The AFL's future X-factors

This year, a large number of players have unveiled themselves as exciting young prospects for their clubs. Some have great potential, while others are perilous enough already. This is a compilation of the AFL’s best young guns.

Darcy Moore
Leigh Matthews labelled him the most exciting young prospect in the AFL because of his all-round ability. He rightly received a Rising Star nomination for his first half of footy against the West Coast Eagles before injury struck.

He took some spectacular grabs during the year, leading Collingwood for contested marks, showed his goal kicking accuracy, kicking 24, the second most at Collingwood, and composure in contested situations – but his inability to do it regularly, coupled with his stints on the sidelines, didn’t allow him to show his full potential.

When he plays at his best, consistently, he will be a dangerous player and a nightmare for opponents to contain. At two metres tall, with his potential, Collingwood can build a very successful forward line around him.

Standout game – Round 18 vs West Coast. Eight kicks, six marks, one tackle, three goals and two behinds – playing less than a half.

Brodie Grundy
After missing the first game, and playing through an inconsistent first 4-6 weeks which had many commentators calling for Jarrod Witts to return, Grundy paid the Collingwood selectors back being arguably Collingwood’s best player from about Round 8.

Not only did he improve his ruck craft, receiving more hitouts, but his contested marking and hard midfield work makes him more versatile.

He averages over 18 disposals a game, almost 10 of them contested, the third most at Collingwood. The figure is also better than the league’s best ruckmen such as Todd Goldstein, Sam Jacobs and Max Gawn.

Many people consider him slightly stiff being absent from the 40 man All-Australia squad but he will turn the heat right up on his rivals in the upcoming years.

Standout game – Round 16 vs GWS. 26 disposals, 28 hit-outs, three tackles, one goal.

Callum Mills
The rising star winner received lots of well-deserved praise in his first year of football. The half-back plays with stylish ball movement and great run, fitting in seamlessly in his first year to be one of the Swans’ best players in 2016. Originally picked as a midfielder, he has shone as a half-back, having immediate impact despite the change of position.

Standout Game– Round 5 vs West Coast. 12 kicks, 16 disposals, four marks, seven tackles – he has had better performances, but none with as great an influence against a top eight team.

Caleb Daniel
The smallest man in the AFL has already shown his composure under pressure multiple times and his elegant decision making. He averages 22 disposals this season, rarely misusing it at an efficiency of 76 per cent. That number means that of the players with better efficiency, only three are younger than him. He also averages 279 metres gained, six score involvements and three tackles per game.

He has shown glimpses of the potential he has at AFL level with some outstanding plays on some powerhouses of the game. The helmet-wearing mini-Bulldog is a player with exceptional AFL intelligence that will certainly be the player to step up as the Bulldogs get better and better.

Standout game – Elimination final vs West Coast. 33 possessions, four tackles, one goal.

Jacob Weitering
The No.1 draft pick had an explosive start to the season as a backman, before being briefly tried as a forward. His second half of the season was less impressive. At his best, he was one of Carlton’s best players with his amazing equanimity, which is a vital asset in every defender’s toolbox. The more games he plays, the more durable he will become. It is scary to think that he can still vastly improve his already wonderful game.

Standout game – Round 11 vs Brisbane. 24 possessions, 14 marks, three tackles.

Patrick Cripps
Carlton’s 2015 best-and-fairest backed up his performance from last year, bettering almost all of his stats to put forward a case for another John Nicholls Medal (though the prize eventually went to Sam Docherty).

He leads his club easily in contested possessions, with 17 a game – third in the AFL. He lead the AFL in clearances as well. He has lots of weaponry, such as silky ball-use, a booming right foot, and pressure around the ball.

At 21, his big-bodied presence is often enough to put players off but he also assures he is intimidating with big bumps and painful tackles. Is certain to rise, in the upcoming years, to become one of the AFL’s elite.

Standout game – Round 18 vs Sydney. 10 kicks, 32 possessions, four marks, four hit-outs, 13 tackles.

Marcus Bontempelli
If he finished his career now, he would have more highlights than most players at the end of a 200-game career. Has already been touted as the next Gary Ablett, Brownlow medallist and all. But he is only 20!

He demands the ball like Dane Swan, shrugs tackles like Dustin Martin and moves like Scott Pendlebury. He’s at No.6 in the AFL’s player ratings already. He has the ability to make a goal out of nothing but moreover he can take games away from the opposition so easily.

He is, on paper, a perfect midfielder, averaging 24.5 disposals, 11 contested, 71 per cent efficiency, seven score involvements and also five tackles.

He was rightfully named as the captain of the ’22under22′ team and also earned a maiden All-Australian honour. Bontempelli is possibly the best 20-year-old to have played the game.

Standout game – Round 11 vs West Coast Eagles. 30 possessions, nine tackles – youngest ever player to win a match as captain.

Other players with great influence that deserve a mention are Zach Merrett, Isaac Heeney and Jade Gresham. All these players contribute incredibly to their club and deserve as many accolades as they can get. All have such potential for their teams – but comment below about who you think is the best young player in the AFL.