STRENGTHS:

+ Consistency
+ Finishing
+ Forward craft
+ Marking
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Speed

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Production
- Tackling

Alger established himself as one of the draft crop's best goalsneaks in 2024. He strung together a consistent run of form in the APS, booting majors in every game including multiple five-goal hauls and a high of eight against Geelong Grammar. One to stand up in big games, he worked well in tandem with other small-medium forwards to hurt the opposition with high scoreboard impact.

His four-goal performance in Wildcard Round complimented a bag of five from Waylon Davey-Motlop. Once both exited the team, the Chargers shifted from the pair's excellent 9.1, to team efforts of 9.16 and 8.18 in the following two weeks. Alger also teamed up with Joe Berry in Vic Country colours, with both players snaring three majors in their Under 18 representative debuts.

Quite an economical player, Alger isn't necessarily one to accumulate bulk possessions, and his role has a part to play in that. He averaged 10.8 disposals in six Coates Talent League games and 9.3 in the National Championships, with a high of 14 across either competition. Despite that, he made his touches count with a strong marking game and clinical, opportunistic finishing inside forward 50.

Alger has a solid set shot routine and strikes the ball nicely. It means he can take full advantage of his shrewd leading patterns and speed to gain separation from direct opponents. He also finishes well in open play, swooping on ground balls and splitting the big sticks on the run with drop punts, snaps and dribbles. Another part of his game is sound one-on-one craft, where he reads the ball better than most and owns his space to mark.

Having spent time further afield throughout his journey, particularly on the wing, Alger is also capable of breaking the lines with dash and dare. He placed fourth at the National Draft Combine for his 2.931-second 20m sprint, and came 10th in the agility test (8.141 seconds). Both attributes hold him in good stead to become a lively fixture deep inside 50, but he also has the running capacity to play higher.

Picking out glaring improvement areas is difficult for Alger, as he tends to do a lot right. He could become a more consistent four-quarter performer, and boosting his defensive acts may aid that quest. While his pressure is relatively sound, being able to stick his tackles and make his presence felt going both ways will make him a more well-rounded aerial and ground level prospect.