The AFL competition is hard enough to make as it is, but when entering the league as a pimple-faced, recently graduated high school student, the mountain just got much bigger to climb.

Each and every year, clubs welcome a host of future stars via the draft, as the race to fill a need or target a specific player heats up.

Other youngsters may bide their time in the various reserve competitions around the nation before they are given an opportunity at the big time.

But a lot of what makes an AFL club succeed isn't what those in the twilight or prime of their careers do, but what those just starting their journey contribute.

Brisbane's 2024 premiership team saw the emergence of Will Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann, Logan Morris, Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot, players who are still putting red P-plates on cars.

But with a new year comes a new season, and a new crop of youngsters to assess.

We take a closer look at your team's youth, considering what they've achieved but also their potential...

*We are including players who are 23 as of January 1st, 2025

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Richmond

Players: Thomson Dow (23), Hugo Ralphsmith (23), Jacob Blight (23), Maurice Rioli (23), Jacob Bauer (22), James Trezise (22), Tyler Sonsie (22), Sam Banks (22), Josh Gibcus (22), Tom Brown (21), Campbell Gray (21), Judson Clarke (21), Steely Green (21), Kaleb Smith (20), Seth Campbell (20), Kane McAuliffe (20), Liam Fawcett (19), Jonty Faull (19), Luke Trainor (19), Thomas Sims (18), Josh Smillie (18), Harry Armstrong (18), Taj Hotton (18), Sam Lalor (18), Jasper Alger (18)

The Tigers' crop of youngsters is skewed by the stream of draftees that came from last year's crop, led by Sam Lalor and Josh Smillie.

Richmond, intentionally, has gone young and decided to bite the bullet by sending away a host of premiership stars to bring in the best young talent in the competition.

As for those already at the club, Thomson Dow is finding his feet as an inside midfielder while Kane McAuliffe is on a similar trajectory.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Joshua Gibcus of the Tigers looks on during the 2022 AFL Round 01 match between the Carlton Blues and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 17, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Josh Gibcus' first priority is returning his body to full fitness but has shown he is capable of making an impact.

The small forward contingent of Seth Campbell, Tyler Sonsie, Maurice Rioli and Judson Clarke raffle for a spot under Adem Yze, which will be up for grabs in 2025.

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