Two of Geelong Cats' brightest young stars have had their strong 2022 seasons recognised with selection in the AFL Players' Association 22Under22 team.
First-year Cat Georgie Prespakis and fourth-year Cat Becky Webster were both voted in by fans, after four Cats made the initial squad of 40.
Prespakis was named in the centreline, while Webster was named on a half-back flank.
Prespakis impressed in her first year in the Hoops, playing all 10 games over the course of the season. While her iconic long sleeves drew attention as she stepped onto the field for the first time in Round 1, Prespakis soon proved it was her footy skill that was truly eye-catching.
The 19-year-old was straight into the thick of the action, with the first clearance of the game as she made her home in the midfield.
Prespakis, who won the 2021 NAB League best and fairest award, averaged 13.3 disposals and 6.8 tackles in her debut AFLW season, and earned a NAB Rising Star nomination in Round 1 against North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos.
For Webster, 2022 marks back-to-back selections in the AFLPA 22Under22 team, as she becomes the first Cat to be selected for the team twice.
The dynamic on-baller built on her breakthrough 2021 season this year, with career-high averages of 16.8 disposals and 6.3 tackles per game, as well as hitting the scoreboard with three goals over the course of the season.
Webster was a standout in the Cats' Round 5 win over the Eagles, when she had a career-high 504 metres gained, as well as laying a career-high 11 tackles.
Earlier this month, Cats vice-captain Nina Morrison and boom recruit Chloe Scheer were also named in the initial 22Under22 squad of 40.
The final team, decided by a fan vote, features players from 12 teams, with Brisbane and Gold Coast having the most representatives with three apiece.
For a player to qualify for the 22Under22 squad, they must be 22 or under for the entirety of the AFLW season, up to and including Grand Final Day (April 4), and have played at least 50 per cent of matches across the season.
