Patrick Cripps - 2015, 2016
Sam Docherty - 2016
Charlie Curnow - 2017, 2018 (then injuries)
Jacob Weitering - 2016, (2 year gap; bad patch of form/development), 2019, 2020 (now too old)
Sam Walsh - 2019, 2020, 2021
Unsurprisingly, the first three seasons the Under 22 squad became a thing (2012, 2013 and 2014) we had no inclusions. Cripps was our first ever in 2015.
Over the last 7 seasons we've only had 5 players in the under 22 team, 4 who've been named more than once - Two of those 5 are number 1 picks (Weitering, Walsh) who both have or will receive AA. Also both our co-captains (Cripps, Docherty) who've also received AA honours, and a certified freak in Curnow. None of the young guard since SOS became list manager have amounted to much in terms of recognition.
For comparison, let's look at the Rising Star nominations and where they're at in terms of an Under 22 inclusion or even just natural development in the list:
Quote:
2015: Patrick Cripps - Co-captain, Under 22 inclusion, AA, B&F
2016: Jacob Weitering - went on to get Under 22 inclusions and AA, B&F
2017: Charlie Curnow - Under 22 inclusion, injuries prevented further development, too soon to tell
Jack Silvagni - Honest development, starting to finally carve a place in the squad
David Cuningham - Nowhere, 41 games in 6 seasons, only 4 this year, injuries injuries injuries and now out with an ACL.
Sam Petrevski-Seton - Regular but gone backwards, trade bait and not seen as best 22
Caleb Marchbank - Nowhere, career probably over due to injuries
2018: Paddy Dow - Much maligned and underdeveloped, finally starting to find a place in the squad
2019: Sam Walsh - WINNER (of course) - Enough said. Generational champion superstar, please stay fit!
2020: nada
2021: nada