MIDFIELD stars Abbey Dowrick, Matilda Scholz and Shineah Goody headline a list of six Port Adelaide players to be named in this year’s AFL Players’ Association 22under22 44-player squad.

Among the other Power players shortlisted are forward Julia Teakle and defenders Amelie Borg and Molly Brooksby.

Having six players included in the squad means Port Adelaide has more players selected than any other club with Melbourne and West Coast next best, each with four players in contention.

Goody, in week 1, Brooksby, in week 5, and Scholz, in week 7, have each been Telstra AFLW Rising Star nominees this season, while Dowrick has continued her 2023 club best and fairest form, averaging 18 disposals, 5.5 clearances and six tackles per game.

Teakle led the competition for goals early in the season including a haul of four majors against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG in week 2. She is a chance of returning to the field this week, having missed three games with a knee injury.

Still just 19 and in her third season in the AFLW, Borg has been one of the more reliable defenders in the competition, prompting coach Lauren Arnell to suggest she should be in the frame for All-Australian selection.

Scholz made the final 22Under22 last season, along with 17 of the other players included in this year’s 44.

22Under22, presented by Torrens University Australia, is a fan-voted concept that recognises the best 22 players aged 22 and under for the entirety of the season.

For a player to be eligible for the squad of 44, they are required to play a minimum of five games of the home and away season.

While there is a games minimum, players are rewarded for their consistency across the season.

The concept was first introduced in 2013 in the men’s competition to reward the young players who make an impact on their club and the competition so early in their careers.

The inaugural AFLW team was announced in 2020 to help celebrate the achievements of the best and brightest stars of the female competition.

This year’s 44-player squad was picked by Chair of Selectors, Kate McCarthy, and an internal selection panel at the AFL Players’ Association.

Fans now have the opportunity to decide the final 22 by voting on the 22Under22 platform with voting open until 11:29pm ACDT, on Wednesday, 13th of November.  

The final team will be announced on November 20th via the AFL Players’ Association’s social media channels.