2022 AFLNZ Men’s Heritage Team

The tenth AFL New Zealand Men’s Heritage team was named on the eve of the 2022 AFL Grand Final, which featured four players from the Melbourne Demons Premiership squad.

The 2022 Heritage team is one of the strongest and most talented teams assembled in the 10 years of its history.

An addition to the side in 2022 is that of former heritage player, Ben Rutten, who was named as the coach of the side.

The team consists of 15 players currently playing in the AFL week in, week out for their clubs.

Misilifi Faimalo reciving his debut Richmond Guernsey

Established AFL stars such as Max Gawn from the Melbourne Football Club, Richmond Tigers star Dustin Martin and young talent, Rowan Marshall from the St. Kilda Football Club headline the side.

Max Gawn Captains the side and has fellow Melbourne team mates Sam Weideman, Oskar Baker and 2021 Rising Star Luke Jackson alongside him.

Young Essendon star, Archie Perkins three Bombers selected, with defender Jordan Ridley and midfielder, Dylan Clarke.

Misilifi Faimalo, a graduate of AFL New Zealand Youth development programmes, becomes a new addition to the Heritage team after signing with Richmond.

Youth development programmes implemented by AFL New Zealand continue to work towards a lifetime of involvement with the sport. Equal importance is placed on both the starting point of teaching school children the fundamentals by way of the AV Jennings AFL KiwiKick programme, involvement in Regional Leagues throughout New Zealand all the way through to high performance training for athletes seeking higher honours with AFL.

Oskar

Sam Durdin Carlton

Toby