Fans wait with baited breath as they watch their young talent develop throughout the years. It starts at "he'll be a gun one day", then into "next year", but when does it really happen?
Let's look at a player from your team who can make the leap next season.
Hugh Greenwood
Greenwood has been a good contributor since debuting in 2017 and played all 22 games this season. In 2018, Greenwood averaged 17 disposals and 6.6 tackles per game and was eighth in the competition in total tackles. His ability to play in the midfield and go forward should see him become a dangerous hybrid next year.
Tom Cutler
The Lions midfielder had his best season to date in the AFL this year, averaging 20 disposals and moving into his sixth season that number should continue to grow. Cutler has an ability to mark the ball well, making him a threat both in the air and on the ground as the Lions midfield grows in stature.
Charlie Curnow
Carlton fans have been crying out for a star forward since Brendan Fevola left and Curnow appears to be the saviour. In his third season, playing in the worst team in the league, Curnow kicked 34 goals, which included a bag of five against Richmond. His raw athleticism should see him become a force in 2019.
Tom Langdon
The Grand Final can be the making of a player and judging by the amount of interest in him following their loss to the Eagles, Langdon has moved into the upper echelon of mid-sized defenders it appears. Next year, should the Pie play at that Grand Final level he will no doubt be an elite AFL player.
Aaron Francis
Francis finished season 2018 with a bang, coming into the team late in the season and showing all the potential Bomber fans had raved about since he was drafted. Francis is an intercept marking force, akin to Jeremy McGovern that could help the Bombers jump back into the finals.
Connor Blakely
Blakely will be 23 when the 2019 season commences and has a strong 2018 to build upon. Blakely averaged 24 disposals in the Dockers defence and was 12th in the AFL for marks per game and uncontested possessions per game.
Sam Menegola
Since being drafted in 2015, Menegola has become a crucial part of the Cats' midfield group and now has an ability to push forward. The 26-year-old kicked 22 goals this season to go with his 24 disposals per game and appears set to be played more in the forward line next season.
Touk Miller
Miller was drafted as a forward but has developed into a strong contributor within the Suns' midfield, as both a ball-winner and a tagger. With more responsibility on his shoulders moving into his fifth AFL season the former Calder Cannon could be one of the Suns' best in 2019.
Harry Himmelberg
The GWS forward showed a glimpse of what he could do in the 2017 preliminary final and then built upon that in 2018. Himmelberg kicked 29 goals for the Giants and was BOG in their elimination final win over Sydney this year. The Giants will be hoping he can be the elite second fiddle to Jeremy Cameron as they make an assault on the premiership.
Blake Hardwick
Hardwick featured in every game for the Hawks this season, playing a crucial role in their defence. The defender averaged 16 disposals per game and was rated highly by his club, finishing second in their best and fairest to Brownlow medalist Tom Mitchell.
Jack Viney
The Demons skipper had an outstanding finals campaign after only playing seven games in the home and away season, leading his team to a preliminary final. His tenacity on the ball saw him ranked first for centre clearances per game and with an injury free season, he may turn into one of the best midfielders in the competition.
Trent Dumont
Dumont enjoyed his best season in the AFL averaging 21 disposals per game in an improved North Melbourne team. With more talent in the midfield around him next season, Dumont could become the star the Roos were hoping for when they drafted him in 2013.
Charlie Dixon
Dixon is an odd case, sometimes capable of dominating games to a point where there is no point trying to defend him, or in some cases he is completely non existent. The Power will be hoping the former becomes a regular occurrence because the talent is clearly there.
Nick Vlastuin
Vlastuin may the closest to already being elite on this list after his season this year. The Tigers defender was ninth in the AFL for intercepts per game and 20th for total rebound 50s, providing a crucial cog in the Tigers defence. At only 24, his best football should be coming up, an exciting prospect for Richmond fans.
Jade Gresham
Young Saint Gresham flew under the radar this season, but was outstanding in the Saints' disappointing year, kicking 35 goals. He was also 10th in goal assists in the competition and brings great pressure in the forward line. Gresham kicked six goals against Richmond in May, showing how good he can be against quality opposition.
Isaac Heeney
Heeney has always been known as an elite prospect and appears to be on the verge of becoming one of the best in the entire competition. Heeney is as flexible as they come, playing forward in the midfield and even as a loose man in defence when Sydney need him to. A star on the rise.
Dom Sheed
The Grand Final hero had an outstanding finals campaign after being sent back to the WAFL during the season and answered club critics. Sheed averaged 29 disposals per game in the finals series and could build on that to create an even more dangerous Eagles midfield.
Josh Dunkley
Young Bulldog Dunkley had a breakout 2018 while his side struggled, averaging 22 disposals per game and was top 20 in the competition for tackles inside 50. He should see more midfield time this season as an exciting core builds of him, Bontempelli and Macrae.