EVERY AFL club's best young gun

Adelaide Chayce Jones Midfielder | 20 | 180cm | 77kg Although Adelaide is yet to win a game, Jones' pressure in the forward half has been exceptional. Used as both a small forward and in the midfield, Jones is yet to lock down a position but has the potential to make either role his. Embed from Getty Images Brisbane Lions Cam Rayner Forward | 20 | 187cm | 90kg Having played all 10 matches so far this season, Rayner has solidified his spot in Brisbane's best 22 and is starting to show why he was taken with pick number one in the 2017 AFL draft. Known for being an exciting and powerful midfielder and forward, Rayner can open up games with his agility and strength at stoppages, and create goals from any situation. [caption id="attachment_22792" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND - JULY 07: Cameron Rayner of the lions runs with the ball during the round 16 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues at The Gabba on July 7, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Carlton Sam Walsh Midfielder | 20 | 184cm | 80kg Last year's Rising Star winner is continuing to grow as a player despite not dazzling quite as much as he did as a rookie. This year he has elevated his game with above average marks, kicks and disposals. A potential future Brownlow medallist [caption id="attachment_34171" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 15: Sam Walsh of the Blues in action during the 2019 AFL round 13 match between the Carlton Blues and the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on June 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Collingwood Josh Daicos Midfielder | 21 | 178cm | 76kg Daicos is one that has taken his game to the next level. His run on the wing and through the midfield and control with the footy is exceptional. Having played nine matches this season, he is showing consistency in his footy and is a star on the rise. Plus how good was that goal last week. [caption id="attachment_16693" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Josh Daicos kicks the ball during the round 22 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 19, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Essendon Jordan Ridley Defender | 21 | 192cm | 91kg A strong young defender with a genuine claim to being Essendon's best backman already. He is above average so far in meters gained, handballs, kicks and disposals. Showing a lot of potential and growth down back. [caption id="attachment_42860" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Jordan Ridley of the Bombers marks during the round 6 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Fremantle Caleb Serong Midfielder | 19 | 179cm | 81kg The No. 8 draft pick has a disposal efficiency at 74 per cent in his rookie year. Serong was nominated for the Rising Star Award with a strong showing against Geelong - racking up 22 touches, five intercept possessions and a goal. He backed that up with a huge 24 disposal-effort against Collingwood to show why he was so highly touted of this year's draft crop. Embed from Getty Images Geelong Gryan Miers Medium Forward | 21 | 179cm | 81kg After spending 2018 in the VFL, the local product was one of just four Cats to play every AFL match in 2019. This year he has continued to impress and is ranjked above average in disposals, kicks, marks and handballs. Miers continues to find a lot of the ball around the ground and is a very smart player. [caption id="attachment_31947" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Gryan Miers of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round eight AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Gold Coast Suns Izak Rankine Forward | 20 | 179cm | 76kg There was a lot of hype around Rankine when he was drafted... and it's taken us too long to see what he can do! As the Suns finally started winning games this year, the spotlight was mainly focused on dominant Pick 1 Matt Rowell. If Rowell hadn’t suffered a shoulder injury he almost definitely would’ve been this year's Rising Star winner. But there's a new star Suns rookie that has emerged and his name is Izak Rankine. Everyone will remember Rankine's freakish out-of-nowhere goals and the impact he made in his first three games. This kid is something else. Rowell and Ben King could be considered unlucky not to feature here though. [caption id="attachment_42801" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Izak Rankine of the Suns kicks celebrates after kicking his first AFL goal during the round 6 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Gold Coast Suns at GIANTS Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)[/caption] Greater Western Sydney Giants Tom Green Midfielder | 19 | 188cm | 85kg A big-bodied midfielder, Tom Green is an outstanding prospect with clean hands and great vision. He was nominated for the Rising Star Award for his Round 4 performance against Collingwood. Green was excellent when it mattered most against the star-studded Magpies' midfield unit, with some important and composed disposals late in the two-point win at Giants Stadium. Embed from Getty Images Hawthorn Will Day Defender | 19 | 189cm | 76kg Having only played four games this season, Day was one of the club's best players in just his second game. The young