It was Riley Knight's performance in the Crows' elimination final win over the Western Bulldogs that announced to the footy world he was ready to emerge as a genuine and regular contributor. Knight had already shown tremendous maturity when he debuted in the club's first game after the death of Phil Walsh, but he took it to another level on the finals stage. Knight won 15 touches, which included five inside 50s and he also booted two crucial goals. He's a fierce tackler with serious leg speed and with another summer of work behind him, expect the 20-year-old to take his game to great heights in 2016. Rory Atkins too appears to have settled into the AFL system and showed he'll be able to make great use of his strong left foot at the top level. - Harry Thring

The Lions have blooded plenty of youth in Justin Leppitsch's two years in charge, and it's time a few cemented spots in 2016. While Harris Andrews exploded on to the scene with his aerial expertise in the backline last year, it's the other end of the ground that has concerned the club since Jonathan Brown's retirement. While Josh Walker was recruited from Geelong as a key target, Brisbane boy Jono Freeman is the young forward ready to take a step. While injury has ruined much of his first two years, the 21-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in his 10-game career with his big leap, great hands and sound set shot for goal. Also watch for fellow Academy product Liam Dawson to nail down a spot at half-back. - Michael Whiting

Jono Freeman looks ready to become the forward the Lions so desperately need. Picture: AFL Media

After playing 20 games in three seasons at Greater Western Sydney, Lachie Plowman is the young Blue most likely to cement himself in Carlton's best 22 next year. Plowman's 2015 season was ruined by a serious elbow injury but the No.3 pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft struggled to find a niche for himself in the Giants team. At 193cm, there are question marks about his ability to play as a key defender, but the 21-year-old has the talent to flourish as a third tall given his elite kicking and intercept marking. On the other hand, Kristian Jaksch shapes as the youngster Carlton most needs to step up in 2016. With the departure of Lachie Henderson to Geelong in the trade period – and after Jarrad Waite's departure to North Melbourne a year earlier – the Blues' key-position stocks are desperately light on, but Jaksch can help ease that burden if he starts to deliver on the promise that saw him taken at No.12 in the same draft as Plowman. - Nick Bowen





There will be much focus on James Aish after the Magpies pried him away from the Brisbane Lions this off-season. After a promising debut campaign in 2014, the 20-year-old didn't have a productive 2015 season. However a change of scenery will provide the South Australian midfielder with a fresh start. With a NAB Rising Star nomination in tow, midfielder Tim Broomhead looked as if he was taking the next step in 2015. However a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely in round 19. Look for the 21-year-old to become a regular senior player in 2016. - Ben Guthrie

Essendon will be pinning plenty of hopes on their younger brigade next season. If there was anything positive to come out of the Bombers' 2015 campaign it was the experience afforded to some of their fresh talent. Marty Gleeson played every game and continued his development across half-back, Jayden Laverde and Kyle Langford excited at stages in their debut seasons, and Joe Daniher led the goalkicking with 34 majors. Essendon will also be hoping for its pick No.4 and No.5 at this month's NAB AFL Draft to have an immediate impact in some form. Zach Merrett is the player who could really take his game to another level next year. The crafty midfielder would have finished in the top-three in Essendon's best and fairest if not for his injury late in the season, but he has all the makings of a long-term star. - Callum Twomey

Following the retirement of Luke McPharlin, Alex Pearce looks set to become a regular in the side next season as a key defender who can pinch-hit forward. Injuries to McPharlin, Zac Dawson, Alex Silvagni and Michael Johnson saw Pearce given an opportunity last year and he performed impressively in 13 games. He is heading into his third pre-season but has had some minor injury issues and needs put some muscle on his light frame. At 196cm, his athleticism, running capacity and his ability to play in a key position at both ends will make him a highly valuable commodity for Ross Lyon. Young midfielders Connor Blakely, Lachie Weller and Ed Langdon look exciting prospects and the scrapping of the sub rule will mean their strong running capacity could see them get opportunities. However, the midfield is the strongest and deepest part of the Dockers' squad. – Alex Malcolm





