THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGER

There are few tall forwards who play with the same intensity and mongrel that Jed Walter does. The Suns Academy product has a ravenous appetite for the contest and is not afraid to get his hands dirty defensively, harassing opposition defenders and throwing his body around inside attacking 50. When afforded a run and jump at the contest, watch out, because Walter will bring the ball and a bunch of bodies with him. He has been on the top five radar for a while, since turning heads for the Allies as a bottom-ager. In 2023, new heights have been hit.

JULY RANKING: #2

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Walter has been out of action with a knee injury since the National Championships and will sit out the remainder of the season, though does not require surgery. Otherwise, he would have joined Suns Academy teammates like Ethan Read, Jake Rogers, and Will Graham in Gold Coast’s VFL outfit.

SLICK STEPPER

Colby McKercher is a player with substance to match his flair. The ultra consistent midfielder compliments his ability to rack up big possession hauls with an eye-catching turn of speed and sharp left-foot kicking skills –  all of which he uses to carve the game open. Proving undeniable as a genuine top five talent, the Tasmanian standout led the RMC Medal count for much of the year having been adjudged best afield in all bar one of his Talent League outings.

JULY RANKING: #3

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McKercher is another top-end talent who has recently been struck down by injury. He was brought down awkwardly in a tackle and got scans last week on a foot concern, but not before bagging two goals in the first quarter of Tasmania’s 70-point win over Calder. The Devils had an otherwise lean fixture in August, meaning McKercher got back to TSL level and did some nice things as a forward in Launceston’s side. He faces a race against the clock to feature the Talent League finals.

SMOOTH MOVER

The third in line of four Duursma siblings, Zane could arguably end up being the best of the lot. A natural forward, the athletic 189cm prospect has become much more than a pinch-hitting midfielder this year and offers a dynamic skillset in either role. He leaps and marks one-touch overhead, covers the ground beautifully, and has a happy knack for sharking centre bounces at speed. There are few mid-sized players with as much upside as Duursma this year, and that says a lot considering his competition at the top end.

JULY RANKING: #7

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Duursma has hit his stride in the back-end of the Talent League season, thriving in his most natural post up forward. He booted 14 goals in his last three games, split into bags of six, four and four, proving difficult to stop inside 50 with his one-touch marking and ability to glide over the grass with ease. He makes things look easy and has served a timely reminder of his top five potential.

THE EVERYMAN

Among the most in-vogue traits for modern day AFL Draft prospects is versatility, and Daniel Curtin has proven to have it in spades. He has had stints up forward, down back, and even in midfield, though the consensus is he looks most at home as a key defender. The 195cm tall is able to compete for intercept marks and use the ball beautifully on his wand of a left foot. A genuine big game player, Curtin tends to play his best footy at representative level and burst onto the national stage with his BOG outing in last year’s Under 17 Futures showcase on AFL Grand Final day.

JULY RANKING: #6

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Curtin made his League debut at the start of August and hasn’t missed a beat in the senior grade. His Claremont side locked away a finals spot over the weekend, with the 195cm utility snaring 16 disposals to bring his average up to 18 across four games, with his best being a haul of 21 on debut. While many believe he is best suited to a key defensive role, Curtin has proven his nous as a midfielder and can genuinely play anywhere. He remains in the race to be taken inside the top two or three picks.

THE WIZARD

There is no mistaking the wonderfully skilled magician that is Nick Watson. The Eastern Ranges pocket rocket has long faced queries over his size, but deserves to be ranked this highly on talent alone. At 170cm, he has all the speed and skill of any good small but defies his size with a terrific leap and the ability to manufacture a range of avenues to goal. He has added strings to his bow this year too, racking up huge numbers in attack, defence, and even on a wing. He’s as polished as anyone in the 2023 crop.

JULY RANKING: #4

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While he couldn’t quite help Caulfield Grammar get over the line for a second-straight APS title, Watson has since returned to the Talent League with eyes on showcasing his versatility. His first game back since Round 3 yielded 20 touches, five marks and a goal against Geelong, before returning 22 disposals in a loss to Gippsland over the weekend. Watson has ventured up to a wing while rotating forward in both games and looking busy as ever.

