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
St Kilda
Players:ย Ryan Byrnes (23), Liam Henry (23), Max Hall (23), Max Heath (22), Jack Carroll (22), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (22), Liam O'Connell (22), Marcus Windhager (21), Mitch Owens (21), Anthony Caminiti (21), Isaac Keeler (20), Angus McLennan (20), Mattaes Phillipou (20), Arie Schoenmaker (20), Lance Collard (20), Hugo Garcia (19), Darcy Wilson (19), Angus Hastie (19), Patrick Said (18), Alex Dodson (18), Hugh Boxshall (18), Tobie Travaglia (18), Alixzander Tauru (18), James Barrat (18), Eamonn Armstrong (18)
Looking at this list, the Saints would be excited by what they can do in the years to come.
However, for a club that's won one premiership in all its time, their fans' patience is wearing thin.
Nevertheless, there are huge wraps on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Marcus Windhager and Mitch Owens as future stars of the competition.
After a sluggish start to 2024, Mattaes Phillipou made a role his own as a genuine midfielder and will look to build on that late-season form.
Liam Henry's early days at St Kilda shun bright before persistent injuries cruelled his maiden season at the club.
Darcy Wilson's upside cannot get Saints supporters off their seats quickly enough.
Add in the top-10 selections of Tobie Travaglia and Alix Tauru, and the red, white and black look set for the long term.
