In a wide open race to be crowned pick one in the AFL Draft, the midfielder who entered 2024 as ESPN's top of the crop has reclaimed the title.
Finals football across the country has separated prospects and seen bolters emerge from the peloton in one of the deepest draft pools in memory. While seasons have concluded for the majority of the crop, there are seven potential first-rounders gearing up for the Coates Talent League Grand Final and another setting himself for the WAFL's biggest stage.
Four fresh faces enter the top 30 at this late juncture for the first time, emphasising the depth and evenness of talent that will extend well past the second round.
Now just two months out from November's national draft, this is ESPN's AFL Draft power rankings for September.
ALL 2024 POWER RANKINGS: April | May | June | July | August | September
1. Jagga Smith (August ranking: 2)
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm
National Champs: 4 games, 29.3 disposals, 6.8 clearances, 4.8 marks
Talent League: 12 games, 33.8 disposals, 7.9 clearances, 0.6 goals
Jagga rises to the spot he entered 2024 at -- No. 1. He's the 'can't miss' prospect of the draft, an inside midfielder with insatiable appetite for the contest. He's brilliantly creative, intelligently snaking into pockets of space and releasing outside runners before hitting the turbo to stay involved in transition. It means Smith gets a lot of the ball and attracts a lot of opposition attention. He is this draft's Zak Butters, fighting out of his weight division but never losing a bout. That includes a rich vein of form at VFL level, averaging 27 disposals and six clearances for Richmond. Smith offers huge leadership potential after captaining club and state, and has a draft range cemented inside the top five after a supremely consistent campaign.
Best traits similar to: Zak Butters
READ: The 2024 AFL Draft's most exciting midfielder
2. Sid Draper (1)
South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 182cm
2024 Champs: 4 games, 21.0 disposals, 3.8 clearances, 2.8 marks
SANFL: 6 games, 22.2 disposals, 4.7 clearances, 6.2 tackles
Draper was arguably South Adelaide's best player at SANFL level to end the season. He offered shades of Jason Horne-Francis in the Panthers guernsey when accelerating from stoppage and driving the ball deep inside 50. Draper is more of a stoppage savant than a forward-half game-changer, though, adept at winning ground balls and stepping out of congestion with explosive dash. His stoppage craft and ability to hurt the opposition in space makes Draper a safe prospect with a huge ceiling, and he's allayed any questions on defensive intent with gritty performances against men.
Best traits similar to: Chad Warner
READ: SANFL exploits could crown SA's next pick 1
3. Levi Ashcroft (5) - Brisbane Father-Son
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID, 179cm
National Champs: 4 games, 25.5 disposals, 3.2 clearances, 1.0 goals
Talent League: 31.0 disposals, 5.2 clearances, 0.8 goals
The Lions will snare another top talent in the younger brother of Will. But before all that, Levi has a shot at junior football immortality lining up for his third-straight Talent League premiership to go with two U18s National Championships with Vic Metro. He was 15 in his first flag and has one of the latest birthdays in the crop. Ashcroft is a classy and composed midfielder with more goal nous than his older brother, but less of the transition burst that Will exhibits. He's been unstoppable racking up the footy at every level, headlined by a 35-disposal, 11-clearance best on ground outing in his sole Lions VFL appearance. Levi is a ready-made piece primed for Brisbane's engine room from Round 1, 2025.
Best traits similar to: Caleb Serong
4. Finn O'Sullivan (3)
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
MID, 182cm
National Champs: 2 games, 11.5 disposals, 1.5 marks, 3.5 tackles
Talent League: 4 games, 17.2 disposals, 3.0 clearances, 1.2 goals
O'Sullivan endured a host of tribulations in 2024. Through injury and form slumps he's struggled to attain any consistency and his campaign ended with a disappointing preliminary final exit on the weekend. Despite it all, there's no doubt what O'Sullivan could become at the next level. He's an excellent aerialist for a midfielder and a bounding runner, covering huge ground either on-ball or off a wing. O'Sullivan loves to get forward to hit the scoreboard and offers one of the highest upsides in the draft, but it's a level that he hasn't shown for 12 months now.
Best traits similar to: Isaac Heeney
5. Leo Lombard (4) - Gold Coast Academy
SUNS Academy/Allies
MID/FWD, 178cm
National Champs: 4 games, 26.2 disposals, 4.8 clearances, 1.0 goals
VFL: 8 games, 17.5 disposals, 2.6 clearances, 0.6 goals
Lombard has game-breaking qualities in his power and speed. A brutish midfielder that capitalises on his incredible strength, the Suns Academy graduate spent most of his time in the VFL after winning a premiership with the side as a 16-year-old last season. He projects to become a forward-half midfielder, capable of the extraordinary but not without the ups and downs that X-factor players present.
