Every year there is a breakthrough player at every club, a player that defied expectation and performed way above their conceived ability and put them on the map.
Let’s look at who your club’s breakout player will be in 2021.
Adelaide Crows: Lachie Sholl
Making his debut in 2020, the talented midfielder applied his trade off the halfback line, playing the final eight games. An extremely classy user by foot, he used this asset to full effect by averaging two rebound 50s per game, ranking elite among his fellow midfielders.
In 2021, Sholl will be looking to develop into a consistent starting player, whether that be off the halfback line or in the midfield. With the departure of Rory Atkins and Brad Crouch, there is space to be filled by the young and developing list. There is much promised from this incredibly talented 20-year-old.
Brisbane Lions: Nakia Cockatoo
Falling out of favour at Geelong, Nakia Cockatoo was traded to Brisbane for a future third-round pick (Melbourne). This should prove to be a very shrewd decision by Brisbane to acquire the explosive youngster.
Having not played a game since 2018, Cockatoo will be looking to rediscover his career-best form and become a part in this finals-proven Brisbane side. His explosive pace and ready-made AFL experience will prove to be a very good asset should he get his body right.
Carlton Blues: Liam Stocker
A big gamble was made in the 2018 AFL draft by Carlton, trading away their first-round pick for the following year’s draft to secure Liam Stocker. With big risk comes big responsibility and many have deemed Liam Stocker not worthy of the pick assigned to him.
Having to return home from the hub last season due to personal reasons, the Carlton faithful still have major confidence that Stocker will develop into the player he is destined to be. Stocker will be looking to break into the Carlton side again, after only playing five games in 2018.
Collingwood Magpies: Caleb Poulter
Drafted with the 30th pick by Collingwood in the 2020 AFL Draft, the big-bodied midfielder could be the long-term replacement for Adam Treloar. He provides grunt and presence, as well as a good tackle on the inside. On the outside, he possesses very clean kicking and an ability to hit the scoreboard.
Can Caleb Poulter replace what Adam Treloar brought to the Pies? (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
With the departures of Treloar and Tom Phillips, as well as the ageing nature of midfield mainstays like Scott Pendlebury and Steel Sidebottom, Poulter should look to get valuable match experience under his belt before making a profound and sustained bid to start in that midfield for 2022.
Essendon Bombers: Archie Perkins
Essendon had a wealth of options in the 2020 AFL Draft, boasting picks eight, nine and ten. With pick nine they drafted Archie Perkins, the true modern-day midfielder. He possesses incredible athleticism and the ability to go forward and kick goals. Comparisons to the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin have been made, so there are big expectations for the 18-year-old.
Perkins should look to gain a starting spot at the earliest possible opportunity, as he has shown that he has the confidence and the build to hang at the top AFL level – whether that be in the midfield or up forward.
Fremantle Dockers: Hayden Young
The talented halfback flanker didn’t have the best of luck in 2020. In his fifth match of AFL football, he suffered a season-ending syndesmosis injury. In the matches he featured in, he showed why he was drafted seventh.
In 2021, Young will aim to get valuable AFL experience and to develop into a very good halfback flanker – just like his defensive counterpart Luke Ryan as a key defender. He has the talent; all he needs is an injury-free season and everyone will start talking about him.
Geelong Cats: Sam De Koning
The potential replacement for Harry Taylor? The tall defender who starred for Victoria Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. He will take time to develop just like all big men, but he has the athletic attributes to tackle the AFL’s best forwards in the future. Add the fact that he can chip in as a forward, the comparisons to Taylor keep giving.
(Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)
The cliche when talking about big men is that they take more time to develop into fully-fledged AFL-quality players. While that’s possibly the case for De Koning, in 2021, he could show his class and could easily be the long-term replacement for Taylor.
Gold Coast Suns: Elijah Hollands
Hollands was a possible No.1 pick at the start of 2020, before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his knee in February. Hollands is dangerous as a deep forward, but can easily play as a powerful, explosive midfielder. He is dominant at stoppages.
Hollands can eventually walk straight into the Gold Coast side in 2021. He has the size and stoppage prowess to be compatible with the likes of Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson and can be a compatible forward with Ben King and Izak Rankine.
GWS Giants: Lachie Ash
The incredibly talented halfback made his name last season after being drafted with pick four in the 2019 AFL Draft. Playing 12 games in 2020, he showed an innate ability to find the ball on the inside – and the ability to break a game open with his pace on the outside.
