Ranking the young cores of all 18 AFL clubs in 2024

Which AFL teams have the best young cores in the league?

Some teams like North Melbourne, Gold Coast and Fremantle have a glut of players 23 and under on their list, while the likes of Geelong, Carlton and Collingwood less so given where they are at in their premiership windows.

The worry will be for a team like West Coast, which has just sacked its head coach, given how little star talent they have under the age of 24. They have a long rebuilding road ahead of them. As do the Tigers under Adem Yze.

We’ve gone through each team’s core of players 23 and under, ranked their top five and then ranked every team from 1 to 18 based on the above.

Our ranking from 1 to 18 of all the young cores listed above. The top fives were weighted heavily in these rankings, though depth 23-and-under was also considered.

This exercise was originally put together in December of 2023 and has been updated in July 2024.

NOTE: We are only including players who are 23 as of January 1st, 2024*

See our thoughts below:

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Nick Blakey (23*), Justin McInerney (23), Tom McCartin (23), James Rowbottom (23), Lachlan McAndrew (23*), Jack Buller (22), James Jordon (22), Braeden Campbell (21), Errol Gulden (21), Logan McDonald (21), Caiden Cleary (18), Will Edwards (20), Angus Sheldrick (20), Chad Warner (22), Corey Warner (20), Matthew Roberts (20) Jacob Konstanty (19), Jaiden Magor (19), Indhi Kirk (19), Caleb Mitchell (19), Will Green (18), Patrick Snell (18), Cooper Vickery (18)

TOP 5: Errol Gulden, Nick Blakey, Chad Warner, Tom McCartin, James Rowbottom.

Sydney has the most exciting young crop of players in the competition. The Swans’ young core of talent also covers the key positions on the field with Chad Warner and James Rowbottom dominating in the middle whilst Tom McCartin and Nick Blakey are excellent defenders.

League ranking: 1st

Charles Goodsir

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Thomas Berry (23*), Ben King (23*), Jack Lukosius (23), Caleb Graham (23), Noah Anderson (22), Malcolm Rosas (22), Matt Rowell (22), Sam Flanders (22), Jack Mahony (22), Hewago Oea (22), Sam Clohesy (22), Ned Moyle (21), Sam Clohesy (21), Joel Jeffrey (21), Alex Davies (21), Sandy Brock (21), Oskar Faulkhead (20), Bodhi Uwland (20), Mac Andrew (20), Bailey Humphrey (19), Tom Hanily (19), Will Rowlands (19), Lloyd Johnston (19), Jake Rogers (18), Jed Walter (18), Will Rowlands (18), Ethan Read (18), Will Graham (18).

TOP 5: Noah Anderson, Mac Andrew, Ben King, Matt Rowell, Jack Lukosius.

A mammoth group, the Suns are absolutely stacked with talent under the age of 24. In fact, this group makes up more than half of the club’s list.

At the top, it’s led by players that are now coming out of their youth and entering their primes. All of Noah Anderson, Mac Andrew, Ben King, Jack Lukosius and Matt Rowell are ready to lead the club forward and all could and should become All-Australians.

League ranking: 2nd

Lachlan Geleit

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Connor Rozee (23*), Zak Butters (23), Miles Bergman (22), Francis Evans (22), Mitch Georgiades (22), Jed McEntee (22), Jackson Mead (22), Dylan Williams (22), Lachie Jones (21), Ollie Lord (21), Jase Burgoyne (20), Jason Horne-Francis (20), Dante Visentini (20), Josh Sinn (20), Hugh Jackson (20), Kyle Marshall (19), Thomas Scully (19), Tom McCallum (19), Thomas Anastasopoulos (18), Will Lorenz (18), Xavier Walsh (18), Lachlan Charleson (18), Logan Evans (18)

TOP 5: Zak Butters, Connor Rozee, Jason Horne-Francis, Mitch Georgiades, Miles Bergman.

