2.6 entries, 0.1 rebounds; Score: 33.21.

FOLLOWERS
Max Knobel (Gippsland Power/Maffra): Age 18, 204cm; 11 matches, 7.9 disposals, 2.1 marks, 1.5 tackles, 15.8 hitouts, 1.0 entries, 0.6 rebounds; Score: 5.0.

Mitch Szybkowski in action for Dandenong against Brisbane in the NAB Boys League, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Will Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons/Old Brighton Grammarians, captain): Age 18, 182cm; 12 matches, 34.3. disposals, 3.3 marks, 4.8 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 6.9 entries, 2.5 rebounds; Score: 5.9.
Mitch Szybkowski (Dandenong Stingrays/Beaconsfield): Age 18, 186cm; 6 matches, 24.5 disposals, 2.7 marks, 4.3 tackles, 4.2 entries, 1.2 rebounds; Score: 2.1.

INTERCHANGE
Taj Campbell-Farrell (Dandenong Stingrays/Rye, Morrish Medallist): Age 18, 185cm; 10 matches, 29.0 disposals, 3.1 marks, 5.3 tackles, 0.5 hitouts, 5.4 entries, 1.3 rebounds; Score: 2.4.

Zane Duursma of the Gippsland Power (L) in action during the NAB League Boys match between Gippsland and Greater Western Victoria at Shepley Oval on August 07, 2022. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

*Zane Duursma (Gippsland Power/Foster): Age 17, 188cm; 13 matches; 16.0 disposals, 3.8 marks; 2.6 tackles; 0.0 hitouts; 3.5 entries; 0.3 rebounds; Score: 30.20.
Darcy Edmends (Northern Knights/Heidelberg): Age 18, 183cm; 7 matches; 18.6 disposals, 6.7 marks; 1.4 tackles; 0.0 hitouts; 2.7 entries; 1.9 rebounds; Score: 0.2.
Tom McCallum (Tasmania Devils/Clarence): Age 17, 192cm; 12 matches; 15.2 disposals, 5.6 marks, 1.2 tackles, 0.1 hitouts, 1.7 entries, 2.7 rebounds; Score: 0.0.
Charlie Clarke (Sandringham Dragons/Port Melbourne Colts): Age 18, 182cm; 13 matches, 19.4 disposals, 3.8 marks, 3.7 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 4.2 entries, 0.3 rebounds; Score: 26.18.
Blake Drury (Oakleigh Chargers/Vermont): Age 18, 178cm; 7 matches, 18.7 disposals, 6.1 marks, 2.1 tackles, 0.0 hitouts, 5.0 entries, 1.3 rebounds; Score: 7.14.

*2023 NAB AFL National Draft