Which AFL teams have the best young cores in the league?
Some teams like North Melbourne, Gold Coast and Fremantle have a glut of players 23 and under on their list, while the likes of Geelong, Carlton and Collingwood less so given where they are at in their premiership windows.
We’ve gone through each team’s core of players 23 and under, ranked their top five and then ranked every team from 1 to 18 based on the above.
Our ranking from 1 to 18 of all the young cores listed above. The top fives were weighted heavily in these rankings, though depth 23-and-under was also considered.
NOTE: We are only including players who are 23 as of January 1st, 2024
See our thoughts below:
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Nick Blakey (23), Justin McInerney (23), Tom McCartin (23), James Rowbottom (23), Lachlan McAndrew (23), Jack Buller (22), James Jordon (22), Braeden Campbell (21), Errol Gulden (21), Logan McDonald (21), Caiden Cleary (18), Will Edwards (20), Angus Sheldrick (20), Chad Warner (22), Corey Warner (20), Matthew Roberts (20) Jacob Konstanty (19), Jaiden Magor (19), Caleb Mitchell (19), Will Green (18), Patrick Snell (18), Cooper Vickery (18)
TOP 5: Errol Gulden, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Tom McCartin, James Rowbottom.
Sydney has the most exciting young crop of players in the competition. The Swans’ young core of talent also covers the key positions on the field with Chad Warner and James Rowbottom dominating in the middle whilst Tom McCartin and Nick Blakey are excellent defenders.
A number of players have exploded onto the scene in the last two seasons. In 2022, Warner was a key factor in Sydney’s Grand Final appearance and in 2023, Errol Gulden announced himself as the best winger in the AFL which rightly earned him his first All-Australian blazer.
The big-name young players get all the plaudits but Justin McInerney, Braeden Campbell and Logan McDonald have proven themselves on the big stage. In 2023, the Swans blooded Angus Sheldrick and Matthew Roberts and with the addition of James Jordon during the trade period, Sydney’s young player stocks have been given a healthy boost.
League ranking: 1st
Charles Goodsir
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Thomas Berry (23), Ben King (23), Jack Lukosius (23), Caleb Graham (23), Noah Anderson (22), Malcolm Rosas (22), Matt Rowell (22), Sam Flanders (22), Jack Mahony (22), Hewago Oea (22), Sam Clohesy (22), Ned Moyle (21), Joel Jeffrey (21), Alex Davies (21), Sandy Brock (21), Oskar Faulkhead (20), Bodhi Uwland (20), Mac Andrew (20), Bailey Humphrey (19), Lloyd Johnston (19), Jake Rogers (18), Jed Walter (18), Will Rowlands (18), Ethan Read (18), Will Graham (18).
TOP 5: Noah Anderson, Ben King, Jack Lukosius, Matt Rowell, Bailey Humphrey.
A mammoth group, the Suns are absolutely stacked with talent under the age of 24. In fact, this group makes up more than half of the club’s list.
At the top, it’s led by players that are now coming out of their youth and entering their primes. All of Noah Anderson, Ben King, Jack Lukosius and Matt Rowell are ready to lead the club forward and all could and should become All-Australians.
Behind the, all of Bailey Humphrey, Mac Andrew, Jake Rogers, Jed Walter and Ethan Read are early first round picks with huge upsides.
With those bases covered, the Suns have plenty of others in this group that will be quality AFL players.
If they keep them all and they continue to progress, this group will surely see some success in a few years’ time.
Has to be near the top, if not the best group of under 24 players in the competition.
League ranking: 2nd
Lachlan Geleit
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Connor Rozee (23), Zak Butters (23), Miles Bergman (22), Francis Evans (22), Mitch Georgiades (22), Jed McEntee (22), Jackson Mead (22), Dylan Williams (22), Lachie Jones (21), Ollie Lord (21), Jase Burgoyne (20), Jason Horne-Francis (20), Dante Visentini (20), Josh Sinn (20), Hugh Jackson (20), Kyle Marshall (19), Thomas Scully (19), Tom McCallum (19), Thomas Anastasopoulos (18), Will Lorenz (18), Xavier Walsh (18), Lachlan Charleson (18)
TOP 5: Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis, Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades.
