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 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.

AUGUST RANKING: #2

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Walter has sat out the back-end of the season through injury, with an old knee complaint flaring up after the National Championships. He remains a top five talent and is set to land at the Suns.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #4

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Duursma rounded out his Coates Talent League season strongly, first helping Gippsland qualify for finals before very nearly guiding the Power to an upset victory over Tasmania. He booted three goals from 16 touches and six marks in Wildcard Round, and managed a single major from 17 disposals and eight marks against the Devils. In both games, he spent time in midfield and only enhanced his status as a top five prospect. Duursma took out this year’s Rookie Me Central Medal and was included in the Talent League Team of the Year as the competition’s leading goal kicker.

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 two of his nine Coates Talent League outings. He also finished second in the Larke Medal voting, but took tied for the Morrish Medal.

AUGUST RANKING: #3

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Having missed Tasmania’s quarter final bout through injury, McKercher made a single appearance in September, as the Devils were eliminated in the prelims. He ran out the full game but spent a good amount of time rotating forward, finishing with 20 disposals and five tackles after kicking the day’s opening goal. He, too was named in the Talent League Team of the Year and tied for the prestigious Morrish Medal.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #5

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Curtin broke through for a League debut last month and rounded out his season in the top flight with two finals appearances. He averaged 14 disposals and five marks between them, before returning to Claremont’s Colts side to lead the Tigers to a premiership. In the Grand Final, Curtin started in midfield but was also shifted behind the ball late for figures of 23 disposals, five marks and four tackles.

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 has delivered on the projection of being close to 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.

AUGUST RANKING: #7

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Read is another Queenslander who has been able to put his feet up in the back-end of the season, but not before making his VFL debut with Gold Coast in August.

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. His accolades speak for themselves, now a Larke Medal winner and two-time Talent League premiership player.

AUGUST RANKING: #8

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Sanders was instrumental in Sandringham’s flag, racking up typically big numbers upon his return to the side. The two-time premiership player averaged 30 disposals in the Talent League postseason, including a high of 38 in Wildcard Round and 25 in Sunday’s Grand Final.

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 height 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.

AUGUST RANKING: #6

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It was a telling finals series for Watson, who was bursting to make an impact but fell short of a true breakout performance on the big stage – though, he has plenty in the bank. Spending a lot of time deep forward with stints on the wing and through midfield, he averaged 15 disposals and booted five goals in Eastern’s four postseason games. He left his best effort for last, with 20 touches, seven clearances and five inside 50s in Sunday’s Grand Final.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #10

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Caddy and his Northern side were the beneficiaries of being the top-ranked Metro loser in Wildcard Round, meaning he had an extra chance to showcase his talent. Having missed the Knights’ Wildcard loss, Caddy returned with 11 disposals, seven marks and 2.3 in his final game for the year.

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 MVP 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.

AUGUST RANKING: #9

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Having finished bottom, Murray Bushrangers faced a steep task in Wildcard Round and were duly eliminated by a stronger side. O’Sullivan, who had his struggles in the last few games, managed 19 disposals, four marks and seven rebound 50s as the Bushies moved his magnet to each third of the field. Still, his representative form holds up.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #11

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Wilson was another prospect whose season ended in Wildcard Round. He booted three goals from 21 disposals in Murray’s heavy loss to GWV, continuing his usual mid-forward role. He may have been overtaken as the best wing in the country, but has shown enormous talent a variety of roles this year to maintain his ranking.

POCKET ROCKET

A player with all the speed 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.

AUGUST RANKING: #12

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After fronting up in Gold Coast’s VFL side, Rogers was another Sun who sat out the last month. Nonetheless, he did more than enough earlier in the year to secure his top 15 status as a prospect, regardless of how the bidding system impacts what pick he is taken.

THE NEXT FATHER-SON GUN

An early-season 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.

