The six AFL clubs with the best young talent

Every draft introduces new young guns to the AFL, but 2020 has been a season like no other. We've seen a new wave of talent take the AFL by storm, and thus identified the clubs with the best young nucleus moving forward. Here are the clubs with the best young talent. Port Adelaide It would come as no surprise that Port Adelaide makes the list, with the youngsters helping drive the club to first place on the ladder. Three of Port's young guns have been particularly instrumental to their success and all have the potential be genuine stars. Zak Butters and Connor Rozee continue to dominate up forward and through the midfield, backing up their impressive rookie seasons. Midfielder Xavier Duursma is the third musketeer playing under Ken Hinkley. After being primarily used across half back last year, he is taking advantage of more midfield opportunities in 2020. [caption id="attachment_31850" align="alignnone" width="300"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: Connor Rozee of the Power celebrates after kicking a goal with Zak Butters of the Power during the round 6 AFL match between Port Adelaide and North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on April 26, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)[/caption] Richmond Richmond’s midfield is blessed with the likes of Dusty, Cotchin and Presita, but Jack Ross plugs in when required and plays his role. He is a young gun is one to watch. Shai Bolton brings another dimension to the Tigers midfield, providing spark and flare. Bolton could be anything in this league. [caption id="attachment_33728" align="alignnone" width="300"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Shai Bolton of the Tigers celebrates after scoring a goal during the round 22 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 18, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption] Jack Higgins has the potential to be elite and will likely move into the midfield some day, showing his grit and perseverance despite major setbacks in 2019. Add the run and chase of defender Sydney Stack to the list, with the electrifying youngster putting his name up for contention for the rising star in 2019. Stack's pressure and pace in the Richmond backline perfectly compliments one of the league's best defences. Noah Balta has drawn comparisons Alex Rance, and quite frankly just to be in that conversation tells you about his talent. It's fair to say the Tigers will remain in the premiership window for some time. Gold Coast The Suns saw their rising star injured at the start of the 2020 football season. Matt Rowell, who has already committed to another contract with the team, showed great influence. The first-year player was the number one pick for the Suns in 2019 and despite being sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, remains a future star. Gold Coast also grabbed Noah Anderson in the 2019 Draft at pick number two. This youngster adds to the list of those with an extremely bright future. Anderson covers the midfield and forward line and is averaging around 14 disposals and a goal a game. Young guns Jack Lukosius, Ben King and Izak Rankine also look set to take the competition by storm and round out this rising club's impressive young core. [caption id="attachment_26490" align="alignnone" width="300"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: Caleb Graham, Ben King, Izak Rankine, Jack Lukosius and Jez McLennan pose during a Gold Coast Suns AFL media Opportunity on November 26, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Western Bulldogs Son of the West, Rhylee West, comes with a wealth of knowledge following his impressive junior career. The medium forward is averaging 12 disposals a game and six handballs. The bloke knows his way around a footy. Football runs in this guy’s blood with greats in his family, but Ed Richards is making a name for himself. Young gun Bailey Smith has made major strides in 2020. The explosive midfielder always manages to find the footy and has proven to be an important cog to the team this season. Averaging over 19 disposals a game and 3 clearances, this guy is a force to be reckoned with. Throw in Tim English and Aaron Naughton and the Bulldogs have a seriously talented young nucleus. [caption id="attachment_34483" align="alignnone" width="300"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Bailey Smith of the Bulldogs in action during the round 22 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Western Bulldogs at GIANTS Stadium on August 18, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Brisbane Lions Number two we have the Brisbane Lions. Led by Hugh McLuggage and Jarrod Berry, the growing group of young cubs flourishing under Chris Fagan is astonishing. McLuggage has quickly risen to become one of the competitions best pure-wing players with his strength of two-way running and accurate use of the ball by foot. No.1 overall selection from the 2017 draft Cam Rayner could be a star in the Jordan De Goey/Christian Petracca mould with plenty of room to still improve. Rayner could become an explosive player like no other. Midfielder Zac Bailey, drafted back in 2017, provides precision, speed and poise. The youngster is averaging over 14 disposals a game and more than 9 kicks. The Lions love Brandon Starchevic and Noah Answerth and you can understand why - they are reliable and get the job done down back. Alex Witherden has all the tools to be a star too - the 21-year-old is elite in his disposals and efficiency. [caption id="attachment_30364" align="alignnone" width="300"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 01: Alex Witherden of the Lions handballs during the round 11 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Hawthorn Hawks at The Gabba on June 01, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)[/caption] Fremantle What a season it has been for Freo’s rising stars. This team has a young core with an ernormous ceiling to grow under newly appointed coach Justin Longmuir. Caleb Serong is never far from a football contest and is averaging around 15 disposals a game in his first season as a Docker. The on-baller has caught the eyes of many fans and is one of the favourites for the Rising Star Award. Midfielders Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra are both enjoying breakout seasons, taking their games to a new level. With Sean Darcy palming down to Serong, Brayshaw and Cerra for the next 10 years, look out! Hayden Young has shown plenty and Liam henry has drawn comparisons to Cyril Rioli. There is something brewing out west. [caption id="attachment_23496" align="alignnone" width="300"] PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Adam Cerra of the Dockers celebrates after scoring a goal during the round five AFL match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on April 21, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

The six AFL clubs with the best young talent

We’ve picked the six teams with the most promising young guns 👇

1. Fremantle

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