THEMES emerge in the AFL Draft discussion each year, and it looks like being tall talent time in 2023. With a dearth of genuine midfielders at the top-end, there are plenty of key position prospects pushing their case among the first round conversation.

>> June Top 20: AFL Draft Power Rankings

Arguably the leading contender to challenge Harley Reid‘s number one mantle is a key forward in Jed Walter, while three tall defenders – Daniel Curtin, Ollie Murphy, and Connor O’Sullivan – claimed Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours at the AFL Under 18 National Championships.

They are among nine players who measure up at over 195cm who featured in Rookie Me Central’s latest Power Rankings. That list can be rounded up to a perfect 10 – half of the top 20 list – if the 192cm Nate Caddy is included, though he is arguably just off being true key position size.

Midfielders Colby McKercher and Ryley Sanders, who are both Tasmanian, could now both be selected within the first half-dozen picks given they are the only two pure on-ballers in the top bracket. Others are in the hybrid category or more proficient in different roles, with the ability to also play on-ball.

Should clubs require tall depth, this may be the draft to address that chasm as next year’s intake looking like having a mass of midfielders. With a consensus over many of the top 15 or so talents, we help you get to know the talls set to feature in said range – listed alphabetically.

TALL TALENT TIME

Jordan Croft (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Key Forward | 200cm | 80kg | 12/05/2005

An athletic key forward who can also pinch-hit in the ruck, Croft is another first round prospect tied to the Western Bulldogs. The son of Matthew is a raw type but has massive upside, possessing serious pace at 200cm and an unbelievable leap. Perhaps most importantly, he attacks the ball hard and lays aggressive tackles to showcase the kind of mongrel key position players need. Croft is also working on his goal kicking and has booted 15.8 in six Talent League games this season.

Draft Range: 10-15

Daniel Curtin (Claremont/Western Australia)
Utility | 195cm | 91kg | 08/03/2005

A difference maker in every third of the ground, Curtin is a unique talent at 195cm. He arguably looks most comfortable as a key defender, but spent much of his National Championships campaign in midfield and has also shown his wares up forward. He reads the play beautifully and backs himself to impact in the air, but truly shines with his composure and wand-like left-foot kicking. A top five contender, he recently took out Western Australia’s MVP award.

Draft Range: 4-8

Mitch Edwards (Peel Thunder/Western Australia)
Ruck | 206cm | 88kg | 02/06/2005

A player touted as potential top 10 material, Edwards has recently broken through for a WAFL Reserves berth after his interrupted national carnival. The 206cm ruckman turned out at Under 18 representative level as a bottom-ager in 2022 and is part of this year’s AFL Academy, continuing to prove a dominant hitout winner across each level he plays. Edwards is tied to Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy but will almost certainly be snapped up before pick 40. Endurance is his main area of improvement.

Draft Range: 10-15

Will Green (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)
Ruck | 204cm | 89kg | 08/09/2005

Green has recently found his groove, showcasing why he earned National Academy selection with strong form in the Talent League and National Championships. While not quite in the top echelon of rucks, nor the finished product, Green’s mechanics are fluent at 204cm and his game is expanding past the obvious ruck craft proficiency. The Northern Knights skipper has clean hands and reach which makes him hard to beat aerially, as well as neat skills by hand and foot.

Draft Range: 20-25

Connor O’Sullivan (Murray Bushrangers/Allies)
Key Defender | 198cm | 92kg | 19/05/2005

The Allies rated their defensive line immensely and O’Sullivan was its centrepiece, which makes it easy to understand just why he earned MVP honours in the title-winning side. Among a raft of top players there and in the Murray Bushrangers region, O’Sullivan has found a home in defence but is capable of playing a variety of roles. He started on-ball in Round 1 of the Talent League and has exposure as a forward, possessing a sound aerial game and the dexterity to make good decisions in transitional play.

Draft Range: 8-12

>> Profiled: The 2023 title-winning Allies squad

Will McCabe (Central District/South Australia)
Key Defender | 197cm | 81kg | 29/09/2005

McCabe is another club-tied talent, with Hawthorn having first call on the son of Luke. Will is an athletically gifted defender who attacks the aerial ball with vigour and can set up play with his run-and-carry. He missed one game in the National Championships due to injury and had to contain some of his flair to be more accountable, but has hit his stride in the SANFL grades and recently broke through for a Reserves debut with Central District.

Draft Range: 15-20

Ollie Murphy (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)
Key Defender | 200cm | 85kg | 16/09/2005

A bolt from the blue, Murphy completed his ascent up draft boards by taking out Vic Metro’s MVP award on the weekend. He was arguably his side’s most steady head across all four games, displaying great composure on the last line amid a couple of tough matchups. At 200cm, he is a proficient marker and thrives when afforded a leap at the ball, which has served him well in a relatively new defensive post. Murphy has now established himself as a genuine first round candidate.

Draft Range: 15-20

>> Remember the names: 2023 AFL U18 MVPs

Ethan Read (Suns Academy/Allies)
Ruck | 202cm | 87kg | 07/08/2005

The highest rated ruck in the draft pool, some recruiters would have Read in the top five mix given his enormous upside. He is capable of putting up huge numbers as somewhat of a fourth midfielder, getting involved outside of the ruck contest and rising for strong marks around the ground. Read takes the ball at its highest point and with his blend of skill and athleticism, has the capacity to play in just about any role. The unicorn of this year’s crop – he could be absolutely anything.

Draft Range: 4-8

Jed Walter (Suns Academy/Allies)
Key Forward | 195cm | 94kg | 08/06/2005

There are few more enjoyable sights that watching Walter crash packs and hunt down opponents, with such two-way intent making him a special kind of key position prospect. He plays with authority and vigour, capable of taking games away from the opposition quickly through sheer power and will. The Suns Academy standout has brain, brawn, and the athletic traits to make an immediate impact at AFL level, which is why he ranks right behind Harley Reid in many recruiters’ eyes.

Draft Range: 2-5

WHO ELSE?

With plenty of talls set to be snapped up at the top end, clubs will also be out to find value late in the piece if their draft hand looks a little different. There could be some bargains in the second round and beyond, though club ties take away the depth.

GWS has access to developing forward Charlie McCormack, while Brisbane will likely fend off other clubs to take defender Patrick Snell, and Sydney has 204cm ruckman Caleb May to consider. That’s not to mention West Coast NGA prospect Coen Livingstone and 191cm Suns backman Nick Williams.

In terms of those on the open market, Taylor Goad is a developable South Australian ruck who emerged during this year’s national carnival. Archer Reid has begun to recapture form and will be in second round consideration, along with 191cm marking forward Logan Morris.

Reid has a raft of tall Gippsland Power teammates too. Wil Dawson boasts potential and proved his versatility when shifted to defence for Vic Country, while Lachlan Smith ended up taking on the side’s primary ruck duties.

Outside of that, the drop off is a little steeper when it comes to genuine talls of the minimum draft age. Oscar Gawith may be one to watch, and there is a host of West Australian prospects vying to attract interest with local AFL clubs likely to have some handy picks.

>> How it happened: 2023 AFL U18 National Championships