Wow. We knew the Port Adelaide midfield had a high ceiling with the likes of Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis, but this spread of young players can make up the majority of the Power’s best 22 for the next decade.

League ranking: 3rd

Seb Mottram

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Sam Sturt (23*), Michael Frederick (23*), Liam Reidy (23*), Jordan Clark (23), Sebit Kuek (23*), Caleb Serong (22), Hayden Young (22), Luke Jackson (22), Tom Emmett (21), Heath Chapman (21), Nathan O’Driscoll (21), Karl Worner (21), Josh Treacy (21), Brandon Walker (21), Matt Johnson (20), Jye Amiss (20), Ethan Stanley (20), Neil Erasmus (19), Josh Draper (19), Max Knobel (19), Hugh Davies (19), Conrad Williams (18), Cooper Simpson (18), Jack Delean (18), Ollie Murphy (18), Odin Jones (18).

TOP 5: Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss, Hayden Young, Josh Treacy.

Fremantle has five rolled gold 23-and-under stars with Caleb Serong, Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy and Hayden Young either already A-graders or tracking towards it. They will now be hoping someone in that next tier emerges like a Neil Erasmus, Matt Johnson or Nathan O’Driscoll type.

League ranking: 4th

Nic Negrepontis

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Curtis Taylor (23*), Bailey Scott (23*), Dylan Stephens (22), Bigoa Nyuon (22), Charlie Comben (22), Tom Powell (21), Charlie Lazzaro (21), Will Phillips (21), Eddie Ford (21), Jackson Archer (20), Miller Bergman (20), Paul Curtis (20), Josh Goater (20), Brayden George (19), Robert Hansen (19), George Wardlaw (19), Cooper Harvey (19), Harry Sheezel (19), Blake Drury (19), Riley Hardeman (18), Colby McKercher (18), Taylor Goad (18), Zane Duursma (18), Will Dawson (18), Geordie Payne (18)

TOP 5: Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher, Charlie Comben, Tom Powell.

Charlie Comben, George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher and Tom Powell are among those who have emerged in 2024 as genuine players to build around, while Harry Sheezel already looms as a top 20 player in the competition.

League ranking: 5th

Nic Negrepontis

PLAYERS UNDER 24: James Blanck (23), Cooper Stephens (22), Finn Maginness (22), Will Day (22), Jai Newcombe (22), Denver Grainger-Barras (21), Seamus Mitchell (21), Jack Ginnivan (20), Connor MacDonald (20), Sam Butler (20), Jai Serong (20), Max Ramsden (20), Massimo D’Ambrosio (20), Josh Ward (20), Cameron Mackenzie (19), Josh Weddle (19), Henry Hustwaite (19), Bailey MacDonald (19), Clay Tucker (19), Joshua Bennetts (19), Jack O’Sullivan (19), Jasper Scaife (19), Nick Watson (18), Bodie Ryan (18), Calsher Dear (18) and Will McCabe (18)

TOP 5: Will Day, Jai Newcombe, Josh Weddle, Nick Watson, Jack Ginnivan.

Their young core is growing together and headed by reigning Peter Crimmins Medal winner Will Day. He is the player who will be central to taking the club forward, assisted by runner-up in the best and fairest Jai Newcombe. Josh Weddle is emerging rapidly.

League ranking: 6th

Andrew Slevison

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Dominic Bedendo (21), Jedd Busslinger (19), Charlie Clarke (19), Luke Cleary (21), Jordan Croft (18), Sam Darcy (20), Joel Freijah (18), Harvey Gallagher (20), Riley Garcia (22), Arthur Jones (20), Buku Khamis (23), James O’Donnell (21), Aiden O’Driscoll (18), Caleb Poulter (21), Ryley Sanders (18), Bailey Smith (22), Lachlan Smith (18), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (21), Cody Weightman (22), Rhylee West (23), Kelsey Rypstra (20)

TOP 5: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Bailey Smith, Cody Weightman, Sam Darcy, Ryley Sanders.

