Zero Hanger's top 10 players aged 23 and under

We're at the halfway mark of the 2018 season, so it's time to look at which young superstars are dominating the game! Isaac Heeney (Sydney) In an up and down year for the Swans, Heeney is having a great year, kicking 11 goals and averaging 22 disposals, five tackles and five marks a game. Heeney definitely has all the credentials to be a future leader of the Swans. [caption id="attachment_20682" align="alignnone" width="696"] during the round four AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.[/caption] Charlie Curnow (Carlton) Curnow’s five goals against the Tigers in Round 1 this year showed the footy world that he is a star of the future. The key forward has kicked 16 goals this year, is averaging six marks a game and is fifth overall in contested marks per game. [caption id="attachment_19924" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Charlie Curnow of the Blues celebrates on the final siren during the 2018 AFL round eight match between the Carlton Blues and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 12, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Tom Doedee (Adelaide) The red hot favourite to take out this year’s Rising Star award, Doedee hasn’t missed a beat since playing his first game for the Crows in their Round 1 loss to the Bombers. With Jake Lever’s move to the Demons, Doedee has stepped up superbly averaging 18 disposals and five marks a game. [caption id="attachment_20684" align="alignnone" width="696"] ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Tim Smith of the Demons and Tom Doedee of the Crows compete for the ball during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at Traeger Park on May 27, 2018 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Tom Phillips (Collingwood) Phillips has taken his game to another level this year and is averaging 28 disposals including a career best 38 in the Pies’ loss to Richmond in Round 6. [caption id="attachment_20685" align="alignnone" width="696"] during the round 11 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Fremantle Dockers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 3, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia.[/caption] Matt Crouch (Adelaide) Last year’s Crows' Best and Fairest has battled injuries, but has still managed to average 30 disposals and five clearances a game and his ball use is elite. Incredibly, if Tom Lynch misses this week with injury, Crouch could skipper the Crows, making him the fourth different skipper this year. [caption id="attachment_20686" align="alignnone" width="696"] ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Matt Crouch of the Adelaide Crows thanks the fans after the round seven AFL match between the Adelaide Crows and the Carlton Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 5, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)[/caption] Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs) ‘The Bont’ has spent a lot more time up forward this year and he’s kicked 12 goals to date, including a career best four goals in Round 8 against Brisbane. He is averaging 22 disposals this year and is having another great season. [caption id="attachment_20687" align="alignnone" width="570"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs comes to the bench during the 2018 AFL round 10 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on May 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Jesse Hogan (Melbourne) The 2015 Rising Star winner is another one of the reasons why the Demons have become a real contender in 2018. Hogan is second in the Coleman Medal race with 31 goals and is averaging 19 possessions and seven marks a game. Hogan is also second in the competition for total score involvements. [caption id="attachment_20688" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Jesse Hogan of the Demons celebrates kicking a goal during the round 11 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Melbourne Demons at Etihad Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) Oliver is one of the main reasons for the Dees' resurgence this year and is averaging 29 disposals per game, including a season best 38 against the Dogs in Round 11. If he keeps this form up he could be a dark horse for the Brownlow! [caption id="attachment_20410" align="alignnone" width="696"] ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Clayton Oliver of the Demons is chased by Wayne Milera of the Crows during the 2018 AFL round 10 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Adelaide Crows at TIO Traeger Park on May 27, 2018 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Patrick Cripps (Carlton) The future skipper of the Blues is having another fantastic year averaging 27 disposals a game and is leading the competition in contested possessions and stoppage clearances per game. The Blues must do everything possible to ensure he doesn’t go home to Western Australia! [caption id="attachment_20350" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Acting Captain Patrick Cripps of the Blues walks to the coin toss during the 2018 AFL round eight match between the Carlton Blues and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 12, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Jack Macrae (Bulldogs) In a tough year for the Dogs, Macrae has been one of the fairytale stories of 2018. He is averaging an impressive 34 disposals per game, with a career best of 47 disposals against the Lions in Round 8. Macrae is currently third favourite to win his first ever Brownlow Medal. [caption id="attachment_20098" align="alignnone" width="696"] BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Jackson Macrae of the Bulldogs kicks on goal during the round seven AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Gold Coast Suns at Mars Stadium on May 5, 2018 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	HAW	8	6	1	26	121.2
2	SYD	7	6	1	24	178.1
3	FRE	7	6	1	24	137.6
4	MELB	7	5	2	20	102.8
5	COLL	8	4	3	18	108.6
6	BL	7	4	3	16	118.8
7	NMFC	7	4	3	16	115.9
8	GC	7	4	3	16	114.4
9	GEEL	7	4	3	16	108.6
10	WB	7	4	3	16	91.8

Zero Hanger’s top 10 players aged 23 and under

Here are our top 10 young players of the 2018 season.

8. Tom Doedee (Adelaide)

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