Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre casts his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.
As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis.
Aside from the weekly wraps, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month and as we get closer to November's national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.
1. Noah Anderson
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 188cm, 86kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 1-3
Plays like: Jordan De Goey
August Rankings: 1
Rationale: A match winner who can break games open in a matter of minutes. The most influential player in the pool whether he's used as a midfielder or as a forward. Anderson sets himself apart from Green and Rowell with his ability to play multiple positions.
Strengths: Impact per possession, moments where he individually takes games over, versatility to impact games midfield, forward or back, work at ground level inside 50m, overhead marking inside 50m, finds space inside 50m, first possession winner at stoppages, contested ball winning, distribution by hand, scoreboard impact, instincts around goal, spread from the contest, explosive line breaker, hurt factor by foot, vision, moves the ball on quickly, endurance, work rate, two way run, threat one-out in the goal square.
Weaknesses: Inconsistency across four quarters.
2. Thomas Green (Greater Western Sydney Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 188cm, 85kg
Recruited from: GWS Giants
Projected draft range: 3-10
Plays like: Patrick Cripps
August Rankings: 2
Rationale: The most prolific stoppage player and contested ball winner I've seen in under 18's football.
Strengths: Stoppage work, winning clearances, contested ball winning, reading of the ball off the hands of the ruckmen, hunts the ground balls with a greater want than any other, distribution by hand, strength through the hips to stand up through tackles, capabilities forward of centre, marking threat on the lead and inside 50m, overhead marking, scoreboard impact, production on the board in the NEAFL, composure, vision, reliable skills, leadership, improving mobility and endurance, leadership and encouragement of teammates on the field
Weaknesses: Athleticism, endurance
3. Matthew Rowell
Best position: Inside midfield/outside midfield
Height, weight: 178cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 1-3
Plays like: Joel Selwood
August Rankings: 3
Rationale: Has built his reputation as a big game player adding best on ground honours in the Under-18 v Casey match to best on ground medals in a losing TAC Cup Grand Final and during the Under-17 All-Stars Grand Final curtain raiser. While he is likely to have the most immediate impact in this draft, his ceiling is arguably lower than the taller Anderson and Green.
Strengths: Consistently performs on the biggest of stages, attack on the ball, contested ball winning, distribution by hand, explosive acceleration, run and carry, endurance, works hard both ways, leadership and voice on the field, versatility to play inside or outside midfield, overhead marking, intercept marking, two way running
Weaknesses: Often slow to move the ball on after marks and free kicks, hurt factor and penetration by foot
4. Will Gould
Best position: General defence/key defence
Height, weight: 191cm, 98kg
Recruited from: Glenelg
Projected draft range: 5-25
Plays like: Shannon Hurn
August Rankings: 5
Rationale: An Under-18 All-Australian, Gould is the most physically mature and imposing prospect in the pool. A ready made defender who performs reliably at SANFL level each week. Rises up the rankings on the back of imposing SANFL League form.
Strengths: Aggression, imposing presence, attack on the ball, one-on-one strength, damaging kick with 60m penetration, vision, reading of the ball in flight, intercept marking, consistent performances on the board against SANFL league competition, explosive speed, strength through the hips to stand up through tackles, leadership through on field courage and presence allowing teammates to gain confidence
Weaknesses: Endurance, unclear whether he will be tall enough to be a key defender at AFL level.
5. Brodie Kemp
Best position: Inside midfield/utility
Height, weight: 192cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 3-20
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
August Rankings: 6
Rationale: Among the midfielders with the greatest upside in the pool. Clean ball winner with unbelievable acceleration with ball in hand. Made big plays in key moments during the Under-18 Championships. Despite tearing his ACL which will keep him out of action for the next year, Kemp is likely to be selected inside this year's top 10. Out for the next year with an ACL tear. Moves up one place due to drop in Ash's draft stocks.
Strengths: Versatility to impact games in any position other than ruck, acceleration, line breaking, movement and evasion through traffic, ground ball winning, wins first possession on the move, intercept marking, reading of the ball in flight, aerial marking, one-on-one marking, leadup marking, contested marking, marking forward of centre, hurt factor by foot, vision, stands up in the big moments, threat one-out in the goal square
Weaknesses: Needs to find more of the ball to become a top tier midfielder, consistency over four quarters
6. Lachlan Ash
Best position: General defence
Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Projected draft range: 3-10
Plays like: Kade Simpson
August Rankings: 5
Rationale: A well rounded defender who intercepts and hurts the opposition with his run and hurt-factor by foot from defence. Drops due to solid but unspectacular midfield player over the latter portion of the season.