defender's ability to read the play and run off half back is exciting. James Sicily has taken Day under this wing in defence and the pair will form a great duo back there for the next decade. Embed from Getty Images Melbourne Luke Jackson Forward/Ruck | 18 | 198cm | 84kg Jackson is a natural athlete who can play in various roles on the field. A former basketballer, Jackson can play as both a forward and ruckman. Following guidance by captain Max Gawn in the ruck he has shown a lot of potential and could become anything. [caption id="attachment_37075" align="alignnone" width="680"] Luke JacksonCredit: Twitter[/caption] North Melbourne Tarryn Thomas Forward | 20 | 189cm | 74kg Thomas may have suffered a season-ending ankle injury but he remains the Roos' brightest young prospect. He is so clean and skilful with the ball in hand and just as tenacious without it. This is one player who should genuinely excite Roos fans. [caption id="attachment_33707" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos marks the ball during the Round 15 AFL match between Collingwood v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Port Adelaide Zak Butters Medium Forward | 19 | 181cm | 74kg His areal skills are above average for a player his size, making rival defenders nervous when he's going into a marking contest. Playing every game this season, he is one of many that make the Port Adelaide forward line look dangerous but can also run through the midfield. Port have a number of other great young talents at the club with the likes of Connor Rozee and Xavier Durrsma, who could also have pushed for this title. Embed from Getty Images Richmond Shai Bolton Medium forward | 21 | 175cm | 77kg Bolton’s speed and steadiness with the ball in hand makes him exciting to watch. A clever player who has spent more time on the ball in 2020 - where his pace out of stoppages can be dangerous. Having already kicked 10 goals this year, his growing in confidence by the week. [caption id="attachment_44442" align="alignnone" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Shai Bolton of the Tigers runs the ball during the round 7 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium on July 18, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] St Kilda Max King Key Forward | 20 | 202cm | 90kg A young key forward with all the potential in the world. King has slotted multiple goals on five occasions, with a three-goal display against Sydney in Round 9 his best effort to date. No doubt one day it will be Max and Ben King going head-to-head for the Coleman Medal. [caption id="attachment_27767" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 23: Max King of the Saints runs out during the St Kilda pre-season club match at RSEA Park on February 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney Swans James Rowbottom Midfielder Forward | 19 | 186cm | 78kg Having played every game in his second year at the Swans, Rowbottom is making a big impact now getting more midfield time. The young Swan is versatile, explosive at stoppages, an outstanding tackler and clean user of the footy. [caption id="attachment_31917" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: James Rowbottom of the Swans runs the ball during the round 15 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast Suns at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 29, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] West Coast Eagles Oscar Allen Key Forward | 21 | 192cm | 87kg Allen began his West Coast career in defence. Versatility was a feature of his play, as was his athletic ability and footy smarts. Having played seven matches this season, Allen has shown he has the ability to match it with the best and is continuing to grow with the guidance of Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling up forward. [caption id="attachment_28455" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Oscar Allen of the Eagles takes a mark during the 2019 AFL round 02 match between the West Coast Eagles and the GWS Giants at Optus Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Western Bulldogs Bailey Smith Midfielder | 19 | 185cm | 80kg Smith has backed up his outstanding debut season - where he finished fourth in the Rising Star - making further strides forward in 2020. Although primarily a ball-winning onballer, Smith has an ability to play multiple roles, including across half forward and as a running defender. Smith is strong around the contest, with his elite endurance and strength. [caption id="attachment_34874" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Bailey Smith of the Bulldogs warms up prior to the 2019 AFL round 01 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium on March 23, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)[/caption]

EVERY AFL club’s best young gun

We’ve named every AFL club’s best player aged 21 and under. Do you agree with our picks? 👇

Essendon

Jordan Ridley

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

Essendon CEO to depart

Like new recruits: 10 injured AFL stars ready to make a...

Every AFL team’s forward line ranked 1-18

Collingwood lock away Craig McRae to new deal

Premiership heroes recommit as Brisbane, Melbourne secure exclusive club members

FOLLOW US

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9