AS PATRICK Cripps and Charlie Curnow threatened to take the game away from Richmond on Thursday night, the point was made that Carlton has two of the most dominant players under the age of 23 in the AFL.
Cripps' work in the midfield (36 disposals, including 25 contested, and seven tackles) and Curnow's starring role up forward (five goals) gave a glimpse into why the Blues are so excited about their future.
AFL.com.au has taken on the unenviable task of ranking each player in the competition under the age of 23, with plenty of the selections sure to create plenty of debate.
With Cripps at No.2 and Curnow at No.10, Carlton has two players in the top 10.
That number is only usurped by Melbourne, which has three players – Jesse Hogan, upcoming star Christian Petracca and former Crow Jake Lever – on the list.
Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli has been selected as the top-ranked player under 23, based on his consistency, his performances in big games, his versatility and ability to lift his side when needed.
Greater Western Sydney is represented by midfield jet Josh Kelly, who could easily be No.1 based on the rate of his development in recent seasons which culminated in him being named All Australian last year.
No criteria is foolproof, but Bontempelli and Cripps have shown an ability to play as key forwards and with game analysts expecting star midfielders to spend more time in attack in 2018, the pair's value to their team in multiple positions gets them the nod over Kelly.
Sydney's Isaac Heeney (No.5), Essendon's Zach Merrett (No.7) and Adelaide's Matt Crouch (No.9) round out the top 10.
As always, there were some players desperately unlucky not to make this list.
Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver can count himself as hard done by, while Essendon's Andrew McGrath, Collingwood's Darcy Moore and St Kilda's Jack Billings are others to miss out who could easily find themselves on the list.
Callum Mills, Harris Andrews, Eric Hipwood, Orazio Fantasia, Sam Powell-Pepper, Jade Gresham, Peter Wright, Ryan Burton, James Sicily and Nakia Cockatoo were others nominated who did not make the final cut.
For players to be considered for this list, they must have turned 23 years of age sometime in 2018.
AFL.com.au’s Top 10 players under the age of 23
1. Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
Selected as the top-ranked player under 23, based on his consistency, his performances in big games, his versatility and ability to lift his side when it is needed. An all-round superstar.
2. Patrick Cripps (Carl)
Cripps excels at stoppages where he is a contested ball beast and his 25 contested possessions against the Tigers were the fourth most ever recorded in an AFL game. Just gets the nod over Kelly given his ability as a key forward.
3. Josh Kelly (GWS)
The smooth-moving midfielder had a brilliant 2017 season and was awarded All Australian selection for the first time in his career. A superb user of the football on either feet and a player who consistently works the opposition over with his offensive spread.
4. Jesse Hogan (Melb)
Hogan might be ranked higher than many people expect, but the fact of the matter is he is a proven goalkicker and a towering presence in attack. After such a personally challenging year in 2017, expect Hogan to bounce back in a big way in 2018.
5. Isaac Heeney (Syd)
Has all the tools to be a top-five player in the competition. Heeney can play as a genuine midfielder or a lead-up forward. The Swan thrives in one-on-one contests and is just as effective out in space. 2018 could be his breakout season.
6. Christian Petracca (Melb)
In his own words, Petracca wants to be a "hall of famer" and there's no suggestion as to why that couldn't be the case. A bull when pushed into the midfield and a match-up nightmare when he's deep forward. If Petracca can improve his consistency from week to week, the sky is the limit.
CP5 is a young gun on the rise. Picture: AFL Photos
7. Zach Merrett (Ess)
Merrett is an outstanding decision-maker with ball in hand and rarely wastes a possession. Regularly impacts games through the midfield with his ball-winning ability and tenacious tackling. A consistent performer who keeps getting better.
8. Jake Lever (Melb)
Came to Melbourne as one of the game's top intercept defenders. Although he had an inauspicious start to his Demon career on Sunday, Lever reads the game than just about anyone and plays with a confidence not regularly seen in a young player.
9. Matt Crouch (Adel)
The youngest of the Crouch brothers had a tremendous 2017 season and was named All Australian after breaking the record for most disposals in a single season (825). Finds the ball at will and uses it with precision.
10. Charlie Curnow (Carl)
A star in the making – Curnow is one of the game's brightest young talents. Still needs to find consistency, but his ability to take contested marks and be just as effective when the ball is on the ground makes him a weapon for the Blues now and into the future.
