THE WIZARD

There is no mistaking the wonderfully skilled magician that is Nick Watson. The Eastern Ranges pocket rocket may not quite end up being drafted at such lofty heights, but he 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 both in attack and defence.

SEASON SO FAR

Watson started out the season at Talent League level, booting two goals as a forward in Round 1 before splitting his time at both ends of the ground across the next two games. He had 27 and 34 disposals in either outing while also hitting the scoreboard, doing the same thing in his National Academy appearances. Watson has also dominated at school football level, booting several big bags of goals to prove his high-end potential.

SPEED TO BURN

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 leads the RMC Medal count having been adjudged best afield in all five of his Talent League outings.

SEASON SO FAR

It has been a scintillating start to the season for McKercher, who has had three games of 31 disposals, and two of 32 in the Talent League. His remarkable consistency translated to notable performances across both National Academy fixtures, where he was among his side’s top players without being recognised as best afield. Now, he turns his attention to a second year of Allies representation having made a splash at last year’s carnival.

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 has a dynamic skillset in either role. He leaps and marks well 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.

SEASON SO FAR

Though he was relatively quiet in both National Academy games, Duursma showed glimpses of his potential and has otherwise hit somewhere close to top form at Talent League level. He has been prolific over the last two weeks, averaging 23.5 disposals and three goals to only elevate his standing. Duursma also made his VFL debut earlier in the season, notching 12 touches in the Casey Demons’ Round 6 win over Box Hill.

BIG, BAD, BUSTLING

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 ball, watch out, because Walter will bring the ball and a bunch of bodies to ground with him. He has been on the top 10 radar for a while, since turning heads for the Allies as a bottom-ager.

SEASON SO FAR

Walter would perhaps have been frustrated by the lack of reward for his effort over the Suns’ first two Talent League games, booting four goals across a pair of losses. He then exploded with 8.3 from 19 disposals and nine marks against the Northern Territory, before backing it up with 6.1 from 20 disposals and seven marks against better opposition in GWV. Walter also looked up to the physical rigours of playing against senior opposition while representing the AFL Academy.

THE SWINGMAN

Among the most in-vogue traits for modern day AFL Draft prospects is versatility, and Dan Curtin has proven his with stints up forward, down back, and even in midfield. The consensus is he looks most at home as a key defender, with the 195cm tall able to compete for intercept marks and use the ball beautifully on his wand of a left foot. A genuine big game player, Curtin has played 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.

SEASON SO FAR

Another National Academy member, Curtin has only turned out thrice at WAFL Colts level – utilised in each third of the ground. Claremont committed to using him primarily as a forward this year, but with the emergence of Sam van Rooyen, he was forced to shift back to defence and through the middle. His best and most prolific outing was in midfield, where he collected 26 disposals and laid 10 tackles in the Tigers’ Round 5 win over East Perth.

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 take 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 talent by the end of the year. He’s among a few 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.

SEASON SO FAR

Hitting his best form at the right time of year, Read showed plenty of potential in his second National Academy outing before having a true breakout game in the Suns’ final Talent League match. He racked up a game-high 27 disposals, 10 marks, and 24 hitouts in his side’s Round 7 win over GWV Rebels, taking his averages over four games to 20, six, and 20 respectively. There are few young rucks capable of the same output as a fourth midfielder at stoppage, and marking outlet around the ground.

HITOUT KING

The tallest player to feature in our top 20 at 207cm, Mitch Edwards is in a similar category to 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. He’s a Fremantle Next Generation Academy product 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.

SEASON SO FAR

Edwards has put up ridiculous numbers at Colts level, averaging 35 hitouts and booting goals in three of his four games to go with 13.8 disposals. His ability to rise for hitouts hardly wavered against more senior opposition for the National Academy, and he got to showcase some of his versatility with plenty of time of forward. Like Read, he has the quality any modern day ruck should, where he can provide relief behind the ball or sneak forward to worry opposition defenders aerially.

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 both Murray and the National Academy.

SEASON SO FAR

Wilson has strung together some exciting performances for Murray, hitting around the 20-disposal and two-goal mark in each of his five games. He has twice kicked three goals at Talent League level, with his best showing coming in Round 1 where he collected 29 touches and 10 marks in a loss. His 23 disposals, eight marks and three goals in a win over the Giants Academy were just about as good, and he was a standout on the wing in the AFL Academy’s first game against Port Adelaide SANFL.

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.

SEASON SO FAR

Caddy had an interrupted start to the year after suffering a fractured fibula on the eve of the Talent League season. Only now is beginning to hit his best form, with his breakout game yielding 21 disposals, six marks and four goals in a win over Oakleigh. He had kicked two and three goals in his opening pair of appearances, while also snaring four majors in one of Vic Metro’s trials. Caddy also broke through for a promising VFL debut with Carlton VFL and looked ominous in the second National Academy game – ironically against the Blues.

DUAL-FOOTED WONDER

Perhaps a ranking that will cause some conjecture, Ashton Moir has some freakish traits which would otherwise have him poised as a top five lock. He came into the year with that kind of hype but has struggled to consistently live up to it in the face of a few setbacks in 2023. Nonetheless, his uncanny ability to kick proficiently off either foot, athleticism, and marking prowess as a medium forward are all assets which should propel him back into the top 10 picture with consistent performances.

