Five weeks into the 2021 AFL season, there have been plenty of unexpected storylines.
A number of teams that struggled during a COVID interrupted 2020 season have bounced back in spectacular fashion, whilst others have dropped in dramatic fashion.
Teams like Sydney and Adelaide have started the season in unexpected fashion, jumping the gun early with strong starts to the season. A heavy contrast compared to previous seasons, the young sides are showing plenty of upside and promise for success now and in the future.
This is heavily in contrast to sides with older lists. The likes of St Kilda, who have the oldest list in the competition, are struggling hugely with the new free flowing style of the game. With heavy losses to the reigning premiers Richmond (84 points) and young Bombers (75 points), the Saints find themselves 2-3 with a miserable 71.4% percentage.
It is starting to become apparent that the implementation of the new standing on the mark and interchange rules has made the game quicker, potentially suiting the younger, quicker players.
As such, we've highlighted the most promising young lists in the competition, emphasising that we aren't necessarily predicting these teams will be successful, but simply stating that they possess the best young talent.
3. Essendon
It has been a torturous millennium for the Bombers, who have failed to win a final in over 6000 days. Impressive.
But the time is now for Essendon supporters to feel a little more optimistic. Although it won't look like finals are on the cards for the 2021 season, there has been a lot of promising signs. Embarrassing the Saints in Round 3 was exactly what Bombers fans needed after coughing up a 40 point lead to the Hawks, with big contributions coming from the young talent coming through hugely noticeable.
The 23 year old Andrew McGrath looks to be developing into one of the competitions most elite midfielders. To the untrained eye it looks like he has been running the midfield for a decade, but that is the level of talent the Bombers were blessed in getting when they drafted him No. 1 in the 2016 rookie draft.
He has well and truly lived up to the hype, with a stellar 2020 season seeing him make the move into the midfield, leading to not only his fourth 22 under 22 team selection but also selection as captain of the team. With a move into the leadership group in 2021, McGrath has led from the front with his ability to find the footy (26 disposals) and elite pressure (seven tackles).
With more midfield responsibilities for McGrath also came more time in the midfield for Darcy Parish who has steadily improved each year. With 24 disposals and six clearances a game to start the 2021 season, the peak for the 23-year-old is still to come.
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Another Bomber to be named in the 2020 22 under 22 side, Jordan Ridley had a breakout season seeing him win the Chrichton Medal. Ranking third in the competition in contested intercept marks last year, the once fringe player was arguably the best story out of the Bombers camp for the 2020 season.
Picking up where he left off, Ridley has been dominant off the Bomber backline with 23.6 disposals per game with a shade under 500 metres gained. Bombers fans have a lot to be excited about, with the up and coming superstar inking a four-year contract extension at the end of the 2020 season.
Arguably one of the most exciting young players on the Bombers list (and best mullets in the AFL), Sam Draper has a scary level of upside as he develops his craft as the number one ruckman. At the age of 21, he showed flashes of incredible on his way to playing eight games after his debut in Round 9 of last year.
More than holding his own against some of the games best ruckman, Draper showed the competitiveness and confidence that many Bombers fans were so looking forward to. After rejecting a lucrative deal from the Saints in 2019 before even playing a game, the young South Australian is anticipated to have a bright future.
SEE ALSO: RANKING THE BEST 10 MULLETS IN THE AFL
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Quite arguably one of the most exciting players to come out of the 2020 draft class is the 200cm utility Nikolas Cox. After showing glimpses of brilliance during the Bombers 3 point loss against the Swans, former Essendon great Matthew Lloyd is really excited about what he can bring the Bombers.
โHeโs just a really worrying proposition at 200cms. He can kick left foot, he can kick right foot,โ he toldย Channel Nineโs Footy Classified. "...theyโve got an absolute gem there, who is going to be a headache for all wingmen for the next 15 years.โ
With young talent everywhere, after picking up Jye Caldwell from GWS, and the continued development of Matt Guelfi, Irving Mosquito, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Archie Perkins and Zach Reid, Bombers fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
