Young talent continues to surge across the AFL, with several clubs now building cores that will shape the competition over the next decade.
Using players aged 22 or under for the 2026 season, we've ranked the top five teams based on the quality and upside of their emerging talent.
3Richmond
Richmond's recent commitment to investing heavily at the draft has rapidly reshaped the profile of the club's list, leaving the Tigers with one of the most exciting young cores in the competition.
The headline act is former number-one pick Sam Lalor, a powerful midfield prospect who looks a Dustin Martin clone early in his career.
Around Lalor, Taj Hotton, Sam Grlj, Seth Campbell and Sam Cumming provide speed and class across multiple lines.
Richmond's rebuilding list is further bolstered by key-position prospects Harry Armstrong, Jonty Faull and Luke Trainor, who each appear exciting long-term prospects as the rebuild takes hold.
There is still plenty of development required across the group, but in terms of raw talent and upside, Tigers fans have every reason to be optimistic about what the next decade could hold.
Players 22 and under: Steely Green, Seth Campbell, Kaleb Smith, Liam Fawcett, Kane McAuliffe, Thomas Sims, Taj Hotton, Sam Lalor, Patrick Retschko, Luke Trainor, Josh Smillie, Jonty Faull, Jasper Alger, Harry Armstrong, Zane Peucker, Sam Grlj, Sam Cumming, Noah Roberts-Thomson.