With the departure of Heath Shaw and Zac Williams, there is a real opportunity for Ash to establish himself as a premier halfbackman in the Giants side. The Giants will look to rebound after a poor 2020 and Ash could become a big part of that.
Hawthorn Hawks: Damon Greaves
The smooth-moving halfback flanker was given a lifeline at the back end of 2020. Being selected in Round 16, he played out the remaining games of the season with class and confidence. Despite only playing three games in 2020, he averaged elite kick efficiency and overall disposal efficiency among his fellow defenders.
The 2021 season should be the real breakout season for Greaves. Should he establish himself as a key component in the Hawthorn system, his elite kicking should help with the Hawks sometimes slow and passive ball movement.
Melbourne Demons: Luke Jackson
Selected with pick three in the 2019 AFL Draft, high expectations were put upon the 199-centimetre forward-ruckman. Seeming to be a long term Max Gawn replacement, unlike Gawn, Jackson can go forward and do some real damage.
With the acquisition of Ben Brown in the off-season, it will be interesting to see where Luke Jackson will fit in for Melbourne in 2021. Getting valuable AFL experience under his belt would be the main priority as he was restricted to only six games in 2020.
North Melbourne Kangaroos: Will Phillips
Will Phillips was arguably the best pure midfielder in the 2020 AFL Draft. A contested-ball beast and very clean user, being taken at pick three shows the talent he possesses, and his grunt and tough attitude will fit right into the shinboner culture at North Melbourne.
He should be in North’s best 22 at the start of the season, a real chance for the rising star – he has the body to fit right into the big time and is a big asset for North Melbourne.
Port Adelaide Power: Jackson Mead
Taken as a father-son at pick 25 in the 2019 AFL draft, Jackson Mead is yet to make his debut, but possesses fantastic courage and always attacks the football. As well as being a very good decision-maker, this should allow him to easily adapt to AFL football.
The midfielder/forward should aim to make his debut in season 2021. If he can have the impact that the likes of Zac Butters and Connor Rozee had, then expect him to be in and around the starting 22.
Richmond Tigers: Riley Collier-Dawkins
Drafted with pick 20 in the 2018 AFL Draft, Richmond have taken their time with pushing Collier-Dawkins, letting him develop via the VFL into the player they want before putting him under the bright lights of AFL football.
The midfielder should make his debut in 2021. He was very, very close to making his debut in 2020. The talented midfielder has gone under the radar since being drafted; he is going to surprise many once he shows how good he can be.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
St Kilda Saints: Jack Bytel
Sliding into a late second-round pick in the 2018 draft, the 189-centimetre midfielder made his debut in 2020, playing three games and showing what a shrewd pick it was by St Kilda. A very clean user and with a good ability to find the contested ball, he is fitting into AFL football nicely.
Bytel should be knocking on the door for selection. However, with how strong the Saints midfield is and with the addition of Brad Crouch, it would be hard for Bytel to crack into that midfield. Should he do it, he can prove to be the future of the St Kilda midfield.
Sydney Swans: Dylan Stephens
Dylan Stephens, the speedy midfielder, showed why he was drafted with pick five in the 2019 AFL Draft. Playing eight games in 2020, he displayed cleanliness and can develop into a very good AFL footballer.
With the return of Isaac Heeney, it may be harder for Stephens to stay in the Sydney side, or even have the same impact. But he’s shown he can hang at AFL level and he is a promising talent who can easily level up in 2021.
West Coast Eagles: Alex Witherden
Falling out of favour at Brisbane, Alex Witherden was traded to West Coast for pick 58, which could easily be one of the trades of the off-season. The defender possesses elite kicking and the ability to generate attack from defence brilliantly.
Playing six games in 2020, he’ll need to prove why he deserves to start for the Eagles in 2021. He has the ability, but would need to adapt to the way West Coast play. Should he break into the starting 22, he could become a real difference-maker in 2021.
Weston Bulldogs: Cody Weightman
The obvious choice would be to say Jamarra Ugle-Hagan; however, Cody Weightman will take everyone by surprise. Taken with pick 15 at the 2019 AFL Draft, Weightman’s a dangerous forward who can play above his height and has an incredible eye for goal. Playing three games in 2020 and kicking three goals, he adds a new dynamic to the Bulldogs forward line.
