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
Brisbane
Players: Deven Robertson (23), Henry Smith (22), Kai Lohmann (21), James Tunstill (21), Darcy Wilmot (21), Shadeau Brain (21), Jaspa Fletcher (21), Will Ashcroft (20), Darcy Craven (20), Will McLachlan (20), Logan Morris (19), Reece Torrent (19), Luke Lloyd (19), Zane Zakostelsky (19), Sam Marshall (19), Ty Gallop (19), Levi Ashcroft (18)
A lot of Brisbane's 2024 premiership was off the back of their young stars standing up in crucial moments.
And ironically, they welcome two highly-touted prospects from the newest crop into the fold that should hold the Lions in good stead for years to come.
Brisbane's under-23 cohort had five premiership players while Deven Robertson was unfortunate to be watching from the sidelines.
The Ashcroft brothers will be an intriguing watch for the next decade or so while Sam Marshall is the forgotten gem given the media frenzy surrounding Levi's journey to the AFL.
Kai Lohmann is expected to rise in everyone's estimations following his shot up the ranks as fellow forward Logan Morris will benefit from the experience of big games.