Strengths: Line breaking run and carry, agility, evasion, damaging kick, vision, hits meaningful targets in the corridor, intercept marking, reading of the ball in flight, ground ball winning, tackling, forward pressure, versatility to push up through the midfield, able to win his own ball
Weaknesses: Prone to trying to do too much with ball in hand, not as dominant through the midfield as the other top end midfielders and is better suited in defence or on the outside.
7. Hayden Young
Best position: General defence/midfield
Height, weight: 188cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Projected draft range: 3-10
Plays like: Christian Salem
August Rankings: 7
Rationale: Provides consistent drive from defence with his work by foot a highlight.
Strengths: Versatility to play defence or midfield, precise and damaging kick, vision, decision making, aggressive attack on the ball, run and carry, vetical leap, one-on-one defence, defensive accountability, reading of the drop of the ball, intercept marking, contested ball winning, stoppage work
Weaknesses: Sometimes too accountable, needs to provide a marking target more often around the ground rather running around the back for cheap handball receives
8. Deven Robertson
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 182cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Perth
Projected draft range: 5-25
Plays like: Adam Treloar
August Rankings: 8
Rationale: Nephew of Darren Glass, Robertson is one of the most productive ball winning midfielders in the pool. Winning the Larke Medal for the best player during the Under-18 Championships, Robertson was as consistent and influential as any during the carnival.
Strengths: Production, attack on the ball, contested ball winning, freakish reflexes on ground ball pickups, stoppage work, work rate, endurance, speed, agility, evasion, tackling, pressure around the ground, distribution by hand, moves the ball on quickly, courage, leadership on and off the field
Weaknesses: Scoreboard impact, ball use under pressure, unclear versatility
9. Sam Flanders
Best position: General forward/inside midfield
Height, weight: 182cm, 81kg
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Projected draft range: 3-20
Plays like: Christian Petracca
August Rankings: 9
Rationale: One of the draft's most damaging players forward of centre, shows continued improvement as a ball winning midfielder. A consistent Under-18 Championships continued strong play in the NAB League sees Flanders hold his position.
Strengths: Scoreboard impact, one-on-one marking, overhead marking, explosive acceleration, leap, hurt-factor by foot, vision, contested ball winning, first possession winner at stoppages, strength through the hips to stand up through tackles, crumbing, leadership and voice out on the field, threat one-out in the goal square
Weaknesses: Endurance, not as influential through the midfield as he can be up forward
10. Caleb Serong
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 178cm, 83kg
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Projected draft range: 3-20
Plays like: Ben Ainsworth
August Rankings: 10
Rationale: Consistent impact through Vic Country's midfield during the Under-18 Championships and is one of this draft's best midfielders and forwards. Rises on review of early Under-18 Championships matches.
Strengths: One-on-one capabilities, powerful overhead mark, aerial marking threat, high leaper who times his leaps effectively, explosive first step, agility, strong tackler, impact per possession, scoreboard impact, finishing around goal, contested ball winning capabilities, first possession winning, first to loose balls, plays on when the opportunity is there
Weaknesses: Kick placement and reliability, skill execution under pressure
11. Fischer McAsey
Best position: Key defence
Height, weight: 195cm, 86kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 10-40
Plays like: Darcy Moore
August Rankings: 11
Rationale: Won Vic Metro's MVP as a key defender and is showing he can also play forward in the NAB League as required. The premier key defender in this draft.
Strengths: Intercept marking, reading of the drop of the ball, contested marking, marking on the lead, attack on ball aerially, closing speed, leap, aggressive spoiling, reliable kick, versatility to hold down key position posts at either end
Weaknesses: One-on-one strength, one-on-one marking
12. Liam Henry (Fremantle Next-Generation Academy)
Best position: General forward
Height, weight: 179cm, 67kg
Recruited from: Claremont
Projected draft range: 10-30
Plays like: Michael Walters
August Rankings: 14
Rationale: One of Western Australia's most influential players through the Under-18 Championships and is one of this year's most exciting forwards. Rises as others drop.
Strengths: Freakish ground ball pickups on the move at speed, forward pressure, kicking out in front of targets to lead onto, vision, pace, composure with ball in hand, skill execution under pressure, moves the ball on quickly, agility, evasion, impact per possession, feels dangerous any time the ball is in his area, leadup marking
Weaknesses: One-on-one strength, one-on-one marking, kicking penetration, unclear capacity to roll through the midfield
13. Luke Jackson
Best position: Ruck
Height, weight: 198cm, 94kg
Recruited from: East Fremantle
Projected draft range: 5-30
Plays like: Paddy Ryder
August Rankings: 16
Rationale: A raw, athletic, high leaping ruckman who made the decision to pursue football instead of basketball. An aggressive tackler who follows up powerfully from ruck contests often winning first possession. Rises on the back of dominant WAFL colts play.
