Every club's biggest breakout candidate in 2019

In 2018, it was the Bulldogs' Jack Macrae, Sydney's Ben Ronke and Richmond's Jayden Short. But who will be 2019's new crop of breakout players? We take a look at each club's most likely youngster to take centre stage in 2019! Adelaide - Darcy Fogarty After sliding down a couple of picks in the 2017 draft, the 193cm bull Fogarty was snapped up by the Crows with pick 12. Earning his debut in round one against the Bombers, the 19 year-old went on to play a total of ten games and booted nine goals. Fogarty played the remainder of the season in the SANFL, working on his craft all over the ground. Look for Fogarty to come into 2019 fitter, stronger and ready for a huge season. [caption id="attachment_25258" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 30: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows competes for the ball during the round 15 AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval on June 30, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)[/caption] Brisbane - Archie Smith The 202cm former basketballer had an impressive debut in 2016, collecting 19 disposals and 30 hit-outs in a round 19 clash against the Power. Smith has gone on to play an additional eight games but struggled to break into the senior team last season. Veteran ruckman Stefan Martin is now 32 and the Brisbane coaching panel will know it's time to look for a successor of the 158 gamer. Smith is now 23 and at the cherry-ripe age to have a huge year. Watch for Smith to share the ruck duties with Martin in 2019. [caption id="attachment_9083" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: Archie Smith of the Lions celebrates kicking a goal with team mates during the 2016 AFL Round 21 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues at The Gabba on August 13, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Media)[/caption] Carlton - Matthew Kennedy One of many ex-Giants on the Blues list, the former pick 13 pick had an interrupted start with his new club after sustaining an ankle injury in the season opener against Richmond. The talented midfielder managed to string 12 games together for the year, averaging 17.2 disposals and booting a total of three goals. The 21 year-old is due for a breakout year if he is able to keep his body in check. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Brent Deledio and Sam Taylor of the Giants tackle Matthew Kennedy of the Blues during the round 20 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Etihad Stadium on August 5, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] Collingwood - Brayden Sier The big-bodied youngster had an impressive debut season, playing a total of 12 games including the Pies' grand final loss to West Coast. Sier was able to rotate into Collingwood's classy midfield, averaging 19.5 disposals and 4.6 tackles. The former number 32 pick is heading into his fourth season at the Holden Centre and will have to fight for a spot in the Pies team with the inclusion of Dayne Beams. However, if his 2018 season is anything go by, look out. [caption id="attachment_25259" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brayden Sier of the Magpies kicks during the 2018 AFL Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 29, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Essendon - Darcy Parish The 21-year old youngster is heading into his fourth season at the Tullamarine and has had an impressive start to his career. The former pick five has raced to 55 games, despite being sent back to the VFL last year on the back of a couple mediocre performances. Parish has had another huge summer and as the midfielder's body matures so will his playing style. Parish is one to watch in 2019. [caption id="attachment_3851" align="alignnone" width="594"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Darcy Parish of the Bombers runs with the ball during the Essendon Bombers AFL Intra-Club match at True Value Solar Centre on February 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Fremantle - Griffin Logue The young key-defender hasn't burst onto the blocks as we expected him to when he was picked up with pick eight in the 2016 draft, playing 13 senior games in his first two seasons. Logue has worked on his defensive craft in the WAFL, winning a premiership with the Peel Thunder in 2017. With 244-gamer Michael Johnson retiring at the end of last year, a spot in the Dockers defence is certainly up for grabs. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Griffin Logue of the Dockers evades Darcy MacPherson of the Suns during the round 20 AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Gold Coast Suns at Domain Stadium on August 5, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] GWS - Aidan Bonar After being taken with the 11th pick in the 2017 draft, Bonar made a late-season debut against the Blues in round 20 where he booted two goals and collected 16 disposals. Following the departures of Dylan Shiel, Tom Scully, Will Setterfield and Rory Lobb, Bonar will have the opportunity to shine. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="612"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Aiden Bonar of the Giants celebrates a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at Spotless Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] Geelong - Nakia Cockatoo The flashy youngster has had an interrupted start to his career after being taken with the tenth pick in the 2014 draft. Cockatoo succumbed to a knee injury at the start of the 2018 season resulting in the Northern Territory product to play just two games for the year. Cockatoo has had a big summer focusing on the strengthening of his body to support injury prevention. And despite suffering a hamstring setback at training a fortnight ago, watch for the 22 year-old to rotate through the midfield in 2019 should his body hold up. [caption id="attachment_18363" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 30: Nakia Cockatoo of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 06 match between the Geelong Cats and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 30, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Gold Coast - Jack Bowes The Suns list is jam-packed with talent this season with several names looking primed for breakout seasons. Bowes could take centre stage in 2019 with the 21 year-old cruising into his third season on the Sunshine Coast. The former pick 10 put together a 16-game season in 2018, averaging 16.1 disposals from the Suns back flank before moving into the engine room at the back-end of the season. Look for Bowes to take on an even bigger role in the Suns' midfield