When it comes to the top five, the Bulldogs boast one of the more promising young groups in the competition. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is a superstar in waiting, Bailey Smith has been the poster boy for young talent (but how long will he stay?), Cody Weightman has come into his own as a small forward, and Sam Darcy is emerging as a future superstar as well.

League ranking: 7th

Jack Makeham

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Chayce Jones (23*), Lachlan Sholl (23*), Mark Keane (23*), Izak Rankine (23*), Will Hamill (23), Nick Murray (22), Harry Schoenberg (22), Josh Worrell (22), Lachlan Gollant (22), Sam Berry (21), Patrick Parnell (21), Luke Pedlar (21), Riley Thilthorpe (21), Brayden Cook (21), James Borlase (21), Jake Soligo (20), Zac Taylor (20), Josh Rachele (20), Toby Murray (20), Luke Nankervis (20), Max Michalanney (19), Billy Dowling (19), Hugh Bond (19), Daniel Curtin (18), Oscar Ryan (18) and Charlie Edwards (18)

TOP 5: Izak Rankine, Josh Rachele, Max Michalanney, Jake Soligo, Mark Keane.

There are some gems in Adelaide’s emergent talent list headed by Izak Rankine who could just about be anything. When you mention Rankine’s name it usually comes in tandem with Josh Rachele. The pair are set to terrorise opposition defences while building their midfield portfolio on the run.

Max Michalanney appears mature beyond his years, Chayce Jones had a career-best year in 2023 to finish eighth in the best and fairest and Riley Thilthorpe is still seen as the answer to life post Taylor Walker.

League ranking: 8th

Andrew Slevison

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Liam Stocker (23*), Max King (23*), Cooper Sharman (23), Ryan Byrnes (22), Liam Henry (22), Matthew Allison (21), Max Heath (21), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (20), Marcus Windhager (20), Michito Owens (20), Anthony Caminiti (19), Isaac Keeler (19), James Van Es (19), Olli Hotton (19), Mattaes Phillipou (18), Arie Schoenmaker (18), Lance Collard (18), Hugo Garcia (18), Darcy Wilson (18), Angus Hastie (18)

TOP 5: Max King, Mitchito Owens, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mattaes Phillipou, Liam Henry.

St Kilda enjoys among the best top-end youngsters in the AFL, with at least four potential superstars. Beyond that, Liam Henry has settled in nicely, Marcus Windhager has a ton of potential and they have seemingly found a few gems in the draft with Darcy Wilson and Arie Schoenmaker.

League ranking: 9th

Nic Negrepontis

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Toby Bedford (23*), Xavier O’Halloran (23), Connor Idun (23), Callum Brown (23), James Peatling (23), Tom Green (23), Wade Derksen (22), Lachie Ash (22), Leek Aleer (22), Conor Stone (21), Ryan Angwin (21), Finn Callaghan (20), Cooper Hamilton (20), Josh Fahey (20), Aaron Cadman (19), Darcy Jones (19), Nick Madden (19), Max Gruzewski (19), Toby McMullin (19), Harry Rowston (19), Joseph Fonti (19), Thomas Harvey (18), Phoenix Gothard (18), James Leake (18)

TOP 5: Tom Green, Connor Idun, Lachie Ash, Finn Callaghan, Aaron Cadman.

Tom Green is becoming one of the league’s best midfielders at just 23, and the likes of Finn Callaghan, Connor Idun, Lachie Ash, Callum Brown and Toby Bedford are mainstays in the best 22. Players like Leek Aleer, Joseph Fonti and Toby McMullin have upside.