Best traits similar to: Jordan De Goey
READ: The Academy prospect who could force an AFL Draft rule change
6. Sam Lalor (6)
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
MID/FWD, 187cm
National Champs: 3 games, 11.0 disposals, 5.0 marks, 1.3 goals
Talent League: 4 games, 23.0 disposals, 6.2 clearances, 5.8 marks
Lalor's season ended how it began, on the sidelines due to injury. This time it was a serious hamstring injury that will see him miss the Rebels' grand final and combine testing. Before that, Lalor was starting to show him powerful ball-winning qualities, routinely ripping the ball from stoppage, shaking defenders with a flick of his strong hips and driving the ball inside 50 with a penetrating right boot. His point of difference is his forward work in one-on-ones -- Lalor averaged a contested mark every outing as a midfielder in the CTL and 1.3 as a forward for Country. It's tough to place Lalor any higher given his lack of output and testing results, but it won't stop clubs considering in the first handful of selections.
Best traits similar to: Christian Petracca
READ: The powerful goalkicking midfielder likened to Dusty by his coach
7. Xavier Lindsay (9)
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
MID, 183cm
National Champs: 3 games, 22.7 disposals, 4.3 clearances, 6.7 marks
Talent League: 12 games, 23.4 disposals, 5.4 clearances, 0.6 goals
Lindsay offers the speed, running power and kicking skills that clubs search far and wide for. He's a balanced midfielder that led from the front for Gippy all the way until a PCL injury to his knee ended his campaign prematurely. Clubs have seen enough to rate him accordingly, though. His deft touch and ball use at full tilt is a joy to watch, and he was becoming an increasingly damaging forward-half player. He may not crack the top 10 on draft night, but Lindsay is as likely as anyone in the pool to play 300 AFL games.
Best traits similar to: Josh Kelly
8. Tobie Travaglia (8)
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
DEF, 187cm
National Champs: 4 games, 21.8 disposals, 6.2 marks, 8.2 intercepts
Talent League: 12 games, 23.6 disposals, 6.4 tackles, 0.9 goals
Travaglia is an obsessive competitor, able to perform in all three areas of the ground with maniacal pressure and hard running. Despite his slender frame, he became an excellent inside midfielder late in the season where he laid 6.4 crunching tackles and swooped on 4.2 hardball gets per game. He also created goals out of open play up forward. He looks most accustomed down back, though, where he was the champs' leading intercept marker and loved to dash up the ground to link play. Travaglia is a neat kick without being an elite ball user -- it's the one area of his game that could improve.
Best traits similar to: Will Day
9. Harvey Langford (10)
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
MID, 190cm
National Champs: 25.5 disposals, 6.2 clearances, 6.2 marks
Talent League: 15 games, 25.9 disposals, 4.7 clearances, 1.3 goals
Langford may have claim to be the best performed prospect in the country. He took a share in the Larke Medal with Lombard and should be favourite for the CTL best and fairest, to be awarded Wednesday night. The hulking midfielder racks up the ball on the inside and outside of contest, routinely gets forward to kick goals with his booming left leg and can take big grabs around the ground. It's an enticing package that deservedly sees him getting top five consideration. But Langford also has some deficiencies -- he lacks the speed of the top rung of midfielders in these rankings and needs to trim down for the next level. There's every chance Langford becomes a top tier AFL midfielder, but it may take time.
Best traits similar to: Jordan Dawson
10. Josh Smillie (7)
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
MID, 194cm
National Champs: 4 games, 18.8 disposals, 5.8 clearances, 3.5 tackles
Talent League: 12 games, 25.5 disposals, 4.8 clearances, 1.3 goals
Smillie fits the new-age midfield prototype, a 6'4 contested beast equipped to dominate stoppage and punch long kicks to gain meterage. He's had patches of commanding performances where he looks simply uncontainable bullocking through contact. But he hasn't shown enough around the ground, taking just one contested mark across his 16 champs and CTL games and only using the ball at 62%. There is so much upside in what Smillie can be at the next level, but the flags are there for clubs to consider.
Best traits similar to: Tom Green
READ: Is sky-high upside enough for 194cm midfield beast to go No. 1?
