ROOKIE Me Central’s first AFL Draft Power Rankings for 2024 were released on Wednesday night, and yielded a bunch of questions about the initial list of prospects. From the inevitable “where is…?” to the strengths of the draft and more, we answer all your questions about the June’s top 25.

>> Top 25: June 2024 Power Rankings

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION: “WHERE IS…?”

Tyler Welsh
Perhaps the most glaring omission to the audience was that of Welsh, who has been in ominous form of late. His bag of four goals for South Australia on Sunday was timely, and he’s certainly around the mark in a very even talent pool. The Adelaide father-son prospect’s contested marking and clinical conversion are exceptional, but he comes in at an awkward size and could enhance his impact outside forward 50. As it stands, he’s a great ‘moments’ player with game-winning ability who is building consistency.

Harvey Langford
Along with Dandenong Stingrays co-captain Cooper Hynes, Langford could well be in the mix as a first rounder for some clubs. His size and stoppage craft are terrific, along with his ability to be a genuine threat up forward with his overhead marking and booming kick. He was the 26th player on our list of 25, which chopped and changed many times in the lead-up to its release, losing out to prospects with a little more flair and athletic upside. His output and form have been outstanding, though.

Charlie Nicholls
Another South Australian forward in the mix, Nicholls has emerged as a genuine prospect this year. He averages 8.3 marks and 2.2 goals per game in the SANFL Under 18s, form which is translating onto the representative stage. With this year’s draft pool dominated by midfielders, genuine key position prospects like Nicholls will be invaluable and he has a great chance to solidify himself as a top 30 talent should he continue to kick goals and clunk contested marks.

Jonty Faull
Faull came into his top-age campaign off a barnstorming back-end to the 2023 season, and had his potential recognised with AFL Academy selection. Hampered by a back injury, the key forward has only turned out for one game this season and while he may have otherwise featured, has a much smaller sample size to judge than others this year. That’s not to say he can’t climb the ranks, especially with more performances like his five-goal haul upon returning to the Coates Talent League this month.

Cody Anderson
You know exactly what you’re going to get from Anderson each week, with the competitive and tough midfielder consistently able to impact games. He has some clear areas for improvement in his composure and ball use, but is otherwise physically imposing and a strong with his defensive acts. Others with more polish were favoured here but if he can either continue to show out at VFL level like he did on debut, crack a deep Vic Metro midfield and improve his deficiencies, he’ll be hard to deny.

QUESTION & ANSWER:

Q: What are the strengths of the draft?

A: The talent. After plenty of emphasis was placed on the depth drop-off in last year’s crop, the class of 2024 is stacked with prospects. Midfielders, and a unique bunch of them, dominate the pointy end but there are some exciting talls who continue to stake their claims and will in high demand. It’s a very even group too, prompting some to question whether this could be another ‘Super Draft’.

Q: Should my club split its top five pick?

A: It’s not a bad shout. There were some monster bids for last year’s first pick and while West Coast held firm to secure Harley Reid, there is not the same clear frontrunner in 2024. Sure, pick one is better than having pick five, but a club could realistically yield similar talent and value with any player across the first five to six picks – depending on what they’re after. The variety of talent at the top end means a rebuilding club could cover several bases with multiple first round selections, instead of just one.

Q: Sid Draper has to be top three?

A: He could be. As outlined above, there is a great deal of variety across the top 10 talents and Draper has his own points of difference which clubs will value – there’s no right answer. Anyone in line for a fleet of foot midfielder with high work rate, improving foot skills and undeniable leadership quality should look no further. Draper’s start to the season was hampered by injury but he came into the year as a pick one contender and could well push up the order as he finds top form after returning to action last month.

Q: How will Taj Hotton‘s ACL injury impact his ranking?

A: Hopefully not much. It’s always a consideration but it seems every year that there is a genuine first round prospect who sits out as a top-ager due to injury. Hotton showed marked improvement in the early stages of the season with dominant displays for Sandringham and delivered again when called up for the AFL Academy. Those performances will be the mark of his potential. As a player with plenty of pop and athleticism, clubs will to their due diligence to monitor how much the ACL tear impacts his strengths.

Q: Zeke Uwland must play quidditch?

A: He’d probably be pretty good at that too. Uwland has been in exceptional form for the Suns Academy and Allies but is a bottom-ager and thus does not qualify for the Power Rankings just yet. With more of the same feats, he’s sure to land in our top 25 next year as a top-ager.

Q: Can you do an AFLW Draft version?

A: Sure thing! Our AFLW Draft Power Rankings will be released early next week. Stay tuned.