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AFL Draft 2024: Chris Cavanagh and Dan Batten’s Top 25 prospects – June edition​

The national under-18 carnival is underway and draft boards around the country are taking shape. Who could be picked in the first round? Here are our first top 25 power rankings for 2024.
Chris Cavanagh and Dan Batten

10 min read
June 7, 2024 - 10:27AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom





Two games down, eight to go.
The AFL under-18 national championships are in full swing, with Vic Metro and Vic Country set to begin their campaigns at Ikon Park on Sunday.
Ahead of those matches, here’s this year’s top 25 draft prospects in our June rankings.

2024 UNDER-18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE​

May 26: SA v Allies (Thebarton Oval)
June 2: Allies v WA (Blacktown ISP)
June 9: Vic Metro v Allies (IKON Park)
June 9: Vic Country v SA (IKON Park)
June 16: SA v WA (Alberton Oval)
June 23: WA v Vic Metro (Optus Stadium)
June 29: WA v Vic Country (Revo Fitness Stadium)
June 30: SA v Vic Metro (Alberton Oval)
July 7: Allies v Vic Country (Brighton Homes Arena)
July 14: Vic Metro v Vic Country (IKON Park)

JUNE DRAFT RANKINGS​

1. Josh Smillie​

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
The early favourite to be the No. 1 pick, Smillie is putting together an impressive campaign. A 194cm big-bodied midfielder who models his game on Carlton captain Patrick Cripps, Smillie has serious size, power and ball-winning ability. While primarily an onballer, he has also shown he can impact across halfback and half-forward if required. Smillie has averaged 24 disposals, 5.6 clearances and 1.6 goals across seven Coates Talent League matches for the Eastern Ranges this season, while also shining as captain in two AFL Academy exhibition matches in April.

2. Levi Ashcroft ​

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
A classy 179cm midfielder-forward, Ashcroft knows how to find the footy like few others in this year’s draft class. A Brisbane Lions father-son prospect, he could well match older brother Will and be a No. 2 pick to the Lions in November. The son of three-time premiership player Marcus, Ashcroft possesses elite workrate, makes good decisions and brings leadership. He has been a consistent performer at all levels of football this season, which has included games for the Sandringham Dragons, Brighton Grammar and the AFL Academy.

3. Finn O’Sullivan ​

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
What sets O’Sullivan apart from the other midfielders in this draft is his well-rounded skillset. The Koroit talent is a great mark overhead, cuts opposition sides apart with his kicking and doesn’t need a lot of the footy to have a major impact. After being sidelined with a broken thumb earlier in the year, O’Sullivan will miss most of the national championships after undergoing surgery on a broken finger as his rotten luck continued. But he already has plenty of runs on the board, earning a spot in the U18 All-Australian team as a bottom-ager at last year’s carnival and claiming the MVP award at the U16 championships.

4. Jagga Smith​

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
A lively and creative ball-winner, Smith is on the smaller side as a lightly-built 181cm midfielder. However, he more than makes up for it in resilience, footy smarts and pure skills. Smith has drawn comparisons to Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters this year, who is a player he watches closely. He was one of the best players for the AFL Academy against Footscray’s VFL side in April in his first game against men. Smith also made headlines after racking up 50 disposals for the Oakleigh Chargers in a recent Coates Talent League match, becoming just the third player in the competition’s history to reach that mark in a match.

5. Luke Trainor​

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
A 194cm defender, Trainor has emerged as the best key position prospect this year. A former forward, he is now loving life down back and looks up to the likes of Tom Stewart and Jeremy Howe. Trainor’s overhead marking is a clear strength, while his one-on-one contest work has been impressive. With ball in hand he is highly composed and he possesses a nice kick to provide some rebound for his team. Trainor was best afield in the AFL Academy’s first exhibition match in April, while also playing some impressive games for the Dragons and school team Brighton Grammar.