AUGUST RANKING: #13

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Croft’s Calder Cannons were bundled out in Wildcard Round, with the promising key forward restricted to just three disposals, no marks and a behind. Eastern’s defenders did a great job to blanket him on that day, and it has been reported since that Croft is still weighing up whether to utilise his father-son eligibility.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #14

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Murphy had a steady end to his Talent League season after wrapping up the National Championships and APS season. He struggled with just four disposals and no marks in Sunday’s Grand Final, but was strong with 17 touches and seven marks in the prelim, which followed a couple of decent games as the Dragons made their postseason move.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #16

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Tasmania may have missed out on a premiership, but Leake further proved his credentials as a potential first round pick with a terrific preliminary final performance. He booted two goals as a forward and notched up 21 disposals and seven tackles as a midfielder to showcase his value as a genuine utility. That outing followed Leake’s 15 disposals and one goal in the quarter final, where he was employed in each third of the ground.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #18

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Windsor hardly blew up the stats sheet, but did plenty of damage in the closing stages of the Coates Talent League season. In Eastern’s run to the Grand Final, he averaged 16 disposals, four tackles and four inside 50s out on the wing, with a few good moments in his time up forward too. He was particularly dangerous on the attack but also terrorised his opponents on the defensive end.

ATHLETIC PHENOM

Another 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 high-end athleticism; able to fly for contested marks, follow up, and carry the ball with speed.

AUGUST RANKING: #15

LAST MONTH:

McCabe didn’t see much action in the back-end of the season due to a stress injury in his foot, but managed to recover in time for Central District’s semi final loss to eventual premier, South Adelaide in the SANFL Under 18s. On the day, McCabe managed 17 disposals and six marks playing at both ends of the ground.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #22

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De Mattia is another Victorian whose season came to a close in Wildcard Round, with the Dandenong co-captain posting 17 disposals, two marks and two inside 50s in his final dig for the year. He showcased great versatility in the back-end of the season to remain around the top 20 mark, but may feature a little lower.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #17

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Having made a single League appearance at the start of the season, Hardeman rounded out his campaign in Swan Districts’ Colts. With the Swans missing out on finals, his last game came at the end of August in an outing which yielded 27 disposals, four marks and four inside 50s on the losing side. Hardeman averaged 22 disposals and five tackles in seven matches at Colts level this year.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #23

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Yet another Sandringham premiership player in the top 20, Roberts reverted back to his usual role in defence and fired as the season drew to a close. His creative, attacking style off half-back was central to how the Dragons went about things, with Roberts averaging 19 disposals, four marks, and five rebound 50s in his four postseason games.

RISING RUCK

Another highly touted 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.

AUGUST RANKING: #21

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Green co-captained Northern in Wildcard Round and quarter final defeats, but hardly did his own stocks any harm. Against rucks who earned draft combine invites, he won 31 and 14 hitouts, while displaying more of the clean fundamentals that are so impressive for a 204cm player. He was named as starting ruck in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

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 possesses plenty of great tools, has some work to do to work back into that range.

AUGUST RANKING: #20

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Reid was relatively quiet with six touches, four marks and 14 hitouts in Gippsland’s quarter final exit, ending his season with a run of four goalless games. That doesn’t tell the whole story though, with the rotating ruck-forward competing hard aerially and getting stuck in once thrown on-ball. His Wildcard Round game was solid, posting four marks, 18 hitouts and three behinds.

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 power to go with his effort game.

AUGUST RANKING: #24

LAST MONTH:

After being sidelined by a groin injury, Tholstrup got back on the park with Subiaco’s reserves on the eve of finals, and stepped back up to League level in three postseason games. He booted a goal in one of them, averaging 11 disposals and four marks before the Lions went down to Peel in the preliminary final.

THE BOLTER

The face of draft bolters in 2023, Charlie Edwards has rocketed up the order in recent times. He had a steady start to the season playing in defence for Sandringham, but thrived in a shift to midfield – where he remained during the Dragons’ run to premiership glory. The Bendigo native boards at Melbourne Grammar and is a talented athlete, boasting a good burst of speed at 190cm to go with clean ball winning ability and a booming kick. He has all the tools and upon using them, has developed at an exciting rate. So much so, that some clubs want his combine invite upgraded from state to national.

