Who Will Take Their Game To The Next Level In 2017

The 2016 season is over and the players have hit the training paddocks again in the lead up to 2017. Each year, we see several young players step up and take their games to a new level.

From a Draftstars perspective, knowing about the dark horses of the contest can give you a huge advantage when picking your team next season. Below is a list of one player from every club who has the ability to mix it with the best in the AFL next season.

Adelaide – Jake Lever

Games Played: 36

2016 Draftstars PPG: 59.5

The tall, athletic defender has shown plenty of talent already and is poised for a big 2017. Despite being 20, he has demonstrated his ability to play beyond his years. Expect to see Lever take his game to the next level next year.

Brisbane – Josh Schache

Games Played: 17

2016 Draftstars PPG: 47.4

The 2015 number two draft pick was thrown into the deep end this year, stepping into a depleted Brisbane forward line. It was often a tough slog having to outmuscle mature, and fully-developed key defenders, but Schache managed to hold his own. With a wealth of experience under his belt for a youngster, expect him to flourish next year.

Carlton – Charlie Curnow

Games Played: 6

2016 Draftstars PPG: 44.0

Curnow showed glimpses of what he is capable of last season, before suffering a season ending injury. The bulky forward has the ability to take marks and score set-shot goals and is also crafty at ground level. Expect him to do some serious damage if he hits the rich vein of form that he is capable of.

Collingwood – Darcy Moore

Games Played: 26

2016 Draftstars PPG: 52.3

Moore has the ability to take big marks and kick big goals. In his first two seasons, he has shown that he is more than capable to become an elite key forward, and now with the departure of Travis Cloke, Collingwood fans will be expecting big things from the 20 year old.

Essendon – Aaron Francis

Games Played: 3

2016 Draftstars PPG: 48.3

Francis has the potential to be a future superstar of the game. He has been able to dominate games all over the ground in his junior years and showed glimpses of his talent at VFL and AFL level last season. If he can shrug off his injury woes and complete a big pre-season, expect him to feature heavily in Rising Star contention.

Fremantle – Ed Langdon

Games Played: 15

2016 Draftstars PPG: 61.2

Fremantle were able to successfully fend off interest from several Victorian clubs and the end of the 2016 season. After a solid year with the Dockers, Langdon topped it off with a dominating performance in the WAFL Grand Final with Peel Thunder. Expect Langdon to feature in the seniors heavily next year.

Geelong – Nakia Cockatoo

Games Played: 21

2016 Draftstars PPG: 60.5

A former number 10 draft pick, Cockatoo has shown glimpses of what he is capable of. Injury has set him back in terms of game time, but if he can remain fully fit in 2017, he has some serious potential to shine.

Gold Coast – Peter Wright

Games Played: 20

2016 Draftstars PPG: 64.9

Opposition players are aware that two-metre Peter is on the cusp of being one of the most dominant forwards in the league. With 20 games already under his belt, he is every chance to take his game to the next level in 2017.

GWS – Jacob Hopper

Games Played: 10

2016 Draftstars PPG: 64.6

After an impressive debut season, Hopper has proven that he is already able to make an impact in the midfield. The Lachie Whitfield ban only enhances his chance to get solid game time and stand out from early in the season.

Hawthorn – Ryan Burton

Games Played: 4

2016 Draftstars PPG: 46.8

Hawthorn’s first pick in 2015 got a taste of senior football towards the end of last season and showed plenty of promise. The tall forward kicks the ball well and will be required to step his game up to a new level next season.

Melbourne – Sam Weideman

Games Played: 3

2016 Draftstars PPG: 34.0

Weideman took a while to break into the Demon’s senior side last year, but had immediate impact once he did. Weideman has well-polished skills and his gradually increasing body size and natural height will pose a serious threat for opposing defenders once he finds his feet in the Melbourne forward line.

North Melbourne – Luke McDonald

Games Played: 52

2016 Draftstars PPG: 56.6

After a frustrating hamstring injury which was him miss a large part of last season, the 21 year-old young gun should slot back into the Kangaroos’ best 22 next season. The defender is versatile and quick, allowing him to slot into the midfield when necessary. With a vision to blood youth down at Arden Street, McDonald should be given plenty of opportunities next year.

Port Adelaide – Riley Bonner

Games Played: 1

2016 Draftstars PPG: 79.0

Bonner was impressive on debut with 22 disposals in Port’s final game of 2016 against Gold Coast. With a big pre season under his belt, expect Bonner to get significant game time and grow from strength to strength

Richmond – Oleg Markov

Games Played: 8

2016 Draftstars PPG: 66.5

Athletic ability runs deep in the Markov family, with Oleg’s father, Dimitri, a former world champion pole vaulter. Richmond will need to rely on their youth next season if they want to be in finals contention, and Markov will be required to step up.

St Kilda – Jade Gresham

Games Played: 18

2016 Draftstars PPG: 61.0

Gresham was another who had a solid debut season. He is classy, quick and with the right opportunities has all the potential to take his game to the next step.

Sydney – Aliir Aliir

Games Played: 13

2016 Draftstars PPG: 58.5

A revelation for Sydney, Aliir Aliir has slotted into the Swans’ starting lineup and can only continue to improve if he kicks next season off in the right manner.

West Coast – Tom Barrass

Games Played: 13

2016 Draftstars PPG: 49.7

Barrass enjoyed a breakout 2016 season, edging out seasoned defender Eric Mackenzie to slot into the Eagles’ backline. From all reports, he has already added plenty of muscle and will continue to shine in 2017.

Western Bulldogs – Tom Boyd

Games Played: 38

2016 Draftstars PPG: 63.1

Boyd’s attitude and ability has been heavily questioned in recent years, but he showed what he is capable of in the 2016 Grand Final, dominating and playing a huge role in the Bulldogs’ victory. If he can start delivering those performances consistently, the sky is the limit.