League ranking: 10th

Paddy Sinnot

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Keidean Coleman (23*), Bruce Reville (23), Jaxon Prior (22), Deven Robertson (22), Kalin Lane (22), Carter Michael (21), Henry Smith (21), Harry Sharp (21), Kai Lohmann (20), James Tunstill (20), Darcy Wilmot (20), Jaspa Fletcher (19), Will Ashcroft (19), Shadeau Brain (19), Will McLachlan (19), Logan Morris (18), Reece Torrent (18), Luke Lloyd (18), Zane Zakostelsky (18)

TOP 5: Will Ashcroft, Keidean Coleman, Jaspa Fletcher, Darcy Wilmot, Kai Lohmann.

Not the biggest group, which checks out given the Lions are one of the teams in ‘win now’ mode … but their top-end is still full of quality.

That’s led by Will Ashcroft, the young midfielder is destined to be a superstar, the Lions will miss him for the first half of 2024 as he recovers from an ACL tear which says a lot given he’s only 19.

League ranking: 11th

Lachlan Geleit

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Jack Bytel (23*), Isaac Quaynor (23*), Bobby Hill (23*), Beau McCreery (22), Charlie Dean (22), Finlay Macrae (21), Aiden Begg (21), Josh Eyre (21), Reef McInnes (20), Nick Daicos (20), Oscar Steene (20), Edward Allan (19), Jakob Ryan (19), Iliro Smith (19), Tew Jiath (18), Harry Demattia (18).

TOP 5: Nick Daicos, Isaac Quaynor, Bobby Hill, Beau McCreery, Charlie Dean.

It’s certainly not as big a group compared to other clubs, but that checks out given Collingwood are contending and hoping to go back-to-back.

At the top, there is probably the best player aged under 24 in the whole comp in Nick Daicos. While Isaac Quaynor, Bobby Hill and Beau McCreery are all premiership players.

League ranking: 12th

Lachlan Geleit

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Xavier Duursma (23*), Jye Caldwell (23), Saad El-Hawli (23), Harrison Jones (22), Nic Martin (22), Sam Durham (22), Nick Bryan (22), Nik Cox (21), Zach Reid (21), Archie Perkins (21), Jaiden Hunter (21), Kaine Baldwin (21), Jye Menzie (21), Ben Hobbs (20), Tex Wanganeen (20), Jayden Davey (19), Alwyn Davey Jnr (19), Lewis Hayes (19), Lual Luamon (18), Nate Caddy (18), Vigo Visentini (18), Archie Roberts (18)

TOP 5: Nic Martin, Jye Caldwell, Sam Durham, Nate Caddy, Archie Perkins.

This group is headed by rising guns Jye Caldwell, Nic Martin and new recruit Xavier Duursma, with the likes of Archie Perkins, Elijah Tsatas and Harrison Jones not too far behind. The emergence of Sam Durham in 2024 has also given them a big boost.

League ranking: 13th

Paddy Sinnot

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Oisin Mullin (23*), Sam De Koning (22), Tanner Bruhn (21), Oliver Henry (21), Max Holmes (21), Emerson Jeka (22), Shannon Neale (21), Oliver Wiltshire (21), Lawson Humphries (20), Mitch Knevitt (20), Ollie Dempsey (20), Toby Conway (20), James Willis (20), Jhye Clark (19), Ted Clohesy (19), Phoenix Foster (19), Oscar Murdoch (19), Connor O’Sullivan (18), George Stevens (18), Mitchell Edwards (18)

TOP 5: Sam De Koning, Max Holmes, Oliver Henry, Tanner Bruhn, Ollie Dempsey.

There is some talent in Geelong’s youngsters, no doubt about that.

But that’s never been the knock. While the top four on the above list stand out, there’s a line up behind them. Whether they can announce themselves as genuine AFL players is still yet to be seen, despite several showing flashes or more of talent.