11. Harry Armstrong (13)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
FWD, 195cm
National Champs: 3 games, 9.0 disposals, 5.0 marks, 3.0 goals
Talent League: 9 games, 10.1 disposals, 3.3 marks, 2.6 goals
Armstrong is close to the consensus key forward in the pool at this late stage. He's come with a rush, platforming himself at the champs where he led Vic Metro's goalkickers and showed off a clunking contested grab with routine. He's a dead-eye in front of goals too, kicking 9.3 in the champs and 23.9 in the CTL. Armstrong's school coach likens him to Jeremy Cameron with his freewheeling left boot, but Armstrong has shown limitations up the ground when ball hits the deck. His strongest trait is clearly his contested marking and it could see him taken inside the top five on draft night.
Best traits similar to: Aaron Naughton
12. Luke Trainor (11)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
DEF, 194cm
National Champs: 4 games, 19.8 disposals, 5.8 marks, 4.5 intercepts
Talent League: 5 games, 19.8 disposals, 5.6 marks, 2.2 tackles
The spring-heeled Trainor has been a delight to watch all season. He's a silky mover and lovely ball user, routinely chopping off attacking forays and kickstarting rebounds. He's also slightly pigeonholed at the next level with his skinny frame and lack of midfield game meaning he likely becomes an intercepting third tall. There's scope for Trainor to move forward -- he kicked the winning goal in the national championships against Vic Country and followed it up a week later with the winning point for Brighton Grammar in the APS.
Best traits similar to: Jordan Ridley
READ: The premier interceptor in a draft full of midfielders
13. Joe Berry (12)
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
FWD, 180cm
National Champs: 4 games, 13.2 disposals, 2.8 tackles, 2.2 goals
Talent League: 14 games, 14.4 disposals, 2.9 tackles, 1.9 goals
Berry is everything clubs are searching for in a half forward. He's a creative ball user, gets up and down the ground, roves packs, snaps goals and provides frenzied pressure. His left foot is a lethal weapon entering 50 and he changes games with stints on-ball. In the past clubs have been hesitant to take his type high up the draft -- expect Berry to buck that trend come November.
Best traits similar to: Dylan Moore
14. Jobe Shanahan (16)
Bendigo Pioneers/Allies
FWD, 194cm
National Champs: 4 games, 12.2 disposals, 5.5 marks, 1.2 goals
Talent League: 11 games, 12.9 disposals, 5.0 marks, 2.1 goals
Shanahan has emerged from a glut of key forward talent after a blistering stint with Essendon VFL where he kicked 11 goals in three games, trumping the output of Peter Wright. He's a pack mark star, using his bounce to extend above opponents and showing off sticky hands to one-grab everything in his vicinity. He's also a kick kick of the ball and will fancy his chances within 55 metres of goal. Shanahan has spent short stints down back as well, but will be drafted as a key forward.
Best traits similar to: Jacob van Rooyen
15. Isaac Kako (15) - Essendon NGA
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
FWD, 175cm
2024 Champs: 4 games, 14.5 disposals, 1.2 tackles, 2.0 goals
Talent League: 12 games, 18.7 disposals, 3.0 tackles, 1.7 goals
Kako's a quintessential goal poacher, able to create opportunities from open play with proactiveness and speed. He hits the ball full-chested when roving packs and has also shown rapid improvement up the ground, including playing as a centre bounce midfielder for Calder. Unfortunately his season was curtailed early with a syndesmosis ankle injury, and surgery prevents him from testing at the combine. It may mean Essendon match a bid much later than Kako would go in the open pool.
Best traits similar to: Nick Watson
16. Murphy Reid (18)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 180cm
2024 Champs: 4 games, 24.5 disposals, 3.2 clearances, 1.0 goals
Talent League: 8 games, 27.2 disposals, 4.4 clearances, 1.1 goals
Reid's season has been superb. For school, club and state his performances see him continue to ascend draft boards to the point of garnering top-10 consideration. He's a damaging midfielder that finds himself on the receiving end of play to finish chances in the forward 50, and his inside ball-winning ability is underrated. The question marks on Reid stem from his athletic profile -- he isn't one to exit congestion with speed or chase down opponents defensively. It's more likely Reid finds a role outside the centre square at the next level where his skills and creativity can shine.
Best traits similar to: Gryan Miers
17. Bo Allan (17)
Peel Thunder/Western Australia
DEF/MID, 191cm
National Champs: 3 games, 20.0 disposals, 3.7 clearances, 6.0 tackles
WAFL: 10 games, 11.5 disposals, 2.9 marks, 3.0 tackles
Allan's season isn't over yet after Peel booked their spot in the WAFL grand final to take on East Perth. His physically developed frame and defensive tenacity makes him suited to the level, and on the weekend he showed off elite pressure and physicality on-ball. It was a striking performance for a prospect splitting his time between the midfield and halfback. Allan's top-end speed, strength and leadership potential make him WA's best prospect, and he's a ready-made player.
