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’s a true big game player who loves crucial moments.

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 he 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 early in the year but certainly has top-end talent and may surpass many of his peers at the next level. A clean run at it is required.

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, quad, and hamstring niggles. 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 held him in good stead as he eased 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.

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 wholly impressed 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.

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 191cm. 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 also given a VFL opportunity with Richmond this year – the club he supports.

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 195cm 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 saw him usurped in August having led in June and July.

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.

BEST IN THE WEST

The sole West Australian to feature in our top 30 all year, Allan also shouldered 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 before returning to help Peel take out the WAFL League flag.

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 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 was not held goalless this season for a total haul of 27 majors in 10 games. The clinical left-footer plays a relatively straightforward style, able to fly for strong marks and convert his chances, boasting good speed off the mark and pure fundamentals.

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.

FREQUENT FLYER

A high flyer in every sense of the phrase, Tauru has firmly planted himself in the draft bolter category. Considered a top 10 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 in his return from injury. 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 in the back-end of the season.

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, but is not father-son eligible for either club.

GUTSY UTILITY

Travaglia has all the makings of a promising draft prospect, and has pushed himself well into first round considerations this year. Having plied his trade on the wing as a bottom-ager, he has thrived with a move to defence this season but is capable of playing a variety of roles. Travaglia’s versatility is boundless, having also spent time in midfield with a rotation to the forwardline. He featured in down back for Vic Country, showcasing his gutsy intercept marking and aerial range to go with a high work rate and sharp turn of speed on the rebound. At 187cm with dynamism and team-first attributes, Travaglia is one to keep an eye on.

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 before having his season ended by a syndesmosis injury.

INTERCEPT KING

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 194cm 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.

VERSATILE LEFT-FOOTER

Lindsay is criminally underrated at times, and perhaps even so here, but enjoyed exceptional form this year despite a couple of 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, before having his season cut short by a PCL injury. The Gippsland Power captain is versatile enough to play through midfield, on the wing, or across half-back, 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.

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 strong overhead for his size and finds several avenues to goal – whether it be with snaps or set shot conversions. Only thrice was he kept goalless this year, such is his class.

RANGY RUCK-FORWARD

Featuring in our rankings alongside 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 25 goals in 12 Coates Talent League games this season.

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 195cm 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 all bar two of his 11 games for Bendigo Pioneers, including a bag of six in Round 19. 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. Perhaps most impressively, he booted 11 majors in three VFL appearances for Essendon.

BOUNDLESS ENERGY

Dattoli’s national carnival and promising end to the Coates Talent League season has seen him accelerate into top 25 calculations. 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 produced a trio of three-goal games at Coates Talent League level this year and has racked up as many as 35 touches while turning out between his school football commitments.

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 23.7 disposals, 4.5 inside 50s, and over a goal per his 15 club appearances this season. 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.

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. He was best afield in the Dragons’ third consecutive premiership win.

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 was 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 established himself as an important big game performer and 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 and draws comparisons to GWS captain, Toby Greene.

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 since returned to help them take out a third consecutive flag.

LATE-SEASON STORMER

Hannaford has stormed into top 30 calculations on the back of his outstanding late-season form. Having been overlooked for a National Draft Combine invite, instead attending the Victorian state event, he has proven to be up to higher honours with some of the best big-time performances of any draft prospect. The powerful utility started the year as a midfielder/defender, but was thrust forward ahead of the National Championships and ended up being a game-winner there as GWV made a run for the Coates Talent League Grand Final. He’s powerful, hits hard, and has a ravenous appetite for the contest.

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 27 goals in his last 14 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 first round contention.

ALL EFFORT

Faull came into 2024 as one of the most highly touted tall forwards, having produced a sparkling end to his bottom-age campaign. Injury derailed the start of his season, but he quickly found his groove after booting five goals in his first game back. The standard was set from there, with the competitive and mobile tall cracking into the Vic Country team and being held goalless just twice in 11 Coates Talent League appearances. On the flipside, he snared multiple majors in seven of those games. Few talls show the same endeavour and work rate as Faull so consistently does.

RISING RUCK

One of the most fast rising prospects across the National Championships was Dodson, who emerged 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 201cm 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.

ENERGETIC RUNNER

Moraes is a hard runner, particularly in attacking phases, and was 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, ever.