6. Christian Moraes​

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
A dynamic 183cm midfielder, Moraes is a running machine who covers the ground extremely well. He works hard both sides of the ball and can be dangerous around goals when he pushes forward, evidenced by his nine goals from his first three games for the Ranges this year. In the thick of the action, Moraes is tough, has clean hands and brings real composure. He had an up-and-down few weeks after copping a heavy knock during an AFL Academy game in April, but has still averaged 25.7 disposals, 5.3 marks, four clearances and 7.5 score involvements across six Coates Talent League games this year.

7. Leo Lombard ​

Gold Coast Suns Academy/Allies
While he is another player on the smaller side for a midfielder at 178cm, Lombard is hard-at-it and is a prolific ball winner. He featured in the Suns’ VFL premiership side as a 16-year-old last year and has continued to impress playing for multiple teams at different levels in the early part of this season – including another VFL appearance where he finished with 28 disposals. Lombard has a great workrate, is cool and composed with ball in hand and can be very dangerous around goal. He has been likened to AFL Rising Star nominee Jake Rogers, who has been working with Lombard and refers to him as being “like a little brother”.

8. Sid Draper ​

South Adelaide/South Australia
A powerful and quick midfielder, Draper starred as a bottom-age player for South Australia during last year’s under-18 national championships, winning the side’s MVP award. He has dazzling speed and elite workrate, allowing him to get from contest to contest and impact play. Draper – who looks up to Port Adelaide pair Connor Rozee and Zak Butters – missed the start of this season with stress fractures in his shin, but returned to fitness in time to captain his state in its first match of this year’s national championships.

9. Taj Hotton ​

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
A big improver this year, Hotton had some monster games in the early part of the season playing a variety of roles. He took his endurance to another level over the off-season, opening the door for more midfield minutes after spending most of last year across half-forward. The son of former Carlton and Collingwood player Trent, Hotton is dangerous and creative when in the forward half and averaged 28.7 disposals and 1.7 goals from his first three Coates Talent League games this year. Those performances saw him included as an injury replacement player for the AFL Academy’s first exhibition match against Coburg in April, where he again impressed with 18 disposals and two goals. Hotton will miss the rest of the year after rupturing his ACL at training in May, but he is still expected to be a high draft pick in November.

10. Matt Whitlock ​

Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
A 197cm key position player, Whitlock has shown incredible ability at both ends of the ground this year. He started the season in defence for the Bushrangers, averaging 16.7 disposals, seven marks and 2.7 spoils across the first three games. Whitlock was then shifted forward and kicked five goals in his first game, before bagging another five majors just a few weeks later. He received a late call-up as an injury replacement player for the AFL Academy’s second match against Footscray VFL in April, where he was again able to show some exciting signs of things to come. Whitlock has a great ability to read the play, is impressive one-on-one, plucks plenty of nice overhead marks and generally uses the ball well.

11. Sam Lalor ​

GWV Rebels/Vic Country
The strong, bullocking midfielder has struggled for continuity in his draft year, sidelined in the pre-season with a hip injury and then encountering niggles in his foot and quad since. He showed off his forward craft in his first game of 2024 in APS football with Geelong Grammar, booting seven goals – six of those coming in the second half. Lalor played two games for Vic Country last season, tallying 17 disposals and eight clearances on debut, and averaged 20 disposals and eight tackles per game last year for the GWV Rebels.

12. Sam Marshall ​

Brisbane Lions Academy/Allies
A 185cm midfielder from the Sunshine Coast, Marshall relocated to Victoria for school and has linked up the Sandringham Dragons. However, he is playing for the Allies in the national championships and has made an eye-catching start to the tournament. Across the first two matches for the Allies, Marshall averaged 28.5 disposals, 5.5 marks, 4.5 clearances and 5.5 score involvements. An elite runner, he knows how to find the footy, makes good decisions with ball in hand and can hit the scoreboard. Along with playing onball, he has also spent time on a wing and across halfback this year. The Brisbane Lions will have first access to him in the draft as a member of their Academy.