Best traits similar to: Elliot Yeo
READ: WA's top draft talent is an AFL captain in waiting
18. Taj Hotton (14)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
FWD/MID, 182cm
Talent League: 3 games, 28.7 disposals, 7.3 marks, 1.7 goals
Hotton dominated the opening month of the season before an ACL rupture at training drew the curtains on his top-age year. He remains a first-round fancy and should have no trouble finding his agile, dashing best at AFL level in time. Hotton is a stop-on-a-dime midfielder with forward-half damaging traits. With a full season at the level he offered glimpses of, Hotton could have become a top-five chance.
Best traits similar to: Harry Sheezel
19. Kayle Gerreyn (21)
West Perth/Western Australia
RUCK/FWD, 199cm
National Champs: 4 games, 12.5 disposals, 9.0 hitouts, 1.2 goals
WAFL Colts: 11 games, 21.5 disposals, 6.2 marks, 1.6 goals
There isn't much buzz around Gerreyn, but there should be. The WA tall put up multiple 30-disposal, 30-hitout, two-goal performances and earned a WAFL berth off the back of undeniable form. For a battling WA side he was also one of their best at the champs. Gerreyn is unique; he's a beautiful field kick off both feet plus has soft hands in the ruck and around the ground, but is more likely to find a home up forward where he kicks goals in a variety of ways. He isn't a huge aerial presence but if it all clicks Gerreyn could be the steal of the draft.
Best traits similar to: Riley Thilthorpe
20. Jack Whitlock (24)
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
FWD, 200cm
National Champs: 4 games, 14.8 disposals, 5.0 marks, 1.0 goals
Talent League: 12 games, 16.4 disposals, 4.8 marks, 2.1 goals
A rangy forward that's found success in the ruck at times this year, Whitlock will be drafted in the first round based on his tantalising upside. He averaged 1.8 contested marks in the CTL and also won 3.6 hard ball gets, a rare stat line for a player of his size. Whitlock's success at the next level will depend on his physical development -- if he can develop his body without injury setbacks he becomes a scary proposition to defend. Jack's twin brother Matt will also come into first round calculations, though is more at home in defence.
Best traits similar to: Ben King
21. Alex Dodson (20)
Sturt/South Australia
RUC, 203cm
National Champs: 3 games, 17.3 disposals, 19.7 hitouts, 3.7 clearances
SANFL U18s: 9 games, 20.8 disposals, 6.0 marks, 4.6 clearances
The premier ruck prospect is Dodson, and he's set to forego a professional; basketball career to chase his AFL dreams. The SA tall is a smooth-mover with the ability to accumulate. He's composed in traffic, gets on the move to provide an option and doesn't get beaten physically despite having plenty of room for his body to develop. Dodson isn't as much of a project as other ruckmen taken in the first round of late -- it's possible he debuts as early as 2025 given his rate of development.
Best traits similar to: Tim English
22. Jonty Faull (28)
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
FWD, 195cm
National Champs: 3 games, 8.3 disposals, 3.3 marks, 1.7 goals
Talent League: 10 games, 13.3 disposals, 4.4 marks, 2.7 goals
The hardworking Faull is a kicker's delight, always presenting at the leg and providing contests down the line. He's a determined key forward both in the air and at ground level, pressuring without the ball and equalling contests when he has no right to. Faull began the season as the top key forward option before injury hampered his start, but he finished 2024 on a high and comes into the draft period with first-round suitors.
Best traits similar to: Brody Mihocek
23. Alix Tauru
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
FWD/DEF, 191cm
National Champs: 3 games, 6.7 disposals, 2.7 marks, 1.0 tackles
Talent League: 12 games, 14.5 disposals, 5.8 marks, 0.6 goals
Tauru is an undeniable talent, placing top-three in the CTL with 2.4 contested marks per outing and doing it both up forward and down back. He's a superb aerialist on the lead and looks comfortable intercepting in defence. At the next level he'll need to become a more rounded talent at ground level and with the ball in hand. Those areas didn't stop him from becoming Gippy's focal point in their finals run and he continued to elevate his stock by beating talented opponents. Tauru's leap and competitiveness allows him to play above 191cm, but he still figures to be a third tall at either end of the ground.
