The AFLPA has released their initial squad for the 22Under22 team and in exciting news, two emerging Geelong stars have been selected for 2026. 

Connor O'Sullivan and Mitch Edwards have both been recognised for their outstanding campaigns, with the Cats pair selected amongst the 40-player squad. 

The 22Under22 team, presented by Intrepid, is a fan-voted concept that recognises the best 22 players aged 22 and under for the entirety of the season. An internal selection panel at the AFL Players’ Association selects a squad of 40 players, before fans vote to decide the final 22. 

O'Sullivan has earned his place in the squad for a second consecutive year and will be vying for his first selection in the 22Under22 team, after another simply remarkable year in his second full season at AFL level. 

Entrusted as the anchor of Geelong's defensive unit, the young talent ranks in the AFL's top seven players for both intercept marks and intercept possessions this year, leading the club in both statistics. 

O'Sullivan is averaging 16 disposals per game and has performed strongly against some of the competition's best key forwards, while also producing one of the top highlights of the season when he kicked his first career goal in Round 11 against Sydney. 

Mitch Edwards' inaugural season at the elite level has been nothing short of incredible, taking the mantle as Geelong's main ruckman and putting together a number of big games, while also giving the Cats a different look around stoppages. 

After making his AFL debut in Round 1, the big Cat has played 16 games this year and ranks strongly in most hit-out categories, helping Geelong to be the third best clearance team in the competition across the 2026 campaign (37.6 clearances per game). 

The 21-year-old has done a commendable job against some of the game's best ruckmen, including the last two weeks where he played stellar roles against the likes of Max Gawn and Darcy Cameron, the latter earning him the AFL Rising Star nomination for Round 21. 

Edwards is one of just two ruckmen selected in the initial 22Under22 squad, while O'Sullivan features amongst a list of 11 defenders. 

Every vote counts and the Cats are counting on each fan to support their young stars, follow the link below to submit your votes today. 

KEY DATES

Voting Opens: 12pm AEST, Wednesday August 5th

Voting Closes: 11:59pm AEST, Wednesday August 12th

Final Team Release: 12pm AEST, Wednesday August 19th

FINAL SQUAD