Jaeger O’Meara, Trent McKenzie, Dion Prestia, Tom Nicholls and Rory Thompson have all been named in the AFLPA’s inaugural 22under22 team, with the Gold Coasters voted among the best 22 young players in the competition. 

A new concept designed by the AFL Player’s Association, the concept aims to celebrate the abundance of young talent across the AFL. 

Announced at the AFL Player’s MVP Awards, each honorary player were presented with a 22under22 New Era hat in a Perspex case.

Originally selected as part of a 40-man squad by the AFLPA Board, the Gold Coast SUNS were the only club to have five players nominated for selection.

Playing all 22 Premiership matches for the Gold Coast, O’Meara took the competition by storm in his inaugural season – averaging 22 disposals, five tackles and four clearances per game. A rare talent, explosive speed and his ability to win the ball inside and outside the contest saw the future star awarded the NAB AFL Rising Star.

Admired for his penetrating left-foot, Trent McKenzie has become a fan favourite around the League – and played a crucial role out of defence in 2013, leading the team for total Rebound 50s (94). 

Taken with pick 9 in the GC SUNS inaugural draft pool, Prestia justified his high draft selection in 2013 – producing his best season as a Gold Coast SUN, finishing runner-up to skipper Gary Ablett in the Club Championship last Friday night. 

While prized recruit O’Meara impressed fans each week with his bag of tricks in the midfield, Rory Thompson emerged as the shining light for 2013 – the strong key position player emerging as the SUNS premier defender.

Thompson’s outstanding year was acknowledged at the Gold Coast’s night of nights, with the local product taking home the Victor Sports Most Improved Player and the HOSTPLUS Most Professional Award. 

After playing just one match in his first two years on the Gold Coast, Tommy Nicholls wasn’t going to let his second chance slip from his grasp, seizing his opportunity to become the SUNS no.1 ruckman in the absence of Zac Smith and Charlie Dixon. 

Players selected in the honorary team had to be aged 22 or under for the entire AFL season in order to be eligible.