THE UNICORN

Ethan Read is a player with massive upside. He has a terrific aerobic base and covers the ground incredibly well at over 200cm, is clean below his knees, and can certainly pluck a grab. Though he has a ways to go when it comes to the contested side of his game, the Suns Academy prospect is projecting to be a bonafide top five contender by the end of the year. He’s among a raft of rising key position prospects set to be considered in the early stages of the draft, which in turn will cause a significant headache for Gold Coast’s recruiting team.

JULY RANKING: #5

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Read is one of the many draft prospects to have broken through for their state league debuts of late, doing so for Gold Coast’s VFL side in Round 21. The ruckman started up forward and troubled AFL-listed opposition with his mobility, but could only muster four behinds from a promising 12 disposals and five marks. He also got a run in the centre bounces and hardly looked out of place despite having some filling out to do.

THE UNDENIABLE

A Tasmanian native who is now strutting his stuff in Victoria, Ryley Sanders has taken his game to new heights in 2023. The midfielder, who boards at Melbourne Grammar, joined the Sandringham Dragons program last year after emerging as one of the Apple Isle’s top talents, and remains among the leading Allied prospects. Sanders’ ability to add strings to his bow on top of the strong, clean, and consistent ball winning base he is lauded for makes him just about undeniable as a top 10 talent, and one of the few pure midfielders in said range.

JULY RANKING: #8

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Sanders finished up his school football campaign and has returned strong numbers upon returning to the Sandringham Dragons’ setup. While he and his side have looked flat over the last fortnight, Sanders has collected hauls of 35 and  26 disposals in consecutive losses. He has also rotated forward to good effect and continues to work into the right spots to impact games.

CONNOR O’ ALL TRADES

Connor O’Sullivan is among the rare group of 198cm players who can ply their trade in any role asked of them, having swung up either end of the ground and even through midfield in 2023. He moves super well for his height and can rack up possessions like a mid-sized player, but bases his game on impacting aerially from contest to contest before mopping up at ground level. The Albury native was a pillar of the title-winning Allies squad and is yet another tall in this crop who has accelerated his development after a bottom-age campaign of nice glimpses.

JULY RANKING: #9

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The last month has seen O’Sullivan tested arguably more than he has been all year, at least in context. A one-point upset win over Calder saw the versatile tall play on fellow first round talent Jordan Croft, amassing 26 disposals and eight marks but ultimately granting his opponent far too much freedom. He then had his magnet shuffled in a 13-disposal game against Dandenong, which the Bushrangers lost by 68 points. He’ll look to rebound in Wildcard Round fresh off a bye.

THE AERIALIST

If the name sounds familiar, Nate Caddy is the nephew of two-time premiership Tiger, Josh. He’s a bit taller than his uncle at 192cm and plays like a genuine key position option against his peers, but has the dynamism to develop in other roles. Caddy’s athleticism and aerial ability are pillars of his game and traits which have him pegged as a genuine high-end prospect, despite any conjecture about where he may best fit in at the elite level.

JULY RANKING: #12

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The enigmatic Caddy had a largely positive month, helping Parade College do the Herald Sun Shield double and producing one of his finest Talent League outings to date. He started August with back-to-back bags of four goals, with the second against Sandringham coming from an impressive 20 disposals and 11 marks. He was on song in that game, but failed to hit the scoreboard over the weekend in a tough loss to Calder.

SILKY SKILLS

There are few more enjoyable players to watch in full flight than Darcy Wilson, whose smooth movement and wicked step often times make opponents look silly. The Murray Bushrangers standout is capable of playing on either side of midfield and up forward, breaking lines with his speed and hitting the scoreboard with great proficiency. He has backed up a promising bottom-age campaign with aplomb, proving his high-end potential with top performances for Murray, Vic Country, and the National Academy.