2021 can be a breakout year for Cody Weightman. He has the ability and the X-factor to change a game and will have a very impressive highlight reel in a few seasons. Should he be able to perform consistently for the Bulldogs in 2021, he can be a real difference-maker.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Haha, don’t worry, on my old podcast we were doing a live draft show and my co-host and I completely blanked on Dylan Stephens and Cooper Stephens, not just getting them mixed, but forgetting obvious stuff like Cooper being from Geelong and picked by Geelong while we were stumped by Sydney choosing Dylan because Sam Flanders just seemed a no-brainer given they were possibly 11 months from losing Tom Papley. This is the kind of rabbithole that I Iove going down. First of all, with the Suns picking at 17th, for me it was Will Day (if he slid that far) or Brodie Kemp (even though the Suns couldn’t afford to carry an ACL case), but it was too rich for Will Gould. A trade with Carlton that might have worked better was to trade pick 17 and future pick 11 for live pick 11 and the Blues future first, though Carlton probably asks for one of the future seconds the Suns were holding too. The Blues could have then traded back in to get Sam Philp, while the Suns kept the first pick of the second round and traded it to Brisbane, taking Will Gould with pick 23 before the South Australian clubs could wheel and deal. Maybe the Suns could get back into the second round to pick Jeremy Sharp by trading their other two future second-rounders to Geelong (who then wouldn’t have had to pay so much for Jeremy Cameron). The Suns coming out with Carlton’s pick 8 is unlikely though and SOS was hard enough to deal with anyway. Trying it another way, what about the Suns trading future pick 11 for Richmond’s last pick of the first round and using that to trade up for Flanders? Then flip pick 22 to Brisbane and a pair of second rounders to Geelong and still get Sharp at 27 after collecting Gould at 23. In total, the Suns would be without their 2020 pick 27, which they wound up having to give away for Geelong’s 2021 third rounder, so it would have been a winning move. BTW, GWS got Conor Stone with GCS future pick 11 from Geelong, which had slid to pick 15 on the night. I still think Sharp was worth it, although if I was his coach I’d need a pacemaker. Stand the #^<%ing mark! Defend!! Don't corral, attack!!! He is a beautiful user of the ball, runs for teammates, communicates exceptionally well and plays for the team, but he's a crab in defence, like it's a meaningless drill, watching opponents run past him and the ball sailing over his head. Half a season in the Nevilles and he'll get the message. Sharpen up!
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Errrrr . . . yeah, right.
Chris M
Guest
If you would have liked the Suns to choose Will Gould in the draft, what do you think their recruiting team should have done differently? In 2019 the Suns drafted Matt Rowell (1), Noah Anderson (2) and Sam Flanders (11) in the first round and then traded out a 2020 first round pick so that they could choose Jeremy Sharp with pick 27. The Suns would have needed to use a different strategy after their first two picks to select Will Gould. That may have involved missing out on either Flanders or Sharp or both. Could the Suns have got a better deal when they live-traded out a first round selection for the following year and pick 64 to receive pick 27, which they used on Sharp? As it turns out, the deal helped Geelong acquire restricted free-agent, Jeremy Cameron, by on-trading that selection to GWS, which I think GWS used on Tanner Bruhn. However, I could be wrong. After all, I couldn't spell Dylan Stephens' name correctly in my previous post. Stephens may be known as Dyl for short, but I'm the one who showed myself to be a dill at spelling.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I didn't mock him as a footballer. I challenged his practice of kneeing players behind the play. It was hardly "unkind". The whole footy world agreed. If that's all you can find, the point is made.
Desmond
Guest
seen you say some very unkind things about Sam Mitchel
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
I was a little sick in the stomach when the Suns didn’t draft Will Gould. I think a lot of clubs were very alarmed at seeing him turn up at the draft combine in terrible shape after playing a season of SANFl seniors. Seemed to me to be a Steven May or Jeremy McGovern type of defender who you plug and play, but the Swans have plans to make him earn it.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
GWS made a grave error not drafting Tom’ brother Josh. The two have played a heap of footy together, Josh has been among the best Giants Academy kids and they were both serious Richmond supporters. Now Richmond has Josh Green training with them for an SSP spot. Tigers could look at trading for Tom as soon as this year with their pair of first round draft picks.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
There are some emerging A-Graders from the past 5 Drafts that have snuck under the radar because they’ve been playing in poor sides. From 2016, Ben Ainsworth and Jack Bowes are beginning to show they’ll be hitting their prime soon after taking a long time to get to 50 games. From 2017, the Suns’ weakest draft on paper after the West Coast trade debacle, Wil Powell and Charlie Ballard have shown that their ceilings are very high once they grow to full size. From 2018, you’ve highlighted the 3 elite talents from the top 8 in that year’s super draft, with all of them capable of going off this year. From 2019, getting the top 2 consensus picks, who happen to be best mates, is a core the club can build around, but don’t sleep on Sam Flanders, Mally Rosas or Connor Budarick either (the last two were rated first/second round talent). Then in 2020, the Suns acquired some excellent Academy kids in Alex Davies and Joel Jeffrey, both rated as first round talent and able to be brought on slowly. Watch out for Jez McLennan, Jeremy Sharp, Aiden Fyfe and Rhys Nicholls in the reserves because they will push for selection, while little PNG firecracker Ace Paul Oea is good enough to play round one. This year they’ll be laying the foundation of what to expect and next year will be a cracker. Wait until you see the Suns next group of Suns Academy kids because they might be the best yet - Austin Harris, Ned Stevens, Will Bella, Jed Foggo and Bodhi Uwlands, to name a few (Jye Lockett (nephew) has left the GC and Josh Fahey won’t be Academy tied, or they’d have had a draft nightmare).
