The Crows have done remarkably well with late draft picks and shrewd trades to unearth young talent other clubs had overlooked given their draft restrictions in recent years. Midfielder Brad Crouch will draw plenty of interest during the trade period, but the Crows have enough depth to cover his departure if he doesn't re-sign.

Rory Laird
The 2012 rookie draft selection has developed into one of the premier rebounding defenders in the competition. Plays a crucial role in driving the Crows from defence into attack and has a high effective disposal rate.

Jake Lever
The 14th pick in the 2014 draft is regarded as a future 200-game player to form the backbone of the Crows defence alongside fellow key defender Daniel Talia. Looks at home at AFL level in his second season.

Rory Atkins
An absolute steal as a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft, Atkins has taken his game to new heights this year. Gives the Crows plenty of run and carry on the wing and also when he rolls through the midfield. - Lee Gaskin 

Youth is everything at the Lions after stripping back their list over the past three years. They have 28 players aged 23 or less, and despite losing James Aish last year, have arrested the slide of young players leaving. The raw talent is there and the Lions must do everything to keep it and develop it.

Harris Andrews
Only 19 and with two years left on his contract, Andrews is a future leader of the club. Had some injuries in his second season but he is a backline pillar to build around. 

Eric Hipwood
Has come on quicker than most thought, but the string-bean 18-year-old looks a phenomenal forward line talent with his 10 goals in five games. The Queenslander is contracted until 2019. 

Josh Schache
Like Hipwood, the No.2 draft pick shows oodles of talent with his hunger and competitiveness. Has knocked back a long-term offer from the club, choosing to get through his debut season first. - Michael Whiting 

The Blues are in the middle of their "reset" and they went into last year's draft/trade period determined to acquire the best young talent they could. That policy will continue at the end of this season. Their future lies in investing in Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty and last year's draftees led by Jacob Weitering. 

Patrick Cripps
Last year's best and fairest winner, 21, is a ball magnet and a beast around the stoppages. Needs to improve his kicking but is a future leader. Contracted until the end of 2019. 

Sam Docherty
Has stepped up to become one of the AFL's best running defenders this season. Reads the game well and is a leader on the ground. Turns 23 in October and is contracted until the end of 2018. 

Jacob Weitering
In his debut season Weitering, 18, has played with composure beyond his years in a key defensive role, even pushing up the ground on occasions. Contracted until the end of 2017. 

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley believes the Pies boast enough young talent on their list – he'd just like more youngsters to be fit and available. With many believing a leap up the ladder is possible next year, just as it was expected this year, the priority is to continue to develop that talent, along with the familiarity that is so crucial to achieving success. The Pies have 26 players who are no older than 23.

Darcy Moore
The great hope in attack, Moore, 20, is developing nicely. On Friday night, North Melbourne great Wayne Carey declared him a potential superstar. Takes big marks, kicks multiple goals, provides a great contest and can pinch-hit in the ruck.

Brodie Grundy
The 22-year-old ruckman from South Australia has taken his game to a new level this season and has been a key driver of the Pies' improved form. A fierce competitor who sets an aggressive tone for teammates.

Taylor Adams
Fast establishing himself as an elite midfielder who can also flourish at half-back, the feisty 22-year-old is in his first year in the Pies' leadership group and has been touted as a potential captain. - Ben Collins 

The Bombers have been forced into a rebuild that they weren't really planning for thanks to a horror four-year stretch. They will finish either last or second last on the ladder this season and get another early draft choice into their list, which has some high-end young talent.

Darcy Parish
Parish has been outstanding in his debut season at Essendon, averaging 21 disposals and being a strong candidate for the NAB AFL Rising Star. Already he is one of the club's best midfielders and most popular players with fans. He is contracted to the end of next year, but the club has started talks to extend his stay.

Zach Merrett
The midfielder has stepped up this season to be one of the leading ball-winners in the competition (he is ranked eighth after round 18).  Looms as a long-term star and leader of the club despite only being in his third AFL season. Locked in at the Bombers until the end of 2018.

