STANDARD SETTER

Ashcroft is one of the most fierce competitors in the draft crop and sets high standards for his teammates. The Sandringham Dragons co-captain hardly has a bad game and posts big numbers at each level he features in – from the Coates Talent League, to APS football, the VFL, and representative level. He has a great balance of strong stoppage craft and a high running capacity to ensure he can accumulate possessions like few others can, as well as hit the scoreboard. Like brother Will, he’s tied to Brisbane as a father-son prospect and spent part of his preseason training with the Lions, before recently announcing his intention to nominated for the club. He has been part of Sandringham’s consecutive premierships and could become the first player in history to win three flags in the competition if the Dragons repeat the feat this year. A true big game player who loves crucial moments.

JULY RANKING: #4

LAST MONTH: 

Ashcroft is a perennial winner and helped the undefeated Brighton Grammar secure this year’s APS title last month. He also made his maiden VFL appearance with Brisbane and set Brighton Homes Arena alight with 35 disposals, 11 clearances and a thumping goal from the boundary. The midfielder was also prolific in his return to the Coates Talent League, racking up 46 touches in Round 18 before being restricted to 17 as Sandringham fell short of the minor premiership over the weekend. It was his second-lowest disposal haul of the season.

THE ALL-ROUNDER

Our leading prospect coming into the year, O’Sullivan has been unlucky with a couple of injury setbacks. He managed 15 disposals, four tackles and five inside 50s in Round 1 of the Coates Talent League before a broken thumb sidelined him, and injured his finger in the second AFL Academy showcase – which ruled him out of Vic Country’s opening match. He remains arguably the most well-rounded midfielder in a unique bunch; boasting a good turn of speed, contested nous, overhead marking ability, and a booming kick. On the flipside, he has very few glaring weaknesses. O’Sullivan may have been booted from top spot for now but certainly remains in the hunt and will only get better after returning to a baptism of fire at representative level, and gaining VFL exposure.

JULY RANKING: #2

LAST MONTH: 

O’Sullivan is beginning to put a slew of injury setbacks behind him. The pick one contender turned out alongside Smith in Richmond’s VFL side and took to the level well, booting two classy goals from 12 touches in his lone outing. He was unfortunately sidelined for what would have been his Coates Talent League return in Round 18, but again showcased his style in front of goal with three majors from 18 disposals in another promising step towards his best form. O’Sullivan also ran out his APS season with Xavier College strongly having been named in the bests across each of the last three rounds.

THE ULTIMATE PROSPECT

Top of the crop during the early stages of 2024, Smillie is the ultimate prospect. He draws comparisons to Patrick Cripps and Tom Green as a 194cm midfielder, but offers terrific versatility and athleticism to compliment his stoppage craft. He skippered the National Academy and Eastern Ranges, and is highly driven to earn his place as the number one draft pick. Smillie’s poise and ball use for a player his size are quite rare and make him a dynamic threat. While challenged throughout the National Championships among a stacked field of prospects, he is capable of utterly dominating his peers. There’s strong competition for top spot, which sees him dislodged in August having led in June and July.

JULY RANKING: #1

LAST MONTH: 

Having endured a somewhat underwhelming national carnival, Smillie has also battled for top form at Coates Talent League level but his profile remains one of the best in the draft pool. He copped a knock to his jaw in a 10-disposal game against Western, before coming back refreshed after the bye and posting 29 touches in Eastern’s 23-point win over Northern over the weekend. If he can continue in that vein of form, there is no reason why he cannot reclaim his crown as this year’s top prospect.

SLICK STEPPER

A fleet of foot midfielder, Draper has overcome adversity early in his top-age year to return to form. The South Adelaide product has seen brother Arlo make the big leagues and having played senior footy as a bottom-ager, is South Australia’s best prospect. He’s also the state’s captain and skippered the Panthers to an Under 18 flag last year – being best afield in the Grand Final, no less. Draper’s list of accolades is extensive having also won state MVP honours at the 2023 National Championships. His turn of speed catches the eye, but his work rate really cuts up the opposition and he can roll forward to impact the scoreboard. Draper has also been working on his kicking on the run and is the ultimate professional.

