16-year-old Nick Wayne was recently signed to American wrestling promotion AEW and with no junior leagues to break wrestlers into the industry, the youngster has been working against men his entire career.

When applying this ideology to the wider sphere of professional sport, how young is too young before an athlete should transition into the top flight?

While this is obviously subjective depending on the athlete and code, when it comes to the AFL, players must be at least 18 years of age before being called upon for their debut. Yet, this wasn't always the case, as the league were permitting 15-year-olds to play late into the 1970s.

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When comparing the youngest debut age of all time to the youngest debut age of this century, there's a whopping three years and 191 days difference.

Contrary to popular belief, a player making their professional debut at such a young age doesn't translate into them being a prodigy of the game. For instance, if we take the 10 youngest players to make their AFL/VFL debut then we have an interesting mix of legends and the infamous.

Without further adieu, here are the 10 youngest players to make their debut in VFL/AFL history and how their careers turned out.

10) Herb Brunning (St Kilda, 1902: 16 years, 55 days)

A one-game wonder who peaked a little early, making his debut against Collingwood in a loss.

9) Andrew Kuka (Fitzroy, 1967: 16 years, 47 days)

Similarly short-lived career, featuring on just one occasion for Fitzroy.

8) Robert Peterson (North Melbourne, 1968: 16 years, 46 days)

Peterson was good for 15 touches and a goal over his 79-game career. He wasn't a superstar by any stretch but was definitely a handy player who could split his time between the centre and forward pocket.

He retired after the 1974 VFL grand final, in which he had 13 touches and a major,ย  to focus on his medical career.

It's possible that Peterson could've reached greater heights in his footballing career given that he retired in his early 20's, several years prior to reaching his physical prime.

7) Len Fitzgerald (Collingwood, 1945: 15 years, 349 days)

Fitzgerald is perhaps one of the greatest footballers you've never heard of.

Able to dominate in key positions down back and up forward, he was quickly cementing himself as a Collingwood legend before he made a shock move to SANFL side Sturt in 1951.

The move was shrouded in controversy as Fitzgerald was believed to be a pawn in a deal brokered by infamous Collingwood businessman John Wren between a South Australian political ally.

Nonetheless, Fitzgerald collected more money and a better job after the move and continued his dominant play en route to an inaugural induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

6) Mick Maguire (Richmond, 1910: 15 years, 328 days)

Macguire started his VFL career leading Richmond's goalkicking in his first two seasons before seemingly losing interest and phasing football in favour of other ventures.

Nonetheless, he managed 95 goals from 67 games while also competing as a welterweight boxer during this time.

Away from sport, Maguire was a renowned publican who had two daughters marry into English nobility and another make it as a Hollywood actress. It's quite clear that Football was the least of Maguire's concerns.

5) Wels Eicke (St Kilda, 1909: 15 years, 315 days)

Eicke managed 218 games during his VFL career and cemented his legacy as one of football's greatest defenders.

For his short stature, Eicke was regarded as a strong mark while also being able to display effective foot skills in an era unfamiliar with crisp ball use.

He also served as North Melbourne's first senior coach, appointed as a player/coach when the Kangaroos entered the VFL in 1925 but departed during 1926 to retire at the Saints.

Eicke was a three-time best and fairest winner at St Kilda, where he was the inaugural recipient of the award and was also one of the first players inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

4) Tim Watsonย (Essendon, 1977: 15 years, 305 days)

Watson is undoubtedly a legend of Australian Rules as he managed 335 goals, four best and fairest's and three premierships over the course of his illustrious career.

The Dimboola boy was good for 20 touches and snag over his 307 games and currently sits in the Australian Football Hall of Fame and Essendon team of the century.

Outside of footy Watson has built a career as a prominent sports journalist where he currently operates as the sports presenter on Seven News.

3) Albert Collier (Collingwood, 1925: 15 years, 297 days)

Collier is a Collingwood great who was a key contributor during the 'machine' era, where the Pies went on to win four consecutive premierships between 1927-30.

Adding to his incredible legacy was that he managed to captain Collingwood to back-to-back premierships in 1935-36 with his brother Harry.

Collier was a flat-out winner (76% win rate) and legend of the game who also managed to win a Brownlow Medal and three best and fairest's during his 217 games.

Not many players can match Collier in play and even less can compare in accolades.

2) Keith Bromage (Collingwood, 1953: 15 years, 287 days)

Bromage never quite lived up to his own hype despite leading the Magpies goalkicking in his second season.

He managed 78 goals from 69 games with Collingwood and Fitzroy but was largely underwhelming during his VFL tenure.

Bromage played eight seasons in the VFL before his final match in 1961.

1) Claude Clough (St Kilda, 1900: 15 years, 209 days)

Clough is the youngest ever player to lace up the boots in VFL/AFL history.

His first appearance for the Saints ended up being the club's first victory in the VFL, coming in stunning fashion as the game against Melbourne actually ended in a draw before the result was overturned a week later given the Dees were disallowed a point.

After 23 games Clough decided to hang up the cleats as he walked into retirement at 16 on the back of 22 straight losses.