• Who's set to break out at your club this season?
THE AFL players have voted St Kilda's Jack Billings and Gold Coast's Kade Kolodjashnij as the youngsters most likely to become stars in 2016.
Players from every club were surveyed to reach the decision as part of the AFL Players' Top 50, brought to you by Mars. In an open race, Billings garnered 12 per cent of the players' vote as their tip for 2016's breakout star, edging out Kolodjashnij (11 per cent).
Fremantle's Tommy Sheridan (eight per cent) finished third.
Billings has shown plenty of promise in the first two years of his career.
The third pick in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft has spent a lot of time in the forward line but will play more midfield as he builds his tank.
He kicked four second-half goals in the Saints' 55-point comeback against the Western Bulldogs in round six at Etihad Stadium last year.
A shin injury cut the 20-year-old's season short. It delayed his return to full training for the pre-season but with his prodigious talent, Billings looks set to be a star.
Which player will make the leap to stardom in 2016?
| Player | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Billings | STK | 12 per cent |
| Kade Kolodjashnij | GCFC | 11 per cent |
| Tommy Sheridan | FRE | 8 per cent |
| Cameron Guthrie | GEEL | 7 per cent |
| Zach Merrett | ESS | 6 per cent |
Kolodjashnij, 20, has been particularly notable because he has performed well even when his team has played poorly. The Suns won four games in 2015 (and drew with West Coast).
Drafted two spots after Billings at No.5 in the 2013 draft, Kolodjashnij ranked equal sixth in rebound 50s per game (with the Swans' Dane Rampe) in his second year.
He showed his durability by playing every game and was runner-up in Gold Coast's best and fairest to forward Tom Lynch.
Sheridan nailed down a spot in Fremantle's best team in 2015 despite a calf injury early in the season. He flourished as a running half-back and averaged just short of 18 disposals.
His excellent season ended with a sting – a dropped mark late in the Dockers' preliminary final against Hawthorn resulted in a Cyril Rioli goal.
Sheridan drops a mark as Rioli swoops in and scores #AFLFinals http://t.co/uTGFQnODs3
— AFL (@AFL) September 25, 2015
Nevertheless, that moment won't define Sheridan, as he looks set to establish himself as a key member of Fremantle's side.
Geelong's Cam Guthrie (seven per cent) and Essendon's Zach Merrett (six) rounded out the top five.
Who's next? Click here to view the AFL Players' Top 50 as they are revealed
The AFL Players' Top 50 is compiled with the support of the AFL Players' Association.
