While the likes of Luke Power, Dean Brogan, Chad Cornes, Rhys Palmer and Callan Ward are known and respected performers, the youngsters they mentor aren't just yet. kangaroos.com.au takes a look at five of the most prominent first year talents.
Tomas Bugg
Round 1 v Sydney: 14 kicks, 13 handballs, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 97 DT points.
Bugg showed his ability to accumulate a lot of the ball against Sydney - his 27 disposals coming in just 80 per cent of game time. Off half-back, he often played the role of facilitator, getting the ball into other players’ hands to initiate plays.
While this didn't have a huge level of success, as the defensive set gains a greater understanding and chemistry, Bugg's role will become more and more crucial.
Senior Recruiter Brady Rawlings: "He wasn't seen much at TAC Cup level for Gippsland because of school football at Caulfield Grammar. He's a classy player, hard at it, a very good use of the football and can read the play excellently."
Stephen Coniglio
Round 1 v Sydney: 6 kicks, 11 handballs, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 53 DT points.
The number two draft pick had a relatively quiet beginning to his AFL career against Sydney. However, he showed glimpses of the talent that made him so highly regarded by recruiters.
Taking away the experienced bodies of Rhys Palmer and Callan Ward, Coniglio led the team in clearances and showed remarkable poise in close for an 18 year old.
His handballing was a feature, as was his efficiency - 82 per cent with just one clanger despite seven contested possessions. While a handball to kick ratio of almost 2:1 may lead to question marks over his use by foot, it is actually a feature of his game.
Senior Recruiter Brady Rawlings: "He's a very balanced player. He can win his own ball both inside and outside, works really hard and covers a lot of ground. What's impressive about him is that he can go forward and cause damage by kicking goals as well. He kicked four in the WAFL Grand Final a couple of years ago.
Jonathan Giles
Round 1 v Sydney: 6 kicks, 6 handballs, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 26 hitouts, 77 DT points.
At 99 kilograms Giles is already able to withstand the physicality that comes with being an AFL ruckman. He racked up more hitouts than Shane Mumford in the season opener.
While not as mobile around the ground as other ruckmen, Giles makes up for it with his work ethic and a technically sound set shot on goal. With this second string to his bow, he can hurt teams in multiple ways.
Brady Rawlings: "Giles spent time on Port Adelaide's list, and had a very good season for Sturt in the SANFL two years ago. He was then pre-listed because he'd already gone through an AFL draft. A very strong ruckman who works extremely hard around the ground."
Curtly Hampton
Round 1 v Sydney: 14 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 marks, 1 tackle, 77 DT points.
From siren to siren, Hampton caused trouble for the Sydney defence. Quick off the mark, he appears to have a sixth sense around goal.
If his kicking boots were on, Hampton could easily have ended up with multiple goals - the end result of three behinds not indicative of his effort.
With a few showers forecast for match day, goal-sneaks like Hampton could become extremely important as the ball spends a lot more time at ground level.
Brady Rawlings: "He actually trained at Aegis Park for a week, three or four years ago with the AIS. He seems like he should be 21 or 22 because he's been ready to go at AFL level for a long time now. He'll start forward but in time he'll move up through the midfield and have an influence on games from there. His size, skills and hands in close will be a big part of his game."
Adam Kennedy
Round 1 v Sydney: 17 kicks, 11 handballs, 11 marks, 2 tackles, 116 DT points.
Kennedy was the second highest possession winner on the ground, meaning he collected more of the ball than the likes of Jude Bolton, Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh. An impressive start to AFL football.
Most striking about his style of play was how often he looked to break the lines and create options further up the field. Despite his effectiveness diminishing slightly in the second half as his side’s young legs started to struggle, Kennedy's ability to defend despite his small frame was impressive.
Brady Rawlings: "Kennedy played for Vic Metro and Western Jets last year before being drafted as a 19 year old. He was mainly a hard running midfielder for the Jets before starting back for GWS. He can win a lot of the ball down back and he'll eventually start working through the centre.
"He's good overhead for his size and since his time at the Jets he's improved his efforts in the contest."