Joe Daniher
Daniher is set to claim his third-straight leading goalkicker award this year with 30 goals so far from 17 games. The key forward is vital in Essendon's plans for the next decade, with hopes he can become a spearhead for the club. - Callum Twomey 

The Dockers have 18 players aged 23 or under on their list and all are important given the club's push towards a rebuild. The Dockers have some very talented young midfielders, but they must prioritise retaining their young key position players given the lack of depth in that area and looming retirement of Matthew Pavlich. – Alex Malcolm 

Lachie Neale
The 23-year-old was a priority signing for the Dockers this year and they locked him away until the end of 2019. He is in contention for All Australian honours and is a key plank of the Dockers' midfield.

Alex Pearce
The Dockers are very impressed with the Tasmanian key defender and he looks to be a long-term prospect. The 21-year-old has had injury issues and is currently out with a broken leg, but the Dockers need him long-term as a key defender that can swing forward. He is contracted until 2018. 

Michael Apeness
He has only played three games in three years due to multiple serious injuries. That normally wouldn't make you untouchable, but 200cm key forwards who are great contested marks don't come around often. He is coming out of contract and the Dockers can't afford to lose him despite the slow start to his career. - Alex Malcolm

Geelong's list looks well weighted with at least half a dozen youngsters capable of forging long AFL careers. The challenge is providing opportunities at the right time and ensuring the defensive gaps that will open up in the next few seasons are filled. It does not have a first round draft pick this year at this stage so should be open to smart trades to add quality youngsters to the bottom of the list. 

Nakia Cockatoo
Has shown on the training track he is an excellent one-on-one player. He is powerful, strong and a tall midfielder who could be the Cats' best player at some point in his career. Contracted until the end of 2017, the 19-year-old has only played 19 games and is improving his decision-making under pressure. Once he gets that right he will be hard to stop.  

Lincoln McCarthy
After overcoming foot injuries he has been brilliant this season, locking in a forward spot and having an impact on games. He builds his game around defensive pressure inside 50, creating opportunities for teammates. McCarthy has kicked 12 goals in 13 games this season. Out of contract, he is in talks now and expects to sign soon. 

Shane Kersten
Has silenced the doubters this season with a consistent performance as a lead-up forward. A beautiful kick, he has slotted 21 goals this season and beaten good opponents. Out of contract at season's end he is attracting interest from other clubs after a breakout year. - Peter Ryan

The Suns have a nice age spread across its list, including a healthy dose of talent among its under-23s. They'll want to strike finals from next year and head towards the top four and a premiership not too longer after, so keeping these guys is essential.

Jack Martin
Finally getting some continuity, the prodigiously talented Martin, 21, has had a strong third season. So versatile and so skillful, his contract expires next year and there's sure to be plenty of interest. 

Jaeger O'Meara
Highly sought after by a number of clubs, O'Meara has a tough decision to make in coming weeks. Not yet all the way back from a horrific knee injury, the 22-year-old is the most explosive midfielder on Gold Coast's list. 

Peter Wright
Super second season for ‘Two-metre Peter’, playing 12 games and kicking 22 goals. Already forming a forward line partnership with Tom Lynch that could be the competition's best for the next decade. Wright is signed until the end of 2017 and the Suns will hope to extend that long-term. - Michael Whiting 

There's likely to be more turnover of the Giants' list at the end of the season, with a few top draft picks searching for more opportunities elsewhere. Most of the very best talent is locked away but there'll be more than a few opposition clubs on the phone before the trade period begins. 

Dylan Shiel
Just about the most explosive runner in the competition in his fifth season, Shiel averaged over 28 possessions per game this year. Contracted until the end of 2017.

Stephen Coniglio
The West Australian has been the Giants' most consistent onballer this season and re-signed last year until the end of 2017. A future captain of the club.

Josh Kelly
A breakout season for the smooth-moving wingman, Kelly has averaged almost 24 touches per game and has also kicked 14 goals. Contracted until the end of 2017. - Adam Curley 

So far the Hawks are making a decent fist of walking the fine line between remaining in premiership contention and replenishing their list. A new dimension to the club's list management strategy is the revelation that speedster Brad Hill is considering a return to Western Australia next year to join his brother Stephen at Fremantle.

