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

Back
Next

West Coast

Players:ย Jack Hutchinson (23), Tyler Brockman (22), Brady Hough (22), Campbell Chesser (21), Rhett Bazzo (21), Jack Williams (21), Harry Barnett (21), Tyrell Dewar (21), Elijah Hewett (20), Noah Long (20), Ryan Maric (20), Reuben Ginbey (20), Harley Reid (20), Clay Hall (19), Coen Livingstone (19), Loch Rawlinson (19), Harvey Johnston (19), Archer Reid (19), Bo Allan (19), Hamish Davis (18), Malakai Champion (18), Jobe Shanahan (18), Tom Gross (18), Lucca Grego (18)

Like Richmond and North Melbourne, this list is skewed towards tremendous upside due to the disappointing finishes across the past three seasons.

Harley Reid leads the pack despite only being in the competition for 12 months.

Reuben Ginbey has shown plenty to lead Eagles fans to believe he will be a club stalwart come the end of his career while Brady Hough's shot up the ranks following his efforts in quelling the opposition's best small forwards.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Brady Hough of the Eagles warms up during an AFL practice match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Mineral Resources Park on February 25, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Campbell Chesser, Noah Long and Elijah Hewett have all featured at the level but will be looking for more consistency.

But West Coast should be closely watching the development of local talent Bo Allan. The youngster joined the club in the latest draft intake and can play across all lines, leading to a potential early-season debut.

Back
Next