The performance of Hawk midfielder James Worpel could be crucial in the absence of Tom Mitchell. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Last AFL season saw the emergence of Jaidyn Stephenson, the eventual Rising Star winner. Tom Doedee stood tall for Adelaide in his first season and Geelong’s Tim Kelly proved you can be a readymade AFL player at any age.
There are hidden gems everywhere on AFL lists, and 2018 taught us that there are always a few players at each club ready to burst on to the scene.
They aren’t always first or second year players, either. Often, a player who has been on the list four or five seasons can break out into an AFL star.
Which players might fit that mould in 2019? Footyology assesses those most likely, club by club, today looking at Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and Richmond.
HAWTHORN
The Hawks have been dealt a massive blow with reigning Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell out for the season after breaking his leg match simulation.
Replacing that scale of talent is nigh on impossible, but one man capable of at least helping fill the void is exciting mid James Worpel, who impressed in his 11 games in 2018.
“The Worpedo” as he is already known around the league averaged 17 disposals and looked immediately comfortable at the level with his awareness and ability to impact a contest, his best game a 32-disposal effort in round 18 against Carlton.
Keep an eye also on youngster Ollie Hanrahan, who was huge for Box Hill in last year’s VFL finals, kicking the goal to tie the game and send the contest into extra time against Port Melbourne. The talented young forward could be ready to debut in 2019.
Teia Miles played eight games last year and looks like he could be a big part of the Hawks set-up this season as a replacement for Ryan Burton down back.
MELBOURNE
This could be a huge year for the Demons, and they have added some talent to their roster to ensure they plug the gaps that saw them bow out in last year’s preliminary final.
Melbourne said goodbye to Jesse Hogan after a frustrating few years for he and the club, Dom Tyson walked to Arden Street, and Dean Kent to Moorabbin. But Steven May will plug a big hole in defence, and Kade Kolodjashnij will thrive under a better system.
Bailey Fritsch and Sam Weideman are two who look set to break out with the departure of Hogan from the forward line, both set for a lot more time in the attacking third of the ground.
Fritsch, 22, can run through the midfield as well, but after kicking 17 goals as well as averaging 16 disposals, should win enough ball across half-forward in 2019. Weideman is a beast, and at 195 centimetres, is ready to take the mantle of forward general.
The Demons aren’t far away from winning their first premiership since 1964, and if these two talented youngsters can fire it will go a long way to getting them back to a grand final.
NORTH MELBOURNE
North Melbourne got busy in the trade period, acquiring Jarred Polec and Jasper Pittard from the Power, Aaron Hall from Gold Coast and Dom Tyson from Melbourne, all of whom will provide much needed talent to a side on the precipice of finals again.
You would expect Luke Davies-Uniacke to build on his seven games in his debut season. There were glimpses of LDU at his best in 2018 with 16 disposals in round two against St Kilda and again in round 17 against Sydney.
Jed Anderson has been injury plagued, but is coming off easily his best season, while Paul Ahern returned from an ACL injury in the best possible style, averaging 21 disposals in his 11 games, 29 on his return in round 11 against Brisbane and 37 against eventual premiers West Coast in round 19. He looms as a huge asset for the Kangaroos in 2019.
PORT ADELAIDE
The Power have been perennial under-achievers for a number of years now, and with Chad Wingard, Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard gone from the club, many have asked whether they have what it takes to return to September action.
They will be without co-captain Ollie Wines for at least the first week of the season, maybe two, thanks to a water skiing-related shoulder injury. Charlie Dixon is in a race against time, one he is not likely to win, as he looks to return from a broken leg, and Robbie Gray has hurt his knee, although seems likely to play round one.
Look to impressive tall forward Todd Marshall to fill Dixon’s spot in the short term with the youngster dazzling in the first seven games of his career, showing signs that he could be a dominant force when he grows into his body and the rigors of AFL football.
Marshall was flying until the untimely death of his father, not long after the loss of his mother. But he looks fit and ready to go for 2019, and could be a handful for his opponents, athletic, a great leap, and a nice kick for goal, slotting 11 goals from his seven games last year.
Port got a few good ones in the draft too, with Conor Rozee, Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters all likely to feature at some point in 2019. There are huge wraps on Rozee, who was touted as a top three pick prior to the draft. A smooth-moving talented forward/midfielder, we may see him early in the season.
RICHMOND
The Tigers pulled off a huge coup in the off-season, snaring a bloke by the name of Tom Lynch, adding some serious firepower to their already exciting forward set-up.
Lynch will likely form the centerpiece of the forward line, with Jack Riewoldt to play a role higher up the ground.
We all saw the exploits of Jack Higgins last season, the young dynamo kicking the most remarkable goal against Collingwood, and putting his name up in lights with his laid back nature.
The jovial Higgins is set for a big 2019, and with a second pre-season under his belt is set to shine. Higgins played 20 games, kicked 15 goals and averaged 16.7 disposals per game, not bad stats for a bloke in his first season in a side that won the premiership the season prior.
Expect to see more “snags” from him this season as he teams up with Riewoldt and Lynch to form a super forward line.
Keep an eye also on draftee Riley Collier-Dawkins, highly-touted and after just four months at Tigerland, a potential round one debutant against Carlton. He is an explosive midfielder who can break the lines and delivers the ball with serious precision.
TOMORROW: St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast, Western Bulldogs
Check out John’s assessment of who to look out for at Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon HERE.
Check out John’s assessment of who to look out for at Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney HERE.
