Aaron Cadman and Harvey Thomas have been recognised among the best young talent in the AFL with selection in the 2026 AFL Players’ Association 22Under22 Squad, presented by Intrepid.
Consisting of 40 of the AFL’s brightest young stars, Wednesday’s squad will be trimmed to a final fan-voted team of 22 to be announced on Wednesday, August 19.
Selected each year, the annual honour recognises the competition’s best 22 players aged 22 and under across each AFL season.
Cadman and Thomas have been rewarded with selection in this year’s 22Under22 squad as each enjoy standout seasons for the GIANTS, with the duo continuing to show they are key pieces of the GIANTS’ future as well as rising stars of the competition.
Cadman is no stranger to the 22Under22 honour, having made the final 22-man side last year, while Thomas’ 2026 selection marks his first time being chosen in the squad.
The final 22Under22 side is fan-voted, giving fans a chance to vote their favourite players into the team.
With voting now open, click here to vote Cadman and Thomas into the final 22Under22 team.
The 22Under22 concept was first introduced in 2013 before also expanding to the AFLW in 2020 to help celebrate the achievements of the best and brightest stars of the women’s game.
Voting for the final 2026 AFLPA 22Under22 team closes at 11:59pm AEST on Wednesday, August 12, with the final team announced a week later on Wednesday, August 19.