JULY RANKING: #11

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There are few more in-form players at Talent League level than Wilson at the moment. He has consistently been a shining light for Murray, producing a remarkable run of form which culminated in efforts of 35 and 28 disposals in August. He has thrived with a permanent spot in the Bushrangers’ midfield, acting as a key ball winner and prime mover around the ground, able to accumulate in all areas and pop up for important goals. He remains in the same range he has featured in all year.

POCKET ROCKET

A player with all the skill and flair any good small should have, Jake Rogers proves that if you’re good enough, you’re big enough. The 171cm Suns Academy speedster has a wicked turn of foot and is super clean at stoppage, defying his size as a bonafide midfield prospect. Though, his willingness to apply defensive pressure and notable skill, combined with elite decision making make him a prospect who could genuinely develop in any third of the ground at AFL level – most likely up forward.

JULY RANKING: #10

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Rogers is another Suns Academy gun who gained exposure at VFL level, adding his second game at the end of July and a third in August. The midfielder has hardly been his prolific self and seemed to pick up a knock against Sydney in Round 21, managing seven disposals and a classy goal. Naturally, he has also spent more time experimenting as a small forward.

THE NEXT FATHER-SON GUN

A bolter of sorts out of the Calder Cannons, Jordan Croft has built exponentially on the small windows of promise he provided last year. At 200cm, he is yet another key position prospect tied to the Western Bulldogs as the son of 186-game former ‘Dog, Matthew. Jordan’s mobility as a ruck-forward is outstanding as he can carry the ball at speed and tackle aggressively, while also having the spring-heeled aerial impact you would expect of a player his height. He has a massive amount of potential to grow even further, still.

JULY RANKING: #14

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His numbers may not always jump off the page, but Croft has been going along nicely. He was outstanding with 3.4 from 17 disposals and seven marks against Connor O’Sullivan and the Murray Bushrangers, before booting 2.2 from nine touches and six marks in a heavy loss to Tasmania. After being a shining light in the latter game, Croft’s run ended with a goal and five disposals against Northern.

THE INTERCEPTOR

Ollie Murphy is another key position prospect who continues to rise up the board after first entering our draft board in July. Though he previously rolled through the ruck and up forward at school football level, Murphy has found a home in defence in 2023 where his reading of the play and marking ability make for great viewing. He is composed in possession, attacks the aerial ball like a forward would, and at 200cm has exciting athleticism which points towards strong upside.

JULY RANKING: #13

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Murphy is another player who rounded out his school football campaign, albeit without a title, and has since returned to the Talent League fold. He missed Sandringham’s Round 16 loss to Northern, but showed some great signs with 13 disposals and seven marks in an enthralling battle against Oakleigh’s Will Elliott. The game was conducive to end-to-end footy and while Murphy was beaten in a few contests, he hardly lowered his head and backed himself to intercept whatever came his way.

ATHLETIC PHENOM

The second father-son candidate to feature in our top 20, Will McCabe has the makings of a serious player. The son of Luke is tied to Hawthorn and plies his trade for Central District in the SANFL Under 18s, where he has put up a string of strong numbers. Last year, he shot to prominence as South Australia’s Under 16 MVP – albeit competing as an over-ager there – and has shown marked improvement as a top-ager to press his case as a genuine first round prospect. He has serious athleticism; able to fly for contested marks, follow up, and carry the ball with speed.

JULY RANKING: #16

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McCabe has been sidelined with a foot injury over the last month, having last been sighted on Reserves debut in mid-July. He clunked 10 marks on that day as Central District beat West Adelaide by 50 points, but has not been able to build on it since.

SURPRISE PACKET

A bolter from the Apple Isle, James Leake took full advantage of his opportunity with the Allies and now finds himself in the top 20 frame. The Tasmanian mostly plies his trade as an athletic third-up defender with a competitive streak, hardly beaten in the air and tough to catch across the ground. He was a key and consistent member of the Allies’ back line and holds the same status for the Devils at Talent League level, even with stints in midfield and up forward.