JULY RANKING: #8

LAST MONTH: 

Draper has produced some sizzling form at SANFL League level after steadily finding his groove at the National Championships. He wasted no time getting back into the swing of things, averaging 24.4 disposals, 6.4 tackles, and 5.6 clearances in a five-game stretch between Rounds 13-18. He was ultra consistent in that period, having between 23-27 touches each week, but struggled to impact for the first time at League level in Round 19 as South Adelaide rounded out its season with a 118-point loss to Glenelg. Despite that 11-disposal game, his exploits while playing though midfield in the nation’s strongest state league are nothing to scoff at. South Adelaide missed out on League and Under 18 finals, but remain in the Reserves flag race.

PURE CLASS & POISE

Reid timed his top performance for Vic Metro exceptionally well, and went on to take out MVP honours to strengthen his top 10 credentials. The midfielder was arguably the most unlucky player to miss out on National Academy honours this year but continues to impress at school, Coates Talent League, and representative levels. While not blessed with natural pace, Reid is fleet of thought with smarts, decision making and ball use being his main assets. He hardly wastes a touch and finds the ball in dangerous areas when not doing so at stoppages. Playing at such a high level alongside a host of the year’s top prospects has only boosted his standing, and he is one of the most creative handball exponents available.

JULY RANKING: #10

LAST MONTH: 

After running out his school football season with Caulfield Grammar, Reid has returned to the fold with Sandringham at Coates Talent League level. He was also slated for a VFL debut with Richmond, but due to his regional ties to Sandringham Zebras, was denied the chance. Nonetheless, Reid picked up where he left off at the National Championships with a 39-disposal return game for the Dragons, backed up by another 25 over the weekend. He’s in serious touch and will push to be considered among the top five prospects.

MIDFIELD BULL

Lalor is somewhat of an unknown within the top 10 having battled through seperate injuries this year – from a hip complaint in preseason, to foot and quad niggles more recently. Although, he was solid for the AFL Academy in game two and starred in his return games for both Geelong Grammar and GWV Rebels. His ability to impact up forward should hold him in good stead as he continues to ease back into action, though the midfield is where Lalor arguably shines brightest. The big-bodied contested bull draws comparisons to Dustin Martin for his explosiveness and no-nonsense approach at the contest, able to fend off opponents and extract the ball at will.

JULY RANKING: #5

LAST MONTH: 

Lalor’s Geelong Grammar School finished the APS season with a single win and draw, before he went on to return to Coates Talent League action. He was a little subdued at the stoppages in GWV’s Round 18 win over Oakleigh, but proved a strong marking presence around the ground and used his kicking effectively with 22 disposals and seven inside 50s. Lalor then had 25 touches and booted a goal in a loss to the top Country region, Geelong over the weekend. He’ll likely find his best form in the back-end of the year, and could prove to be a different beast with a full AFL preseason under his belt.

THE TOP TALL

Setting himself apart as the best tall talent in this year’s draft, Trainor is surrounded by midfielders in the top-end of the rankings. He measures up at 195cm but doesn’t quite play like a genuine key defender, instead working most effectively as the main interceptor and distributor – think Tom Stewart. His aerial ability is terrific, able to leap at the ball with confidence or stand under high balls and pluck them at the top of his reach. Complimenting his defensive game is some of the best composure and kicking you’re likely to see from a tall. He also rates himself as a potential swingman. Trainor was best afield in the AFL Academy’s first game and helped Vic Metro clinch the Under 18s title with a goal after the siren.

JULY RANKING: #6

LAST MONTH: 

Trainor was determined to showcase his ability to shift forward effectively and did so with some crucial moments as Brighton Grammar took out the APS title. He has otherwise slotted back into Sandringham’s defence, albeit playing across an aggressively high line. Trainor posted 33 disposals and 10 marks in his return game against Geelong Falcons, but missed Round 19 and will hope to get back for the Dragons’ impending finals campaign.

BEST IN THE WEST

The sole West Australian to feature in our rankings all year, Allan also shoulders his state’s captaincy. He featured for the Black Ducks at last year’s National Championships and was a bright light in a dour campaign, going on to raise his stocks as a top-ager. Allan has spent most of his junior career as a defender but was trialled up forward late last year and is now developing as a midfielder. His size, explosive speed and willingness to take the game on make him an exciting player to watch in full flight. Down back, where he played two senior games to start the year, Allan is a capable interceptor and sound distributor on his favoured left foot. He missed game one of the National Championships through a back injury but excelled at the level and is now heading into Peel Thunder’s League finals campaign.