Wow. We knew the Port Adelaide midfield had a high ceiling with the likes of Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis, but this spread of young players can make up the majority of the Power’s best 22 for the next decade.
2023 was a glimpse at Miles Bergman’s potential that suggested he can be more than a key contributor, while Mitch Georgiades kicked 32 goals in just his second season of AFL.
With 13 players between 20 and 23, Port’s list demographic is spot on for another premiership tilt. But even if they miss again, it’s a young core that has no reasons not to be in contention for the near future.
All this is excluding any impact that 2023 draftees can have. If any of Will Lorenz, Thomas Anastasopoulos, Lachlan Charleson or Xavier Walsh could break into Ken Hinkley’s team, then they will be a serious talent.
League ranking: 3rd
Seb Mottram
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Sam Sturt (23), Michael Frederick (23), Liam Reidy (23), Jordan Clark (23), Sebit Kuek (23), Caleb Serong (22), Hayden Young (22), Luke Jackson (22), Tom Emmett (21), Heath Chapman (21), Nathan O’Driscoll (21), Karl Worner (21), Josh Treacy (21), Brandon Walker (21), Matt Johnson (20), Jye Amiss (20), Ethan Stanley (20), Neil Erasmus (19), Josh Draper (19), Max Knobel (19), Hugh Davies (19), Conrad Williams (18), Cooper Simpson (18), Jack Delean (18), Ollie Murphy (18), Odin Jones (18).
TOP 5: Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss, Hayden Young, Michael Frederick.
Fremantle has four rolled gold 23-and-under stars with Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss and Hayden Young either already A-graders or tracking towards it. They will now be hoping someone in that next tier emerges like a Neil Erasmus, Matt Johnson or Nathan O’Driscoll type.
The Dockers have a glut of youngsters on their list, a factor in their 2023 struggles, but quite a few are coming into their fourth or fifth seasons of footy now.
They will be relying heavily on this group to return to September action in 2024. This year's draft crop will likely be more of a development group than an instant impact group.
League ranking: 4th
Nic Negrepontis
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Isaac Quaynor (23), Bobby Hill (23), Beau McCreery (22), Charlie Dean (22), Finlay Macrae (21), Aiden Begg (21), Reef McInnes (20), Nick Daicos (20), Oscar Steene (20), Edward Allan (19), Jakob Ryan (19), Tew Jiath (18), Harry Demattia (18).
TOP 5: Nick Daicos, Isaac Quaynor, Bobby Hill, Beau McCreery, Finlay Macrae.
It’s certainly not as big a group compared to other clubs, but that checks out given Collingwood are contending and hoping to go back-to-back.
At the top, there is probably the best player aged under 24 in the whole comp in Nick Daicos. While Isaac Quaynor, Bobby Hill and Beau McCreery are all premiership players.
Quaynor and Hill could easily become near league-best in their positions, while McCreery is a great role player that could go to a new level.
Apart from that, not many of these players have been given much experience as the Pies have stuck with a senior core. Fin Macrae looks most likely to break into the AFL side as a consistent member, but it wouldn’t shock to see any of Reef McInnes, Ed Allan or Charlie Dean do the same in 2024.
League ranking: 5th
Lachlan Geleit
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Tarryn Thomas (23), Curtis Taylor (23), Bailey Scott (23), Dylan Stephens (22), Bigoa Nyuon (22), Charlie Comben (22), Tom Powell (21), Charlie Lazzaro (21), Will Phillips (21), Eddie Ford (21), Jackson Archer (20), Miller Bergman (20), Paul Curtis (20), Josh Goater (20), Brayden George (19), Robert Hansen (19), George Wardlaw (19), Cooper Harvey (19), Harry Sheezel (19), Blake Drury (19), Riley Hardeman (18), Colby McKercher (18), Taylor Goad (18), Zane Duursma (18), Wil Dawson (17)
TOP 5: Harry Sheezel, Tarryn Thomas, George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher, Zane Duursma.
North Melbourne will be hoping a number of players on this list have breakout seasons. They have spent time and energy developing Will Phillips, Charlie Comben and others for minimal return to date. Can the likes of Charlie Lazzaro, Miller Bergman, Josh Goater and Tom Powell elevate themselves to the next level in 2024?
