The highly esteemed Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medal is presented to the most promising young player in the VFL competition, determining the best talent under the age of 23.

Its incredible strike rate from converting a worthy winner to an AFL-listed player has seen the past 17 winners live out their childhood dreams, adding to the previous six that were rewarded for their efforts since 1989.

And it would appear that this year's nominations are no different, with a host of emerging stars ready to leap to the elite level.

Richmond's VFL-listed star Sam Davidson has been widely noted as the favourite to take out the award, meaning his dreams of becoming an AFL footballer are one step closer.

Davidson was invited to the AFL's state combine alongside Werribee Tigers' Riley Bice earlier this year.

Coburg's Flynn Gentile has had to bide his time at the Lions but has exceeded expectations in 2024, averaging 26.3 disposals, 3.9 tackles and 2.8 marks.

GWS superstar Tom Green's brother, Josh, who plays for Port Melbourne, has been listed as a potential recipient of the award.

2024 AFL Draft prospect Leonardo Lombard is a smoky to win the coveted medal at the age of 17.

Lombard is tipped to go in the first round at the AFL's upcoming National Draft and has played a pivotal role in Gold Coast's VFL side across the past two seasons.

2024 VFL Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medal nominations

Brisbane Lions:ย Tahj Abberley, Jack Manly
Carlton:ย Will White
Coburg:ย Flynn Gentile
Essendon:ย Matthew Foley, Will Hoare
Footscray Bulldogs:ย Cooper Craig-Peters, Joshua Kellett
Frankston:ย George Grey
Gold Coast Suns:ย Leonardo Lombard
North Melbourne:ย Jack Watkins
Northern Bullants:ย Will Elliott
Port Melbourne:ย Felix Flockart, Josh Green
Richmond:ย Sam Davidson, Mutaz El Nour
Sandringham:ย Darby Hipwell, Anthony Seaton
Southport:ย Nick Williams
Werribee:ย Riley Bice, Jaelen Pavlidis, Jake Smith
Williamstown:ย Corey Ellison, Joel Fitzgerald

VFL Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medallists turned AFL players

Year VFL club Player AFL Club
2023 Werribee Tigers Sam Clohesy Gold Coast
2022 Box Hill Hawks Ethan Phillips Hawthorn
2021 Williamstown Seagulls Charlie Dean Collingwood
2020 N/A N/A N/A
2019 Werribee Tigers Jake Riccardi GWS
2018 Werribee Tigers Josh Corbett Gold Coast
2017 Casey Demon Bayley Fritsch Melbourne
2016 Coburg Lions Luke Ryan Fremantle
2015 Williamstown Seagulls Adam Marcon Richmond
2014 Frankston Dolphins Nic Newman Sydney
2013 Northern Blues Kane Lambert Richmond
2012 North Ballarat Dean Towers Melbourne
2011 Northern Bullants Ahmed Saad St Kilda
2010 Frankston Dolphins Michael Hibberd Essendon
2009 Werribee Tigers Michael Barlow Fremantle
2008 Port Melbourne Robin Nahas Richmond
2007 Sandringham Zebras Shane Valenti Melbourne
2006 Geelong Jason Davenport Geelong
2003 Port Melbourne Aaron Davey Melbourne
2002 Box Hill Hawks Michael Firrito
North Melbourne
1998 Springvale Andrew Shipp Fremantle
1996 Williamstown Seagulls Paul Dooley
1995 Coburg Lions Mark Porter Carlton
1991 Box Hill Hawks Ron De Lulio Carlton