Every club's 2019 breakout candidate

There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a young star take the next step and realise their potential. Every club has those players that they hope to build around for their future. Here is Zero Hanger's 18 players who all have the ability to be major influences for their respective clubs in 2019. Adelaide – Darcy Fogarty Fogarty has all the tools to become a premier key forward. He’s a strong mark overhead and can kick long on both feet. He showed signs during 2018 and could feature heavily in 2019 as Adelaide look to recover the spark that saw them make the grand final in 2017. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows competes for the ball during the round 15 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval on June 30, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)[/caption] Brisbane – Hugh McCluggage McCluggage is already one of the Lions’ better players and had some outstanding games in 2018, including a three-goal, 26-disposal performance against North Melbourne in round 20. The 20-year-old will look to cement a place in Brisbane’s dynamic midfield in 2019 and build off his promising first two years. [caption id="attachment_17229" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Hugh McCluggage of the Lions handballs from Daniel Rioli of the Tigers during the round 17 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on July 16, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Carlton – Harry McKay McKay has struggled to play consistent senior footy since his 2017 debut, yet has booted 24 goals in 15 games. McKay has shown his ability to take big marks and kick multiple goals regularly, but will need to stay fit in order to find his place in the Blues side. [caption id="attachment_19347" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Harry McKay of the Blues celebrates during the 2018 AFL round five match between the Carlton Blues and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Collingwood – Brayden Sier It may have taken him three seasons to make his debut, but Sier has shown signs of becoming a key member of Collingwood’s midfield. A big-bodied player, Sier averaged 19.5 disposals in his first 12 games and showed why he could be a big part of the Magpies’ exciting future. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brayden Sier of the Magpies kicks during the 2018 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Essendon – Andrew McGrath The former number one pick has been eased into a midfield role with the Bombers, spending most of his time on the wing and across half back. McGrath’s run and carry as well as his ability to find the ball should see him transition into a permanent midfield role and become a key part of the side in the next few years. [caption id="attachment_23747" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 17: Andrew McGrath of the Bombers in action during the 2018 AFL round 22 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 17, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Fremantle – Bailey Banfield Banfield impressed in his first year as a midfielder and especially as a tagger. The 20-year-old has proved to be a frustrating player to match up on, having shut down the likes of Shaun Higgins and Jack Steven. The youngster could be the heir to Ryan Crowley’s throne. [caption id="attachment_22791" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Bailey Banfield of the Dockers gets tackled by Jake Barrett of the Lions during the round 15 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium on July 1, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Geelong – Brandan Parfitt Parfitt’s 2018 season was full of promise. Apart from a hamstring injury that saw him miss four games, Parfitt played all season averaging 18 disposals. His ability to win the ball, kick goals and apply pressure could see him become one of Geelong’s top players. [caption id="attachment_19248" align="alignnone" width="683"] GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Brandon Parfitt of the Cats celebrates a goal during the round four AFL match between the Geelong Cats and the St Kilda Saints at GMHBA Stadium on April 15, 2018 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] Gold Coast – Will Brodie Brodie has shown flashes of the ability that saw him taken with pick nine in 2016. In eight games he averaged 19 disposals, but failed to lock down a place in the side. With all the departures Gold Coast suffered, Brodie should be able to play consistently and build on promising signs from this season. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Will Brodie of the Suns marks during the 2017 AFL round 23 match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval on August 26, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] GWS – Tim Taranto Taranto averaged 21 disposals in his second season without anyone really noticing. He has already shown that he can play consistently at a high level and can hit the scoreboard while doing it. With GWS continuing to lose players, Taranto will get more midfield time in 2019 and could take the next step in becoming a top-class player. [caption id="attachment_10333" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Tim Taranto poses during a Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL portrait session on January 17, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Hawthorn – James Worpel Worpel is almost a sure thing to become a key part of Hawthorn’s midfield. Strong-bodied and clean below his knees, Worpel has all the attributes to be a great inside midfielder playing alongside Tom Mitchell. All the proof that’s needed is in this video. https://twitter.com/aflcomau/status/1029238466507403265?lang=en Melbourne – Bayley Fritsch Fritsch was excellent in his first season and showed an ability to play at