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Bias is fine. Barracking for your team is very Australian. Knocking the opposition is ugly. You'll never see me doing that. I just share the purple joy. If you follow a team, why not talk about that? Do you not know anything about your team? Is there nothing that excites you pre-season? What do you get about objecting to optimism?
Tom
Guest
Agree Tom Green should have a break out year, if he can get enough game time at GWS. Great footballer.
Tom
Guest
Nice list. A Bombers fan, so watch our list closely. I think Essendon will be conservative with their draftees. Missed too much footy last year. Has been said for a couple of years(Essendon has a habit of holding onto a few middling players), but I think Kyle Langford will really improve his football to be rated by the comp. Nick Hind will play the role that I think he is best suited at, at Essendon coming over from StKilda. That is off half back with tremendous leg speed. Replaces the double whammy loss of McKenna and Saad last year. Has every opportunity to be ‘one to watch’.
Scott
Guest
I think Gold Coast are gonna get it right this time around. I’m a close draft watcher and considered Rankine and Lukosius the 2 best draft age players I’ve ever seen. The King twins had perhaps the highest potential of any draft players I’ve seen and that seems to be relating to AFL. They then got by far the 2 best players of the 2019 crop as well. Rowell would also be one of the top 10 draft age players I have seen. At the time I didn’t think his game would translate as well to AFL due to his size, but wow did he prove me wrong. So in saying that, Gold Coast now have 4 of the top 10 draft age players I’ve seen in nearly 20 years of following the draft and by the looks of his gamestyle, Holland’s has a chance to be a pick 1 quality player as well. I think this year will be a middle of the ladder improving year, then next year you guys may explode
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
And your responses are typically biased and convoluted, no money to be had there, Don. I really hope Freo are injury free this year and see where they land. As previously stated you'd be bullish about Top 4/8. Let's see their footy do the talking.
Chris M
Guest
From some clubs in your list you've picked a few interesting draftees who haven't yet made their debut. Your pick for the Sydney Swans, Dylan Stevens, is a worthy choice. However, last year's Swans' draftee who didn't get a game, Will Gould, was reported to be the biggest improver in the club's 2km time trial. When he does get a game, it will be interesting to see how he develops and uses his solid frame. He may even become a crowd favourite.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
With your story being players who defied expectation and performed above their conceived ability I would say Meade is a good selection,dont think he is the type that will reach the heights of Rozee and Butters though,expectations are high on Georgides Bergmann Jones and Williams,Willem Drew could have been a good choice also for your topic,one to keep an eye on I think
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Besides, the Lions do have a pretty good record with rehabbing injury plagued players. Look at Lincoln McCarthy.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
Err, It’s Cockatoo. They might be related, but not the same person.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
I highly rate Elijah Hollands, but Suns recent history shows that they protect young players. Early days they had to play the kids, but no longer. I am keen to see the kid, but unlike most fans, I’m more looking forward to the “NEVFL” to see the kids than most observers. He’ll benefit from playing there like no generation of Suns kids ever has because the level of the NEAFL has been poor.
Thom Roker
Roar Guru
I may have misquoted your original comment, but you left out “in 2021”. My whole point is that he may not play in 2021. Max King was nursed through his first year. It is a pretty common tactic for draftees with ACLs. I’ve had one and never played again.
2dogz
Roar Rookie
I thought you highly rated E Hollands in past articles you’ve posted.