Hope springs eternal. Well at least it does in March with a new AFL season on the doorstep. The future is rosy. Club lists feature many familiar names, but they also host a lot of little-known players. Some will use 2017 as a springboard to bigger and better things.
So, which of the little-known players are the ones to watch in the coming six months?
1. BRISBANE LIONS -Â Hugh McCluggageÂ
Photo: Rob Gunstone
He's a high draft pick at a lowly club. Expect the ball winner to play plenty of senior footy this year. The 18-year-old from North Ballarat played in Brisbane's first two pre-season games, picking up 14 and 12 touches respectively, but was left out of the club's final hit-out against Adelaide due to an ankle injury he sustained against the Bulldogs. He may yet miss a few early season games. McCluggage and the club's highest draft pick from the previous year, Josh Schache, are emerging Lions to keep close tabs on. McCluggage already has a hint of cult figure status about him. With a name like that, are you at all surprised?
2. CARLTON -Â Jarrod Pickett
Photo: Getty Images
Dubbed an "excitement machine", the 20-year-old is one of several former GWS Giants to make his way to Carlton. Pickett was a high draft pick in 2014 but has yet to make his AFL debut. Expect that to change early in the new season. Pickett played in Carlton's final two JLT series matches – losses to St Kilda and Fremantle respectively. Originally from Jandakot in Western Australia, Pickett has great AFL bloodlines. He's related to former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide hardman Byron Pickett, Derek Kickett, Leon Davis and Nicky Winmar. Some have even likened his game to Cyril Rioli. If he goes anywhere near that level soon, you'll know all about him. And on the topic of Giants-turned-Blues you need to watch, don't forget about Caleb Marchbank,Â
3. COLLINGWOOD - Josh Daicos​
Photo: Getty Images
4. ESSENDON -Â Andrew McGrath
Photo: AFL Media/Getty Images
5. GWS -Â Tim Taranto
Photo: Getty Images
After the No.1 pick comes the No.2 selection. Naturally. Taranto is also from Sandringham and was the Giants' top selection at last year's draft. He has been earning rave reviews for his pre-season form. It's going to be hard for the 19-year-old forward option to lock down a regular spot in the talent-rich Giants list, but you'll hear plenty about him. Already the 186cm utility has been in the headlines for being on the receiving end of a heavy bump from Lance Franklin. Importantly, even though he was shaken and left the field, Taranto returned and booted a goal.
6. GOLD COAST -Â Will Brodie
A top 10 draft selection from country Victoria, Brodie should be an important acquisition for the under-pressure Suns. At 189cm and 18 years old, Brodie is still a raw commodity. He earned under 18 AFL All-Australian selection last year and is one to keep an eye on. Of course he deserves time, but expect some impact from the teenager this year. Eagle-eyed footy fans will note his namesake is writer Will Brodie, a scribe who's work graced the pages of realfooty.com.au in recent years.
7. MELBOURNE -Â Joel Smith
This is something of a speculative nomination. Smith, after all, is the son of former high-flying Demon Shaun Smith. Thus there's a bit of hype around Demon folk. The athletic 191cm and 87kg forward was a rookie pick for the Demons in the 2016 rookie draft. Melbourne should have a pretty solid line-up this year, with excitement centred on Petracca, Hogan, et all, but don't be surprised if Smith makes a case for senior selection.
8. PORT ADELAIDE -Â Brett Eddy
Photo: Getty Images
OK, five goals from a mature age recruit in a pre-season win over Hawthorn is bound to result in some hype. Eddy did just that, booting four of his goals in a 10-minute purple patch. Port coach Ken Hinkley was at pains to point out that Eddy had earned his chance through a weight of goals in the SANFL. The 27-year-old snagged 74 goals for South Adelaide last year and was in the SANFL team of the year.
9. RICHMOND -Â Daniel Rioli
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Photo: Getty Images
Again, not a classic "little known" player but undoubtedly one to watch. Rioli played 18 games in his first season for the Tigers last year. Of course he's the cousin of Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli and, for a Richmond link, his late, great-uncle was Tigers champion and Norm Smith Medallist Maurice Rioli. The 19-year-old was very good in his debut season and named as Richmond's best first year player. Expect some more improvement.
10. ST KILDA -Â Jack Steele
This is one former Giant who has ended up at St Kilda. A hard-at-it contested ball specialist, Steele has been good in the pre-season and could earn a regular spot in the midfield alongside two other Jacks, Billings and Steven. Steele arrived at the Saints with an injury and has been at pains to make a positive impression.
11. WEST COAST -Â Jake Waterman
Hardly a stranger across the Nullarbor, here's a name that won't be immediately familiar to many footy fans on the eastern seaboard. Jake Waterman was a father-son selection for the Eagles and, interestingly, was the last player picked at the 2016 AFL draft. Of course, the 18-year-old from Claremont is the son of former Eagles gun Chris Waterman. West Coast have a stack of forward options, so don't expect Waterman to impose himself too quickly. He's a lead-up forward who can take a solid mark.Â
12. WESTERN BULLDOGS -Â Tim English
Photo: Getty Images
The reigning premiers might have a few key talls unavailable in the early weeks. Expect their top draft selection, Tim English (No.19 overall), to be right in the mix for senior selection. Luke Beveridge has already said so. English has a light frame but has good credentials as a mobile ruckman. It's hard to break into any premiership team but English should offer the Doggies some more versatility in 2017.
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