West Coast possess four of the AFL’s 40 brightest young prospects, according to a panel of experts who have put together a shortlist for this year’s 22 Under 22 side.

Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Jobe Shanahan and Willem Duursma all made the squad, giving the Eagles a chance for their highest level of representation in the side since the concept was introduced in 2012.

Reid is highly likely to become just the second West Coast player to achieve selection in three consecutive sides, having made the cut in each of his first two seasons. Jack Darling (2012-14) is the only Eagle to have done that, while his selection in 2012 alongside Nic Naitanui marked the sole occasion where West Coast have had multiple players picked.

Ginbey was acknowledged for his superb first half of the season before going down with injury in June. Shanahan has become one of the league’s most exciting key-forward prospects, while Duursma has wasted no time in adapting to AFL life in his debut season after being snared at the top of last year’s draft.

West Coast’s four nominations are behind only Brisbane and North Melbourne (five each) for the most by any club this year.

The Eagles have had the smallest amount of representation in the final 22 Under 22 side of any AFL club across the past decade. Alongside Reid’s dual berths, only Oscar Allen (2021) and Liam Ryan (2019) have appeared in the team since 2016.

Fremantle have two nominees of their own, with All-Australian contender Murphy Reid a lock to earn selection for a second straight year. Midfielder Neil Erasmus is the other Dockers in the squad, having played every match this season for the impending minor premiers.

Kangaroos midfielder Harry Sheezel is looking to become just the seventh player in the history of the side to earn selection in four or more seasons, having been picked in each of his first three years at the top level.

With St Kilda great Leigh Montagna having headed the process of selection for the wider squad, fans will now vote across the coming week on the final line-up.