Trent Buhagiar

With a phenomenal 50 A-League appearances by 20 (and it could have been 60 had he not torn his ACL before a ball was kicked this season), Buhagiar already boasts more professional matches than any other footballer on the list.

Even more than Hrustic, and he’s two years older.  

The most exciting thing about Buhagiar – other than his electric pace – is the importance Steve Corica appeared to place on his role in the team this season. Without Buhagiar’s ability to drive behind opposition defences, Sydney's frontline looked lost at times.

But that importance is also concerning. Given the transfer window is now open, Corica’s already announced his intentions to sign another forward and the Sky Blues have an international slot open, it seems one of the few youth to get an extended chance in the A-League may soon be back down the pecking order.

If he can earn back his place, watch this space.

John Iredale

It’s early days yet so don’t get too excited, but we may have just saved the best for last.

Now that the  Socceroos’ desperate striking requirements are well-established, what if we told you that there’s a 19-year-old who bagged 10 goals in 13 appearances for an Eredivisie youth team last season.

We’re guessing you’d ask when he’s going to get injured. Yep, he broke his foot last month and he’ll be out until May. But for the sake of our collective sanity, let’s look past the Socceroos curse and focus on the future, just like Iredale is.

“(My coach) has me in his plans,” he recently told The World Game. “Basically it’s keep working hard and be ready. It’s definitely good to know he’s thinking of how to use me this season.

"It helps me to be able to play, not worrying about whether he’s thinking of going to use me.”

Here’s hoping all of these promising youngsters can do just that: play.