Daniel Howe
If the Hawks like their draftees they extend their initial two-year deals quickly and Howe has shown enough as a rangy half-back (think Andrew Mackie a few years back) to extend his deal until the end of 2018.

Marc Pittonet
Emerging rucks are as rare as hen's teeth, so Pittonet has also had his deal extended until 2018. He has played two games so far and impressed in both. If Ben McEvoy or Jon Ceglar were to get hurt, Pittonet can fill a void.

James Sicily
The Hawks liked what they saw in the silky medium-forward in just three games last year to lock him away until the end of 2017. This year he has played every game, kicked 26 goals, taken a swag of contested marks and earned a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination. Another contract extension is likely before too long. - Ashley Browne 

Melbourne has one of the brightest young lists in the competition and should be setting its sights on contending for finals as soon as next season. The Demons have 24 players under the age of 23, including nine top-10 draftees on their list. After years of poor performance, the club now has the appropriate platform to launch its finals bid from.

Jesse Hogan
Still yet to commit to the Demons beyond next season, the west Australian is a vital part of Melbourne's future plans. The 21-year-old is one of the most valuable commodities in the competition and the club is keen to secure him to long-term deal to ward off advances from Fremantle and West Coast.

Christian Petracca
Despite missing his first full season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, Petracca has shown exactly why Melbourne selected him with pick No.2 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft. The 20-year-old possesses physical attributes not many have and has the potential to be a top-10 player in the AFL in future seasons. 

Jack Viney
Regarded as Melbourne's future captain, Viney is one of the best inside midfielders in the AFL. The 22-year-old, who is tied to the Demons until 2020, is relentless in his attack on the ball and on the man and he has the ability, even at his young age, to inspire his teammates and bring them along with him. - Ben Guthrie

The Roos' ageing list is on the brink of transitioning towards youth, so they can't afford to have any elite up-and-comers lured away. While most of the focus is on North's nine over-30s, there's also a promising band of 16 players aged 23 or under, including four first-round draft picks.

Mason Wood
The 22-year-old has crashed through and become a senior regular after a breakout season. Wood booted 12 goals in eight games before suffering a knee injury and isn't going anywhere after ignoring rival interest and signing a four-year deal last weekend.

Luke McDonald
The fearless defender bounced back superbly from a dose of the second-year blues this season before a hamstring tendon injury stalled his progress. McDonald shapes as a future captain of the club. The father-son pick is contracted until 2018 and his future is at Arden St.

Ben McKay
North will build its forward line around Ben Brown and Mason Wood in coming seasons and the club holds high hopes for the 199cm prospect to fill another of the key posts. McKay, 18, is developing in the VFL and has booted seven goals in 10 games after being drafted with pick 21 last year. - Travis King 

The Power invested heavily in their senior brigade and handed out a string of long-term contracts. It has limited the opportunities for young players coming through, and they must do more to develop the next generation.

Chad Wingard
Already touted as potentially being the greatest Power player since the club's inception. Hard to believe the two-time All Australian is still only 23. He is vital to Port's forward line for the next 8-10 years.

Ollie Wines
Building a body of work as a terrific inside midfielder, the 22-year-old needs to work on his disposal, but does the grunt work that the Power needs going forward.

Jack Hombsch
Third in the club's best and fairest last year, Hombsch will be the key pillar of Port's backline for the next decade. Will get the job on the most dangerous forward every week. - Lee Gaskin 

The Tigers have 19 players aged 23 or under on their list, and six of those are first-round draft picks. There is a perception, however, that the club hasn't stockpiled the young talent it needs. Retaining the best of them has to be a priority as they reshape the list for 2017 and beyond.

Daniel Rioli
In 13 games this season, the first-year small forward has shown glimpses of his sublime talent, standing up in key moments and relishing the big stage. The 19-year-old is yet to extend his initial two-year deal, which expires at the end of 2017.