The changing face of Geelong's list allowed Jackson Thurlow, Darcy Lang, Cory Gregson and, to some extent, Jed Bews and Jake Kolodjashnij to establish themselves as regular senior footballers in 2015. With a horde of prized recruits arriving – led by midfield superstar Patrick Dangerfield – locking down a spot will be even more challenging than last season. Despite teasing the AFL with his talent in 11 games in his first season, Nakia Cockatoo couldn't work his way into Geelong's best 22 in 2015. But that could change in 2016 with Cockatoo one of the main candidates to fill the half-forward role vacated by Steve Johnson. Blessed with natural athletic and evasive talent, teammates say Cockatoo is one of the hardest players to tackle on the training track. - Ben Guthrie

With such a catastrophic Suns injury toll in 2015, Rodney Eade got to play much of his young talent and find out just who would be up to it in a full-strength team. With Charlie Dixon's departure to Port Adelaide, Peter Wright should add to his three games, although he'll start behind Tom Lynch and Sam Day. Alex Sexton made a big step before a knee injury cut his season short, but it's young Tasmanian Jesse Lonergan who is on the verge of a big breakthrough entering his fourth year. The 21-year-old was dogged by hamstring injuries in his first two years, but with some continuity in 2015, showed he could play at half-back and through the midfield. The extra versatility and polish to his game showed he was ready to step up in a full-strength line up. - Michael Whiting

Midfield spots were scarce at the Giants in 2015, which meant that young players like Jack Steele and Jake Barrett had to earn their senior debuts, while pick No.7 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, Paul Ahern, spent the entire season in the NEAFL. The smooth mover dominated at reserves level and with Adam Treloar departing GWS for Collingwood, Ahern is likely to get his shot early in 2016. The 19 year-old possesses speed and finds plenty of the footy – a pre-requisite for any Giants' midfielder – and should make the transition to senior footy and have an impact next year. - Adam Curley

GWS is set to unleash the talent of Jarrod Pickett (left) and Paul Ahern in 2016. Picture: AFL Media



There are two obvious senior spots up for grabs in 2016 following the retirements of David Hale and Brian Lake. Jon Ceglar appears the favourite to assume the ruck/forward role vacated by Hale. But the battle to become Hawthorn's next key defender will be fought out during the NAB Challenge and the early part of the home and away season. The Hawks will have a close look at Kurt Heatherley, the rangy full-back originally from New Zealand who was elevated to the primary list last month and Kaiden Brand, who was tracking beautifully last summer before hurting his shoulder in the opening minute of the opening NAB Challenge match last year. He underwent a reconstruction and missed the entire season. Based on his VFL form in 2014, he will be ready for the AFL this year provided his strength and confidence is back. - Ashley Browne





Melbourne fans have been waiting since February 16 to see Christian Petracca strut his stuff at AFL level. The No.2 draft pick was shaping as a likely round one debutant until he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at training in the pre-season. In light of that, the powerful midfielder's return will be highly anticipated and at this stage he is targeting a round one debut. The Demons specifically recruited Ben Kennedy after rating him highly when he was drafted by Collingwood in 2012. After failing to do so at Collingwood, the pacy half-forward will have every opportunity to find a regular spot in Melbourne's team in the upcoming season. - Ben Guthrie

We have excluded Taylor Garner and Luke McDonald from this discussion given they have already proven they are in the North's best 22 when fit and in form. On that basis, former Hawk Jed Anderson looms as the youngster who can break into the Roos' senior team in 2016 and have a significant impact. The 21-year-old played just 10 games in three seasons at Hawthorn, but the reigning premiers rated the forward/midfielder and reluctantly let him go to pursue greater senior opportunities at Arden Street. Anderson's speed and flair should give the Roos a more potent outside edge next season, while his defensive pressure is also a strength. The Northern Territorian will likely start his career at North in attack, but should push into the midfield in time. Trent Dumont and Brad McKenzie should also contend for more opportunities in the midfield in 2016, as should Mason Wood in attack. - Nick Bowen

On the back of an impressive pre-season last year, Karl Amon was able to break through for a senior debut and in most of his seven games for 2016, showed the talent that had excited his coaches at Alberton. Amon's got speed on his side and he's able to push forward off a wing to finish. His goal sense was on show against Gold Coast in round 22 when he nailed three majors - means he's just as comfortable in attack as he is higher up the ground. The 20-year-old has a terrific left foot, and like so many young players, he'll benefit greatly from another full pre-season, his third. Jarman Impey will also look to shoulder more responsibility next year, which will also be his third in the AFL system. Like Amon, the running defender is quick over the turf and has the ability to lock down dangerous small forwards. - Harry Thring

