The 18-year-old South Australian was taken by the Lions in the rookie draft last year and made a big impression with his season in the NEAFL. He came as a medium-sized forward with good hands, but spent plenty of time in the midfield and looks the in-and-under type the club is hoping to develop. He's still a rookie and needs an upgrade to get a chance, but Hayes is courageous and particularly good with his hands and might be the perfect understudy to the ageing Simon Black and Brent Moloney. - Michael Whiting

Much of the fanfare at Collingwood has centered on first-round draft pick Brodie Grundy after a stellar debut season in the black and white. But Tim Broomhead, another of the Magpies' first-round picks, has gathered plenty of admirers for his play at VFL level this season. The 19-year-old had the first half of his season wiped by glandular fever. But after his return in May, Broomhead displayed his clean hands in traffic and composure under pressure to stamp himself as a likely debutant next season. He can play in the midfield or at half forward, where he can create for his teammates and use his polished skills to finish around goal. - Ben Guthrie

Key forward Matt Taberner is the young player Fremantle would most want to jump up next season and announce himself, and he shapes as the most likely. Elevated from the rookie list after four games in 2013, he should improve on that next season, granted opportunities present alongside captain Matthew Pavlich. Athletic and smart, his leading patterns and ability to rack up marks around the ground impressed in the WAFL, kicking 13 goals in 11 senior games with Peel Thunder. The 20-year-old has a strong fitness base and would regularly sit in the lead pack during pre-season time trials. - Nathan Schmook

The Cats' decision to axe Josh Hunt should open the door for young Tasmanian Jackson Thurlow to grab a regular spot in the backline next season. Thurlow, who was Geelong's first pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft, showed plenty of talent, toughness and poise during his first year at Simonds Stadium. He spent the early weeks of the Cats' campaign running around in the VFL, then made an impressive AFL debut against Essendon in round seven, finishing with 17 disposals. The 19-year-old played four AFL games in all, before his season was interrupted by a broken cheekbone. Thurlow returned via the VFL and remained at that level for the rest of the year. He was part of the Geelong team that was beaten by the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL Grand Final. After another big summer in the gym and out on the track, Thurlow has shown enough to suggest he can make a much greater impression in 2014. - Adam McNicol

What a sensational year in the NEAFL the prodigiously talented Martin had. Too young to play in the AFL, he played 10 games at the lower level and was put on ice early to get back in the gym and on the running track early to prepare for 2014. Played a range of positions and showed pace, poise, courage, overhead marking ability and a great work ethic.  Martin is the whole package, both with the ball and without it. Expect him to play on a wing or half-forward with small stints in the midfield next year. - Michael Whiting

The 12th pick from last year's NAB AFL Draft, Jaksch was used predominantly in the forward line in his first season on the list. But the 18-year-old key position prospect ultimately wants to develop into a swingman in the mould of Essendon's Jake Carlisle. At 195cm and 84kg and boasting plenty of athleticism, he has the tools to make it at the top level. The former Oakleigh Charger forced his way into the senior side late in the year, playing two games, including kicking a goal with his first kick in the AFL against Richmond in round 22. - James Dampney

The unlucky midfielder was pencilled in as a potential senior starter almost from his first training session with the Hawks in the summer of 2011-12, but successive anterior cruciate ligament ruptures have kept him on the sidelines for the past two seasons. If he can get fit and stay fit over the summer, the 20-year-old would be one of several young players, along with VFL best and fairest winner Mitch Hallahan and defender Angus Litherland, looking for an AFL debut next year. - Mark Macgugan

Few have been more labelled with the next big thing tag than Melbourne's Jesse Hogan. The 18-year-old won Casey's best and fairest after kicking 39 goals in the VFL, his first season in senior football. It was a stunning performance from the man mountain who has drawn comparisons to the Lions' Jonathan Brown. Despite the expectations, the reality is he remains a work in progress. He has not played on the best defenders in the game and he will need to work out how to slot in alongside Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes. - Peter Ryan

McDonald is set to join North in Friday's father-son bidding process after spending this season playing with its VFL affiliate Werribee and captaining Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. The son of North's commercial chief Donald McDonald, the 18-year-old has a raking left foot, reads the game extremely well and is the type of fierce competitor Roos coach Brad Scott loves. McDonald's year playing against senior players in the VFL should help his transition into the AFL, where he is likely to cut his teeth at half-back. - Nick Bowen

A year into his AFL career, the Power's hard-running defender should have a bright future. Clurey was drafted to Alberton last year with pick No. 29 on the back of a 15.1 beep test – exceptional for any player let alone a 193cm, 88kg tall defender. He's bulked up further in 2013 and managed to build form for Glenelg in the SANFL, starring in the side's reserves on several occasions. The 19-year-old can take a strong mark, loves to rebound the ball out of defensive 50 and looks a set for a solid career. - Harry Thring