As we wrap up the 2021 season, let's take a look at how the 'kids' are developing in the early stages of their AFL careers.

Oliver Henry

What a fantastic debut season for the 19-year-old.

After an eye-catching pre-season, Henry was called up into the senior side for Round 1. In what was a challenging night for a forward, Henry wasn't able to get his hands on the footy. He was starved of opportunities as the Western Bulldogs were able to lock the footy in their forward half for a big portion of the match. Unfortunately for the athletic youngster, he wasn't able to maintain his spot and found himself hunting to regain his form in the VFL. 

On the flip side, Henry's VFL form was incredible. The hallmark of Henry's game is his marking, if allowed a clean run at the ball he becomes almost unstoppable. Kicking at least two goals in his first three VFL games, Henry gives himself multiple opportunities to hit the scoreboard thanks to his industrious work in the air and on the ground. Henry got a second look into the AFL side after a strong VFL performance of 22 disposals, 13 marks and three goals against Gold Coast.

Upon return, it was all about regaining confidence for Henry, with the focus for Rounds 8 and 9 against North Melbourne and Sydney just about getting a feel for the pace of AFL football. 10 disposals against North was very positive as Henry was part of his first AFL victory in the black and white.

Henry played Rounds 11 and 12 of the VFL against Frankston and Sandringham and showed strong enough form to earn his spot back in the AFL side for round 17 against Richmond.

Despite that first AFL goal eluding him, it was obvious that Henry had developed as a footballer in just the few months since his debut. Then, against Carlton everything started to look easy for Henry. He kicked three goals against the Blues and backed it up the next week with two against Port Adelaide, demonstrating his athletic marking and natural forward craft. 

Consistency was key for Henry, his output was strong for a first-year forward as the season came to a close. A very exciting prospect, with another preseason leading into 2022 the sky is the limit for young Henry.

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Finlay Macrae

Macrae was given a taste of senior football as a reward for his outstanding pre-season form.

The 19-year-old made his AFL debut in Round 4 against West Coast. Despite a tough loss for the Pies, what was most impressive was Macrae's ability to lower his eyes going inside 50 and hit a leading forward. Macrae found the going a bit tougher against the Bombers in the ANZAC Day clash, with 11 disposals to his name.

After losing his spot with the return of senior players from injury, Macrae showed his class and talent in the VFL. 

Macrae made his VFL debut in Round 4 against Coburg. In what was a game of momentum swings, he looked comfortable all day, amassing 31 disposals. His ability to spread the ball from the contest was on show, with 24 of his disposals handballs. Macrae was a stand-out performer the following week against Sydney. A brutal contest with Sydney fielding a very strong side, Macrae was able to find the ball plenty of times and get it going forward. 

Macrae was the medical sub against Geelong in AFL Round 11, and found himself on the verge of AFL selection for multiple weeks on end. 24 disposals and a goal against Frankston in VFL round 11 earned him another game in the AFL side against St Kilda. However, it was his 23 disposals and eight tackles against Richmond that really ensured a spot in the senior team.

The young midfielder got a great taste of senior football in the last few rounds, with 21 disposals against Port Adelaide in Round 19 really demonstrating his uncanny knack to find the football at the highest level. 

Macrae finished the season in fine fashion, unlucky to not receive a nomination for the rising star award. Between Rounds 19 and 22, he averaged 18 disposals and showed he is capable of playing AFL football.

An elite runner, Macrae will continue to improve as he spends more time in the system. He is is a natural ball magnet and as he finds his feet at senior level after not playing any football in 2020, his ability to use the ball in damaging ways will grow. 

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Max Lynch

Max Lynch had a fantastic 2021 season, his great VFL form being rewarded with an opportunity in the AFL side. 

The season started with an outstanding performance against Werribee, where Lynch got on top of ex-AFL listed players Matthew Lobbe and Wylie Buzza. Lynch also impressed against the Gold Coast Suns in Round 3, matching up on Zac Smith.

Upon return from a calf injury, Lynch was sent straight into the senior side upon the exclusion of Brodie Grundy. With limited opportunity under Grundy, it was important that Lynch made an immediate impact. Provided with two great challenges against Reilly O'Brien and Max Gawn, Lynch demonstrated he has what it takes to compete against the best in the competition. 

His game against Melbourne was particularly impressive, with the general consensus that Lynch got on top of the Demon's star. In the first half, Lynch was dominant in the ruck contests while also showing his effort once the ball hit the ground. 

With Grundy's return to the side, Lynch went back to the VFL however unsurprisingly maintained his elite form. In his first game back in the VFL against Frankston, Lynch had a massive impact. Lynch had 36 hit-outs, 19 disposals, five  clearances and a goal. Lynch backed up that performance with another 36 hit-out performance against Sandringham and then 36 hit-outs, 14 disposals and two goals against reigning VFL premiers Richmond.

Pies fans have seen snippets of Lynch, including his senior debut last season and have identified him as a great tap ruckman. His ability to run out a game and also utilise his height around the ground will take Max's game to the next level, but as a backup ruckman there's not many better going in the league right now. 

