IRON sharpens iron, and that only becomes more evident in the AFL Draft space when National Championships season rolls around. This year’s Under 18 carnival kicked off on Sunday, as the Allies downed South Australia by 16 points at Thebarton Oval.

As is the case every year, there were a bunch of draft hopefuls who pressed their case with promising outings, from those firmly within the first round conversation, to others looking to break into it. We highlight a few players whose stocks have risen on the back on Sunday’s clash.

>> Scouting Notes: South Australia vs. Allies

RISING STOCKS

South Adelaide, South AustraliaSmall Forward

Jack Delean

Height: 181cm

Weight: 77kg

DOB: 15-04-2005

For all the disappointment of going down at home, South Australia’s much improved goalkicking accuracy was a positive. Claiming four of the Croweaters’ 11 goals was Delean, an exciting small forward out of South Adelaide. The National Academy member is capable of the miraculous, springing high for marks and kicking goals from all angles. He did the latter with particular aplomb on Sunday and his fourth major a highlight-reel snap he has become renowned for. He firms as a low-possession, high impact type of forward likely to pitch himself in the top 30 frame. His class is undeniable.

Midfielder

Ryley Sanders

Height: 185cm

Weight: 86kg

DOB: 21-01-2005

Marked on the precipice of our May Power Rankings at number 20, Sanders has hardly put a foot wrong in 2023. The Tasmanian, another National Academy member, was arguably best afield on Sunday and again showcased his ability to rack up possessions, notching a game-high 36 disposals to go with seven clearances and two goals. His inside game has always been a strength, but Sanders is also expanding on his outside game and has begun to hit the scoreboard. The areas he has actively improved on, as well as his pure consistency, will likely have him rising sharply within the top 15 come next month’s rankings.

>> Top 20: May Power Rankings

Allies, SUNS AcademyKey Forward

Jed Walter

Height: 194cm

Weight: 97kg

DOB: 08-06-2005

There is little wiggle room to move up the order when graded a top five contender, but Walter may well move even further up the order if Sunday’s showing is anything to go by. The bustling key forward set the tone for his side’s victory, crashing packs and impacting the scoreboard in an ominous first half, en route to 17 disposals, eight marks, and 3.5. He was relatively well contained by Will McCabe after half time, but did more than enough beforehand to suggest his blend of power, athleticism, and physicality make him the top tall forward in the country.

>> Player Focus: Jed Walter

ONE FOR THE FUTURE

South Adelaide, South AustraliaMidfielder

Sid Draper

Height: 180cm

Weight: -

DOB: 05-07-2006

Draper is the brother of Collingwood’s Arlo, and has similarly promising athletic traits. Perhaps more importantly, he’s also a terrific footballer and already looks like South Australia’s most potent midfielder. The bottom-ager captained his state’s victorious Under 16 championships last year, despite injury restricting him to one outing, and proved a handy point of difference with his speed and agility on Sunday. Watch for Draper to continue to take the game, and opponents on throughout the Under 18 carnival.