STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Aggression
+ Athleticism
+ Mobility
+ Running capacity
+ Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Consistency
- Ground balls
- Strength

Croft does a lot of things well for a player his size, but the most notable of his traits is athleticism. The 200cm forward is capable of covering serious ground and runs a 2km time trial most midfielders would envy - clocking in at 6:05 during the National Draft Combine. He's also spring-heeled and attacks the aerial ball hard, while having the capacity to both carry the ball with speed or hunt the opposition down in punishing tackles. That kind of all-round athletic profile is hard to find, no less in a key position prospect.

Much of Croft's best work on-field is done in the air. Around a third of his average disposals across all competitions come from marks; in the Coates Talent League that translated to 10.2 disposals and 3.5 marks (2.0 contested) per his 11 games. He utilises his range and length in the ruck too, pinch-hitting at the centre bounces and taking stoppages inside 50. A significant positive with Croft is that he has the kind of aggression required of talls, jumping at the ball with little regard for his own safety and rising above packs.

The type of player to make his few possessions count, Croft is a consistent goal kicker. He was held goalless just twice in the Talent League season and held together a seven-game streak of snaring multiple majors. It's a relatively simple game when Croft is playing - jump, mark, score. His conversion was a touch inconsistent throughout the season, either catching fire as he did with a deadeye four-goal haul against the Young Guns, or spraying shots out on the full and into the mark. Regardless, he's a constant aerial and scoring threat.

As a capable runner with both speed and endurance, Croft is difficult to contain on the lead. He has the tank to overwork his opponents as a high centre half-forward, but has arguably been more prominent when stationed closer to goal this year. At the next level, more key defenders will be able to match him for reach and leap, meaning he'll have to lean on his endurance base to have a sustained impact. Croft posted under 10 touches in six of 11 Talent League games this year, so his four-quarter consistency and overall production level can certainly lift.

Other areas of his overall craft like ground balls could also do with some polish, though Croft is quite nimble for his size. His tackling numbers, which sit around two per game, do not jump off the page but the 18-year-old applies good defensive pressure and makes sure his opponents feel it when they're caught. With those added elements, Croft will become an all-round force in the AFL system and likely gives the Bulldogs selection headaches down the spine for years to come as he slots in alongside young talls Sam Darcy, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, and Aaron Naughton.