They filled up at the 2023 National Draft, bringing in five players inside the first 30 picks, including Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma in the top five. How big an impact can they have immediately in 2024? The Roos will be hoping to give their fans something to get excited about.
Tarryn Thomas and Bailey Scott have emerged from the group as established members of their best 22, while Harry Sheezel and George Wardlaw look like future stars. They’ll also hope Dylan Stephens slots straight in after making the move from the Swans.
League ranking: 6th
Nic Negrepontis
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Chayce Jones (23), Lachlan Sholl (23), Mark Keane (23), Izak Rankine (23), Nick Murray (22), Harry Schoenberg (22), Josh Worrell (22), Lachlan Gollant (22), Sam Berry (21), Patrick Parnell (21), Luke Pedlar (21), Riley Thilthorpe (21), Brayden Cook (21), James Borlase (21), Jake Soligo (20), Zac Taylor (20), Josh Rachele (20), Luke Nankervis (20), Max Michalanney (19), Billy Dowling (19), Hugh Bond (19), Daniel Curtin (18), Oscar Ryan (18) and Charlie Edwards (18)
TOP 5: Izak Rankine, Josh Rachele, Max Michalanney, Chayce Jones, Riley Thilthorpe.
There are some gems in Adelaide’s emergent talent list headed by Izak Rankine who could just about be anything.
When you mention Rankine’s name it usually comes in tandem with Josh Rachele. The pair are set to terrorise opposition defences while building their midfield portfolio on the run.
Max Michalanney appears mature beyond his years, Chayce Jones had a career-best year in 2023 to finish eighth in the best and fairest and Riley Thilthorpe is still seen as the answer to life post Taylor Walker.
The Crows must continue sprinkling the likes of Luke Pedlar, Jake Soligo and Josh Worrell through key roles while blooding players such as Dan Curtin, Billy Dowling and Zac Taylor.
If that’s the case, then the future is bright.
League ranking: 7th
Andrew Slevison
PLAYERS UNDER 24: James Blanck (23), Cooper Stephens (22), Finn Maginness (22), Will Day (22), Jai Newcombe (22), Denver Grainger-Barras (21), Seamus Mitchell (21), Jack Ginnivan (20), Connor MacDonald (20), Sam Butler (20), Jai Serong (20), Max Ramsden (20), Massimo D’Ambrosio (20), Josh Ward (20), Cameron Mackenzie (19), Josh Weddle (19), Henry Hustwaite (19), Bailey MacDonald (19), Clay Tucker (19), Joshua Bennetts (19), Jack O’Sullivan (19), Nick Watson (18), Bodie Ryan (18), Calsher Dear (18) and Will McCabe (18)
TOP 5: Will Day, Jai Newcombe, Josh Weddle, Josh Ward, Jack Ginnivan.
Hawthorn has a lengthy list of players who will be under the age of 24 come the start of 2024.
Some 25 Hawks players fit in that age category which points to (quite possibly) a bright future under Sam Mitchell.
Their young core is growing together and headed by reigning Peter Crimmins Medal winner Will Day. He is the player who will be central to taking the club forward, assisted by runner-up in the best and fairest Jai Newcombe.
Big things are expected of top-20 draftee Josh Weddle and top-10 pick Josh Ward who both showed plenty at senior level in 2023.
The addition of the talented Jack Ginnivan, who kicked 40 goals as a 19-year-old, only strengthens their stocks.
If the club is to rise, as many are tipping, their talented youngsters must all step in unison and there is a fairly strong pool for Sam Mitchell to develop.
League ranking: 8th
Andrew Slevison
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Liam Stocker (23), Max King (23), Cooper Sharman (23), Ryan Byrnes (22), Liam Henry (22), Matthew Allison (21), Max Heath (21), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (20), Marcus Windhager (20), Michito Owens (20), Anthony Caminiti (19), Isaac Keeler (19), James Van Es (19), Olli Hotton (19), Mattaes Phillipou (18), Arie Schoenmaker (18), Lance Collard (18), Hugo Garcia (18), Darcy Wilson (18), Angus Hastie (18)
TOP 5: Max King, Mitchito Owens, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mattaes Phillipou, Liam Henry.
St Kilda enjoys among the best top-end youngsters in the AFL, with at least four potential superstars.