JULY RANKING: #9

LAST MONTH: 

Allan now has nine League games under his belt having slotted straight back into Peel’s senior lineup from Round 14, onwards. He managed a personal-best 20 disposals and seven marks in the Thunder’s 35-point win over Claremont at the start of August, enjoying a little more time on-ball in recent weeks to go with his usual posting down back. While his output has steadied, Allan helped his side achieve a top two finish. Peel’s finals campaign begins on Saturday with a clash against Swan Districts. The Thunder’s Reserves and Colts are out of the running.

ON-BALL BRUTE

One of the top performers at the year’s National Championships, Langford set the tone through midfield with his ability to both win the contested ball and spread forward. His penetrative left foot is used to launch attacks, while he has a handy point of difference in being able to go forward and provide strong marking presence at 190cm. Langford is a co-captain at Dandenong Stingrays and has been a mainstay in the side for two seasons, putting up big numbers across the board. He may split some recruiters given his lack of natural pace, but has all the right footballing attributes and a ravenous work ethic. Having dominated his peers, he was recently given a VFL opportunity with Richmond – the club he supports.

JULY RANKING: #25

LAST MONTH: 

Along with Smith and O’Sullivan, Langford was blooded in Richmond’s VFL side for positive results. He spent a half playing on-ball and the other up forward for 12 disposals, setting up the play nicely with his kicking and adjusting to the game’s tempo. Otherwise, he has been typically rampant in the Coates Talent League and had a massive game over the weekend, posting 33 disposals and four goals in Dandenong’s 10-point win over Gippsland. His exposed form throughout the year, across multiple levels, has been as good as anyone.

COMBATIVE QUEENSLANDER

After the Suns Academy produced four first round draftees last year, Lombard has set himself apart as the program’s leading 2024 talent. The powerful midfielder loves to get stuck in with chat and niggle on the field, but backs it up with enormous talent. He leads through actions as a player with high work rate; able to run in waves and connect with opponents on the attack, while also applying himself with strong defensive efforts. Lombard won a VFL premiership with the Suns last year and was levels above in his opening two National Championships outings, going on to take out the Larke Medal alongside Vic Country’s Harvey Langford.

JULY RANKING: #7

LAST MONTH: 

Lombard has been plying his trade at VFL level since dominating the National Championships, showing flashes of his high-end potential with an extended run in the state league. His Suns were eliminated from the finals race in a Wildcard Round loss over the weekend, but Lombard had 18 disposals to round out his eight-game season with an average of 17.5. The highlight of his last month was an electric three-goal burst against Coburg in Round 19, to go with his 22 touches and six tackles.

THE GREAT UNKNOWN

Hotton’s place in the rankings is largely out of his hands given he will take no further part in the season after suffering an ACL tear. The dynamic midfielder-forward made a magnificent start to the year, producing games like his 32-disposal, 10-mark and four-goal effort against Oakleigh in Round 2, along with a scintillating display for the National Academy as a top-up player. After injuring himself at training, those performances will be the measure of his talent. Hotton is ultra athletic, offering terrific agility and spring in his leap to compliment his ability to rack up possessions and hit the scoreboard. He’ll be well guided off-field as the son of former Blue and Pie, Trent, and brother of St Kilda’s Olli.

JULY RANKING: #11

LAST MONTH: 

There was considerable confusion when Hotton was mistakingly named for Sandringham’s Round 18 clash with Geelong, though the exciting midfielder-forward is set to sit out the rest of the season after tearing his ACL.

BEE IN A BOTTLE

Kako is an absolute livewire inside forward 50, boasting genuine speed and boundless creativity. A product of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy, he trained with the Bombers during preseason and may well land at The Hangar via said eligibility. Kako has taken on the license to move into the midfield when Calder needs a spark, impressing with hauls of 24 and 29 disposals to compliment his scoreboard impact. When he gets it right, he’s as good to watch as any prospect in the draft pool and did some mercurial things at representative level.

