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.
3. Neil Erasmus
It's hard breaking into a star-studded Dockers midfield at the best of times. However, Neil Erasmus might just have to make it happen for himself this year.
The former Pick 10 selection only managed four senior games in 2024. Having only played 23 games across his first three years, the 21-year-old is facing a reckoning heading into his fourth season - the last on his current contract.
He's proven too good for the level below, securing a best-on-ground medal in Peel Thunder's premiership win last season, capping a dominant campaign averaging 28.2 disposals across 17 games in the WAFL.
He amassed over 30 possessions on eight occasions for Peel Thunder last year but still couldn't break into the Dockers' AFL side.
It appears that after a strong pre-season this might be the year that Erasmus finally breaks into the Fremantle side, with fellow midfielder Caleb Serong saying he is โin ridiculous shapeโ and has thrived in the physicality side of things this summer.
Speaking about Erasmus and fellow fourth-year midfielder Matthew Johnson, Serong couldn't contain his excitement about the extra dimension the Dockers could add to its midfield.
โThe size of those two for fourth-year guys is unbelievable. They're massive; they're physical and embracing that side of the game, they understand that when they come in, that's going to be their role when they come in - to hit bodies and be physical.โ Serong told reporters last month.
Erasmus opted against a trade away from Fremantle during the last player movement period despite rival interest and lack of opportunities, committing to staying at home and fighting it out.
Now comes the hard part; staying in the side that is pushing for big things.