JULY RANKING: #22

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Leake continues his ascent up draft boards having produced two more outstanding performances for the Tasmania Devils. Having mostly plied his trade as a defender for the Allies, Devils, and Launceston this year, Leake has been swung into a permanent forward role and booted nine goals over the last fortnight. That kind of versatility has him rated highly, with Leake’s aerial prowess, athleticism, and competitiveness all highly desirable traits.

RELENTLESS REBOUNDER

A classic running half-back, Riley Hardeman has made the improvements necessary to re-establish himself among the nation’s top 25 prospects. The West Australian Under 18 captain has been blooded at senior level having popped on the draft radar some time ago, plying his trade with Swan Districts’ Colts. He’s a natural accumulator and thrives when chaining possessions in transition, using his speed-endurance mix and raking foot skills to set up countless attacks. An improved intercept game has also helped his draft stocks.

JULY RANKING: #19

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A knee complaint hampered his return game in the WAFL Colts, but Hardeman has since been a dominant player in Swan Districts’ side. The rebounder has averaged 25 disposals over his last three games, with the majority of them being kicks as he begins to put every part of his game together and hit top form in the back-end of the season.

THE SPEEDSTER

Having watched his brother Kai carve through the pathway before him, Caleb Winsdor is blazing his own trail at a good rate of knots. The speedy and agile wingman has a happy knack for working into space, and is capable of tearing opposition sides to shreds in attacking phases. He is beginning to become a more polished ball user and is regarded as one of the premier outside midfielders of the draft class – hence his rise up the ranks.

JULY RANKING: #26

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Windsor gradually snuck into our top 20 over the past month, stringing together a strong run of form to cement his place in first round considerations. Regarded as one of the crop’s best two outside midfielder, he has been allowed to showcase his best traits on the wing for Eastern. In the month of August, Windsor averaged 22 disposals and over a goal per his three Talent League games, proving hard to contain with his speed-agility threat and penetrative kicking.

HITOUT KING

The tallest player to feature in our top 20 at 206cm, Mitchell Edwards is in a similar category to fellow ruck Ethan Read in the sense that his upside is phenomenal. Edwards has dominated the ruck realm against his peers and has proven his dexterity around the ground, even hitting the scoreboard consistently at WAFL Colts level before cracking the Reserves grade. He’s a Fremantle NGA member but is just about certain not to end up in purple via the bidding system, which would require him to fall outside of the top 40 picks.

JULY RANKING: #15

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Edwards has now racked up a handful of Reserves games, with four coming in the month of August. He put together one of his stronger performances at the level most recently, managing a personal-best of 16 disposals and 20 hitouts in Peel’s loss to Swan Districts on Saturday. The Thunder tall has had to compete with Fremantle-listed players in the same posts too, making it a touch more difficult to impact consistently.

QUIET ARCH-IEVER

The brother of Essendon defender, Zach Reid, Archer must have been the marking target in his family’s backyard kick-abouts. He’s a wonderfully mobile type at 203cm, possessing sticky hands both in the air and below his knees along with terrific mobility to boot. Reid is a player who was pegged as a top 10 contender coming into his top-age campaign, and while he has plenty of great tools, has some work to do to work back into that range.

JULY RANKING: #25

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Reid is another prospect who has begun to find form at the right time, producing the type of performances many thought he was capable of coming into the year. Though he has been kept goalless in his last two outings, Reid bagged three goals from 12 disposals and seven marks against Bendigo in Round 15, while also contributing 21 hitouts. That effort came after consecutive four-goal hauls, and the main positive is that Reid is beginning to show a greater hunger for the contest and gets after it as he switches roles.

RISING RUCK

Another rising key position prospect, Green has the makings of a serious talent if he can consistently put the pieces together. The 204cm big man is mechanically sound for such a developing type, adding sound fundamentals to his undeniably strong ruck craft. He earned a couple of key honours heading into his top-age campaign, named in the National Academy and as Northern Knights co-captain.

