Which young or fringe players are set to break into your club’s senior side in 2024?
We asked a large portion of the AFL captains to see who they believe will either break in or become established members of their respective teams this year.
See who they nominated below:
BRISBANE: “I reckon Harry Sharp will break into the side,” said Harris Andrews.
“Guys like he and James Tunstill have had great pre-seasons.”
CARLTON: “I think Elijah Hollands will have a big year, and Jack Carroll is the other one,” said Patrick Cripps
COLLINGWOOD: “Ash Johnson,” said Darcy Moore.
ESSENDON: “He’s not really a fringe player, but Sam Durham,” said Zach Merrett.
“He had some good games last year here and there, but I think he’s ready to be a really consistent player.”
FREMANTLE: “Matty Johnson,” said Alex Pearce.
GOLD COAST: “Probably not breaking into the side, but he’s going to have a big year - Bailey Humphrey,” said Touk Miller.
“He’s going to be special this year.”
GWS GIANTS: “Harvey Thomas,” said Josh Kelly.
HAWTHORN: “Another plug for Henry Hustwaite. He’s the flavour of the month right now, but he’s done an awesome job so far,” said James Sicily.
MELBOURNE: “I think Caleb Windsor is going to be very close to a game early on in the season,” said Max Gawn.
“Bailey Laurie, Taj Woewodin, Blake Howes - these sort of guys who have been around the teams for two or three years.”
PORT ADELAIDE: “Lachie Charleston,” said Connor Rozee.
RICHMOND: “Thomson Dow. He had a bit of a taste of it last year and he’s had a great summer,” said Toby Nankervis.
ST KILDA: “I think Darcy Wilson. A first-year player who is probably going to play a lot of footy this year,” said Jack Steele.
SYDNEY: “Matt Roberts,” said Callum Mills.
WEST COAST: “The last couple of years all the young fellas have been able to get a game, which has been nice for their development,” said Oscar Allen.
“But I think Ryan Maric, our mid-season draft pick last year. He was a bit in and out of the side towards the end of last year. He’s had a great off-season and pre-season and I think he’ll be a really consistent member of our 22 this year.”
Note: Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson, Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield, North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin and Western Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli were unable to answer.
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