Nick Dal Santo believes five young players stood out from the rest and had breakout seasons in 2019.

Speaking onย SEN, Dal Santo mentioned he should have included Blues midfielder Sam Walsh in the following list.

However, the following five players have all had outstanding years that have set them apart from the rest according to Dal Santo.

4. James Worpel (Hawthorn)

At the age of just 20, Worpel was forced into an important midfield role in 2019 after the loss of Tom Mitchell prior to the start of the season.

The young midfielder played in all 22 games for the Hawks this season, racking up an average of 26 touches per game.

The inside midfielder ranked 8th in clearances per game and 18th in contested possessions per game in the entire league in just his second season.

"Hawthornโ€™s best and fairest winner in his second year and we know what style of player is, Iโ€™m not sure how much upside heโ€™s got in regards to the flare and winning games off his own boot, but with the absence of Tom Mitchell, for Worpel to come in and play as consistently as he did, he really burst onto the scene," said Dal Santo.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: James Worpel of the Hawks, who kicked the winning goal, celebrates the win on the final siren as Michael Hurley of the Bombers looks dejected during the round 20 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 4, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)