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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Fremantle

Players:ย Jeremy Sharp (23), Luke Jackson (23), Heath Chapman (23), Nathan O'Driscoll (22), Karl Worner (22), Josh Treacy (22), Brandon Walker (22), Matthew Johnson (22), Patrick Voss (21), Jye Amiss (21), Neil Erasmus (21), Jaren Carr (21), Joshua Draper (21), Hugh Davies (20), Cooper Simpson (20), Jack Delean (20), Ollie Murphy (19), Odin Jones (19), Aiden Riddle (19), Charlie Nicholls (18), Murphy Reid (18)

As Fremantle enters the 2025 season, the weight of expectation has started to build with many pundits believing, given their list, they should be contending for a flag.

Luke Jackson still finds his way on this list despite being a star ruckman from the get-go, playing an integral part in Melbourne's drought-breaking premiership before departing to his home state.

Key forward duo Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss took major steps toward becoming an elite one-two punch in the front half in 2024, combining for 81 goals. A benchmark that should be met most years.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Josh Treacy of the Dockers celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 20 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium on July 27, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Heath Chapman has battled injuries but is a first-choice defender while Josh Draper and Brandon Walker are certainly pressing their case for consistent call-ups in the senior side.

But one Dockers fans would be super pleased with is the drafting of Murphy Reid, who many tipped to be in the top five conversation.

Reid slipped late in the first round but poses as one of the biggest steals, playing an eerily similar game to Harry Sheezel.

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