JULY RANKING: #20

LAST MONTH: 

Kako’s season is effectively over having sustained a syndesmosis injury in Calder’s otherwise fruitful trip to Tasmania in Round 17. He was hampered in the second half and posted just his second goalless game of the season, but displayed his usual tricks with 11 sharp disposals. The Essendon NGA member was also set to don the sash at VFL level but was ruled out, and will be a big loss ahead of Calder’s dangerous Wildcard Round clash with Oakleigh.

VERSATILE LEFT-FOOTER

Lindsay is criminally underrated at times, and perhaps even so here, but has been in exceptional form this year despite a couple of injury setbacks. After copping a corkie late in his Round 3 Coates Talent League appearance, he missed the first National Academy game and Vic Country’s third outing. The Gippsland Power captain is versatile enough to play through midfield or on the wing, with his booming left-foot kicking a real weapon on the attack. He has also proven capable of doing the tough stuff with high clearance and tackle numbers.

JULY RANKING: #12

LAST MONTH: 

Lindsay has been his reliable self over the past month but picked up a knock in Gippsland’s most recent match against Dandenong. Since the last rankings, he has averaged 25 disposals with a high of 31 – barring his last game which was cut short. Lindsay’s kicking has been a feature but he reverted to more work by hand over the last fortnight and impacted with his strong defensive acts. Hopefully for Gippsland’s sake he can play a part in Wildcard Round and a potential finals campaign.

GUTSY UTILITY

Travaglia has all the makings of a promising draft prospect, and has pushed himself into first round considerations. Having plied his trade on the wing as a bottom-ager, he has thrived with a move to defence this season to average 25 disposals, five marks and five tackles in his eight Coates Talent League games. Travaglia’s versatility is boundless, having also spent time in midfield with a rotation to the forwardline. He featured in defence for Vic Country, showcasing his gutsy intercept marking and aerial range to go with a high work rate and terrific turn of speed on the rebound. At 187cm with dynamism and the ability to play several roles, Travaglia is one to keep an eye on.

JULY RANKING: #22

LAST MONTH: 

Carlton was home to Travaglia for much of the last month, as he turned out twice for the Blues’ VFL side. He got up to speed with 15 disposals and five tackles on debut, before taking another step up with 22 touches and four marks a week later. He provided some of his patented dash and dare off half-back, operating off a high line and jetting forward on the overlap. Travaglia’s Coates Talent League form has also been exemplary all season and despite posting a low of 13 disposals over the weekend, he impacted with six tackles and two goals in another versatile outing.

THE AERIALIST

There are few better than Shanahan in the aerial game, with the Moama native boasting a clean set of hands and wonderfully fluent leap. Such traits have seen the mobile 194cm talent find a home up forward having cut his teeth in defence and even as a tall midfielder last year. Offering clear upside, he has steadily grown into his his top-age campaign with goals in each of his seven games for Bendigo Pioneers, including a bag of six most recently. Shanahan built into form with the Allies too, presenting up the ground as a key connection piece and showing better signs with each passing game. He’s pushing to be considered the best tall forward available.

JULY RANKING: #21

LAST MONTH: 

It has been a heck of a month for Shanahan, who most recently returned to the Coates Talent League with a six-goal haul from 17 disposals and six marks in a losing effort. That came off the back of a strong block with Essendon’s VFL side, where he booted 11 majors in three games. He bookended his run with bags of four and five-straight goals in a forwardline littered with talls from the Bombers’ AFL list. Now, it is difficult not to regard him as one of the top two key forwards in the draft crop, let alone overall talls.

CLINICAL AND CRAFTY

Death, taxes, and Berry booting multiple goals in every game he plays. The clinical small forward has risen steeply this year on the back of undeniable goalkicking form, topping the charts both in the Coates Talent League and Under 18 National Championships. He is an absolute menace inside 50 with his speed and smarts, and can also push up the ground to provide a spark when needed. While lively at ground level, Berry is also strong overhead for his size and finds several avenues to goal – whether it be with snaps or set shot conversions. Only twice has he been kept goalless this year, such is his class.

JULY RANKING: #15

LAST MONTH: 

Having caused headaches for defences all season, Berry has enjoyed time through Murray’s midfield for mixed results. He was terrific in consecutive outings which yielded 20 and 22 disposals against Metro regions and while his goalkicking output has slowed to five in as many games, including a rare goalless outing, he remains a threat on the attack. Murray’s firing talls have taken a bit of the scoring pressure of Berry, allowing him to prosper further afield. He now has 27 goals in 13 games this season.

