In an athlete's professional career, there comes a moment or a season when big questions get asked.
Questions such as 'Is this player going to make it or not?'
Development is never linear. But in our game, it's often thought that your first 50 games are the most difficult when it comes to development. Only then, once you've hit the first milestone, most players start to work out what you can and can't do.
Some players entering their fourth seasons in 2025 have already put significant runs on the boards and laid down markers.
Nick Daicos, at just 21 years old, has claims to be the best player in the game already. Sam Darcy has shown in just his first 28 games that he is the next great key forward in the game. And Jason Horne-Francis has delivered thus far on all the qualities that made him one of the most hyped No.1 draft picks.
Others are on the runway too. A pair of Saints in Mitch Owens and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera are leading the charge of the young group at Moorabbin. Jye Amiss and Mac Andrew are coming as part of that next group of key position superstars. Finn Callaghan and Connor Macdonald have emerged as top-line talents at their clubs for the next generation. And then there's Kai Lohmann, who cemented his place as a young superstar on the rise with a breakout season and grand final performance, which sent him rocketing up the charts amongst the best small forwards in the game.
But with all the hits and up-and-coming superstars, some are still treading water and finding their way, including some from the very top of their class.
Here we name four members of the 2021 AFL Draft who are at a critical juncture in their young careers.
1. Josh Rachele
Crows star Josh Rachele enters the year with big question marks hovering over him.
The promise and talent is undeniable. 30 goals from 22 games last season, 23 goals from 21 the year before, and locked in on a massive contract through to the 2029 season.
The idea of the pairing of Rachele with fellow Crows livewire Izak Rankine in the forward line is enough to have pure footy fans salivating. Yet there's still this lingering question mark over whether or not the Shepparton product is tough enough for the big leagues.
Rachele was dropped for the last round of the 2024 season, failing to meet club standards after the pre-Showdown barb about Port fans fell flat. It prompted some thought bubbles that maybe Rachele wouldn't even make it to the end of his contract at the Crows and go seek a fresh start.
According to reports, his training standards this pre-season have been those of an individual who knows he fell short of the mark in many areas last season and is leaving no stone unturned to grow and develop into a leader at the club on and off the field. It's the development that hasn't gone unnoticed by some Crows leaders.
"He's been electric, he's a really hard worker โฆ so it's no surprise he's improved as much as he has," Crows vice-captain Ben Keays told reporters in January.
His captain, Jordan Dawson echoed Keays' remarks.
โJosh, he's probably one of those guys โ no one puts more pressure on him than him, and he's always looking to improve,โ he said.
โHis attitude has been fantastic.
โHe actually had a really good year last year and he's been phenomenal on the track pre-Christmas.
โThe shape he's in right now โฆ he wants to get better and he wants to get better in a hurry.
โAnd I'm really excited by what he's going to bring as a footballer but also in the leadership space because he wants that, and he has been training exceptionally well.โ
