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LUKE LLOYD
A 193cm forward, Lloyd emerged as a draft bolter in the second half of the year. He was unsighted at the under-18 national championships, after missing selection for Vic Metro following an early-season quad injury. However, Lloyd kicked 19 goals in a game for school side De La Salle in May to put his potential on show. His marking is a feature of his game and he booted eight goals across his final three games of the season for Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League, including two majors in a winning grand final.Luke Lloyd kicked 19 goals in a game this year. Picture: Getty Images
CALSHER DEAR
A 195cm forward, Dear had a solid second half of the season for Sandringham Dragons in the Coates Talent League to attract some late AFL attention. He played as a forward and back-up ruck for the Dragons and particularly caught the eye in the grand final as he logged 13 disposals, 14 hit-outs, three marks and kicked two goals. Dear’s mobility for a big man and ability to win the footy in the air and at ground level are his big strengths. He is eligible to join Hawthorn as a father-son, being the son of the late Paul Dear who played 123 games and won a premiership with the club in 1991.COOPER SIMPSON
Somewhat of a forgotten man, Simpson has slid down draft boards through little fault of his own, with an injury during the championships sidelining him for a critical part of the season. But his finish to year for the Dandenong Stingrays was a reminder of his x-factor as a midfielder, booting 2 goals from 20 disposals in his final outing. Simpson has a great sidestep in traffic and can break a game open with his penetrating kick, burst and ability to hit the scoreboard, averaging 21.5 disposals and just under a goal per game at Coates Talent League level. Had impressive results across the board at the combine and also received a VFL opportunity for Casey earlier in the year.Cooper Simpson has flown under the raar this year. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
WILL GRAHAM
The 186cm midfielder has been the forgotten fourth Gold Coast Suns Academy member in this year’s draft pool. Three first-round draft locks from the Suns’ Academy – Jed Walter, Ethan Read and Jake Rogers – have been heavily talked about. However, Graham is a solid prospect in his own right. A potential top-40 pick, he can play as an inside midfielder or on a wing and has strong athletic traits which shone through at the recent national draft combine. Graham finished second in the 20m sprint, equal-second in the vertical jump and equal-third in the running vertical jump.
CAIDEN CLEARY
Cleary was the fourth ranked player at the national championships, finishing second for tackles, fourth most disposals and equal fourth for contested possessions. Yet the hard-nosed Swans Academy prospect may not attract a bid inside the first two rounds of the draft. Cleary isn’t overly quick and there are knocks over his kicking, but he is one of the best inside ball-winners in the pool. The 182cm midfielder tackles like his life depends on it and his performances have stacked up against men, playing six games for Sydney at VFL level, with his five centre-clearances, 22 disposals and 102 ranking points against GWS Giants’ VFL side the highlight. He also can run all day, clocking the fifth best 2km trial time result at the draft combine. Cleary is expected to be matched by the Swans, but after their three acquisitions during the trade and free agency period, they may only take two or three picks in the national draft.Caiden Cleary ran the fifth best 2km time trial at the national combine. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/Getty Images
WIL DAWSON
A versatile tall, Dawson measured 200.3cm at the national draft combine and is still growing. Gippsland Power required him in defence this year and he impressed in that position. However, Dawson is seen as a natural forward and back-up ruck, which is where he featured in his bottom-age season in 2022. While not a finished product just yet, there is plenty of excitement about what Dawson could become given his size, competitive nature, one-on-one contest wins and ability to be clean below his knees. He has met with just about every club, suggesting he will likely land somewhere.SHAUN MANNAGH
Clubs after a plug and play mature-ager who can find the footy with ease and consistently hit the scoreboard, look no further. Mannagh put an exclamation point on his dominant VFL season with an incredible grand final performance, booting six goals and racking up 28 disposals to win the best-on-ground medal in Werribee’s loss to Gold Coast. You have to have make a significant impact to get drafted at 26, but Mannagh did just that at VFL level this season as a midfielder-forward, averaging 25 disposals, 7.8 score involvements, 5.6 tackles 4.7 clearances, 1.9 goals and 117 ranking points per game. Players who can break games open in the forward half while winning 20 disposals are hard to find, and Mannagh is well worth the punt.Shaun Mannagh booted six goals in the VFL grand final. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
