Star defender Sam Taylor has earned his first ever selection in the AFL Players' Association's 22under22 team in recognition of his outstanding 2021 campaign.

Taylor is the only GIANT in the fan-voted team, which recognises the best 22 players aged 22 or under who played at least 12 games in the season.

Selected at pick 28 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, Taylor played 22 games in his breakout second season in 2019, and featured in the GIANTS' grand final loss to Richmond that year.

But he managed just four games last season as a rare infection left him unable to walk properly for three months and caused him to lose 11kg.

Since returning to the field earlier this year, the 22-year-old has re-established himself as one of the best young defenders in the competition. He produced a career-best performance in round 21 against Geelong with 21 disposals, 10 rebound 50s and 17 intercept possessions.