PORT ADELAIDE defender Alex Ballard has been named in the AFL Players’ Association AFLW 22Under22 team.

The final team was decided by an online fan-vote, with Ballard one of seven young players to be included for the first time.

As a core part of Port Adelaide’s backline in its inaugural year, the 20-year-old averaged 6.8 intercept possessions and took a total of 29 marks, topping the team leaderboard alongside vice-captain Ange Foley.

Signed as an open-age player from Sturt after missing out in her Draft year, Ballard averaged 11.8 disposals per game.

She was sidelined for Round 10 due to concussion protocols, but otherwise contributed consistently throughout her nine matches in Season 7.

Ballard is the only Port Adelaide player to be selected in the final team, although Hannah Ewings was named in the preliminary squad of 44.

For a player to be eligible for the 22Under22 squad, they must be aged 22 or under and have played 50 per cent of season games.

Chair of selectors Jess Foley, and an internal selection panel at the AFL Players’ Association selected the squad, with support from Champion Data.

AFL PA 22Under22 – Season 7

B: Katie Lynch (Western Bulldogs), Lucy McEvoy (Carlton)
HB: Emma O’Driscoll (Fremantle), Natalie Grider (Brisbane), Jordyn Allen (Collingwood)
C: Charlie Rowbottom (Gold Coast), Monique Conti (Richmond – C), Abbey McKay (Carlton)
HF: Nina Morrison (Geelong), Jesse Wardlaw (Brisbane), Ellie McKenzie (Richmond)
FF: Danielle Ponter (Adelaide), Courtney Hodder (Brisbane)
Foll: Tahlia Hickie (Brisbane), Madison Prespakis (Essendon – VC), Georgie Prespakis (Geelong)
I/C: Jasmine Fleming (Hawthorn), Alex Ballard (Port Adelaide), Tarni Evans (GWS), Annabel Johnson (Geelong), Madison Newman (Adelaide), Eleanor Brown (Western Bulldogs)