Max King is one of the best key forwards in the AFL, Mitchito Owens looks like a mid-forward superstar of the future, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is already one of the best kicks in the AFL and Mattaes Phillipou had a strong debut season.
Beyond that, they’ve acquired Liam Henry from Fremantle coming off a career best season on the wing, Anthony Caminiti had an impact in his first season playing a as a key forward and the likes of Marcus Windhager, Liam Stocker and Cooper Sharman look like quality role players of the future.
League ranking: 9th
Nic Negrepontis
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Toby Bedford (23), Xavier O’Halloran (23), Connor Idun (23), Callum Brown (23), James Peatling (23), Tom Green (22), Wade Derksen (22), Lachie Ash (22), Leek Aleer (22), Conor Stone (21), Ryan Angwin (21), Finn Callaghan (20), Cooper Hamilton (20), Josh Fahey (20), Aaron Cadman (19), Darcy Jones (19), Nick Madden (19), Max Gruzewski (19), Toby McMullin (19), Harry Rowston (19), Joseph Fonti (19), Thomas Harvey (18), Phoenix Gothard (18), James Leake (18)
TOP 5: Tom Green, Connor Idun, Lachie Ash, Finn Callaghan, Aaron Cadman.
The Giants were a few points away from one of the most unexpected Grand Final berths in recent history, with their young core critical in getting them so close.
Tom Green is becoming one of the league’s best midfielders at just 22, and the likes of Finn Callaghan, Connor Idun, Lachie Ash, Callum Brown and Toby Bedford are mainstays in the best 22.
Players like Leek Aleer and Conor Stone have the capability of breaking into this side, and 2022 number one pick Aaron Cadman looked promising up forward throughout 2023.
GWS defied many critics last season, but will now be one of the teams to beat in 2024 thanks to the incredibly talented youth coming through.
League ranking: 10th
Paddy Sinnot
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Dominic Bedendo (21), Jedd Busslinger (19), Charlie Clarke (19), Luke Cleary (21), Jordan Croft (18), Sam Darcy (20), Joel Freijah (18), Harvey Gallagher (20), Riley Garcia (22), Arthur Jones (20), Buku Khamis (23), James O’Donnell (21), Aiden O’Driscoll (18), Caleb Poulter (21), Ryley Sanders (18), Bailey Smith (22), Lachlan Smith (18), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (21), Cody Weightman (22), Rhylee West (23)
TOP 5: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Bailey Smith, Cody Weightman, Sam Darcy, Ryley Sanders.
When it comes to the top five, the Bulldogs boast one of the more promising young groups in the competition.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is a superstar in waiting, Bailey Smith has been the poster boy for young talent, Cody Weightman has come into his own as a small forward, and Sam Darcy and Ryley Sanders are both top picks with sky-high potential.
However outside of this crop, the Dogs aren’t exactly setting the world on fire, with the bulk of their youngsters battling for selection.
League ranking: 11th
Jack Makeham
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Keidean Coleman (23), Jaxon Prior (22), Deven Robertson (22), Kalin Lane (22), Carter Michael (21), Henry Smith (21), Harry Sharp (21), Kai Lohmann (20), James Tunstill (20), Darcy Wilmot (20), Jaspa Fletcher (19), Will Ashcroft (19), Shadeau Brain (19), Logan Morris (18), Reece Torrent (18), Luke Lloyd (18), Zane Zakostelsky (18)
TOP 5: Will Ashcroft, Keidean Coleman, Jaspa Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot, Deven Robertson.
Not the biggest group, which checks out given the Lions are one of the teams in ‘win now’ mode … but their top-end is still full of quality.
That’s led by Will Ashcroft, the young midfielder is destined to be a superstar, the Lions will miss him for the first half of 2024 as he recovers from an ACL tear which says a lot given he’s only 19.
Keidean Coleman had a huge finals campaign and could easily become an All-Australian half back. Jaspa Fletcher and Darcy Wilmot also played in the Grand Final and have incredibly high upsides, while Robertson is a consistent and tough midfielder that looks every bit a 150+ AFL gamer.
Apart from that group, not many of these Lions have had a heap of experience at the AFL level but Kai Lohmann, Jaxon Prior and James Tunstill have shown that they’re comfortable against the big boys. The Lions are set up now and into the future.
