WITH the rebuild on in earnest, and the focus clearly on getting games into the Club’s youth, Carlton senior coach Brendon Bolton, his match committee and the recruiters can draw on the progress of Zac Fisher to best illustrate their case.

As the current AFL records attest of all 42 teenagers currently plying their trade in senior competition (seven of them at Carlton), Fisher currently sits first for total contested possessions (99 at an average of nine), first for total clearances (38 at an average of 3.5), second for total tackles (44 with an average of four) behind Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw, and second for disposals (219 at an average of 19.9) behind Brisbane’s Alex Witherden.

Despite his lighter frame, Zac Fisher still leads all AFL teenagers for clearances so far this season. (Photo: AFL Media)

Fisher, who turns 20 next week, is at the time of writing one of four teenagers who have featured in the Blues' line-up so far this season, together with Paddy Dow, Patrick Kerr and Lochie O’Brien.

After an impressive debut season, fellow teenager Tom Williamson has been sidelined with a back injury that has thwarted any plans for senior football in 2018, while first-year players Tom De Koning and Angus Schumacher round out Carlton's group of under-20s.

Carlton knew what it was getting when it named Fisher with its second round selection (27^th overall) in the 2016 AFL draft. Fisher, wearing the No.25 of Alex Jesaulenko and Brendan Fevola on his back, has in turn vindicated his club’s faith, in 28 appearances in the big time so far.