ROOKIE Me Central dropped its third Power Rankings instalment for 2022 last Monday, and now that the dust has settled on the top 25, we have compiled all of your burning questions to answer in one hit. The remaining representative calendar made for some key shifts at the top of the order, while five fresh faces entered the rankings. Scroll to see whether your question was answered.

>> AFL DRAFT TOP 25: August 2022 Power Rankings

>> Your questions answered: July Edition

Legend: Q = Question | A = Answer

Q: Is Bailey Humphrey a potential top 10 bolter?

A: There has been a lot of love for Humphrey since his return from a knee injury for Gippsland. The Power skipper has looked at his powerful best in his two most recent games at NAB League level, which has firmly put him in the first round frame. The midfielder-forward is an explosive athlete whose competitiveness and intent will appeal to clubs, on top of the invaluable ability to kick goals as an on-baller. Despite missing a large part of Vic Country’s representative campaign, he may well explode into the top 10 with more of the same form come year’s end – should he also stay fit.

Q: Would George Wardlaw be number one if he were playing?

A: Wardlaw’s return is certainly a highly anticipated one, especially after the likes of Humphrey and Oakleigh teammate Elijah Tsatas did so in such emphatic fashion. Ashcroft is Wardlaw’s main competitor for the number one spot, and the Brisbane Lions father-son candidate has only proven his eligibility for said status with a ridiculously good national carnival. Missing representative football will be swiftly forgotten should he set the world alight in the back-end of the season, and Wardlaw is the type of player who steps up on the big stage – like NAB League finals, and the Country-Metro showdown. Wardlaw has twice been best afield in the same game as Ashcroft this year, and will likely give himself every chance to usurp the seemingly undeniable leader.

Q: Where do you rank Adam D’Aloia?

A: D’Aloia, South Australia’s MVP, has been a mainstay in our rankings of this year’s draft crop but fell just outside of the top 25 in August. He may be on his way back as he continues to make an impression at SANFL Reserves level, and has a factor of reliability which is hard to overlook. Often compared to another South Australian state captain, Jack Graham, D’Aloia is a similar case in that he may not have some of the exciting traits and upside which scream top 20 talent, but is a consistent and natural footballer. He’s still very much around the mark.

Q: Is Essendon a chance to get Anthony Munkara as an NGA?

A: They say it’s the hope that kills you, and Essendon fans seem to have it in spades. Munkara is another who has dropped out of our top 25 this month, mainly due to the rise of others. Although, his lack of exposure at high levels is a concern, with just two SANFL Under 18 games, one Allies outing, and an AFL Academy appearance under his belt. Though he is capable of lighting up games at any level, Munkara remains somewhat of an unknown. On pure talent, he looks a top 25 prospect but is yet to take that mantle by the scruff of its neck. He may fall down the order due to the bidding system too, though whether that will be all the way out of the top 40 picks remains to be seen.

Q: Where’s Jed Hagan?

A: Hagan is one of the 67 players who earned an invite to the National Draft Combine in October, so is certainly in recruiters’ minds as far as genuine prospects go. Capable of playing in a variety of roles on each line, there is plenty to like about the highly decorated junior, though there are also the usual knocks on him. He played a key hand in Western Australia’s one-win national carnival, and has slotted straight into East Fremantle’s League side since, with 20 touches and two goals on debut. With more performances like that, he could come into second round calculations but remains around the top 40 mark.

Q: Who’s the most underrated player?

A: Along similar lines, we recently put together lists of players who may be flying under the radar, or are steeply rising in stocks this year. Among the featured players were the likes of Humphrey, Blake Drury, and Sam Gilbey, who are all pushing up draft boards. There are also a few unlucky players to have missed out on draft combine invites, with the middle and latter parts of the draft looking typically even. It’s hard to pinpoint one prospect as the most underrated, though the aforementioned articles outline plenty.