CLINICAL CONVERTER

It is no stretch to say Armstrong has been one of the flavours of the month, having elevated his stocks to no end in recent times. The key forward has dominated the APS competition, no less with a bag of 10 goals this year, but only debuted for Sandringham Dragons in Round 1 of 2024. After booting multiple goals in each of his first four outings, he is yet to be held goalless for a total haul of 14 majors in six games. The clinical left-footer plays a relatively simple style, able to fly for strong marks and convert his chances, boasting good speed off the mark and pure fundamentals.

JULY RANKING: #19

LAST MONTH: 

After rocketing up the order on the back of a prolific national carnival in front of goal, Armstrong has steadied since returning to the Coates Talent League. He spearheaded Haileybury College to a second-place finish in the APS competition, and has kicked a single goal in each of his last two games fro Sandringham. Stiff opposition has kept him to an average of seven touches and four marks between the two outings. Still, he remains one of the top couple of key forward and key position options in the first round.

FREQUENT FLYER

A high flyer in every sense of the phrase, Tauru has firmly planted himself in the draft bolter category. Considered by some as a first round candidate, the 194cm defender certainly catches the eye with his aerial ability. He showed glimpses in the early part of the Coates Talent League season, before earning a call up from outside the Vic Country squad on the back of exceptional form last month. He attacks the ball fearlessly and is capable of playing above his height thanks to a terrific vertical leap. He’s one with raw potential and plenty of upside, especially having played in all kinds of roles recently.

JULY RANKING: #28

LAST MONTH: 

Tauru has had an excellent month and has been challenged to showcase his versatility in each third of the ground. His midfield venture was indifferent, but he has found success up forward with five scoring shots in each of his Round 17 and 18 games. His high marking was particularly prominent in the latter outing, where he switched up either end of the field and attacked the ball with ferocity. Given his dynamism and clear athletic upside, he looks every bit a top 20 candidate should he run out the season strongly. What a find.

RANGY RUCK-FORWARD

Featuring in our rankings, along side twin brother Matt, Jack Whitlock offers a slightly different skillset his talented sibling. He’s a key forward who can roll through the ruck, moving well for a 200cm player and offering fantastic aerial range. His reach has troubled opposition defenders, but Whitlock is also quite handy below his knees and can latch onto the loose ball with snap goals or contributions in open play. He filled in for the National Academy’s first game and produced a strong National Championships with Vic Country, to go with his 24 goals in 11 Coates Talent League games this season.

JULY RANKING: #16

LAST MONTH: 

Whitlock has produced a strong fortnight of form; booting 5.3 from 17 disposals and five marks in a big win over Western, before posting 21 disposals, nine marks and two goals against Bendigo over the weekend. The tall’s combination of strong overhead marking, good ground coverage, and nimble work below his knees have proven most effective during said period. He is now on a run of five games with multiple goals, totalling 14.

THE HYBRID

Few can compete with the pure weight of numbers Hynes has produced at Coates Talent League level, forming a formidable one-two punch with fellow Dandenong Stingrays co-captain Harvey Langford. The midfielder-forward was blooded in the Vic Country Under 18s side last year and has backed up his promise with averages of 25.3 disposals, 4.0 marks, 5.0 inside 50s, and nearly two goals per his 12 club appearances to date. He’s hard to tie down due to his size but has improved his running ability and has always had a good eye for goal, or teammates in better positions to score.

JULY RANKING: #29

LAST MONTH: 

Hynes has continued on his merry way in the Coates Talent League, where he has posted some huge numbers this season. His best effort over the last month was 28 disposals, six marks and three goals against Murray in Round 17, and having missed out the following week, returned with a slightly subdued effort over the weekend. In a tight win over Gippsland, Hynes posted 17 touches (10 handballs) and three marks while partner-in-crime Langford stuffed the stats sheet. Together, they are near-unstoppable.

RISING RUCK

One of the most fast rising prospects across the National Championships was Dodson, who is emerging as the leading ruck of this year’s draft. Also a talented basketballer, the Sturt product has shown glimpses throughout the pathway but is now proving what he can do with an extended run. He covers the ground well for a 203cm player and is quite clean at the contest, capable of putting up strong all-round numbers as a primary ruck. Dodson faced a decision of whether to pursue the footballing path, and has opted to take it over a promising basketball career.

