I think we're all in the same boat mate - hoping one or a few of these kids turn into the next Harry Kewell, because we desperately need them!!! I reckon that's why everyone went crazy when Arzani hit the scene. You have to admit though, Valpato does look the most likely 

It’s funny when I reflect on my journey as an Australian football fan, and how my hopes and beliefs have matured over the years.

When I was younger, I used to absolutely eat up lists like these. I was convinced that most of these young prodigies would go on to become Socceroos stars, and if we just kept waiting, our talent pool would be in an amazing place.

Over the past decade or so though, year-by-year I started to slowly realise that youth-level success means absolutely nothing, and that I wasted a lot of time getting excited about players on lists such as these.

After being given a reality check year after year as our youngsters on these lists continued to fail to produce even decent footballing careers, I’m now at a point where I feel almost silly buying into the hype of the ‘next big thing’.

Take for example the current wonder kids that have had the most hype - Volpato and Robertson. Man, I would have been obsessing over these kids back in the day and been screaming to whoever the national coach was at the time ‘give these young superstars a chance!!!’. I’ve only recently realised how immature my beliefs were and how little I know about player development compared to professional coaches, who naturally don’t get over-excited about the next overhyped kid on the scene as they have seen it all before.

Anyway that’s just my story of personal growth lol. 

He had a long term injury last season too but apparently injured again, a shame given hes alot different to the risk adverse No.6s in the aleague too.

Injured

Be interesting to know what has happened to one of the players listed last year - Niewenhoff. Like so many others, I thought he looked like a fantastic player when he debuted and at the start of the season. He was keeping Retre on the bench & looked like he was playing himself into contention for an Olyroo's spot. 
He got injured and missed a lot of the season. He came back for a couple of games at the start of this season & was pretty ordinary. Anyone have an update on him?

Maybe call me a pessimist but the list of young footballers is always going to be "exciting" AKA These players look great on paper at 18 years of age but become forgotten by the time they're 23-24 years of age. 

the next iteration of the list will be published very soon. some of the players are very exciting, more so than previous years imho 

There's always hope for the future but we need some of our kids to actually step up and play senior football at a high level. Having just one player in the big leagues says a lot about the lack of development in our players and the awful decisions they tend to make

Pasquali has been out injured as well.

Botic has an injury. Not sure on Pasquali 

What's up with Botic at WU? Pasquali?

Look forward to it mate. Thanks for going to the effort 

The best ALM club academy players are playing against men in the open age teams in the NPL competitions during winter.  They also often train with the ALM squad and some even are named in the ALM match day squad and get subbed on during the ALM season.  Their development could be improved if the ALM started a 2nd grade competition during summer for all the ALM clubs.

Teague was at Sydney from age 13. 

Yes but playing and training with men is different to playing and training with your mates/guys same age.

Not disagreeing with you, but don't the A-League academies play NPL?

Ill say it again, the kids who played some NPL before they went overseas are in a much better position than a-league academy boys. 

Hosine Bility - sat on bench few times at 20 years old in europa league this season. Clearly has a future with a contract til 2024 with midjytland
Alexander Robertson - although not playing regularly atm, hes training and working with a mens team now every day at 19.
Ryan Teague - Established first team player at 19 in Portuguese 2nd division with 10 starts this season.
Alou Kuol - Killing it in Stuttgart 2nd team 18 games and 7 goals. Has been training with the first team on the regular.

All played at least a season in NPL and it made them better for it - playing against men week in week out.

Playing NPL as a 16-17 year old is much better for your development than an aleague academy - prove me wrong.

Now's the time where I start preparing next year's list! Longlist already collated. 

Year nearly over and such a spread of achievements and players missing the mark this year. Fairly standard.

Adrian Segecic (2004), who I considered for my list but excluded him on grounds of lack of high-level football, has excelled this season for Sydney FC's NPL1 1st grade side, and is now training with the A-League side. Big hopes for him. 

He should be on this list. Just very hard to assess a player who’d never played in the A-League or for Aussie youth teams. Pavlesic is a better talent imo, though he needs game time to reach his potential just like Gauci and Delianov have been getting 

Gauci isn't even on this list but is clearly the best U21 goalkeeper we have.

Agreed. Antonis Martis has also impressed me a lot. Kai Trewin too. He’s been absolutely outstanding. Him and Natta are long term Socceroos centre backs. 

Aquilina and Pierias coming along very nicely

Just stumbled across this (better late than never).  Fantastic post mate, lots to be excited about!!

Lack of football unfortunately has impacted a lot of our younger players, particularly in Portugal, Spain and Germany.  Guys like the Hammond brothers, Rafael Rech and Cooper Skerry haven't seen much game time in over a year.  

Would love your take on a few players that have been making an impact but don't seem to have been mentioned much here. Antonis Martis, who did well enough at youth levels in Denmark to get a loan to Macarthur and now seems to be going alright against "men".  Alberto del Grosso who has played with Australian youth teams, did well at youth level in Italy and is now floating between 3rd and 4th tiers playing senior football.  Liam Chipperfield, who may be a long shot to represent Australia, but at the age of 16, has now signed a pro contract based on his impact at youth levels for Basel.  Caroutas, you mentioned, has been in Spain for several years but making a break through now along with a few other Aussies in Spain like Danzo and Mesourouni.  Zak Gilsenan is only 17 but he is up with the U23's at Blackburn, also having a break out season.

Just concerned that with Bobo back he might not get that game time again, I can see Corica continue to persist with Buhagiar or Kosta B up front when Wood has come in and made an impact and he's only 18 too.

Its good to see Sydney FC finally start to use their academy more often now, even though they have left go of some good talent to other clubs here and overseas in recent times.

Yep, that’s exactly why I had him on the list. He was outstanding in NPL, every goal he scored was different which says a lot about his ability. For a pacy striker he has a lot more than pace to his game which is impressive and he makes smart runs and understands the game. Good player. 

Very worrying. Tristan Hammond is a really outstanding prospect. Australia should be doing absolutely everything to keep him. He, Ryan Teague and Caleb Watts were imo our best players at the U17 WC. 

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/hammond-heist-peru-bid-to-poach-portugal-based-aussie-brothers

Patrick Wood, you can add another to the list of youngsters doing well this season, scoring he’s first 2 goals in this level tonight.