GEELONG AFLW young guns Olivia Purcell and Nina Morrison have been named in the inaugural AFLPA 22 under 22 squad.
The talented midfielders are two of 31 players in the squad, with fans able to vote for the duo to take their place in the final 22.
VOTE NOW: PURCELL AND MORRISON
Both Purcell and Morrison had outstanding years through the middle of the ground, averaging 20.2 and 13.3 disposals respectively.
"There's so much potential in our midfield group. They've all shown glimpses throughout games of being really, really exciting AFLW players," AFLW head coach Paul Hood says.
"The experience that they've been able to get in their first two seasons, getting so much midfield time is going to put them in great stead for their future."
Purcell shone week in and week out with her inside ball-winning ability, coupled with a deadly goal sense from stoppages.
"Liv had some really good performances throughout the season, in particular that first game where she had 27 disposals, but also in kicking goals in three games and scoring in five, she added that part to her game," Hood says.
"Her ability to get forward and get front and centre and be dangerous around goal was a great step up for her.
"A large amount of contested possessions throughout games as well shows she's getting stronger and improving her ability to win the ball in a contest.
"Her fast footwork and ability to read the ball quickly off the boot really helps her, she's doing a great job to develop that part of her game."
The explosive Morrison hit her straps late in the year as she recovered from her first ACL tear, before sadly re-injuring her knee in the final game of the Cats’ season.
"Nina has had her surgery, she had that on Monday and she's being supported already by our physios remotely at the moment."
"Her season prior to the injury was fantastic. Her performance in Round 5 against the Gold Coast showcased her ability with 14 contested possessions on that night. She ws electric all over the field.
"Obviously she's going to get through this rehab, she did a fantastic job with her last one and she's a fantastic young professional so I'm sure she'll do a fantastic job with this one too and we look forward to seeing her back bigger and better than ever."
The duo will form the core of the Cats’ midfield youth brigade alongside some more promising young Cats.
"Becky Webster is only 19 herself and only in her second season. As well as Becky Webster we've got Denby Taylor who played some minutes in the midfield earlier in the season and Amy McDonald as well who is still very young. It's a certainly a very young midfield."
