With the 2019 AFL Draft in the books, we've seen clubs hedge their bets on the next crop of football superstars, with the hope that they can make an instant impact on their side's performances.
In the past few years, we have seen so many talented youngsters make a splash just a couple seasons into their AFL careers and become bonafide superstars.
Here isย Zero Hanger's top 10 players aged 22 and under heading into the 2020 season.
9. Jacob Hopper
With the likes of Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Toby Greene roaming the GWS midfield, it's easy to forget about Jacob Hopper. The young midfielder was selected by the Giants with pick seven in 2015 and has developed into a strong, contested midfielder. In 2019, the New South Welshman tallied 26.1 disposals per game and also gathered a club-high 13.9 contested possessions a game.
Hopper may lack the star power of his higher-profile teammates, but he remained an integral part of their run to the Grand Final in 2019. Hopper led the midfield in handballs, with 12.9 per game and clearances with 6.2, thriving off the attention drawn to his counterparts. With GWS expected to dominate the competition for years to come, you can guarantee Jacob Hopper will soon become a household name.