Best traits similar to: Ollie Henry
24. Cooper Hynes (22)
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
FWD/MID, 190cm
National Champs: 4 games, 16.8 disposals, 4.8 marks, 1.0 goals
Talent League: 15 games, 23.7 disposals, 4.7 clearances, 1.5 goals
Hynes is a bundle of overwhelming power and tenacity, attacking the ball and man with equal aggression. He regularly finds himself exiting the front of stoppage and bursting into the forward 50 where he's kicked bags of goals at times. He's an exciting prospect given those AFL-quality traits, but may not find a permanent midfield role at the next level in lieu of more skilful teammates.
Best traits similar to: Sam Powell-Pepper
25. Hamish Davis (26)
Claremont/Western Australia
FWD/MID, 190cm
National Champs: 4 games, 14.5 disposals, 4.0 marks, 1.8 goals
WAFL: 7 games, 14.3 disposals, 2.7 marks, 1.0 goals
Davis is an aerobic freak firmly on club radars after a best on ground performance in Claremont's WAFL finals campaign. He kicked four goals from 21 disposals in a do-or-die elimination final. Given the stage and level of competition, it's arguably the most impressive performance of any prospect in 2024. Davis should become a super dangerous half forward who can take marks on the lead, link play with transition running and kick lots of goals from his very first game.
Best traits similar to: Will Hayward
26. Jesse Dattoli
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 179cm
National Champs: 4 games, 15.2 disposals, 7.2 marks, 0.8 goals
Talent League: 7 games, 23.1 disposals, 3.9 clearances, 1.7 goals
Dattoli may be the hardest prospect to place. His profile is so unique that it's difficult to project what he will become at the next level. He averages a contested mark per game despite standing at 5'11 and draws a lot of free kicks with footy smarts. He also has passages of play where he rips the ball out of the clinches and follows up moments later at the end of the attack he started. The best moments are balanced out with some shoddy ball use and decision making at times. If Dattoli's stats were mirrored at AFL level they'd closely resemble Toby Greene's. That's the upside he threatens to deliver, but there may be too many concerns for clubs to swing on that upside in the draft's teens.
Best traits similar to: Josh Rachele
27. Ollie Hannaford
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
FWD/DEF, 180cm
National Champs: 3 games, 10.7 disposals, 3.0 marks, 3.3 tackles
Talent League: 16 games, 16.2 disposals, 4.1 tackles, 1.2 goals
Hannaford has been electric since moving from halfback to the forward line, and now leads GWV into an unlikely grand final without star midfielder Sam Lalor. The busy small plays above his size with aerial exploits and sniffs out goalscoring opportunities whenever the ball is in his vicinity. It's seen him kick 20 goals from his last eight CTL games. His play resembles another Rebels prospect that has found a home this year in the Lions' forward line.
Best traits similar to: Kai Lohmann
28. Christian Moraes (19)
Eastern Ranges, Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 183cm
National Champs: 4 games, 20.8 disposals, 5.8 marks, 0.8 goals
Talent League: 12 games, 23.8 disposals, 4.1 clearances, 1.5 goals
Moraes remains a polarising prospect because his best is brilliant. He's a hard-runner that links chains with a lot of possessions and inventive tricks in the forward half. But there are frustrations with his decision-making and execution under pressure, which doesn't project well to AFL level. Moraes likely finds a home at either half forward or on a wing where he has more time to show his skills.
Best traits similar to: Elijah Hollands
29. Sam Marshall (25) - Brisbane Academy
Sandringham Dragons/Allies
MID, 185cm
National Champs: 4 games, 27.0 disposals, 4.0 clearances, 3.8 tackles
Talent League: 22.4 disposals, 6.1 marks, 2.7 clearances
Marshall is an aerobic beast with classy skills. He doesn't play with the flare of some other midfielders in this class but simply gets the job done, often winning 50-50 battles with his opponent and retaining possession for his side. His hard two-way running and skillset should lend himself to becoming an impressive wingman at AFL level.
Best traits similar to: Adam Cerra
30. James Barrat
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
DEF/FWD, 193cm
National Champs: 3 games, 9.3 disposals, 5.0 marks, 0.7 goals
Talent League: 13 games, 16.5 disposals, 7.2 marks, 1.7 goals
Barrat is your old fashioned, rugged full back. But there's growing elements to his game that fascinate recruiters. He spent stints up forward and kicked bags of goals, and in the Pioneers' final game spent considerable time on Harvey Langford in the middle where they had a compelling duel. Barrat kicked a long bomb goal from the centre square and his physicality was impressive in the clinches. He figures to become a lockdown defender at the next level, who -- though slightly undersized -- has the strength to match up on key forwards.
Best traits similar to: Josh Battle