Ahead of the 2016 season, the Brisbane Lions have 30 listed players under the age of 25 — the second-most of any side — with 21 of those players 21 or younger.
As these young Lions continue to mature (having been in the AFL system for a few years), lions.com.au takes a look at those set to explode onto the AFL scene in 2016.
Harris Andrews
Harris Andrews’ impressive debut season was capped off when he received a Rising Star Nomination in Round 18 last year.
The 19-year-old has added another 6kgs to his frame over the summer break and is on track to improve on his exceptional 2015.
He is markedly stronger through the upper body, but just as impressive is the extra athleticism he's shown around the field during the pre-season.
Last year, he played 19 games as a key defender with his role often having him drift across to mark as the third man up. Andrews’ extra strength will allow him to play key position as he matures.
He finished eighth in the club’s best and fairest count and his ability to integrate into the best 22 was a exciting sign for the Lions’ future.
This youngster looks set for a breakout 2016.
Tom Cutler
Defender Tom Cutler slides across the grass with ball in hand, has a thumping right boot, and at 192cm can play on either medium-size forwards or smalls.
With 18 games to his name (11 last season) – coming into his third season – 21-year-old Cutler looks ready to win a regular spot in the Lions' backline.
In the final month of 2015, he averaged 22 disposals over four games and above all showed off his greatest asset – his ability to break lines with his running.
Cutler has had an impressive pre-season, worked hard in the intra-club matches and was one of the Lions’ better players in the NAB Challenge loss to Gold Coast. Given some confidence at the top level, he could be in for a breakthrough season.
Jonathan Freeman
Competition has heated up across the Lions' forward line over the summer with the arrival of No.2 draft pick Josh Schache and former Geelong Cat Josh Walker, but 21-year-old Jonathan Freeman is revelling in the challenge.
Freeman has struggled with early injuries across the past two seasons, but has had an uninterrupted 2016.
In his return to football last season, Freeman kicked seven goals from 6 matches.
Now in his third year at the Lions, watch for Freeman to stamp his authority on the forward line.
Josh Walker
One of the Lions’ prime trade targets, Geelong recruit Josh Walker beckons as the Club’s main key forward target.
Walker has played just 33 senior games, but the 23-year-old has a sizeable weight on his shoulders ahead of the 2016 season.
Walker, at 196cm and 99kg, will provide a mature-bodied presence up forward for a Lions team that lacked targets at times in 2015.
He claimed a career-high 18 disposals in Round 16 and a career-high five goals against the Lions in Round 18 last season.
A solid year could see Walker become a Lions’ forward line mainstay.
