Jesse Lonergan.
A QUINTET of former Launceston footballers will be the main players in the storyline of Tasmania's involvement in AFL for 2013.
Two of them come from the very top of the draft class.
Jesse Lonergan, who found his way to the Gold Coast through the 13th pick in the national draft, is likely to make a big impact with the Suns.
At 183 centimetres and 89 kilograms, Lonergan is physically ready for the biggest stage and his aggressive attitude towards the Sherrin is something Gold Coast is desperately after.
Lonergan shares some of the same characteristics as his uncle Sam, and is likely be near the base of the pack more often than not.
His good mate Jackson Thurlow, however, has found himself at Geelong, at a powerhouse team rather than one still searching for an identity.
Despite having a modified preseason due to the facial fractures he suffered in the latter stages of the State League finals, the 19-year- old has impressed.
Internally the running-half-back, who averaged 24 touches a game and was All- Australian in last year's under-18 carnival, has been compared to triple-premiership Cat Corey Enright, which is very high praise.
At Windy Hill, Thomas Bellchambers could be on the cusp of something special.
If the 23-year-old continues his current form, by the end of the year he will be regarded as one of the game's most damaging ruckmen.
The big guy is now seen as his club's no.1, after a season that saw him average 12 touches, five marks and 28 hit-outs a game, rank 15th in the league for total hit-outs and ninth in hit-outs to advantage. He also has an impact both around the ground and in attack.
His former teammate - Sam Lonergan - now wears a yellow sash on his jumper after being rookied by Richmond following his surprise delisting at Essendon.
If he can make his way to the senior list, the 24-year-old's hard-at-it ways would be the perfect foil for the likes of Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin.
The less heralded member of the group is Tim Mohr.
The 24-year-old's 2012 season ended prematurely due to a hip injury, but before that he was solid in leading Greater Western Sydney's defence.
If the Giants are to make a step forward this year, his efforts will be pivotal.
For Carlton trio Mitch Robinson, Aaron Joseph and Marcus Davies, there will be the sense of the unknown that comes with having a new coach.
And with that new coach being Mick Malthouse, who brings with him a more boundary-orientated game-plan, that feeling becomes even more great.
Lauderdale's Robinson seems best placed to play a key role after the midfielder-half- forward averaged more than 20 touches a game last year.
But the skills of Glenorchy's Joseph on the league's small forwards has been impressive in the past, and North Hobart's Davies has shown promise in defence.
At Brisbane, Aaron Cornelius faces an interesting year.
The 22-year-old has all the talent in the world, and knows how to take a serious mark. On talent alone, he is far better than just a 22-game player.
But he needs to find himself a place in the Lions' set-up, be it as a third-tall forward or possibly in defence.
A strong NAB Cup series in attack is hopefully a sign of things to come.
Clarence's Josh Green was a revelation as a dangerous small forward and Ryan Harwood, of Glenorchy, saved his career by moving to the back line, and there's no reason that they shouldn't again put in strong performances.
Still in Queensland, development would be the buzzword for the Tassie lot at the Gold Coast.
Joining Jesse Lonergan will be Jacob Gillbee, Aaron Hall, Luke Russell, Henry Schade and Maverick Weller.
Weller and Russell, who have been Suns from the start after arriving at the club as 17-year-old's, look the most settled.
The Burnie duo will play key roles off half- back (Weller) and in attack and the middle (Russell), and in their third year in big league are primed to improve their standings in the game.
Hall, a mature-age type from Hobart, showed flashes of brilliance in attack and the 22-year-old just needs to find some consistency in his game, while North Hobart defender Schade will be looking to get his first crack at the AFL.
Lauderdale's Gillbee, though, will first have to get through an early season suspension for drink-driving before the small forward can add to his three career games.
King Island's Angus Graham has gone from a Tiger to a Crow, and the challenge is on for the big man to find his place.
With a big-man cast that includes Sam Jacobs, Josh Jenkins and Shaun McKernan, it will be a tough side to get into.
One Crow without those worries is Clarence veteran Ian Callinan, who will continue to buzz around the feet of the big guys in the forward 50.
Adelaide also has Lauderdale defender Sam Siggins, who the Crows selected with its first pick (62) in the national draft, but he is expected to see plenty of the SANFL this year as he gets physically ready for the AFL.
With Brad Green gone, Melbourne's Tassie AFL population is down to two, but they are both vitally important to the Demons.
Dodges Ferry high-flier Jeremy Howe gave supporters something to smile about, giving his side some life in attack with his marking prowess.
Colin Garland's versatility in defence is also key, and he continues to be one of the Dees' leaders.
Liam Jones faces a huge year.
Without Barry Hall next to him, the West Moonah forward struggled big time in the Western Bulldogs' attack last season.
It was a dramatic fall from grace for the 22-year-old, who the previous year had won a rising star nomination, with his contested marking a highlight.
A return of 9.9 from 12 games and just three marks a game is not good enough.
But with Bob Murphy spending the preseason in attack, the pressure on Jones may be lifted slightly.
The Tasmanian has shown good signs in the preseason with his hands, but needs to get the rest of his game back up to scratch.
Devonport dasher Grant Birchall had an outstanding 2012, winning All-Australian selection after averaging 24 touches rebounding off half- back.
But a quiet grand final, when the Swans tagged him completely out of the contest, will be haunting him.
However, Matt Suckling's knee injury will ensure more opposition attention is placed on the running defender.
Jack Riewoldt too had much to celebrate last season, winning his second Coleman after a 65-goal year, and he was right up there in the goal assists.
But you get the feeling he has another gear or two to go, especially as his body is not as hampered as it has been in he past.
One of his regular opponents, Nathan Grima, was outstanding at times last year.
Strong in the one-on- ones, as well as running off his man, the Evandale defender will be looking for more of the same.
The 27-year-old will just be hoping for some luck injury-wise for the first time in his career.
Out West, Derby's Jesse Crichton struggled to keep his place in the team, and then found himself off Fremantle's list completely.
But Adam McPhee's surprise retirement opened up a spot on the senior list and Crichton received a lifeline.
A strong preseason in the back-half has the former North Launceston player in line for senior action this year.
Other Tasmanians in the class of 2013 include GWS duo Sam Darley and Andrew Phillips.
Darley, of North Hobart, and Phillips, of Lauderdale, are seen as two of the Giants' most talented youngsters.
Geelong rookie George Burbury, a star in the Cats' VFL grand final win, will be hoping to win a place on its senior list.
But a preseason foot injury, combined with a strong Geelong list, may make this task harder than it seems.
Then there's Jimmy Webster at St Kilda. The defender from Glenorchy spent last year in the VFL, but got his first go in a Saints jumper during the NAB Cup.
Finally, former basketballers Ben Richmond, at Collingwood, and Jack Osborn, at Adelaide, will likely spend the year in the lower leagues fine-tuning their games.