League ranking: 12th
Lachlan Geleit
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Xavier Duursma (23 years old), Jye Caldwell (23), Harrison Jones (22), Nic Martin (22), Sam Durham (22), Nick Bryan (22), Nik Cox (21), Zach Reid (21), Archie Perkins (21), Jaiden Hunter (21), Kaine Baldwin (21), Jye Menzie (21), Ben Hobbs (20), Tex Wanganeen (20), Jayden Davey (19), Alwyn Davey Jnr (19), Lewis Hayes (19), Lual Luamon (18), Nate Caddy (18), Vigo Visentini (18), Archie Roberts (18)
TOP 5: Nic Martin, Jye Caldwell, Xavier Duursma, Archie Perkins, Ben Hobbs.
The Bombers boast one of the league’s most promising young cohorts whose positions range across the ground.
This group is headed by rising guns Jye Caldwell, Nick Martin and new recruit Xavier Duursma, with the likes of Archie Perkins, Elijah Tsatas and Harrison Jones not too far behind.
Recent draft additions such as dynamic key forward Nate Caddy and running defenders Lual Luamon and Archie Roberts further boost this young core, as they should all push for senior debuts in 2024.
Essendon fans have been patiently waiting for their first finals win since 2004, and it seems that these promising youngsters will finally take them there in the near future.
League ranking: 13th
Paddy Sinnot
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Oisin Mullin (23), Sam De Koning (22), Tanner Bruhn (21), Oliver Henry (21), Max Holmes (21), Emerson Jeka (22), Shannon Neale (21), Oliver Wiltshire (21), Lawson Humphries (20), Mitch Knevitt (20), Ollie Dempsey (20), Toby Conway (20), James Willis (20), Jhye Clark (19), Ted Clohesy (19), Phoenix Foster (19), Oscar Murdoch (19), Connor O’Sullivan (18), George Stevens (18), Mitchell Edwards (18)
TOP 5: Sam De Koning, Max Holmes, Oliver Henry, Tanner Bruhn, Jhye Clark.
There is some talent in Geelong’s youngsters, no doubt about that.
But that’s never been the knock. While the top four on the above list stand out, there’s a line up behind them. Whether they can announce themselves as genuine AFL players is still yet to be seen, despite several showing flashes or more of talent.
Sam De Koning, Max Holmes, Oliver Henry and Tanner Bruhn have all proven themselves to be elite talents early in their careers and perhaps unsurprisingly, were all first round draft picks.
A lesser amount of standout talent in young players is no doubt tied into spending so many years higher up the ladder. Whether there are another few players in this group ready to stand up is still yet to be seen, but the Cats’ youth certainly can’t be written off just yet.
League ranking: 14th
Seb Mottram
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Tom Sparrow (23), Kysaiah Pickett (22), Trent Rivers (22), Jake Bowey (21), Bailey Laurie (21), Daniel Turner (21), Jacob Van Rooyen (20), Blake Howes (20), Judd McVee (20), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (20), Taj Woewodin (20), Jed Adams (19), Will Verrall (19), Oliver Sestan (19) Matthew Jefferson (19), Kynan Brown (18), Koltyn Tholstrup (18), Caleb Windsor (18)
TOP 5: Kysaiah Pickett, Jacob Van Rooyen, Trent Rivers, Tom Sparrow, Jake Bowey.
The Demons are covered across all lines with this group but there doesn’t appear a standout player that is going to lead Melbourne to its next premiership.
Kysaiah Pickett can still be anything, as can Jacob Van Rooyen. But aside from the draftees from the past two years, there feels a ceiling on most others, although several are certainly best 22 players.
Trent Rivers, Jake Bowey and Judd McVee are all examples of players in Melbourne’s best side for the next decade if they want to be, but how much they can continue to improve is the big question.
League ranking: 15th
Seb Mottram
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Matt Cottrell (23), Sam Walsh (23), Brodie Kemp (22), Corey Durdin (21), Elijah Hollands (21), Dom Akuei (21), Jack Carroll (20), Jesse Motlop (20), Ollie Hollands (19), Harry Lemmey (19), Jaxon Binns (19), Lachie Cowan (18), Hudson O’Keeffe (18), Ashton Moir (18), Billy Wilson (18), Matt Carroll (18)
TOP 5: Sam Walsh, Ollie Hollands, Jesse Motlop, Matt Cottrell, Elijah Hollands.
