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.
4. Ben Hobbs
It's getting close to crunch time for Ben Hobbs.
The same can be said about several Essendon youngsters, but 2025 has all the hallmarks of a make-or-break season for the young Essendon midfielder.
Touted by draft experts as one of the top midfield prospects in his draft pool, Hobbs slid down to Pick 13, where the Bombers swooped on him.
Despite 47 games in three seasons, were teams at the top of the draft right to overlook him given his current output at the level?
Hobbs has had his injury troubles across his first three seasons, which at times have stalled his development and seen his place in the midfield pecking order drop, with a mid-season draftee (Sam Durham) and SSP signing (Nic Martin) zooming past him up the list of best young midfielders at the Bombers.
He's had an uninterrupted pre-season and is firming to take his place in Opening Round against the Suns.
Hobbs has his destiny in his own hands, and 2025 looms as a big season for the tough onballer who is out of contract at season's end.
