Break out year

[Golumless]

Rachele and Soligo for me. Both have threatened at times to be A graders, but haven't quite got there. That said, at the magical four year mark where performances tend to spike upwards.

Plus, uhh, Thilthorpe to continue on his merry way to the point he's seen as the best KPF in the land by end of next year. It's what he threatened in those 7 games this year.

 

[aussierulesrules]

A few that come to mind when looking at all the teams are George Wardlaw, Sam Darcy, Mac Andrew, Finn Callaghan, Riley Thilthorp and Brent Daniels.

For us, the obvious one would be Phillipou.

Still just 19yo, but if his form at the end of the season is anything to go by, he could be ready to explode off a 3rd preseason. Is already said to be the one driving the group on the track.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Amiss to kick 50+

 

[hawkman]

Rachele and Soligo for me. Both have threatened at times to be A graders, but haven't quite got there. That said, at the magical four year mark where performances tend to spike upwards.

Plus, uhh, Thilthorpe to continue on his merry way to the point he's seen as the best KPF in the land by end of next year. It's what he threatened in those 7 games this year.

From Adelaide I would have thought Rankine would be the one. Could become a consistent genuine star of the comp

 

[sdfc]

Bailey Banfield.

 

[Giant Pete]

If Finn Callaghan can do a preseason then I choose him.

 

[Footy Smarts]

From Adelaide I would have thought Rankine would be the one. Could become a consistent genuine star of the comp

I feel like apart from injury and suspension he did that this year.

 

[Matrix10]

Bailey Banfield.

Who. ? Whose list is he on !

 

[Corn Cobbers]

Daics is gonna break out this year and become the GOAT

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[Orange crush]

Daics is gonna break out this year and become the GOAT

On SM-A225F using BigFooty.com mobile app

Yeah, don’t sit on Daicos …. Or corn cobs

 

[Spirit Level]

Or he could be another Des Headland and get distracted by all the local influences that previously weren't there, to the detriment of his football.

Shai has better infrastructure around him to succeed than Des did

 

[Spirit Level]

For us, Nathan O'Driscoll

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I think it's going to be Cam Mackenzie for us.

 

[Vindicater]

From Essendon I think Durham and Caldwell could both go to a new level after their first full years as midfielders last season. Durham in particular has the size, speed and aggression to be a star.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Connor Macdonald.
At least in raw stats, had a better season in 2024 than Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner (of players in similar positions/roles), which might surprise some people.

Entering his 4th season with 50 games under his belt.


From other clubs, Jye Amiss will be fun to watch.

I'm hoping Mitch Owens can break through to the next level, because he is a great player to watch in fill flight with attributes aplenty.

Whilst I also recognise there is a difference between becoming a consistent AFL player and having a genuine breakout, I rate the two kids from Adelaide, Zac Taylor and Billy Dowling, quite highly. If they aren't best 22 players come seasons end in 2025 I'll be surprised.

 

[sdfc]

Connor Macdonald.
At least in raw stats, had a better season in 2024 than Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner (of players in similar positions/roles), which might surprise some people.

Entering his 4th season with 50 games under his belt.


From other clubs, Jye Amiss will be fun to watch.

I'm hoping Mitch Owens can break through to the next level, because he is a great player to watch in fill flight with attributes aplenty.

Whilst I also recognise there is a difference between becoming a consistent AFL player and having a genuine breakout, I rate the two kids from Adelaide, Zac Taylor and Billy Dowling, quite highly. If they aren't best 22 players come seasons end in 2025 I'll be surprised.

MacDonald and his rat tail is one of my favourite Hawks players, up there with Sicily and Frosty.

Honorable mentions to Day and Ginnivan,

 

[year of the cat]

Jye Clark

 

[austinnn]

I'm really hoping it's Max King.

He's finally put on some size, and has a massive point to prove, to the St Kilda faithful as much as anyone. Promised much but so inconsistent and unlucky with injuries. He is poised to rip the game apart with better leading and second efforts.

I remember when the penny dropped for Barry Hall, if he can improve in the same way, then he'll finally deliver on potential and be the player we thought he'd be.

But other than him, Phillipou seems most likely.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Jye Clark

I'm still not sure about this guy.

Doesn't have any physical gifts that the modern, elite midfielders usually possess.

Going to need to become such a pure, genuine, consistent footballer to reach that next level.

 

[year of the cat]

I'm still not sure about this guy.

Doesn't have any physical gifts that the modern, elite midfielders usually possess.

Going to need to become such a pure, genuine, consistent footballer to reach that next level.

He showed glimpses last year of his talent. I’m confident with another pre season we will see a guy that can rack up possessions as part of our new midfield combination. I’m not sure he will ever be elite but I think he will emerge as a lock in our best 22 by the end of the season.

 

[adonski]

Disco Turner to have a Treacy, Waterman-esque breakout year up forward

Only played 18 career games

 

[Golumless]

From Adelaide I would have thought Rankine would be the one. Could become a consistent genuine star of the comp

Yeah, as Footy Smarts said, Rankine is there. CD had him in the top 10 in the comp this year in player ratings, and he was on pace for 18 disp/45+ goal campaign. When available, Ranks was destroying worlds this year.

However, I do think you could make a genuine case that what happens to Rankine is one of the more important story lines for 2025. It's hard to see how Adelaide bounces into a good finals run (and save Nicks job) without Rankine converting into a star midfielder.

 

[HeHateMe]

Yeah, as Footy Smarts said, Rankine is there. CD had him in the top 10 in the comp this year in player ratings, and he was on pace for 18 disp/45+ goal campaign. When available, Ranks was destroying worlds this year.

However, I do think you could make a genuine case that what happens to Rankine is one of the more important story lines for 2025. It's hard to see how Adelaide bounces into a good finals run (and save Nicks job) without Rankine converting into a star midfielder.

I can think of a few players who just need to play every game next season to have a career year's. Rankine and Day are probably the two at our clubs where if they do you could be expecting B&Fs and AA's.

 

[DQ 4EVER]

Are you thinking Shannon Noll or Sharon O'Neall?

What about me?

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[SSSSSS]

Already an established player but I can see JHF taking that next step from being an A grader to a top 10 player in the comp.

His absolute best is phenomenal. Up there with the Bont/Heeney in terms of maximal damage. Just needs consistency and another preseason and improved fitness should see him rise up the board sooner rather than later.