Carlton would have been top five in this list for many years, but their core players have mostly now entered that 24-28 age bracket.
Sam Walsh is the clear headliner for the Blues under 24 as one of the best midfielders in the competition.
Ollie Hollands and Jesse Motlop have been shrewd draft selections in recent years, filling needs and having impact early in their career, while the Blues will be hoping to get a similar output from trade target Elijah Hollands.
Carlton drafted Ashton Moir and Billy Wilson in the 2023 National Draft and will be hoping fellow teenagers Jaxon Binns, Lachie Cowan and Harry Lemmey can have some impact in 2024.
League ranking: 16th
Nic Negrepontis
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Jordyn Baker (19), Harry Barnett (19), Rhett Bazzo (20), Tyler Brockman (21), Coby Burgiel (19), Campbell Chesser (20), Jai Culley (20), Tyrell Dewar (19), Harry Edwards (23), Luke Edwards (21). Reuben Ginbey (19), Clay Hall (18), Elijah Hewett (19), Brady Hough (20), Callum Jamieson (23), Harvey Johnston (18), Noah Long (19), Ryan Maric (19), Loch Rawlinson (18), Archer Reid (18), Harley Reid (18), Zan Trew (21), Bailey Williams (23), Jack Williams (19)
TOP 5: Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett, Tyler Brockman, Campbell Chesser.
It’s safe to say the Eagles aren’t short on youngsters, with over half of their list fitting into the young core criteria.
Entering the competition as one of the hottest prospects we’ve seen in years, Harley Reid slots in straight at the top of the list, however that’s not to discount some of West Coast’s other youngsters.
The Eagles’ future is particularly bright in the midfield, with Reid joining high quality prospects in the form of Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett and Campbell Chesser.
If everything goes to plan, that crop of names will be stalwarts of West Coast’s engine room for years to come.
Putting that aside, it’s clearly a concern that the Eagles young talent is almost entirely unproven, especially this deep into a rebuild.
League ranking: 17th
Jack Makeham
PLAYERS UNDER 24: Jack Ross (23), Rhyan Mansell (23), Jacob Koschitzke (23), Samson Ryan (22), Noah Cumberland (22), Matt Coulthard (22), Thomson Dow (22), Hugo Ralphsmith (22), Jacob Bauer (21), James Trezise (21), Maurice Rioli (21), Tyler Sonsie (20), Sam Banks (20), Josh Gibcus (20), Tom Brown (20), Judson Clarke (20), Steely Green (19), Kaleb Smith (19), Seth Campbell (18), Kane McAuliffe (18) and Liam Fawcett (18)
TOP 5: Josh Gibcus, Jack Ross, Samson Ryan, Judson Clarke, Thomson Dow.
Richmond’s youth stocks are quite hard to decipher.
The success of the club in recent times has somewhat stymied the development of a large chunk of their youngsters which has made it a tricky task in pulling together their top five.
While Noah Balta (who just ticked over 24 in October) finished seventh in the Jack Dyer Medal in 2023, their top best and fairest result of players under the age of 24 was Rhyan Mansell back in 20th spot.
Star Shai Bolton is also outside this list as he’s almost 25.
Jack Ross leads the way from a games perspective with 63. He showed a fair bit last year and is the player from this group that simply has to go to the next level in 2024.
There is a group of players around the 20-22 age bracket who could help the Tigers rebuild on the run, highlighted by Josh Gibcus who is the future of the club. His fellow 2021 draftees Tom Brown, Tyler Sonsie, Sam Banks and Judson Clarke hold the key to any success that comes in the next few years.
The Tigers would love to see the likes of Maurice Rioli Jnr, Thomson Dow, Samson Ryan, Noah Cumberland and Hugo Ralphsmith come on in 2024, while getting more games into shrewd acquisitions Matt Coulthard, Jacob Bauer, James Trezise and off-season recruit Jacob Koschitzke.
It’s a time of change for the Tigers under a new coach in Adem Yze. They have some top-end stars outside of this age scale, but just need plenty of contributions from this emerging group.
League ranking: 18th
Andrew Slevison