Five weeks into the 2021 AFL season, there have been plenty of unexpected storylines.
A number of teams that struggled during a COVID interrupted 2020 season have bounced back in spectacular fashion, whilst others have dropped in dramatic fashion.
Teams like Sydney and Adelaide have started the season in unexpected fashion, jumping the gun early with strong starts to the season. A heavy contrast compared to previous seasons, the young sides are showing plenty of upside and promise for success now and in the future.
This is heavily in contrast to sides with older lists. The likes of St Kilda, who have the oldest list in the competition, are struggling hugely with the new free flowing style of the game. With heavy losses to the reigning premiers Richmond (84 points) and young Bombers (75 points), the Saints find themselves 2-3 with a miserable 71.4% percentage.
It is starting to become apparent that the implementation of the new standing on the mark and interchange rules has made the game quicker, potentially suiting the younger, quicker players.
As such, we've highlighted the most promising young lists in the competition, emphasising that we aren't necessarily predicting these teams will be successful, but simply stating that they possess the best young talent.
5. Fremantle
Out west, Fremantle are quietly accumulating a young list under the tutelage of coach Justin Longmuir and senior players David Mundy and Nat Fyfe. With an average number of 58.2 games played, they are the fifth least experienced team in the league, with Longmuir making it a priority to play youth since he arrived at the club.
This has started to pay dividends already, with the trust being put into a young and inexperienced midfield to lead the team, with the likes of Mundy and Fyfe mentoring and allowing them to learn and grow.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this is Andrew Brayshaw. After breaking his jaw in an ugly incident with Andrew Gaff that saw both miss the remainder of the 2018 season, Brayshaw has broken out into an up and coming star.
Averaging 20 disposals and five tackles a game in 2020, Brayshaw finished equal third in the Doig Medal. His numbers have translated with the return of 20 minute quarters, leading the Dockers with an average of 25.6 disposals and 4.6 tackles a game.
Embed from Getty Images
Another couple of talented Dockers to step up in the midfield are Adam Cerra and Caleb Serong. Cerra at 20 years of age had some dominant performances during the 2020 season, seeing him finish equal third in the clubs best and fairest alongside Brayshaw and Mundy. Exceptional by foot, Cerra can run as a threatening wingman or play as a genuine inside midfielder, accumulating a respectable 20 disposals per game to start the 2021 season.
Embed from Getty Images Serong however was the unearthed talent of 2020, who at 19 years of age took out the AFLPA's Best First Year PLayer award, as well as AFL Rising Star. Playing the role of negating opposition players, he was still able to win his own footy and make an impact.
To start the 2021 season Serong has yet to have a game with less than 20 touches, averaging 23 disposals and five clearances to help the Dockers go 3-2 in the opening 5 rounds.
Lachie Schultz is also a key contributor to the Dockers, with the small forward providing an exciting bolt of forward pressure and a knack of finding the goals in key moments. His potential was on full display throughout the 2020 season, none more so than in the Round 6 game against the Saints where he kicked the match winner late in what kick started their season.
The Fremantle ruck stocks are also on the rise, with young big man Sean Darcy starting to really come into his own. After the Round 4 game against Hawthorn, Brisbane Lion champion Jonathon Brown was hugely impressed.
“I’ve loved his game,” Brown said. “He’s kicked well late, he’s marked the ball inside 50, he’s had clearances, his ruck work has been good and he’s played with presence.” After the departure of Veteran Aaron Sandilands in 2019, the Dockers look to have found the bloke to fill his giant boots.
With an ensemble cast of young talent at both ends of the field, with the likes of Hayden Young (defender), and the exciting Michael Frederick (Forward), the Dockers are establishing themselves as a potential threat to the competition in the years to come.