League ranking: 14th

Seb Mottram

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Tom Sparrow (23*), Kysaiah Pickett (22), Trent Rivers (22), Jake Bowey (21), Bailey Laurie (21), Daniel Turner (21), Jacob Van Rooyen (20), Blake Howes (20), Judd McVee (20), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (20), Taj Woewodin (20), Jed Adams (19), Will Verrall (19), Oliver Sestan (19) Matthew Jefferson (19), Kynan Brown (18), Koltyn Tholstrup (18), Caleb Windsor (18), Luker Kentfield (18)

TOP 5: Kysaiah Pickett, Jacob Van Rooyen, Trent Rivers, Judd McVee, Caleb Windsor.

The Demons are covered across all lines with this group, but there doesn’t appear a standout player that is going to lead Melbourne to its next premiership.

Kysaiah Pickett can still be anything, as can Jacob Van Rooyen. But aside from the draftees from the past two years, there feels a ceiling on most others, although several are certainly best 22 players.

League ranking: 15th

Seb Mottram

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Matt Cottrell (23*), Sam Walsh (23*), Brodie Kemp (22), Corey Durdin (21), Elijah Hollands (21), Dom Akuei (21), Jack Carroll (20), Rob Monahan (20), Jesse Motlop (20), Cooper Lord (19), Ollie Hollands (19), Harry Lemmey (19), Jaxon Binns (19), Lachie Cowan (18), Hudson O’Keeffe (18), Ashton Moir (18), Billy Wilson (18), Matt Carroll (18)

TOP 5: Sam Walsh, Ollie Hollands, Matt Cottrell, Elijah Hollands, Brodie Kemp.

Carlton would have been top five in this list for many years, but their core players have mostly now entered that 24-28 age bracket. Sam Walsh is the clear headliner for the Blues as one of the best midfielders in the competition, but will age out of this bracket soon.

League ranking: 16th

Nic Negrepontis

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Jordyn Baker (19), Harry Barnett (19), Rhett Bazzo (20), Tyler Brockman (21), Coby Burgiel (19), Campbell Chesser (20), Jai Culley (20), Tyrell Dewar (19), Harry Edwards (23), Luke Edwards (21), Reuben Ginbey (19), Clay Hall (18), Elijah Hewett (19), Brady Hough (20), Callum Jamieson (23), Harvey Johnston (18), Noah Long (19), Ryan Maric (19), Loch Rawlinson (18), Archer Reid (18), Harley Reid (18), Zane Trew (21), Bailey Williams (23*), Jack Williams (19), Jack Hutchinson (23)

TOP 5: Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett, Bailey Williams, Brady Hough.

It’s safe to say the Eagles aren’t short on youngsters, with over half of their list fitting into the young core criteria. Entering the competition as one of the hottest prospects we’ve seen in years, Harley Reid slots in straight at the top of the list, but they are lacking other premium young stars, which is a worry.

League ranking: 17th

Jack Makeham

PLAYERS UNDER 24: Jack Ross (23), Rhyan Mansell (23*), Jacob Koschitzke (23), Samson Ryan (22), Noah Cumberland (22), Matt Coulthard (22), Jacob Blight (22), Thomson Dow (22), Hugo Ralphsmith (22), Jacob Bauer (21), James Trezise (21), Maurice Rioli (21), Tyler Sonsie (20), Sam Banks (20), Josh Gibcus (20), Tom Brown (20), Judson Clarke (20), Steely Green (19), Kaleb Smith (19), Seth Campbell (18), Kane McAuliffe (18) and Liam Fawcett (18)

TOP 5: Josh Gibcus, Tom Brown, Jack Ross, Seth Campbell, Hugo Ralphsmith.

Richmond’s youth stocks are quite hard to decipher. The success of the club in recent times has somewhat stymied the development of a large chunk of their youngsters which has made it a tricky task in pulling together their top five.

While Noah Balta (who just ticked over 24 in October) finished seventh in the Jack Dyer Medal in 2023, their top best and fairest result of players under the age of 24 was Rhyan Mansell back in 20th spot. The unlucky Joh Gibcus just cannot get a fair run at it.

League ranking: 18th

Andrew Slevison