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.
7. Aaron Naughton
Naughton began his career at the Western Bulldogs as an intercept defender and impressed, ranking top five amongst rookies for contested marks, intercepts and one-percenters. However, a position change up the ground in 2019 saw Naughton shoot into prominence, with a five-goal, 14-mark performance against Richmond in round seven highlighting the successful move.
The 19-year-old's finished with 32 goals, but it was his marking ability which had the footy world talking. Naughton finished with an astounding 53 contested marks, leaving him second in the competition for the stat behind only Richmond's Tom Lynch who had 56 with two extra games. Naughton earned a spot at full-forward in the 22under22 side for his efforts and should form a strong tandem alongside new Bulldog recruit Josh Bruce.
