ESSENDON
Martin Gleeson
Recruited from North Ballarat Rebels, 186cm, 74kg, nine games
Gleeson has had many at Essendon excited since he stepped into the club as a late pick at the 2012 NAB AFL Draft. He didn't play any senior footy in his first season at the Bombers, and then had a shoulder reconstruction at the end of the season that stopped him from putting on much weight. But he still played nine games in 2014, showing great promise with his dash and run from half-back. A persistent quad injury restricted his second half of the season, but Gleeson will be aiming for more games and more influence in 2015. All the signs are there that he'll be able to do that: he has great game nous, is clean with the ball and doesn't get flustered. - Callum Twomey

After a taste of AFL last year, Martin Gleeson will be ready to cement his spot in 2015. PIcture: AFL Media

FREMANTLE
Michael Apeness
Recruited from Donvale/Eastern U18, 200cm, 101kg, two games
Ross Lyon described the 19-year-old as a competitive beast. The first-round draft pick from 2013 was very impressive in his first year at Fremantle. His powerful contested marking and goals at WAFL level led to an AFL debut in round 16 against Melbourne and a second match a week later. With the Dockers crying out for key forwards to take the mantle from Matthew Pavlich, Apeness is well placed to make an impact in his second year as he builds his fitness base over a second pre-season. – Alex Malcolm

GEELONG
Jed Bews
Recruited from Geelong Falcons, 184cm, 88kg, seven games
The son of club great Andrew had a small taste of senior football in 2014, playing seven games for the Cats. Bews is being pegged as Geelong's answer in the small defender position next season after the Cats struggled to contain opposition small forwards in last year's finals series. The 21-year-old has been working closely with Corey Enright, Andrew Mackie and Harry Taylor as he continues his defensive development. Bews is quick off the mark and is strong enough to hold his ground in one-on-one marking contests. The Cats handed him the challenge of marking players such as Hayden Ballantyne and Lindsay Thomas last year, and are likely to chuck him in the deep end again in 2015. ­– Ben Guthrie 

GOLD COAST
Clay Cameron
Recruited from Mt Gravatt, 190cm, 86kg, nine games played
Cameron started last season strongly before a shoulder injury began a series of frustrating setbacks that limited his game time. The 20-year-old is a dogged, old-fashioned defender who wears his opponent like a glove and is the ideal third tall. With Nathan Bock (retired), Tom Murphy (retired) and Matthew Warnock (delisted) all gone, the position alongside automatic selections Steven May and Rory Thompson is up for grabs. Cameron is one of the fittest players on the Suns' list, and coupled with his defensive attributes, is primed to make the most of his chances in 2015.  - Michael Whiting

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
James Stewart
Recruited from Sandringham U/18, 198cm, 88kg, four games.
If Collingwood die-hards felt sick in the stomach when father-son prospect James Stewart headed north, then they might have needed a day off work after the key forward announced himself to the wider football public in round 23. In just his fourth game, the 20-year-old booted three first-half goals as the Giants' spoiled Western Bulldogs champion Daniel Giansiracusa's farewell party. Stewart battled injury early in his career but he booted 25 goals and won the club's NEAFL development award last year. A recent bout of glandular fever briefly slowed him down, however he was back on track at the club's pre-Christmas training camp in Noosa and looks primed to grab his opportunity in 2015. – Travis King

HAWTHORN
Alex Woodward
Recruited from Sandringham Dragons, 181cm, 77kg, two games
The contested ball whiz enjoyed a fine comeback season in 2014, bouncing back from consecutive knee reconstructions and averaging 23 possessions and tackles in 13 games for Box Hill to win the Liston Medal for the best player in the VFL. He also played two AFL games for the Hawks, and showed enough for the club to back him in over Mitch Hallahan, who was traded to Gold Coast at the end of last season. With Brad Sewell gone as well, generational change is coming to the Hawthorn midfield and Woodward is a chance to become a regular senior player. - Ashley Browne

Alex Woodward could make his mark in the Hawks' senior team next season. Picture: AFL Media

MELBOURNE

Ben Newton 

Recruited from Port Adelaide (formerly Central District/South Fremantle), 183cm, 85kg, four games

Opportunity was the only thing stopping Newton from making an impact last season when he starred for Port Adelaide in the SANFL. He still managed four AFL games, an achievement in its own right, given the quality of Port Adelaide's midfield and the injuries he'd endured in his first two seasons. The 22-year-old midfielder, who was pick No.35 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft, decided to leave Port after four years to make a fresh start at Melbourne. Port Adelaide was disappointed to lose him but understood and respected his decision. The midfielder is a good stoppage player who runs and carries the ball and adds further depth to a relatively unknown but emerging set of midfielders who are taking second chances, including Viv Michie and Aidan Riley. - Peter Ryan

