Young midfield star Laura Gardiner is among three players from Geelong's 2022 VFLW side in consideration for the rebel VFLW Team of the Year.

Gardiner, who smashed the VFLW disposals record in a breakthrough season, has been named alongside fellow midfielders Paige Sheppard and Tamara Smith in the initial squad of 30 players.

Gardiner, 19, finished runner-up in Geelong's VFLW best and fairest off the back of just seven appearances between AFLW commitments, and averaged nearly 35 disposals a game.

She smashed the league record for most disposals in a game, powering her way to an incredible 49 disposals against Port Melbourne in Round 10.

Gardiner was named in the final 2021 VFLW Team of the Year, alongside current AFLW Cats Claudia Gunjaca and Liv Fuller.

Sheppard, who won the Cats' VFLW best and fairest award, and Smith have both earned their way on to AFLW lists, selected as open-age recruits for expansion clubs Sydney and Hawthorn respectively.

The midfield trio were simply brilliant in the 2022 season, with all three finding plenty of the ball and bringing the pressure.

One of the premier onballers in the league, Sheppard averaged 22.2 disposals and 6.5 tackles a game in 2022.

With strong determination around a contest, Sheppard’s ability to win the ball and use it well were highlights of her season, and she was just as effective when defending, bringing the pressure as one of the Cats’ leading tacklers.

Smith averaged 23 disposals and 11.2 tackles a game in her 11 appearances in 2022, and also kicked four goals – including three in a final-term blitz against Williamstown in Round 13.

The final team will be named on Monday September 12, as part of the 2022 VFL and VFLW Awards. The awards will be live streamed from 7:00pm on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.