Corey Ellis
The Tigers moved quickly this year to extend Ellis's contract until the end of 2018. The 19-year-old, who impressed across half-back before suffering a groin injury, has a mature head on his shoulders and a big future.

Oleg Markov
An excellent find for the Tigers in the third round of last year's draft, the 20-year-old midfielder's pace and poise with the ball in his first three games have made him an instant priority to re-sign beyond 2017 and keep long-term. - Nathan Schmook  

The club is building for a sustained run at finals over the next few years. The younger brigade is having greater influence over the side's fortunes this season, and keeping the promising talent together will be crucial if this team is to eventually challenge for a flag.

Paddy McCartin
The key forward has presence rarely seen among 20-year-olds. Although repeated concussions means there is some cause for concern, his marking ability and conversion in front of goal makes him the most promising player on St Kilda's list. Contracted until the end of 2018.

Jack Billings
St Kilda's forwards must love when the 20-year-old has the football, because Billings' left boot rarely fails. Contracted until the end of 2017.

Jade Gresham
The 18-year-old has already established himself as the club's best small forward. Quick, tough, fancy footwork, leadership, efficient disposal – Gresham has it all. Contracted until the end of 2017. - Dinny Navaratnam

The Swans' list contains 26 players aged 23 or under (including rookies), with seven of those making their debut this season. With just four players aged 30+ and only two of those (Jarrad McVeigh and Heath Grundy) certain to be there in 2017, the Swans will have one of the youngest lists in the competition.

Tom Mitchell
Out of contract this season, the midfielder has put talks on hold as Hawthorn and Carlton are set to make him big offers. Ranked third for disposals at the Swans in 2016.

Isaac Heeney
Struggled with knee tendinitis this season but has kicked 17 goals from 15 games and is a future star of the Swans' midfield. Contracted until the end of 2018.

Callum Mills
Has made the transition into senior footy look simple this season playing across half-back. Signed until the end of 2018, the 19-year-old should go very close to winning the NAB AFL Rising Star award. - Adam Curley

The Eagles have a group that is in premiership contention but they still have 16 players aged 23 and under. A lot of them are very talented and will become important in four or five years time. Keeping them and giving them opportunities while they are developing is going to be the challenge. 

Elliot Yeo
His best football makes him untouchable. But at 23, having come home from the Brisbane Lions, his consistency remains a query. However he is such a valuable utility that the Eagles will not part with him and he is signed until 2018. 

Tom Barrass
The 20-year-old is one of the finds of the season. He was promoted for his first game of the year in round 12, just the fourth of his career, when Eric Mackenzie was ill and he has held the 2014 best and fairest winner out since then on form. Barrass is signed until the end of 2017 but the Eagles would want to extend that long-term. 

Liam Duggan
Duggan and Dom Sheed were the Eagles' first-round selections in consecutive drafts and both are keys to the Eagles' midfield post Matt Priddis. But Sheed is a West Australian and Duggan is a Victorian. Duggan, 19, will be harder to keep thus making him a priority. The talented left footer is signed to 2018. - Alex Malcolm

The Dogs arguably have the best crop of under-23 players in the AFL, so they'll be warding off opposition clubs for years to come. While Marcus Bontempelli and Jake Stringer headline the young talent, Lachie Hunter, Toby McLean, Jack Macrae, Tom Boyd, Josh Dunkley and Bailey Williams will also be a massive part the Dogs' premiership assaults over the coming seasons.

Marcus Bontempelli
The 20-year-old is possibly the best under-23 player in the competition with his freakish ability to win the ball at will on the inside and out. The future club captain is also very dangerous when in attack and is an outsider to win this year's Brownlow Medal.

Jake Stringer
The dynamic forward is still trying to find consistency at senior level, but his best is up there with the competition's elite. With an electrifying mix of speed, strength and footy nous, the 22-year-old is capable of producing the extraordinary.

Caleb Daniel
For a player few rated in his draft year, the diminutive playmaker has become a crucial cog in the finals-bound Bulldogs. The 20-year-old South Australian possesses elite endurance, decision-making and has a knack of getting the Dogs going with his creative play. - Ryan Davidson