AFL clubs have seemingly become obsessed with youth policies. In some ways it is understandable - if you are going to build a side from the ground up you need to start with a group of talented youngsters. But are recruiting staff writing off players in their early 20s too readily. Are the late maturing players getting a raw deal? There are some very, very good footballers going around in their early 20s. Luke Hawkins is one such player. The 23-year-old played the last 10 games of the VFL season with Essendon and impressed many good judges. He has nominated for the upcoming national draft, hoping to get a crack at the big time.

Hawkins kicked about 25 goals in his short time with the Bombers playing as a full forward or forward pocket. He has an excellent leap, is a fantastic mark and is a good kick for goal. Hawkins arrived at the Bombers from Old Scotch in the Amateurs competition. ""I've played with Old Scotch ever since finishing at Scotch College in 1997,"" Hawkins said. ""A couple of recruiting blokes came down early last season for a look and Terry Daniher rang and asked me if I wanted to come down to training in mid-June and I played from that point on.""

""I did pre-season with Hawthorn in 1998 and nominated for the draft but nothing came of it. I have nominated for the draft again and hope I can get a crack at it,"" Hawkins said. As part of this year's nomination, Hawkins recently spent two days at the AFL draft camp held at the AIS in Canberra. ""I had to get six clubs to nominate me for the camp and that happened which was good,"" he said. ""I was about four or five years older than everyone else there so it felt a bit strange but I had a couple of interviews with clubs during the camp and they were really positive. It is just a matter of hoping things work out now.""

Hawkins said the jump from A-Grade Amateurs to VFL football hadn't been huge. ""The standard was obviously higher but the gap isn't massive,"" he said. ""The fact that I had played two solid years of A-Grade football made the jump easier than it might have been.""

Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said Hawkins was a genuine chance to be drafted. ""I think the trend is changing away from youth a bit. Players like Damien Peverill and Jim Plunkett have made people sit up and take notice,"" Dodoro said. ""At least with 23-year-olds, you know they are physically ready to play. Clubs won't draft and handfull of them but they might take a punt on one.""

For Luke Hawkins' sake - let's hope someone takes a punt on him.