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Will Kelly

In his second season at the Pies, Kelly was rewarded for a fantastic pre-season with an early opportunity to play of AFL football.

Kelly made an appearance in the pre-season match against Richmond before an unfortunate collision with Jack Riewoldt saw him sidelined for several weeks with a collarbone injury. Kelly returned to the senior side in Round 6 to take on the Bombers for the ANZAC day clash. Initially playing in a defensive role while Darcy Moore spent time up forward, Kelly showed off his versatility as the two key position players switched roles later in the match.

Kelly returned to the VFL the next week as he looked to develop his defensive awareness and positioning, and since then he has done nothing but impress. 

His best performance of the season so far came against Coburg in Round 4; 15 disposals complimented perfectly with eight marks. A natural footballer, Kelly has the size to match it with the bigger bodies in the competition while utilising his marking talents to intercept down back. 

Kelly also had a strong performance in the VFL against the Swans. His best play an intercepting mark as he pushed up the ground, stealing the ball in the air and running on to kick a nice goal from 40 meters out.

In Round 11 of the VFL, Kelly played a role as a second ruck / key forward and was dominant against Frankston. He amassed 14 disposals but it was his ability inside 50 that was most impressive, slotting three goals. 

Thrust into the AFL side for Round 17 against Richmond, Kelly's hard work was rewarded as he was part of a great team performance. Playing a high half-forward role, Kelly provided a great marking outlet for the defence in transition.

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Trent Bianco

Trent Bianco was red hot during the pre-season, arguably one of the most impressive players on the list throughout the summer. If it was not for a knee complaint, many have suggested Bianco deserved a spot in the senior side sooner than Round 11 of the AFL season.

Bianco played his first official game for premiership points in Round 4 against Coburg and what a performance it was. Collecting 29 disposals, eight tackles and a goal helped lead the Pies to a narrow victory. One thing that you will always get with Bianco, is gut running and effort. His ability to get from contest to contest is elite. Bianco backed this performance up with another strong outing against a stacked Sydney VFL side, finishing with 23 disposals, including 16 kicks and seven tackles. 

A clear refection of how highly Bianco is rated internally is the fact that after just two games in the VFL, Bianco was brought straight into the AFL side for his debut against Geelong. An emotional affair as Bianco ran out against the Cats just like he did as a child 10 years ago when he was one of the mascots. 

Bianco was a consistent contributor for the Pies across his 12 games, averaging 12.25 disposals mainly playing across half forward. A dimension to his game that was most impressive was his ability to hit the scoreboard, kicking two goals against Adelaide and West Coast.

As someone who will step into the shoes of a player like Scott Pendlebury, the experience he got at senior level in 2021 will put him in a great position to get more midfield time in 2022. 

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Caleb Poulter

Caleb Poulter has been a stand-out draftee to come out of the 2020 draft so far this season for Collingwood. After starting the season in the VFL, Poulter played the first two rounds before his form demanded a spot in the senior side. 

The midfielder averaged 22.5 disposals in the VFL, including a best-on-ground performance against Essendon in Round 2. He amassed 27 disposals running along the wing, utilising his speed and damaging left foot to help transition the Pies from defence into attack. 

Arriving at AFL level, Poulter instantly impressed. Going into his eighth senior match against Fremantle, Poulter averaged 17.71 disposals, six marks and 11.57 kicks per game. Other than his flowing mullet, the most identifiable part of Poulter's game style has been his line breaking dash. In a side that has struggled for clean transition with the ball, Poulter's ability to hit targets and make smart decisions on the ball was n crucial in Collingwood's success against Adelaide and Melbourne. 

His best performance at AFL level came against Port Adelaide. Poulter found the football on 22 occasions, 12 marks and kicked a fantastic goal late in the game. 

As the season wore on, such a demanding role took a toll on Poulter's output. Another one of the really exciting prospects for 2022, some rest and then a strong preseason will likely see Poulter be a key part of Collingwood's team next season.

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Isaac Chugg

Chugg has developed his game in 2021 to become a vital cog in the VFL side's 'back 6'. Often owning the role of a lockdown defender, Chugg does more than just beat his opponent. His booming kick helps launch the Pies into attack, he also quite often lands a goal saving tackle or spoils the ball from an opposition mark. 

As he looks to find his feet at senior level, it's important he finds consistency in his role. Pies fans will love the way Chugg just loves to play his football as he's tough and honest in the contest. 

His stand out game was in Round 13 against Richmond where Chugg was electric. He had nine disposals in the first quarter and was pivotal in surging the ball forward for the team.

A groin complaint prevented Chugg from really hitting the ground running in the second half of the season, and the COVID implications on the VFL season meant that he wasn't able to string consistent football together.

Chugg has the body of an AFL player, with his strength a key attribute to his game. As he finds confidence at VFL level look for Chugg's output with ball in hand to increase significantly.

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