Karl Amon (left) showed a strong eye for goal in 2015. Picture: AFL Media



It wasn't the debut season first-round draft pick Corey Ellis anticipated, with the skillful midfielder affected by a string of injuries that started with a pre-season foot problem that needed surgery. He missed four games mid-year with a hip problem before being sent in for a season-ending foot operation after a one-game return in the VFL. All up he managed six AFL games after being drafted with pick No.12 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft and will be desperate for a better 2016 after arriving at the club with big raps. Forward Liam McBean is entering his fourth season and will need to start demanding senior games given he's played just two, while mature-aged midfielder Kane Lambert – who has already been promoted to the senior list -looks set for more opportunities after his strong finish to season 2015. - Jennifer Phelan

Second-year defender Hugh Goddard is primed to disprove the theory that key position players need time to develop. At 196cm, he has quickly built the frame of an AFL player and could hold down one of the two key defensive posts in 2016, allowing Sam Fisher more freedom. Goddard played the final eight games of last season and should be a neat fit alongside recruit Jake Carlisle. In the midfield, Seb Ross and Blake Acres have the opportunity to force their way into the best 22 with good pre-seasons. Ross looks primed for a big summer after finishing second in the first to fourth-year players' time trials this week. The Saints are hoping to get a full season out of the strong-bodied midfielder and add his clearance strength to their midfield. - Nathan Schmook

Hugh Goddard banked a number of games in his first season with the Saints. Picture: AFL Media



The retirement of Rhyce Shaw has seen a spot open up in the Swans' backline, and Zak Jones looks the perfect man to step into the role as a running defender. The 20-year-old made four senior appearances in his debut season in 2014, then managed 11 last season and they all came after the mid-year bye. Jones struggled for opportunities but showed in the back end of the year while playing in defence that his 82.2% disposal efficiency and speed could make him a valuable weapon for John Longmire. With another pre-season under his belt, if Jones gets an early crack in the NAB Challenge, he should emerge in 2016 as a key part of the Swans' push for top four. - Adam Curley

It might be tough for youngsters to break into the Eagles side as they have a balanced squad that will be bolstered by the return of key defenders Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown from knee injuries. Young medium-sized defender Jackson Nelson stood up in his first season playing 11 games. He will continue to develop but the Eagles' defence will be recalibrated and his opportunities might be a bit more limited next season. West Coast has added midfield depth with the inclusion of Jack Redden and Lewis Jetta. But that won't stop Liam Duggan from being blooded in the midfield. The Eagles are delighted with the 18-year-old left footer. He played 12 games in his first year before a knee injury ended his season. Expect Duggan to force his way into the side and stay there in his second year. He gathered 25 touches in just his fourth game last year against Greater Western Sydney. His kicking and decision-making are two strong features of his game. – Alex Malcolm

Duggan's teammates get around him after he kicks his first AFL goal #AFLNorthEagles http://t.co/AR0EiCBxr0 — AFL (@AFL) June 7, 2015

After playing 14 games and kicking 16 goals in his first season at Whitten Oval, the Dogs will be hoping key forward Tom Boyd becomes the goal-kicking monster his lofty draft position suggested he would be. Boyd's acquisition kept recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple from a selection until pick No.26 in the 2014 draft, but he managed to secure impressive youngsters Toby McLean, Lukas Webb, Declan Hamilton, Caleb Daniel, Bailey Dale and Zaine Cordy, with Hamilton the only one not to debut last season. All six loom as players that could play a lot senior footy in 2016 as Luke Beveridge is a big believer in good state league form transitioning into senior selection. Webb, Hamilton, Daniel and Dale are versatile midfield types who know where the goals are. Cordy is tall defender in the mould of teammate Dale Morris, but he's also adept at intercept marking. However, the youngster likely to make the biggest impact is McLean. The gifted forward showed in four gamers he's strong overhead, elusive in traffic and possesses innate goal sense. A smokey to win next year's NAB AFL Rising Star. – Ryan Davidson