With the 2019 AFL Draft in the books, we've seen clubs hedge their bets on the next crop of football superstars, with the hope that they can make an instant impact on their side's performances.
In the past few years, we have seen so many talented youngsters make a splash just a couple seasons into their AFL careers and become bonafide superstars.
Here is Zero Hanger's top 10 players aged 22 and under heading into the 2020 season.
4. Sam Walsh
After arguably one of the greatest rookie seasons in AFL history, it was impossible to keep Carlton's Sam Walsh out of the top five. The 19-year-old was taken with the number one pick in the 2018 Draft and gave the Blues all they could have wanted, and more, for the prized pick. Walsh played all 22 games in 2019 and formed an intimidating midfield duo alongside his captain Patrick Cripps.
Walsh averaged over 25 disposals, five tackles and three clearances for the season and finished behind only Marc Murphy for uncontested possessions at the club, with 15.8 per game. Walsh racked up 25+ disposals on 13 occasions, including a match-winning 32 and six clearances in Carlton's comeback victory against Brisbane in round 12. The big-bodied midfielder took home the Rising Star award after his superb year and more individual accolades are expected to follow in the coming years.
