A TRIO of young Demons have been recognised for their outstanding individual campaigns, named in the AFL Players’ Association’s 22Under22 team for 2023. 

Tahlia Gillard, Alyssa Bannan and Eliza McNamara have featured in the final side of 21, with the team recognising the best 22 players aged 22 and under for the entirety of the season. 

For a player to be eligible for the team, they are required to play 50 per cent of the home-and-away season, equating to five matches.   

Gillard’s recognition in the backline comes after a breakout yera in the red and blue where she cemented herself as a dangerous key defender.   

In just her third season at the top level, the young Demon has improved with each week, managing to shut down some of the best forwards in the league, while averaging a career-high 5.5 intercepts and five spoils (second highest average in the league). 

Bannan features in the side’s forward line, coming into the team after another stellar season for the Demons where she kicked 13 goals across 11 games, including a whopping five-goal haul during Round 7. 

The No.16 is known for her elite level of speed and agility, consistently providing this along the wing and inside 50. In addition to her record majors, Bannan also reached a career-high 3.3 score involvements.  

McNamara has been named on the team’s interchange, voted in after a return season, re-joining Melbourne’s active list following 12 months sidelined with a serious back injury. 

The 21-year-old wasted no time returning to her role along the wing, her pace and endurance providing impressive run and carry across the ground. She reached a career-high average of 15.3 disposals and 2.3 score involvements.