both ends of the ground and on the wing, using his marking ability to great effect. He played a strong finals series off half-back before being cruelly dropped for the preliminary final. The Demons are clearly invested in Fritsch for the future and the 21-year-old looks set to repay the faith. [caption id="attachment_20428" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 29: Bayley Fritsch of the Demons high fives fans after winning the round 6 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and Melbourne Demons at Etihad Stadium on April 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] North Melbourne – Jy Simpkin Simpkin has all the ability in the world. An agile mover who can kick with both feet and hit the scoreboard, Simpkin has found a place in North’s side, but is yet to fully settle into a role. In 2019, he could end up being a 20-disposal per game player or kick 25 goals as a forward, but needs to find some consistency and avoid going missing in games. [caption id="attachment_20675" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Jy Simpkin of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal during the 2018 AFL round 11 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 03, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Port Adelaide – Todd Marshall Marshall showed signs of his abilities in early 2018 before missing much of the season after a family tragedy. A strong mark and accurate kick, Marshall could be an excellent third tall forward for the Power in 2019. Getting a full season could be just what he needs in order to take the next step in his development. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Todd Marshall of Port Adelaide during the round four AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Port Adelaide Power at Etihad Stadium on April 15, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)[/caption] Richmond – Jack Higgins Already a cult figure at Punt Road for his off-field personality, his on-field ability could see him become the number one small forward for the Tigers. A smart player and noted goal sneak, Higgins can play in the midfield and up forward. A solid debut season should see Higgins lock down his place in the side in 2019 and further establish himself as a dangerous player. [caption id="attachment_21813" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 28: Jack Higgins of the Tigers runs with the ball during the round 15 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on June 28, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] St Kilda – Josh Battle Battle has the attributes to be a high half-forward player. Elite endurance and goal-kicking abilities are what make Battle stand out, but he has so far struggled to get a place in the Saints side. He has the size and skill to become a key part of the St Kilda forward line along with the likes of Josh Bruce, Tim Membrey and incoming draft pick, Max King. [caption id="attachment_21508" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Josh Battle of the Saints celebrates kicking a goal during the round 15 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the St Kilda Saints at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 1, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney – Tom McCartin McCartin was the youngest player in the league in 2018, but it never felt like it. He showed the poise and ability of a more experienced forward. A strong mark with exceptional athleticism, he is set to be the perfect fit for the Swans forward line after the retirement of Kurt Tippett. He needs to find the goals more often in 2019, but has all the qualities of a long-term key forward. [caption id="attachment_23122" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Tom McCartin of the Swans is tackled by Ben McEvoy of the Hawks during the 2018 AFL round eight match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Sydney Swans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] West Coast – Jake Waterman Waterman showed promise without being spectacular in his first year. He showed in several games that he can be a strong contributor and frequently hit the scoreboard. He will undoubtedly be given chances in 2019 and has the talent to look down a spot in West Coast’s forward line. [caption id="attachment_20389" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 11: Jake Waterman of the Eagles marks the ball during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles at HBF Arena on March 11, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] Western Bulldogs – Aaron Naughton At just 18 years of age, Naughton has plenty of time to reach his potential. Having said that, Naughton was excellent in his first year, proving to be a tough one-on-one match up and a brilliant interceptor. A brief trip to the forward line was promising and showcases his versatility ahead of his second year, where he will become a bigger part of the Bulldogs’ game plan. [caption id="attachment_22790" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 27: Aaron Naughton of the Bulldogs in action during the 2018 AFL round six match between the Western Bulldogs and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium on April 27, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	HAW	4	4	0	16	127.4
2	ADEL	3	3	0	12	164
3	COLL	4	3	1	12	123.4
4	BL	3	3	0	12	114.7
5	GC	2	2	0	8	230.6
6	GWS	3	2	1	8	121.3
7	STK	3	2	1	8	109.3
8	WB	3	2	1	8	107.3

Every club’s 2019 breakout candidate

Which players could go to the next level in 2019?

West Coast – Jake Waterman

1 COMMENT

Latest News

Blues boost with McKay among AFL-listed contingent named for Carlton VFL...

How a GWS enforcer found a path to the AFL in...

Roos forced into squad change for Sydney match

“Going to have a fair crack”: Ex-Saint predicting old club to...

Two men at AFL game allegedly found with loaded firearms

FOLLOW US