19 players made the 44-man All-Australian team for the first time in 2024, suggesting they took their game to the next level.
So, who could be primed to do the same in 2025?
In no particular order, here are 10 players who have the opportunity to take the next big step over the coming 12 months.
1. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
The Bulldogs' NGA product has been thereabouts for a few years now after struggling to make an impact in his first couple of years at the Dogs. People anticipated he could be the next Buddy Franklin but he has only ever shown that potential at times throughout his career.
Last season was a good sign for the forward, who kicked 43 goals and led the Bulldogs in that statistic. At times he looked like a genuine key forward who could break open a pack and take a contested mark, which is starting to happen more consistently.
He converted just 55% of his shots at goal and if he can fix these goalkicking woes, even just marginally, it will have an immediate impact on the stat sheet.
For Ugle-Hagan to take the next step he would need to kick 50+ goals and look to make an All-Australian team to boot.