JULY RANKING: #27

LAST MONTH: 

Dodson continues to shine and has put up utterly ridiculous numbers in the SANFL Under 18s of late. After a high of 32 touches in Round 16, he has averaged 25.7 disposals, 6.7 clearances, and 29.3 hitouts over the last three games. He has been effective as ever at getting his hands on the ball at stoppages and feeding teammates – whether via effective taps or when following up and dishing off cleanly. He remains the draft’s top ruck prospect and will likely attract interest in the top 25 picks. Now, he is gearing up for Sturt’s finals campaign after the Double Blues finished their Under 18 season in third.

ENERGETIC RUNNER

Moraes is a hard runner, particularly in attacking phases, and has been made to proves his wares in a variety of roles this year. He was squeezed out to the wing for the AFL Academy and played down back in Vic Metro’s opening National Championships game, but has shown over the last two seasons that he can more than hold his own as a midfielder-forward. Hailing from a basketball background, Moraes has clean hands on the inside and overhead, but thrives when he can chain possessions on the spread or outwork his opponent away from stoppages. His energy and consistent output are always impressive – hardly dipping below 25 touches in the last two seasons.

JULY RANKING: #13

LAST MONTH: 

Moraes was one of the many Coates Talent League prospects to have earned a VFL berth over the last month. It was somewhat of a baptism of fire as he turned out in a losing Box Hill side against ladder leader, Werribee, having 10 disposals (eight handballs) as a forward. He has otherwise been racking up the numbers at Coates Talent League level and had a blinder in Round 17, racking up 27 disposals and five goals. He was a little quieter after the bye this weekend, booting a goal from 17 touches and four marks.

THE WORKHORSE

Another elite runner at the top-end of the crop, Marshall consigns the opposition to a death by a thousand cuts. He’s the kind of player who may not dominate throughout four quarters, but is consistent and can run over the top with his work rate late in games. That was best shown as he racked up 16 final quarter disposals against South Australia to finish with a game-high 30. Explosive and agile, Marshall is capable of playing inside or outside and has even had a run off half-back. He’s also a punchy kicker who can drive the ball forward in transition and link with others. The Queenslander is tied to Brisbane’s academy but boards at Melbourne Grammar and turns out for Sandringham in the Coates Talent League.

JULY RANKING: #14

LAST MONTH: 

Marshall is as consistent as they come. His Melbourne Grammar School finished last in the APS with a 1-8-1 record, but he stands a significant chance of achieving team success back at Sandringham. Since returning to the Coates Talent League, he has managed hauls of 21 and 22 disposals amongst a stacked Dragons midfield group. Marshall also got to turn out in the VFL for Brisbane, having 18 disposals in his second state league appearance for the year. Now he turns his attention to Wildcard Round and Sandringham’s pursuit of a third-straight flag.

CRASH & BASH

Gross is a hard-at-it midfielder who doesn’t mind throwing his frame around, and offers an edge at the contest for each team he represents. That has been evident when unleashed at the centre bounces for the AFL Academy and Vic Metro, but Gross is also capable of going forward and consistently hitting the scoreboard. He is averaging 23.0 disposals, 5.1 inside 50s, and just shy of a goal per game for Oakleigh and has looked solid at higher levels, holding up well physically. While competitive, he can work on his end product around goal given he produces so many opportunities in the forward half. When he gets it right, Gross can be as damaging as any other midfielder-forward available.

JULY RANKING: #17

LAST MONTH: 

Gross ran out the school football season with Trinity Grammar and was arguably the most highly touted prospect afield in the AGSV vs. APS representative clash. Since those commitments, he has returned to the Coates Talent League with efforts of 26 and 19 disposals in Oakleigh’s last two games – kicking a goal in each match. Gross’ disposal was tested in the first of those outings, though he is forming a dangerous combination with the likes of Smith and O’Sullivan at the centre bounces.

RAW TALL TALENT

Somewhat of a bolter this year, Whitlock has proven his potential at both ends of the ground. The more raw and mobile Whitlock twin, Matt started out the year in defence before swinging forward to boot 26 goals in his last 10 Coates Talent League games – including two bags of five. The highly dextrous tall covers enormous ground and often beats more sturdy opponents for athleticism, but is prone to a few errors which balance out his upside. Still, that kind of versatility and potential in both a footballing and athletic sense makes him one of the most exciting prospects in late-first round contention.

