The fresh batch of rookies joining the AFL at the start of each season always offers footy fans the chance to get an early glimpse of the best young players in the game. As ever, though, those players selected early in the draft don’t always settle into the AFL in their first season, and there are always players you don’t expect to make a splash in the big league that end up adapting to the AFL quicker than those highly-touted prospects.
Brisbane Lions rookie Lewis Taylor was the real stand-out first-year player this season, earning the AFL Rising Star award with 39 votes after a sensational debut campaign. In the AFL Players Association Awards, it was Western Bulldogs youngster Marcus Bontempelli who was named the Best First-Year Player. But there were plenty of other talented rookies catching the eye in 2014, and here’s our list of the best first-year players from last season.
Angus Litherland (Hawthorn)
After waiting four years to make his debut, Litherland took advantage of an injury-ravaged Hawthorn backline to step up and prove what he is capable of. In his 13 appearances, Litherland’s highlight came in round 17 when he completely marked Adelaide small forward Eddie Betts out of his 200th AFL game. The 22-year old’s impressive form saw him awarded a two-year contract extension shortly before the Hawks wrapped up their 12th Premiership title, with Litherland playing a big part in the team’s success.
Jake Lloyd (Sydney)
Lloyd may have started the season way down the midfield pecking order with the Swans but the youngster certainly ended the year as an established part of this Sydney side. An eye-catching performance against Fremantle was the start of Lloyd’s stint in the senior team that saw him rack up 21 consecutive appearances in the Swans side. The midfielder will be looking to pick up where he left off in 2014 next season and show would be among the contenders this year.
Jarman Impey (Port Adelaide)
Port Adelaide were desperate for a fast defensive option at the start of the season and will have been delighted to have found Jarman Impey. The 19-year-old impressed with his tackling pressure throughout his 18 appearances in his rookie season, standing out for his ability to run with the ball as well as his defensive attributes.
Luke McDonald (North Melbourne)
With former North forward Donald McDonald as a father, Luke McDonald was always going to have to do something special to live up to his famous name. And on the back of his rookie season in the AFL, the youngster has firmly cemented his place in this Kangaroos side, missing just two games of the season after making his debut in round one. Finishing third in the NAB AFL Rising Star award, McDonald will be a marked man in 2015 and the question will be whether he can replicate his form last season.
Matt Taberner (Fremantle)
While Taberner made four appearances in 2013, last season was the key forward’s first full campaign in the Fremantle team. The youngster only managed to play four games up until round 21 before an impressive performance against Hawthorn saw him given an extended run in the side which included a sensational display against Port Adelaide in round 23.
Jed Bews (Geelong)
Despite being relatively small for a defender, Bews has looked more than comfortable in the Geelong backline since making his debut against Fremantle in round nine. That was a game when Bews came out on top in the battle against Dockers forward Hayden Ballantyne. With seven AFL appearances now to his name, Bews will be looking to establish himself in the Geelong first team in 2015.
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
After being selected first by Essendon in last season’s NAB AFL Draft, the pressure was immediately on Merrett’s shoulder in 2014. Fortunately for the Bombers, the midfielder took to the AFL impressively well, playing 20 games with an average of 15 disposals and scoring 11 goals. With a cool head and quick hands, Merrett looked like he could be a very important player for the Bombers over the next few years.
Anthony Miles (Richmond)
Despite having to wait until round 12 before being thrown into the side, Miles did enough between then and the end of the season to prove he has a very bright future in the game. Finishing the season with 86 clearances, the midfielder played an important role in the second half of the campaign and looks ready to step up onto the senior list in 2015.
Jeremy McGovern (West Coast)
For a player who started the season being banished from senior training for being in such bad shape, McGovern proved his doubters wrong by getting himself into peak condition and establishing himself in the West Coast team. McGovern kicked three goals in attack against Gold Coast before dropping into defence late to take key contested marks and prove his versatility. His marking ability is second-to-none and his kicking and decision-making has made him a very useful weapon for the Eagles.
Matt Crouch (Adelaide)
Considering his incredible form in the SANFL, Matt Crouch might feel a touch aggrieved not to have played more than eight times for Adelaide this season. Despite his limited time in the senior team, though, Crouch proved he could be an important player next season, averaging nearly 17 disposals a game from his eight appearances.
Tom Langdon (Collingwood)
After being overlooked in the 2012 draft, there weren’t many people sitting up and taking notice when Langdon was selected 65th in 2013. Injuries saw Langdon handed the chance at the start of the year and the Collingwood youngster did enough during his 19 appearances to show he belongs in the big leagues.
Kade Kolodjashnij (Gold Coast)
While it might not have been a great season for Gold Coast, their fans will have taken some confidence from the emergence of some talented youngster. Top of that list in 2014 was Kade Kolodjashnij, who stepped up last season and shone in terms of his ball use and composure, earning a nomination for the 2014 Rising Star Award.
Ciaran Sheehan (Carlton)
Following his move from Ireland, Sheehan showed enough in his four appearances for Carlton this season that he could be a very wise investment in the future. After making his debut in round 20, Sheehan caught the eye in his three other appearances during the final few rounds of the season.
Marcus Bontempelli (Bulldogs)
Bontempelli can count himself unlucky not to have finished an incredible personal season without the AFL Rising Star award as well as the PAA’s best first-year player. The 18-year-old was one of the stars of the 2014 AFL season, averaging 15 touches and nearly a goal every game in a team that spent nearly all the season struggling near the bottom of the table.
Lewis Taylor (Brisbane)
In a team containing nine rookies, Taylor had to do something special to stand out from the pack, and the forward certainly did that on his way to winning the AFL’s Rising Star Award. The 19-year-old was one of a few shining lights from a tough season for Brisbane, and the hope is that these young players can continue to improve in 2015.
Josh Kelly (GWS)
Having joined the club in a trade for Dom Tyson and a number-nine draft pick, Kelly had plenty of pressure on his shoulders this season. But the youngster proved he was worth the gamble on his way to playing 17 games in 2014 and showing GWS that they could have a new star on their hands. Blessed with skill, pace and power, Kelly could well be the man to watch in 2015.
Christian Salem (Melbourne)
While Salem played less games than fellow rookie Jay Kennedy-Harris, the midfielder showed he could be a possible star of the future. The match-winning goal against Essendon in round 13 was probably the highlight of Salem’s season, and the 19-year-old will be looking to play an even bigger role in 2015.
Luke Dunstan (St Kilda)
Drafted number-18 in 2013, Dunstan was one of St Kilda’s stand out players before a shoulder injury ended his season early. The youngster earned himself a Rising Star nomination after finishing with 20 possessions in his 16 appearances during the campaign, and the signs are that Dunstan will one day take over from fellow midfielder Lenny Hayes.