ANOTHER round of Under 18 National Championships action has seen plenty of movement amongst the depths of the draft pool. Intercept defenders, tall goalkickers and state skippers headlined those to elevate their stocks over the weekend. We outline a dozen prospects who impressed across the two games.

>> Rolling Rankings: Top 30 AFL Draft prospects

RISING STOCKS

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Tom Brown (Claremont)
Defender | 188cm | 29/07/2008

Brown has gone under the radar this year given his usually low statistical output, but has been just about unbeatable on the defensive end. With the speed to play on smalls and strength to match it with talls, Brown halves one-on-one contests at a minimum through sheer will and physicality. The Claremont Colt was immense for WA over the weekend, finally earning outside plaudits for his aerial prowess and desperate defensive acts. If he can lift his output and attacking influence, watch out.

Current Range: 35-50

Leo Steed (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 177cm | 07/03/2008

Steed was once again outstanding in his second champs appearance, leading by example with pure tenacity and work rate in midfield. The scrappy ball winner showcased his inside game with team-high figures for contested possessions (11), tackles (eight) and clearances (six), while maintaining his usual running power on the outside. A few players showed room for improvement with their foot skills and while Steed can sharpen his delivery on the run, he looks a nailed on first round prospect at this stage.

Current Range: 12-20

Benji van Rooyen (Claremont)
Ruck | 203cm | 17/09/2008

Tasked with arguably the toughest ruck matchup at this level, van Rooyen more than stood up to the task. Boasting long reach and a safe set of hands, he extended well for a couple of impressive pack marks down the line. What’s more, he leapt aggressively at the centre ball-ups to lead the hitout count and was prepared to scrap for the ball on hands and knees. Having competed well against the nation’s best, van Rooyen can take the next step by enhancing his foot skills and forward half threat.

Current Range: 30-50

>> Scouting Notes: Western Australia vs. Vic Metro

VIC METRO:

Albert MacGowan (Sandringham Dragons)
Wing/Midfielder | 187cm | 27/07/2008

MacGowan has proven no stranger to racking up big disposal hauls this season, and while he was steady with 22 over the weekend, made a major impact in the win over WA. Operating mostly on the wing with stints on-ball, the outside running machine had no trouble finding width and all the right areas to provide teammates with an outlet option. He dominated between the arcs with his clean handling and ability to connect the lines. On pure consistency and execution of role, he’s becoming hard to deny.

Current Range: 35-50

Kai Parker (Northern Knights)
Defender | 189cm | 17/10/2008

Reeling in an enormous 13 marks, several being intercepts, Parker helped his side absorb plenty of pressure in the back half. While he was also involved in Vic Metro’s high-volume possession play, Parker proved his ability to win one-on-one battles and provide bounce on the rebound. At 189cm, he’s capable of playing slightly taller on the defensive end, but has the athleticism and foot skills to do damage on the attack. Clubs will likely be enamoured by his versatility and dynamism down back.

Current Range: 35-50

Archie Spencer (Eastern Ranges)
Defender | 180cm | 24/09/2008

A surprise packet on the day, Spencer thrived in relatively new surroundings down back. His unrelenting run, energy and competitiveness were key to a largely successful outing where he topped Vic Metro’s disposal count with 25. While combative on the defensive end, Spencer translated that aggression to fast transitional play which was full of power and dare. Along with Lachie Burrows, he has maintained his best traits in a different role while showing a different side to what he normally would as a mid-forward.

Current Range: 40+

Billy Wigmore (Western Jets)
Defender | 189cm | 29/03/2008

Teaming up with Parker, Wigmore was an absolute brick wall in Vic Metro’s defence. While slightly below key position height, he tends to play tall and is near-unbeatable in the air. Wigmore put his intercept marking prowess on show among his eight grabs, showing superior reading of the play and strength in one-on-one duels. He also racked up some easier possessions and is capable of being composed in tight spots, although can continue to enhance his ball use and attacking threat to take the next step.

Current Range: 40+

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rookie Me Central (@rookiemecentral)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Charlie Bradford (West Adelaide)
Tall Forward | 193cm | 08/02/2008

While SA is missing arguably its attacking centrepiece in Dougie Cochrane, Bradford has done a terrific job at filling the void. Providing a reliable marking target up the ground, the mobile forward has showcased his running and aerial abilities to be that connection piece for the Croweaters. On Sunday, he found reward for unheralded effort in the form of four goals and put his name on the radar. Bradford is the cousin of Port Adelaide’s Ollie Lord, and grandson of 1962 Brownlow Medallist Alistair Lord.

Current Range: 40+

Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
Midfielder/Forward | 184cm | 25/07/2008

Edwards took leading from the front personally on Sunday, showing the kind of form that has him in top 10 calculations. After a steady start, he helped break the game open through utter dominance at the centre stoppages, bringing the ball forward with lethal combination play. Edwards’ power on the inside was complimented by an uptake in his influence on the outside, helping him sustain his impact after the initial stoppage. He tackled hard and slammed home a running goal to outline his potential hurt factor.

Current Range: 5-15

Jack Slattery (Woodville-West Torrens)
Tall Forward | 192cm | 27/09/2007

Slattery has spent a limited amount of time in the talent pathway, but is making up for lost ground. The over-ager showed glimpses of his marking ability in game one and followed through with a bag of six goals on Sunday. At 192cm, he provides a mobile target deep in attack and extends at the ball nicely overhead. From there, he converts his chances well over the mark. With considerable upside and senior experience in the SANFL, he could be a sharp riser should he maintain his form.

Current Range: 40+

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rookie Me Central (@rookiemecentral)

Memphis Webb (North Adelaide)
Midfielder | 184cm | 04/06/2008

Coming into the year off an ACL tear which scuppered his bottom-age campaign, Webb has well and truly found his rhythm. The powerful midfielder is accustomed to winning bulk possessions on the inside and was the perfect partner-in-crime for Edwards to dominate the centre ball-ups on Sunday. He also showed spurts of dynamism to step through traffic and drive his legs to the outside. Becoming a scoring threat and more damaging ball user will allow him to take the next step as a midfielder.

Current Range: 40+

>> Scouting Notes: South Australia vs. Allies

ALLIES:

Caylen Murray (Lions Academy/Queensland)
Defender | 181cm | 16/01/2008

Murray was far and away the Alllies’ best player against SA, showcasing his elite playmaking ability. He surged forward with relentless overlap run off half-back and consistently forged dangerous forays from the restarts, posing questions of the opposition. While sometimes he can force the issue, the damage he deals is greater. Murray’s foot skills and speed are a deadly combination, and the versatility he showed to impact with a late switch forward will only elevate his standing amongst the first round prospects.

Current Range: 12-25