WITH one round of National Championships action in the books, the picture of this year’s AFL Draft class is becoming clearer. What’s also relatively clear is which prospects are cementing themselves at the top of each state’s crop, and given AFL clubs aren’t strangers to picking local, we outline how the talent stacks up around the country.

>> Rolling Rankings: Top 30 AFL Draft prospects

STATE-BY-STATE

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Best available: Dougie Cochrane (ranked #1)
Open draft: Kodah Edwards (#12)

Despite not yet playing a game this season, Cochrane is consensually viewed as the best, most talented, and highest upside player in this year’s draft crop. So, he’s a no-brainer as the best available in South Australia. Although, the athletic tall utility is tied to Port Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy and the Power are absolutely committed to bringing him in at year’s end. That leaves state captain Kodah Edwards as the likely first open draft selection out of SA. There is a view that speedy forward Gabriel Patterson is the state’s most talented open draft prospect, but the rugged midfielder-forward will have suitors in the top 10-15 picks. Another to consider is ruckman Ethan Herbert, although there is conjecture on what he’ll turn into at the top level at 199cm, lending to plenty of work on his forward craft.

VIC COUNTRY:

Best available: Cody Walker (#2)
Open draft: Clancy Snell (#5)

As is the case in the South Australian crop, Vic Country’s leading prospect is club-tied. Carlton father-son gun Cody Walker will be locked into many clubs’ top fives, with concerns around his kicking just about the only knock. Like Cochrane and Port Adelaide, Walker will almost certainly end up at Carlton. There is a strong following pack among the Country crop, arguably led by key defender Clancy Snell. The midfielders are also emerging in this draft class, and Noah Williams certainly has a case for being selected in the top five, while Ethan Drever and marking machine Wil Malady are top 10 chances.

VIC METRO:

Best available: Harry Van Hattum (#3)

Van Hattum is the frontrunner to be considered top of the open pool prospects, putting him right in the hitting zone of Essendon and/or Richmond. The imposing 205cm is a physical beast and competes hard in the air, while having the athleticism to become a fourth midfielder moving out of stoppage. He’s at number three in our rankings behind Cochrane and Walker, and is unlikely to budge any time soon. Outside of Van Hattum, mercurial midfielder-forward Arki Butler possesses enormous talent and looks like a top five contender. Powerful onballer and Sandringham teammate Gus Teixeira is also in the mix.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Best available: Heath Mellody (#9)

The picture is reasonably clear in Western Australia, with Mellody being clear top 10 candidate. Possessing agility, running power and immense skill, the Claremont prospect is capable of dictating play off half-back, the wing, or through midfield. The next best West Australian in our rankings is state captain Leo Steed, who was outstanding in his side’s opening win over South Australia. A combative and quick small midfielder, he can also impact up forward where he is likely to begin his career. Then there’s somewhat of an unknown in Koby LeCras, a freakishly talented utility who is currently sidelined by a knee injury. With the opportunity to prove himself in state colours, he could have pushed right up the order.

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

Best available: Ben Barnard

A trio of NT prospects featured in the Allies side over the weekend, and Barnard may well be top of the list. Cutting his teeth in the backline across all levels this season, he has showcased smooth movement and terrific foot skills as a playmaking type. The Southern Districts product currently plies his trade with Sturt in the SANFL. There is also a case for Sonny Smiler‘s raw talent and pace to put him atop the tree, while athletic over-age tall Taj Murray continues to develop with his extended pathway exposure. In any case, all three prospects shape as landing outside of the top 40 range but have plenty of potential.

NSW/ACT:

Best available: Ethan Matthews (#5)

This one has been clear for some time now. While the NSW/ACT crop is compromised in the sense that just about every prospect is tied to either GWS or Sydney, Matthews’ rise may leave the Giants with too much to do at the trade table. The classy midfielder has proven his ability to carve up games with immense running power and foot skills, cementing his place in top 10 calculations. On the Swans’ side of things, Aidan McCartney has plenty of talent but will miss most of the year with injury and may well chase his father-son ties to North Melbourne. Midfielder Henry Meaney has been in exceptional form, while the raw athleticism of tall defenders Jake Medved and Mason McGroder has clubs on notice.

QUEENSLAND:

Best available: Caylen Murray (#22)

Another relatively straightforward selection, Murray was one of just two bottom-agers to make his Allies debut last year – alongside Matthews. He was terrific in the Allies’ opening game this year and catches the eye with his playmaking ability off half-back. Also capable of running through midfield or along the wing, he has pace to burn and gets in all the right spots to generate overlap run. He’s the leading Lions-tied talent, while hard-running utility Archie Hill shapes as the Suns’ best. Most suited to playing off half-back or the wing, he provides leadership qualities as an industrious outside runner. A potential get for other clubs is over-ager Reece Thompson, who should make his way into the Allies side. The left-footed forward has plenty of talent and has shown it in Lions colours, but isn’t linked under Academy rules.

TASMANIA:

Best available: Hugh McCallum (#26)

McCallum is another leading prospect sidelined by injury, with his ACL tear putting him out for the remainder of the year. That didn’t stop him from putting his name forward in the Tasmanian pathway, compiling several dominant performances on the eve of Allies duties. An absolute running machine along the wing, McCallum prolifically shifts the ball from end-to-end with his ability to both track back and float forward. While lightly framed, he’s strong overhead and can win his own ball, but thrives on the outside. He’s in the top 30 range. In terms of those still in action out of Tasmania, North Melbourne NGA prospect Archie Devine is on the radar as a playmaking utility who can play in each third of the ground.