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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Essendon

Players:ย Saad El-Hawli (23), Jaxon Prior (23), Sam Durham (23), Nick Bryan (23), Nikolas Cox (23), Zach Reid (23), Archie Perkins (23), Jye Menzie (22), Ben Hobbs (21), Alwyn Davey Jnr (21), Elijah Tsatas (20), Lewis Hayes (20), Luamon Lual (20), Nate Caddy (19), Vigo Visentini (19), Archie Roberts (19), Isaac Kako (19), Kayle Gerreyn (18), Archer Day-Wicks (18), Jayden Nguyen (18), Rhys Unwin (18), Angus Clarke (18), Zak Johnson (18)

Essendon's entire list ranks as one of the youngest in the competition and it is due to the aforementioned names.

The Bombers' young contingent is led by a host of former first-round selections, including the trio from the 2020 AFL Draft.

Of this group, Sam Durham has emerged as an outright gun of the competition despite his unique route to the top level while Nate Caddy has shown plenty of promise after 12 months in the system.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 23: Nate Caddy of the Bombers celebrates his first league goal during the 2024 AFL Round 15 match between the Essendon Bombers and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on June 23, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

However, as a result of the large amounts of midfielders at the club, talented players like Ben Hobbs and Elijah Tsatas are forced to bide their time in the VFL until a position opens up, which is difficult to see for the foreseeable future.

Essendon are buoyed by the inclusion of NGA prospect Isaac Kako while Angus Clarke has impressed during his first pre-season at the Hangar.

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