Strengths: High leaper, follow-up work, contested ball winning, tackling, contested marking, aerial marking, reading of the ball in flight, endurance
Weaknesses: Shorter than is ideal for a ruckman, raw, skills, running patterns, struggles to find the ball outside the contest
14. Dylan Stephens
Best position: Outside midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 69kg
Recruited from: Norwood
Projected draft range: 3-15
Plays like: Lachie Hunter
August Rankings: 19
Rationale: Consistent play in the SANFL at League level has shot Stephens up in draft calculations.
Strengths: Endurance to run all day, agility, speed, run and carry, reliable ball user, production, versatility to play midfield in an inside or outside role or as a forward, tackling, pressure around the ground, scoreboard impact, production, performances at SANFL League level
Weaknesses: Size, hurt-factor, completely left side dominant
15. Finn Maginness (Hawthorn - father-son)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 187cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 10-30
Plays like: Robbie Gray
August Rankings: not ranked
Rationale: Balance of production through the midfield and impact forward of centre sees Maginness break into the top 20. An improving player who has become more damaging as the season has progressed.
Strengths: Production, first possession winner through the midfield, ground ball winning, crumbing, lowers his eyes, work rate, endurance, tackling, one-on-one marking, threat one-out in the goal square, scoreboard impact
Weaknesses: Athleticism, kicking
16. Jeremy Sharp
Best position: General defence/outside midfield
Height, weight: 187cm, 79kg
Recruited from: East Fremantle
Projected draft range: 10-40
Plays like: Jasper Pittard
August Rankings: 16
Rationale: One of the premier rebounding defenders and outside runners in the draft. His speed, endurance and ball use are his greatest assets. Drops as others rise.
Strengths: Speed, endurance, line breaking capabilities, evasion, composure and decision making with ball in hand, vision, long and damaging kick, versatility to play in defence or on a wing
Weaknesses: Contested ball winning, unclear midfield capabilities, intercept marking
17. Harry Schoenberg
Best position: Inside midfield Height, weight: 180cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Woodville-West Torrens
Projected draft range: 10-50
Plays like: Dylan Shiel
August Rankings: 12
Rationale: Rocketed into the draft discussion on the back of his Under-18 Championships performances where he was South Australia's most prolific midfielder and won his state's MVP award. Form in the SANFL Reserves has been solid without being as strong as some of his peers which sees him drop.
Strengths: Contested ball winning, wins first possession on the move, high work rate and is always on the move whether at stoppages or around the ground, endurance, agility, acceleration to burst away from stoppages, strength to shrug tackles, tackling, skills by hand and foot, vision, evasion, impact per possession
Weaknesses: Unclear versatility, scoreboard impact
18. Ryan Byrnes
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 181cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 10-40
Plays like: Jack Steven
August Rankings: 13
Rationale: On performance in the NAB League has been one of the most damaging midfielders by winning the ball and hurting the opposition with his acceleration and hurt-factor by foot. Drops with recent form solid but not as strong as what he displayed prior to the Under-18 Championships.
Strengths: Wins first possession at stoppages, winning of the ball on the move, use of speed with ball in hand around stoppages, line breaking pace, agility, evasion in traffic, hurt factor by foot, impact per possession, vision to find targets inside 50m, production
Weaknesses: Scoreboard impact, unclear versatility
19. Jack Mahony
Best position: General forward/inside midfield
Height, weight: 176cm, 70kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 10-30
Plays like: Jack Higgins
August Rankings: 18
Rationale: Consistency of performance, advanced game and class demonstrated throughout the Under-18 Championships suggest he deserves first round consideration. Drops as others rise.
Strengths: Crumbing, ground ball winning, forward pressure, tackling, precision kick placement out in front of targets to lead onto, decision making, vision, best suited as a forward but able to push up through the midfield
Weaknesses: Height, scoreboard impact, reliable but not dominant overhead mark
20. Dyson Hilder
Best position: Key defence
Height, weight: 196cm, 91kg
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Projected draft range: 20-60
Plays like: Scott Thompson
August Rankings: 15
Rationale: Key defender who was one of South Australia's best during the Under-18 Championships. Looks like a key defender with the attributes and performances on the board to suggest he has a high probability to develop at AFL level.
Strengths: Intercept marking, one-on-one marking, one-on-one strength, reading of the drop of the ball, early reader of the ball in flight, kicking, vision
Weaknesses: Athleticism, versatility