this season. [caption id="attachment_22052" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Luke Parker of the Swans is tackled by Jack Bowes of the Suns during the round 16 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Gold Coast Suns at Sydney Cricket Ground on July 8, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Hawthorn - Jack Scrimshaw After landing at Waverly in the summer, the ex-Sun has even greater expectations laying on his shoulders given he is expected to help cover the loss of injured Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell. Scimshaw has played just four games in the last two years but will look to cement his spot in the Hawks' senior side in 2019 after undergoing a successful pre-season. [caption id="attachment_24209" align="alignnone" width="683"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 29: Jack Scrimshaw of the Suns runs the ball during the round 19 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on July 29, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Melbourne - Christian Petracca The Dees' bull has been impressive in his first four seasons at the club without tacking his game to the next level. The former pick two has scooted to 63 games and will look to spend more time in the midfield this year presuming he's improved his fitness. Petracca has all the tools to light up the stage in 2019 and will certainly have to fire if the Dees' flag aspirations are genuine. [caption id="attachment_18161" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: Christian Petracca runs with the ball during a Melbourne Demons AFL training session at Gosch's Paddock on February 21, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] North Melbourne - Jy Simpkin The boy from Mooroopna has had a solid first two years at Arden Street, playing all of North Melbourne's games in 2018 and averaging just under 15 disposals a game. Simpkin has had another big summer and as the 20 year-old's body matures the more often we will see the 35-gamer in North's engine room. [caption id="attachment_14499" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Jy Simpkin of the Kangaroos kicks the ball during the round 17 AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval on July 15, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)[/caption] Port Adelaide - Dan Houston Coming off a solid 2018, Houston is heading into his third campaign at Alberton. The rebounding defender showed class across the Power's half-back line, averaging 16.8 disposals along with 5.3 marks a game. Watch for the fast-paced youngster to break out in 2019 and increase his numbers and impact on games. [caption id="attachment_25014" align="alignnone" width="1024"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Dan Houston of Port Adelaide handballs under pressure from Mitch McGovern of the Adelaide Crows during the round eight AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on May 12, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)[/caption] Richmond - Shai Bolton The speedy pocket rocket will look to cement a spot in the Tigers' best 22 in 2019 and could benefit from the club shedding some of their depth players in the off-season. The 175cm small forward provides endless forward 50 pressure that could make it hard for Damien Hardwick to leave out of his impressive team. [caption id="attachment_18925" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Shai Bolton of the Tigers smiles during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on September 21, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] St Kilda - Blake Acres Like the Suns the Saints will be relying on their youngsters to stand-up in 2019. Blake Acres is certainly one that will need to fire if St Kilda are any chance of moving up the ladder in 2019 after an underwhelming 2018. Acres is built like Patrick Cripps but is yet to make an impact like the Carlton co-captain has. The 191cm forward struggled to stay on the park last season, sustaining a troublesome groin injury to manage 12 games for the year. Acres averaged 21.5 disposals as well as 3.9 marks a game and could be set for a big 2019. [caption id="attachment_19161" align="alignnone" width="683"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Blake Acres of the Saints celebrates kicking a goal during the round one AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on March 24, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Sydney - Callum Mills 2016 Rising Star winner Callum Mills is reportedly set for more midfield time in 2019 after slotting into the Swans' defence well in his first three seasons at Sydney. Mills averaged 19.2 disposals and 4.9 marks in the first nine games of 2018 before missing the rest of the season through injury. The young gun has had a ripper pre-season and will certainly be in line for a bigger role at the Swans. [caption id="attachment_10144" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Callum Mills of the Swans handpasses the ball during the 2016 AFL Round 19 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Sydney Swans at Domain Stadium on July 31, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] West Coast Eagles - Liam Duggan Premiership defender Liam Duggan has fitted in well with the Eagles' defence alongside All-Australian Jeremy McGovern and fellow youngster Tom Barrass. Duggan debuted in 2015 and hasn't missed a beat, playing 70 games for the reigning premiers. The former pick 11 will look to continue his development and turn into one of the game's elite defenders. Western Bulldogs - Josh Dunkley One of the most likely 2019 breakout candidates is premiership Bulldog Josh Dunkley. The 22 year-old played a stellar first season in 2016, averaging 16.9 disposals along with 4.5 marks. After struggling to back up his impressive rookie campaign, Dunkley showed what he could do with more midfield opportunities last season. Now at the cherry ripe age of 22, Dunkley will have to stand up for the Bulldogs to be any chance of bouncing back from a disappointing couple of seasons. [caption id="attachment_24744" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Josh Dunkley of the Bulldogs celebrates a goal ahead of David Astbury of the Tigers during the round 23 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	2	2	0	8	182.9
2	GC	2	2	0	8	181.6
3	WB	2	2	0	8	154.1
4	NMFC	1	1	0	4	168.7
5	ADEL	1	1	0	4	117.7
6	HAW	2	1	1	4	117.1
7	MELB	1	1	0	4	112.1
8	COLL	2	1	1	4	98.7
9	GEEL	2	1	1	4	79.6
10	GWS	2	1	1	4	76.4

Every club’s biggest breakout candidate in 2019

Which player is set to breakout from your club this season?

Western Bulldogs - Josh Dunkley

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