COOPER TREMBATH
A 193cm tall, Trembath took to his first season in defence like a duck to water this year. He was overlooked for Vic Metro’s under-18 national championships squad, but starred in the middle and later part of the year for the Eastern Ranges as a strong-marking and intercepting backman. In a round 7 match in the Coates Talent League, Trembath racked up 17 disposals and 14 marks including eight intercept marks. He has quickly learnt when to go for his marks and when to spoil and how to position his body. Trembath can play on mid-sized forwards but also a little bit bigger and has drawn comparisons to Greater Western Sydney’s Connor Idun.Cooper Trembath looks a good prospect as an intercept defender. Picture: Getty Images
MICHAEL RUDD
Rudd was equal fifth for goals per game at the national championships after an eye-catching carnival for Vic Country, but he was left off the national combine invite list. Club concerns centre on the medium forward’s speed, but what Rudd does have is a huge engine and strong hands overhead. Rudd showcased this at the state combine where he came equal-fifth in the 2km time trial (6:17). At 192cm, Rudd plays in a similar vein to Collingwood premiership forward Brody Mihocek and could prove to be a hidden gem for a club after a marking forward with relentless workrate.Taylor Goad is a unique player for his size. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos/Getty Images
TAYLOR GOAD
The equal-tallest player at the national draft combine, Goad measured in at a towering 206.2cm. However, despite his size he is incredibly athletic and finished eighth in both the 20m sprint and vertical jump tests. Goad featured as a ruckman for South Australia in all four games of the under-18 national championships and continued his good form in the second half of the season for South Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s. He is agile, has good skills and is super competitive. Goad only began to focus on football again last year, having previously prioritised basketball.KANE MCAULIFFE
A 187cm utility from North Adelaide, McAuliffe has some fans and showcased his incredible athletic abilities at the national draft combine. He finished third in the running vertical jump and fifth in both the vertical jump and the 20m sprint tests. He was also the first South Australian across the line in the 2km time trial, finishing in a time of 6min 26sec. A member of the AFL Academy this year, McAuliffe was restricted at times by a groin injury. However, the penetrating left-footer led the way in the midfield for South Australia at the national championships and impressed across seven SANFL reserves matches in the second half of the year.Kane McAuliffe had a solid season despite some injury issues. Picture: Getty Images
LOGAN EVANS
A strong start to the season saw Evans crack into the Norwood’s senior side from the get-go, tallying 18 disposals in a promising league debut. The rangy defender has spent time at all three levels this season but has played most of his footy in Norwood’s reserves, where he has averaged 15.2 disposals, 5.8 intercepts and 91 ranking points across 10 matches. His national championships could have been better, but as his national combine snub proves, Evans’ season has flown under the radar. The 189cm prospect reads the play well, has tidy skills and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty defensivelyREECE TORRENT
A 184cm midfielder or rebounding halfback, Torrent had a solid national championships with Western Australia and made an even better finish to the season. He made his senior WAFL debut for Peel Thunder in the final round of the regular season, showing good composure and kicking a goal. He runs hard and can break the lines, can win his own ball when playing inside and hits targets when on the outside with his nice left foot. Torrent placed seventh in the agility test at the national draft combine, while also performing well in the 2km time trial with a time of 6min 24sec.KOEN SANCHEZ
May not have eye-catching traits of WA bolter Lance Collard, but Sanchez is a hardworking half-forward who is always keeping himself busy. Sanchez had a consistent national carnival where he averaged 17.8 disposals, 6.0 score involvments, 1.5 goals and 102 ranking points, with his three goals against Vic Metro the highlight. The East Fremantle prospect is very clean below his knees, has deft footskills and is a great decision maker. Sanchez has racked up large possession tallies as a midfielder at WAFL Colts level, suggesting he can pinch hit in the midfield at the next level. Sanchez has also made the step up to WAFL Reserves level and didn’t look out of place.Koen Sanchez celebrates a goal against Vic Metro. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images