 

NORTH MELBOURNE

Taylor Garner

Recruited from Rowville (Vic)/Dandenong Stingrays, 186cm, 80kg, two games

Garner was North's first pick in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft at No. 15 overall, but Roos fans have only seen glimpses of what the medium forward is capable of. Garner played two senior games late in his first season at Arden Street, but did not play a home and away game at any level this year after suffering a string of hamstring injuries. The Roos are taking a conservative approach with the 20-year-old this pre-season and he is still restricted to straight-line running. When he returns to full fitness, Garner could give North's forward line – which is well stocked for talls and smalls – a more balanced look. Renowned for his fanatical attack on the ball and his tackling as a junior, Garner is strong overhead and relishes the big moments in games. - Nick Bowen

 

PORT ADELAIDE

Karl Amon

Recruited from Sandringham Dragons, 181cm, 71kg, yet to debut  

A wingman/forward, Amon was very close to making an AFL debut in 2014, named senior emergency three times. He's one of the best runners at Alberton and has the skills to finish plays inside 50 or hit up teammates when out of range. He stepped up during the club's pre-season training camp in Dubai, not only with his training performance but with his leadership. Port's director of coaching Shaun Hart said the 19-year-old pushed senior players on the trip and even beat Kane Cornes on one particular run – a feat few at Alberton have ever been able to pull off. Hotly tipped to see senior football in 2015. - Harry Thring

RICHMOND
Liam McBean
Recruited from Aberfeldie/Calder Cannons, 202cm, 93kg, yet to debut
The Tigers have clearly seen promise in their young forward/ruckman after signing him up until the end of 2016 despite his untried status at AFL level. This year he made an impact in the VFL, finishing fourth in the competition's goal-kicking with 37 goals despite missing three games with a finger injury in the middle of the year. He also kicked 37 goals in 2013, the year he came close to an AFL debut. Has developed physically since arriving at the club and still has some work to do, but has shown he has the talent to mix it at AFL level. If he has a big summer, he could throw a fresh dimension into the Tigers' forward structure in 2015. - Jennifer Phelan

Exciting Tiger Liam McBean competes for a mark in last season's NAB Challenge. Picture: AFL Media





ST KILDA
Daniel Markworth
Recruited from Macedon/Calder Cannons, 189cm, 84kg, yet to debut
The Saints might have picked up some exciting youngsters recently but all things going to plan, it won't just be new additions making their senior debuts in 2015. Supporters will be familiar with the sight of Markworth running laps and training away from the group, given the highly-touted forward has had to overcome a knee reconstruction, minor complications from that and then a big hamstring tear this season since being drafted in 2011. With strong hands, speed and an ability to play both on the wing and at half-forward, Markworth has been given another season to show that with a change of luck, he can translate his promising VFL form from 2012 into an impact at AFL level. - Jennifer Phelan

 

SYDNEY SWANS

Daniel Robinson

Recruited from Oakleigh Chargers, 184cm, 80kg, yet to debut

In his two seasons since being plucked as a NSW Scholarship player, Robinson has been moulded into an archetype Swans player who can be used in multiple roles and understands the value of two-way running. He is yet to debut, but the Swans were keen to get him on their senior list in 2015, a sign the coaches consider him a senior candidate in his third season. The 20-year-old is adept as an attacking ball-winner, a half-forward or in shutdown roles, with his versatility helping his selection claims. One of the Swans' leading runners this pre-season, he is also focusing on building size to eventually match teammates Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker on the inside.
– Nathan Schmook  

WEST COAST
Malcolm Karpany
Recruited from Woodville-West Torrens, 176cm, 74kg, yet to debut
The small midfielder/forward was recruited with pick 31 in the 2013 NAB AFL draft and although he only played six WAFL league matches and nine WAFL reserves matches last year there is talk he could be one to watch in 2015. He suffered some injury issues before he was drafted and required a shoulder operation last year. But he possesses electric pace and agility in traffic and is very skillful. He would be the perfect fit in the Eagles' forward line to compliment the tall targets. – Alex Malcolm

 

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Shane Biggs

Recruited from the Sydney Swans,187cm, 83kg, six games

The Bulldogs traded pick No.37 - which they received as compensation for trading Adam Cooney to Essendon - to secure the services of Swans rookie Shane Biggs in the final hour of the trade period. Starved for opportunities at the Swans, the 23-year-old could only manage six games in three seasons, including two finals in 2013. But despite the lack of senior football, Biggs still managed to average 17 disposals in his six outings, and is a clean user of the ball. A similar player to former teammate, now Suns defender, Nick Malceski, Biggs looks set to slot straight into the Dogs' defence and will give them some extra rebound and run and carry off half back. - Nat Edwards