WHO TO KEEP AN EYE ON FROM YOUR AFL CLUB IN 2019

Essendon’s Aaron Francis finished off 2018 in style and looks set to keep that form going this season. 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 Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon.

ADELAIDE

It was a year of career highs for Wayne Milera in 2018, with the 21-year-old gathering a career high 33 possessions against the Gold Coast in round six.

Milera slowly got better as the season went along, and finished very consistently, recording 20-plus disposals in seven of the last eight games, including 26 against Melbourne in a round 19 loss.

The Crows’ livewire, who splits his time between the midfield and forward line, looks set to continue his good form as his side looks to march back up the ladder.

Expect Tom Doedee to continue his strong form in his second year, and Hugh Greenwood could have a big role in the forward line and midfield after 16 goals last season, including a four-goal haul against Brisbane in round 18.

Once Greenwood recovers from an abdominal strain which may sideline him for the first game, he could join Taylor Walker in an imposing forward line.

BRISBANE

There is a lot to like about the Lions this season, with the young group showing a lot of potential and giving supporters hope of a brighter future.

There are some seriously talented youngsters on their list, and expect to see Alex Witherden tear it up again after impressing in 2018 season, averaging 22.4 disposals per game, ranking first among the Rising Star nominees for effective disposals per game, and seventh in the AFL for marks.

Witherden, who has skills second to none among the young crop, has racked up serious numbers playing as a defender, picking up 30 or more possessions three times last season, and I expect him to keep that form going into 2019.

Also, expect to see a lot of class from Harris Andrews again this season, after he was struck down last year due to a Jeremy Cameron elbow. And Cameron Rayner showed steady improvement in his debut should also only get better.

CARLTON

Where do you start with the Blues? It hasn’t been a positive few seasons, but as a result of those poor showings, they have at least banked a number of first round draft, more specifically, number one picks.

They’ve found a beauty, too, in Sam Walsh, who is a ball magnet, dominating for Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup last season, averaging 32 disposals, five marks and five tackles in just 12 matches, and looks capable of slotting straight into the senior line-up.

Walsh teaming up with Patrick Cripps, Marc Murphy and Paddy Dow in the middle has the hallmarks for an elite midfield down the track.

Walsh may be a few years away from playing permanently in the middle, but has also proven himself a goal kicker. Liam Stocker, meanwhile, whom the Blues traded up to pick 19 to get, will also be watched closely.

Dow also appears a chance to break out, too, in the manner of Cripps and Charlie Curnow before him, after a solid debut year, ranking first among all rising stars for clearances, and you can expect his disposal average of 14 to rise rapidly as does his impact.

At the age of 23, Michael Gibbons has finally got his chance to join an AFL team, and is a big-bodied midfielder, so expect him to get plenty of game time as he looks to build his AFL career.

COLLINGWOOD

Last year’s runner-up has a plethora of up-and-coming players, 2018 Rising Star Jaidyn Stephenson proving a valuable draft selection at No.6, proving a handful for opposition defences throughout the season.

The Pies’ list is well established. Matt Scharenberg has had horrible luck early in his career, but if he can return from injury and stay fit, he could be a crucial part of the plan.

Scharenberg had become an important part of the backline mix until he tore his ACL against Richmond in July, prior to that averaging 19 disposals. His ability to read the play and intercept marks is something the Magpies could really have used on grand final day.

Collingwood has secured a really talented player in Isaac Quaynor in the draft, and I expect the 19-year-old to have an impact this season 2019, though he’ll need to bulk up before he can bully the opposition forwards at AFL level.

ESSENDON

There is plenty of upside with this Essendon team, which looks to be on the verge of returning to sustained finals action.

The Bombers have added a bit of class via Dylan Shiel, with the former Giant just what was required in midfield, perhaps the last piece of the puzzle for coach John Worsfold.

There were real glimpses of brilliance from Aaron Francis at the end of the season, the South Australian really getting a taste for it after a tough year or so off the field.

He returned looking much fitter after stepping away from the game with mental health issues, and finished off the year impressively, taking a huge mark in the final round against Port Adelaide, a grab very unlucky not to win mark of the year.

James Stewart fell from favour over the second half of 2018, but could still play an important role in Essendon’s offence in 2019, especially if Joe Daniher can’t play the early rounds due to injury.

He played the first 11 games of last season where he averaged more than a goal per game and 12.5 disposals, is a smooth mover, and with confidence up, capable of much more than he has delivered to date.

TOMORROW: Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast, GWS.