We name AFL Outer East’s best under 21 footy players

There’s been some brilliant young talent playing senior football in AFL Outer East this season. Here are 30 of the best under-21s.

Cranbourne’s Jarryd Barker has enjoyed a good season after being plagued with injury. Picture: Chris Eastman

AFL Outer East is bursting with young talent.

It’s been a stop-start season but there’s still been time for the young guns to fire.

Here are some of the best players under the age of 21.

Luca Bellinvia, Cranbourne

A versatile, multi-position player who reads the play well and is an excellent kick of the footy. Still learning about his game but a huge talent with plenty of upside.

Callum Bourne, Emerald

Highly promising and versatile player who dominates in the under 19s as a bottom age and has quickly made an impact in the seniors with his willingness to have a crack. Has great a skill set, a ton of courage and hits the scoreboard.

Lochlan Beecroft, Monbulk

A quality midfielder who is equally adept inside the contest as he is on the outside, has great skills and decision making and is one of the fittest players at the club. Featured in Monbulk’s best players in six of his eight games this season.

Jarryd Barker, Cranbourne

The ex-Stingray missed basically two years of footy with chronic hamstring injuries but he gave a reminder of his talent this season with several strong showings. He’s strong over the footy and has some real quality on the outside, too.

Jarryd Barker takes a kick for the Stingrays.

Jacob Brady, Officer

Strong running half back who made an impressive start to his senior career and improved as the year went on. Played some good footy in his debut season.

Jayden Capuano, Yarra Glen

The small forward has great skills, a ton of toe and tackles hard. Has a bright future.

Matthew Chmait, Officer

A half back and midfielder with good skills and runs well. He’s been a spark for the side with his skill, strength and ability to ping off half back with pace.

Riley Clark, Officer

Smooth mover with silky skills. Missed early games due to cricket but Kangaroos officials see him as a top notch midfielder in the future.

Tom Clarke, Kinglake

The strong key defender has been a revelation for the ladder-leading Lakers. He plays with maturity; he’s quick, tall, reads the play and leads his opponent to the ball. Loves taking the game on.

Declan Curran, Beaconsfield

The 18-year-old defender has a stack of ability and upside. He defends well and takes the game on, often preventing goals and then creating them.

Corey Ellison flies for the ball. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Corey Ellison, Cranbourne

Has aspirations to play AFL and certainly has the talent. This season he’s mixed playing with the Eagles and Casey Demons in the VFL this season, impressing at all levels. Kicked six goals in a half in the VFL. Cranny coach Steve O’Brien describes him as the best young talent in the competition.

Aaron Firrito, Gembrook Cockatoo

The speedy onballer is still eligible for the Brookers’ under-19. Has a piercing left boot, makes things happen and rival clubs are starting to get to know how damaging he can be.

Kobi George takes a kick for the Stingrays.

Kobi George, Doveton

Smooth moving speedster who can provide a spark with his run-and-gun style. Always looking to take the game on. Exciting prospect.

Tom Gamble, Pakenham

The key position player is equally effective at both ends of the ground, with a quick turn of speed and a reputation for taking big pack marks.

Ben Green playing for the Gippsland Power. Picture: Facebook

Ben Green, Pakenham

Green played in the 2019 Division 1 grand final as a 16-year-old. Was named vice captain of Gippsland Power this year. A skilful player who can play anywhere and is mature for his age.

Ned Jenkinson, Upwey Tecoma

The 17-year-old wingman made a strong start to his senior career this seaosn, playing seven games. He’s quick, strong, has clean skills and is athletic.

Matthew Johnson, Beaconsfield

The lead up key forward, who is on Casey’s list, has been Beacy’s leading goal kicker for past couple of seasons. He kicked 51 goals in 2019 and had 18 on the board from seven games this season. Capable of playing VFL.

Riley Kennedy, Kinglake

Mid size defender who had some big jobs this season playing on key forwards and he did it beautifully. He’s a tackling machine, a hard worker and has helped set the standard for the 9-1 Lakers.

Flynn Kroeger in Eastern Ranges colours.

Flynn Kroeger, Wandin

Only played one game of senior football this year because of Eastern Ranges commitments but it was a beauty; he was probably best on ground at half time against Doveton before hurting his hip. The running defender can also play on the ball. Huge future.

Nicholas Mckenzie, Yarra Glen

Versatile defender and forward, who reads the play well and knows where the goals are. Won the Pride Cup medal this year.

Josh Mounter, Beaconsfield

The 18-year-old proved himself to be a player of the future in his four senior apperances this season, while also playing well for the Stingrays. He’s a mobile defender who provides plenty of dash off half back. Will push into the midfield in coming years.

Tom Nelson, Berwick Springs

Plays local footy the way it should be played — he flies for big marks, plays on, weaves and slots clutch goals. Exciting teenage prospect. Led the Titans’ goal tally with 10 before he was injured in Round 5.

Blake Simondson, Berwick Springs

The 18-year-old uses his explosive speed to instigate run down tackles. Has plenty of running bounces each match and often sets up the Titans’ attacks.

Angus Norris, Broadford

Highly competitive onballer who has good leg speed, uses the ball well and is happy to tackle the biggest bloke in the opposition side, and bring him to ground.

Jai Sheehan, Upwey Tecoma

Athletic, sharp-skilled forward who can take a mark and nail a goal, as he proved against Wandin early in the season when he drilled a goal with minutes to in a thrilling two-point win.

Connor Smith, Wandin

Arguably the best teenage player in the comp, Smith is a powerful wingman and half forward, who is prepared to work hard both ways. He hits the scoreboard, too, as he’s proven this season with goals in five of his six senior appearances.

Lachlan Stevenson, Yarra Glen

A dashing defender who can play lockdown defence or break the lines with his pace. Reads the play well and kicks the ball with penetration.

Joshua Tilly, Gembrook Cockatoo

Tall, mobile midfielder who is good on both sides of his body. Can kick a goal, too. Played under 18s and seniors in 2019 but with his development he now stands as an important senior player.

Tom Taylor, Monbulk

Debuted with a best-on-ground display against Healesville and held his own at senior level. Very good awareness, finds a lot of the footy, good skills and can hit the scoreboard.

Myles Wareham (No. 6) has kicked 16 goals this season. Picture: Facebook

Myles Wareham, Gembrook Cockatoo

The strong key forward worked hard on his fitness this season and was rewarded with 16 goals in nine games, including a bag of seven against Belgrave. Has strong hands and is seen as the heir apparent to Michael Firrito in the Brookers’ forward line.

Brayden Weller, Gembrook Cockatoo

A running half back with sharp skills, who rarely misses a target when pinging out of defence with pace. A key player for the Brookers.

Joel Wensley, Monbulk

Has X factor. Made a strong start to his senior career being named in the Hawks best players in his first two games. Very good in the air, can run and carry the footy and is a beautiful long left foot kick.