JULY RANKING: #20

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You would be hard pressed to find a more impressive quarter of footy from a ruck than what Green conjured against Sandringham in Round 16. Having been relatively quiet in his previous two games outside of the ruck contest, Green came to life and ended up with 15 disposals, six marks, and 19 hitouts in the upset victory. Positively, he backed that up with another 15 touches, five marks and 30 hitouts in a loss to Calder. Should he maintain such form, he may be hard to deny as a late first round chance, and second round lock.

SPEED TO BURN

A talented dual-sportsman who ran drinks for the Australian cricket team last summer, De Mattia has taken his opportunity in the footballing pathway with both hands. He has speed to burn, capable of using it on the outside or as a pressure forward, but also proving effective as an inside midfielder or running defender. For what he lacks in polish at times, he makes up for in effort and leadership quality. De Mattia is not only co-captain for the Dandenong Stingrays, but reprised the same role with Vic Country alongside Harley Reid.

JULY RANKING: #17

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You can hardly fault De Mattia for effort and while he can be scrappy at times, he tends to get the job done more often than not. The best part about his most recent two outings has been the versatility on offer, with Dandenong’s co-captain starting in midfield but also doubling as a running defender. He uses his pace and booming kick to advantage in both roles, and obviously has the capacity to roll forward or onto the wing. He was among the Stingrays’ best on Saturday in a loss to Tasmania, gathering 30 disposals and eight inside 50s to prove his willingness to adapt to what his team needs.

THE PLAYMAKER

Another premier running defender, Archie Roberts may split recruiters but offers a distinct and consistent style. Whether turning out for Haileybury College, the Sandringham Dragons, or Vic Metro, Roberts shoulders the responsibility or distributing the ball from defence, leaning on his penetrative left-foot kicking skills and speed to take the game on. He sets up play nicely, but can take the next step with better exposed form in, or by improving the defensive side of his game.

JULY RANKING: #21

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Having helped guide Haileybury to an APS title, Roberts has played his fourth and fifth Talent League games for the year over the last fortnight. As advertised, he has spent more time up the field but struggled to make his usual impact on the wing with 14 disposals in Saturday’s loss to Oakleigh, opposed to Will Lorenz. He managed 19 touches against Northern the week before, though perhaps Roberts’ current trial has only proven his greater effectiveness as a playmaking defender, where he can more easily get the ball in his hands.

KOLT HERO

Koltyn Tholstrup has the flair on and off the field to suggest he will quickly become a genuine cult hero at the next level, but there is substance to his game too. The Subiaco midfielder-forward has broken through to the senior WAFL grade and is always up for a contest, working hard in either post and building on the explosive Colts season he put together in 2022. He can take strong grabs at 184cm, is no stranger to hitting the scoreboard, and has serious power to go with his effort game.

JULY RANKING: #18

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Tholstrup spent most of August on the sidelines with a groin injury, but managed to make his return via the Reserves on Saturday. He collected 10 disposals, three marks and a goal as Subiaco breezed past East Fremantle, and will hope his efforts help to earn a spot back in the Lions’ League side during the upcoming finals series.

THE SUPERBOOT

There are few more pure kickers in this year’s draft crop than Arie Schoenmaker, whose out-and-out strength is his distribution by foot. After serving an early season suspension, the Tasmanian slotted into Talent League level with aplomb and has carried on his TSL form with Launceston. An addition to the Allies squad, Schoenmaker showcased his versatility in the title-winning side and has some recruiters edging him towards the top 25 with his speed and skill. He is continuing to work on his contested game and perhaps enhancing his marking presence at 194cm.

JULY RANKING: Unranked

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Schoenmaker produced arguably his best performance of the season on Saturday, racking up 32 disposals (29 kicks), nine marks and 14 rebound 50s as Tasmania secured the Talent League minor premiership. While his usually sharp kicking radar was a touch off at times, Schoenmaker showed positive signs in the way of his contested and intercept marking, proving a dominant force across the Devils’ back line. In the week prior, he posted 21 touches, seven marks and a long-range goal against Calder, having also turned out for Launceston during Tasmania’s bye period.