SEASON SO FAR

Moir has endured a couple of injury setbacks but still managed to turn out in both National Academy games, and broke through to the SANFL Reserves grade after a full senior preseason. His debut in the Glenelg reserves yielded an impressive 4.3 from 13 disposals and six marks, after booting a combined six majors in his two Under 18 outings. Moir struggled to get involved in national colours though, perhaps crowded out by the side’s wealth of marking options while not offering a whole lot in other roles, defensively, or at ground level.

HIGH 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 another who was pegged as a top 10 contender coming into his top-age campaign and could well become a lock in that range come season’s end.

SEASON SO FAR

Reid has missed two of Gippsland’s five games to date, but turned out both times for the National Academy and showed particular promise in game two. At Talent League level, his first and most recent appearances have been his best in a stats sense, though the ruck-forward’s 17 disposals, nine marks and three goals in a win over Murray in Round 1 stand above the rest. He’s one who is showing glimpses of his best form and those who are aware of his bottom-age feats will understand what kind of heights he can hit from here.

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 ‘Dog, Matthew. Jordan’s mobility as a ruck-forward is outstanding and he can carry the ball at speed, 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.

SEASON SO FAR

Croft has hit the scoreboard at every level he has played so far, booting four goals in one of Vic Metro’s trials and hitting his stride in the Talent League. Having entered the fray in Round 2, he took his time to get going but built up a head of steam with five goals against the Northern Territory, and returned from the break with three against Gippsland. He’s a player with raw potential and improvement left to make, but one who can do phenomenal things with a bit of confidence and work.

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.

SEASON SO FAR

Though he was promising for the Suns Academy and earned an Allies berth last year, Rogers has taken his game to another level in 2023. His marquee game came in the second National Academy showcase where he collected 26 disposals and earned best afield honours against Carlton VFL. He also averaged 26 disposals and six tackles across four games for the Suns Academy, looking every bit a first round talent. Next, Rogers will suit up as a key part of the Allies side once again.

CONNOR OF 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 size and can rack up possessions like a mid-sized player, competing well aerially from contested to contest before mopping up at ground level. The NSW native is among the Allies squad and is yet another tall in this crop who has accelerated his development after a bottom-age campaign of nice glimpses.

SEASON SO FAR

Having shown his wares in a range of roles for Murray, O’Sullivan reverted back to arguably his most comfortable post as a tall defender for the National Academy. He reads the play well there and is a strong intercept presence, even if that doesn’t translate wholly to marks. For the Bushrangers, he notched 19 disposals, nine marks and a goal from midfield in Round 1, while his most recent game yielded a game-high 26 disposals, seven marks and six rebound 50s as Murray knocked off Sandringham. He missed Round 8 after joining with the Allies camp.

ATHLETIC PHENOM

The second father-son candidate to grace 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 some massive numbers. Last year, he shot to prominence as South Australia’s Under 16 MVP – albeit playing as an overager – 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 and carry the ball with speed.

SEASON SO FAR

One of McCabe’s crowning performances so far came in one of South Australia’s Under 18 trials, with a best afield showing against the Giants/Swans Academies. He was by far the most draftable player in that game, backing up his terrific form for Centrals. From rounds four to six in the SANFL Under 18s, he averaged 25 disposals, six marks, and six rebound 50s in a strong stretch which has likely proven his best position is down back. He’s beginning to clunk his contested marks and set off with ball in hand.

THE ULTIMATE UTILITY

Whether it be in his usual station on the wing, through the centre bounces or resting up forward, Joel Freijah has proven his first round potential 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 – potentially much, much higher than his current ranking.

SEASON SO FAR

Freijah’s big breakout came in Round 4, where he booted six goals from 26 disposals and seven marks to truly stamp himself as a serious prospect. His versatility was on show in that game and has since shone in his mainstay performances for the Rebels, as well as in the Vic Country trials. Freijah has averaged 23 disposals and four marks across six Talent League outings and is building into a massive top-age campaign. Representative action awaits.

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 188cm, is no stranger to hitting the scoreboard, and has serious power to go with his work rate.

SEASON SO FAR

Having successfully completed a full senior preseason, Tholstrup has played five League games for Subiaco for averages of 9.6 disposals and three marks. Though the numbers aren’t overwhelming, his Round 3 effort to keep Claremont accumulator Jye Bolton to just 11 touches as a defensively minded forward would have pleased his coaches and AFL recruiters alike. He played on the wing and up forward for the National Academy, showing more glimpses and holding up to the physicality without dominating.

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 one of the leading Allied prospects. Though pure midfielders with few points of difference are slightly out of vogue, 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.

SEASON SO FAR

Sanders has gone about his business with strong professionalism at all levels, dominating the Talent League and APS football scenes. He averaged 32 disposals, five tackles and a goal per his first three games with Sandringham before holding firm against senior opposition for the National Academy, and proving a level above when turning out for Melbourne Grammar. There is little denying his ability to win the ball, but his expanding scoreboard impact and forward forays are exciting to see.

SLINGSHOTTER

A rebound defender who bases his game off Hawthorn’s Changkuoth Jiath, Luamon Lual rounds out our top 20 in a ranking made on upside. He has been a mainstay in the GWV Rebels’ defence for two seasons now and will likely end up another 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 turn the ball over and proving composed in possession, even when setting off at pace.

SEASON SO FAR

Lual has turned out for six Talent League games with the Rebels, averaging 19 disposals and three tackles across a consistent bunch of performances. His best tally was a haul of 26 in a loss to the Suns Academy, and Lual built well into his second trial for Vic Country – against the Young Guns – to provide his typical attacking threat from defence.