Nathan Buckley, Michael Voss, Glenn Archer and James Hird, all legends of our great game, have retired in the last two years. Many people were concerned that the future young stars would be unable to rise to the standard of these four guns.
Yet, this is the year that the young guns of our game have stepped up and are starting to have an influence on games, showing that they can fill the void left by these wonderfully talented players.
We all know about the young guns Lance Franklin and Joel Selwood, but here are some other great up-and-coming young players.
2007 draftee Rhys Palmer has fitted into the Fremantle’s midfield brilliantly, averaging nearly 24 possessions a game in a side that has performed poorly and has only won three games.
He returned from injury last week and racked up 31 possessions in a best on ground performance. The only downside to Palmers’ football at his young age is poor kicking efficiency.
Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy have developed significantly since the arrival of Chris Judd to the Blues.
Gibbs is averaging 20 possessions compared to his 14.5 last season. His run and carry of the football across half-back, along with his pin-point delivery by hand and foot, has enabled him have an influence on game day.
Marc Murphy has been sensational for the Blues this year and has become an A-grade midfielder.
Probably third in Carlton’s Best and Fairest behind Judd and Fevola, he has been inspirational in many games for the Blues. He is first in total inside fifties and second in total kicks. He also averages 23 possessions.
Scott Pendlebury is a dramatically improved player and is close to challenging Marc Murphy as the most valuable player of the 2005 national draft.
His foot skills and pace are great assets, along with what seems to be on-field maturity way above his years. Pendlebury has leadership skills that will end up making him a captain of the black and white army.
Brett Deleido, first pick in the 2004 national draft, is another young up-and-coming star whose status has been clouded by Franklinmania.
Drafted as a 17 year-old, he began his career by wining the Nab Rising Star. He is now averaging 25 possessions and a goal in season 2008, and is the leading Inside 50’s at Punt Road.
These players are the next guns of our great game. And this shows the strength and depth in its future.
There is still plenty of development to come for these exciting prospects, which is something that I’m looking forward to watching over the next ten years.
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Michael C
Guest
I've sometimes wondered - - - I looked at the products of the North Melbourne under 19s 10 year era under Denis Pagan, and the 'graduates' that drove the North team of the '90s, names such as Schwass, Carey, Martyn, McKernan, Archer, Rock, Larkin, etc playes who ended up elsewhere, Liberatore, Romero, Gayfer, McGrath etc and that was one club and their focus on under 19s and coming through the reserves. I still do wonder as to the TAC Cup and the talent pathway. I am at least satisfied that in the last few years, the top 10 picks appear a little better directed and the rookie system is allowing guys a better shot at it as a '2nd chance'. Previously, the development for AFL football (rather than just TAC footy) seemed lacking. I reckon that goes some way to explain why there are a number of clubs with a chasm in the 25-28 age group - - such as Collingwood.