THE ULTIMATE UTILITY

Whether it be in his usual station on the wing, through the centre bounces or resting up forward, Joel Freijah shot onto the scene early in 2023. The GWV Rebels utility has serious pop as a 191cm talent who is elusive as those 20cm shorter than him, but strong as you would expect. His athleticism, versatility and work rate are strengths which look like carrying him far – previously even higher than his current ranking.

JULY RANKING: #23

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Having proven to be a consistent performer for GWV throughout 2023, Freijah has his first real down game at the level with 12 touches against Bendigo in Round 16. That outing was middled by 22 touches and seven marks against Northern, and most recently his two-goal effort in a win over Western. While his early-season form has been difficult to replicate, the signs of Freijah’s class remain and his high-end traits will have him in right in the draft frame.

COMEBACK KOEN

Having battled through injury setbacks during his bottom-age campaign, Koen Sanchez has made a triumphant return to form as a top-ager. The West Australian consistently played up at representative level and was one of the Black Ducks’ most important players this year, offering speed, creativity, and consistent effort. He is a capable quick and small midfielder, but has more recently found his groove as a forward – adapting to each role required of him.

JULY RANKING: #27

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Sanchez is yet another junior who managed to crack the senior grades in August, earning back-to-back Reserves games for East Fremantle. He notched 20 and 12 disposals respectively, before returning to the Sharks’ Colts side and averaging 23 touches across three games. Whether through midfield or up forward, he has shown enough quality to keep his spot in our top 30.

SLINGSHOTTER

A rebound defender who bases his game off Hawthorn’s Changkuoth Jiath, Luamon Lual suits modern-day football. He has been a mainstay in the GWV Rebels’ defence for two seasons now and could well end up as an NGA product who is picked up by another club, to the detriment of the Western Bulldogs. Lual has terrific speed and holds a high line behind the ball, competing well to force turnovers and proving composed in possession, even when setting off at pace. He does his best work facing forward.

JULY RANKING: #28

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With sides experimenting and many top prospects being challenged in the back-end of the season, Lual enjoyed a largely fruitful stint though GWV’s midfield before reverting back to his usual defensive post. He hit a high point with 25 disposals, six tackles and five inside 50s in the Rebels’ Round 15 win over Northern, but has been quieter over the last fortnight with a combined return of 23 touches.

BEE IN A BOTTLE

As busy as they come, Phoenix Gothard catches the eye with bursts of speed and showings of smarts. The lively small forward snuck into the Allies side this year and took his chance to play out all four games in the title-winning run. He is capable of working over his opponent beyond the attacking arc, but is just as dangerous close to goal and has the creativity to produce chances for others. Consistency will be the main area he looks to iron out as he primes himself for a late run into the top 30.

JULY RANKING: Unranked

LAST MONTH:

Gothard turned out for both of Murray’s games in August and hit around his usual mark having found some handy form the previous month. He averaged 15 disposals, five marks and five tackles across the two outings but was held goalless, looking to make an impact with his movement in the attacking half and even being trialled in midfield. He still looks most effective as a forward and will hope to round out his season strongly.

DUAL-FOOTED WONDER

A prospect who has caused conjecture throughout the year, Ashton Moir lays claim to a bunch of freakish traits which once had him pegged as a top five talent. Although, the Glenelg forward has struggled to live up to that kind of hype it in the face of a few setbacks in 2023. Nonetheless, his uncanny ability to kick proficiently off either foot, athleticism, and marking prowess are all assets which will undoubtedly keep him in many clubs’ minds. Consistency, and the ability to impact games in diverse ways remain areas for improvement.

JULY RANKING: Unranked

LAST MONTH:

Though there hasn’t been one real standout performance from Moir over the last month to point towards for his rise into the top 30, his talent is hard to deny. The forward had another run at Reserves level before returning to the Under 18 grade, though his 10 disposals, six marks and two goals weren’t enough to get Glenelg over the line for a finals berth. It means Moir has likely played his final game for the year. He still has a way to go in a few key areas, but clubs will value his character and the raw potential he has – surely it’s too good to overlook past the second round.