JULY RANKING: #18

LAST MONTH: 

Whitlock continues to ply his trade at either end of the ground, but has more often featured up forward over the last month for Murray Bushrangers. He has booted 11 goals in his latest block of five games to round out the home-and-away rounds, though that includes an appearance down back which yielded 24 disposals and 11 marks. His seamless transition between attack and defence has been impressive, though he is thriving on plenty of supply and finding avenues to goal outside of the conventional key forward routes.

BOUNDLESS ENERGY

A new entrant to our rankings in August, Dattoli has been around the mark and breaks through after a terrific national carnival. The lively small forward boasts terrific craft around goal and always tries to create something with ball in hand. He also holds his own at the stoppages and has been utilised in midfield outside of his representative duties with Vic Metro, where he proved to be an important link player on the wing or as a high forward. Dattoli lays claim to a trio of three-goal games at Coates Talent League level this year and has racked up as many as 27 touches while turning out between his school football commitments.

JULY RANKING: Unranked

LAST MONTH: 

Dattoli cracks our rankings having impressed at all levels this season, and since turning out for Northern as a 16-year-old. After a promising national carnival, he completed his school football commitments with Carey Grammar and has since been arguably the Knights’ best player over the last fortnight. Rotating between midfield and the forwardline, he has shown his craft inside 50 with three goals in either game – both losses – and 26 disposals in his most recent outing. Dattoli has some serious tricks and is one of the more dynamic smalls available in this range.

THE HEARTBEAT

Sandringham Dragons coach Rob Harding described Oliver as the “heartbeat” of his side during preseason, and he has lived up to that description this year. The tough rebound defender is incisive with ball in hand, boasting terrific foot skills and decision making. He’s constantly on the move and can mop up across the backline, before shifting tact to turn his focus into attack mode. Before heading off to school football, Oliver showed promising signs with averages of 15.3 disposals and 2.3 rebound 50s for the Dragons, and has since returned to push those averages up to 15.7 and 2.8 respectively.

JULY RANKING: #26

LAST MONTH: 

While his numbers may not leap off the page, Oliver has been in super form since slotting back into Sandringham’s side. He was among the best players afield with 19 disposals, five marks and seven rebound 50s in the Dragons’ Round 18 win over Geelong, standing out most with his exquisite ball use by foot. He backed that performance up with 14 touches and seven marks over the weekend and remains one of the premier small-medium defenders of the crop.

UNTAPPED TALL

A versatile and skilful tall, Mraz has played on all three lines over the journey but looks arguably most settled down back. The 198cm talent in a capable interceptor with terrific positional sense and reading of the play to compliment his movement and aerial ability. Mraz also moves the ball efficiently by foot and has good mechanics for a tall. Having had his start to the season delayed by concussion protocols, he is currently sidelined with a foot injury which he battled through across several Coates Talent League games and one National Academy outing. Should he get back on the park late in the season, he’ll contend with a talented bunch of talls to be considered among the best key defenders available.

JULY RANKING: #24

LAST MONTH: 

Mraz continues to work through rehabilitation of a 12-week foot injury which kept him out of the National Championships. His last appearance came in Dandenong Stingrays colours back in Round 3, and he remains on this list on the back of previous form, and the upside he presents as a versatile/mobile tall.

JAQUES-JUMPER

Jaques is proving difficult to deny as a top 30 contender and having really hit his stride over the last month, cracks into our rankings for August. The Geelong Falcons co-captain is an energetic, pacy rebounder who thrives when taking the game on. He has also improved his intercept game and utilises a spring-heeled leap, while his kicking over short and long ranges is another weapon. Jaques has the two-fold potential of relieving pressure on the last line, but also being able to impact up the ground.

JULY RANKING: Unranked

LAST MONTH: 

Jaques’ last block of five games has been outstanding after the National Championships. Until Round 19 where he had 15 disposals and six tackles, he had not dipped below 21 touches and had a high of 27 in a loss to Sandringham. That performance also yielded 10 marks and eight rebound 50s as the defender showcased his full array of exciting traits. He has always had the flair, but is matching that with substance in 2024.