AUGUST RANKING: Unranked

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Edwards continued his steep rise as Sandringham took out the Coates Talent League premiership, benefitting greatly from the extra exposure. He had only 13 disposals in the Grand Final but kicked a nice goal and broke the game open on a couple of occasions, otherwise posting over 20 touches in each of his postseason appearances. His ability to crack Sandringham’s stacked midfield and star there was no mean feat.

CONTESTED BEAST

Stevens is a player whose draft range will be wide, though he does so few things wrong on the footy field. An excellent leader and character, he captained the National Academy and was diligent in his recovery from a long-term knee injury last year. The GWV Rebels product is a big bodied ball winner whose frame and clean hands serve him well over the ball, but as shown in defence, he also distributes beautifully by foot. He may not have the athletic gifts or X-factor of others, but should attract interest nonetheless.

AUGUST RANKING: Unranked

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Stevens and GWV would have loved a longer finals run, but fell in the final eight to a gallant Geelong outfit. Stevens was held to under 20 disposals for just the second time this season and spent a bit of time in defence as the Rebels chased the win. He was more prolific in Wildcard Round, posting 26 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal as his resolute self through midfield. Stevens was recently named captain of the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

HITOUT KING

The tallest player to feature in our top 30 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.

AUGUST RANKING: #19

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Edwards is another West Australian prospect whose year ended with the home-and-away rounds. He ended up playing five games in Peel’s reserves since making the step up in Round 14, averaging nine disposals and 16 hitouts in the senior grade.

FREAKISH TALENT

There is no denying what Lance Collard can do on the football field, with the Subiaco small forward accustomed to pulling off tricks others can only dream of. The West Coast NGA product booted 32 goals in 11 WAFL Colts games this year, including five hauls of four or more, sitting on heads and splitting the big sticks from all angles. He also has a mean streak and can be a menace to opposition defenders going both ways with his searing pace. While Collard failed to showcase his best self on the national stage, he’s a first round prospect on talent alone – if he can display it consistently enough.

AUGUST RANKING: Unranked

LAST MONTH:

Collard ended his WAFL Colts season with a bang, booting five goals in each of his two finals games as Subiaco bowed out of the premiership race. He did so from a combined 19 touches and six marks, but gave an insight into how his freakish talent can help turn games. That kind of ability, despite a quiet National Championships, is why clubs have him hovering around the top 25 – even higher for some.

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.

AUGUST RANKING: #25

LAST MONTH:

Schoenmaker was terrific in Tasmania’s two finals games, averaging 29 disposals, seven marks, nine rebound 50s and a goal in typically prolific fashion. He set up play from the back with his kicking and intercepted nicely, while also offering his usual threat on the overlap and through the corridor.

THE GOALSNEAK

There are few more classy and exciting small forwards on their day than Delean. Highly touted throughout his junior career, he tends to rise to big occasions and has undeniable nous inside 50, where he plays his best footy. Whether it be with high-flying marks, clever crumbs or shrewd snaps, Delean catches the eye akin to the likes of Cody Weightman with his genuine flair.

AUGUST RANKING: #29

LAST MONTH:

Having made three League appearances with South Adelaide, Delean returned to the Panthers’ Under 18 setup to help take out the flag. He was economical in the semi final against Central District, booting 3.3 from nine disposals, but was well held in the Grand Final with just 1.1 from seven touches. He was lively in both games and played exclusively inside 50, allowing his match-winning traits to shine – the downside being he was limited and able to be tied down by a lockdown defender.

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, durability, and the ability to impact games in diverse ways remain areas for improvement.

AUGUST RANKING: #30

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Moir’s season ended alongside Glenelg’s Under 18 campaign, with the Bays failing to make finals despite a thrilling final round victory over grand finalist, Sturt. A frustrated Moir managed two goals from 10 touches and six marks in that game before turning his attention to the draft combine. Despite an injury interrupted year, his pure talent should keep him in the mix, especially with the lack of depth in this year’s draft.