13. Tom Gross ​

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
An explosive and powerful 181cm midfielder-forward, Gross can impact games in a number of ways. He is dangerous around stoppages with his burst speed and isn’t afraid to take the game on, while he is also a strong overhead mark and can push forward and hit the scoreboard. Gross was lively with 21 disposals in the AFL Academy’s first game against Coburg in April. He missed the side’s second match through injury, but has averaged 24.7 disposals, four clearances, four marks, 6.7 score involvements and one goal from three matches for the Chargers so far this season, along with juggling school football duties for Trinity Grammar.

14. Jack Whitlock​

Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
Whitlock started his season with a bang, booting 4.4 from 20 disposals, which saw him parachuted into the AFL Academy game. The rangy 200cm key forward kicked two goals in a solid showing against Coburg and has 10 majors across five matches for the Murray Bushrangers. Has been overshadowed by his twin brother of late, but there isn’t much separating the promising pair.

15. Joe Berry ​

Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
An early-season bolter, 180cm forward Berry has certainly had an impact for the Bushrangers in the first half of the Coates Talent League season. The left-footer possesses blistering high-end speed, brings great creativity around goal, has one-touch hands at ground level and works hard up the ground to find the footy. Berry has kicked four goals on four separate occasions for the Bushrangers this year and sits as the leading goalkicker in the Coates Talent League, outside of mid-season draftee Will McLachlan.

16. Noah Mraz ​

Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
A Pies fan who got the chance to train with his heroes over the summer, Mraz has moulded his game on Darcy Moore — and there are certainly some similarities with his reading of the play and efficient kicking at 198cm. The Stingrays defender will miss another couple of months with a navicular foot issue, which he played through in four games in the Talent League and for the AFL Academy. He remains one of the best key backs in the pool.

17. Ben Camporeale ​

Glenelg/SA
The Carlton father-son prospect staked his claim as an early pick with a best-on-ground display in the U17 Futures game on grand final day last year. And he started the national championships in impressive fashion, winning 27 disposals, 19 uncontested possessions and six clearances in the Croweaters’ win over the Allies. The 186cm playmaker has a booming kick and can find the ball on the inside and outside.

18. Jobe Shanahan ​

Bendigo Pioneers/Allies
An exciting and athletic 194cm key forward, Shanahan is strong in the air, works hard up the ground and can kick a nice goal. He primarily played in defence with the Pioneers last year, but has been settled as a forward this season and booted four goals in his second Coates Talent League game of the year against the Murray Bushrangers. Shanahan also showed some good signs for the AFL Academy side in two exhibition matches in April, across which he kicked a total of three goals. Hailing from the NSW border town of Moama, Shanahan is representing the Allies in the national championships and impressed with 11 disposals, five marks (three contested), seven score involvements and two goals in the side’s second match against Western Australia.

19. Bo Allan​

Peel Thunder/WA
Allan looks to be the top West Australian in a pool light on for top-end WA talent. The 191cm played the first two games of the WAFL senior season for Peel Thunder and played all four games for WA as a bottom-ager at last year’s championships. A defender or midfielder, Allan is athletic, competitive and reads the play well. Missed the first champs game with injury, but will be pivotal to WA’s when he is back out on the park.

20. Harry O’Farrell ​

Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
A 196cm key defender who reads the ball well and is an exceptional athlete, O’Farrell’s aerial ability is his biggest strength. He has clean hands overhead and can work off his opponent to take intercepts or win contested marks in a pack. O’Farrell’s size and mobility allow him to match up on a range of opponents, which included Jed Walter when he was playing as a bottom-age player in the national championships last year. O’Farrell looks up to GWS star Harry Himmelberg and is working on being able to play at both ends of the ground. He showed glimpses in the first AFL Academy match in April, but missed the second game with a calf injury.

21. Isaac Kako ​

Calder/Cannons
Kako is one of the most enjoyable prospects to watch in the draft pool. He is dangerous around goal, has speed to burn and can fly high for a mark. His goalkicking has let him down this year, kicking 14.21 for the season, but he has had plenty of forward-half impact, averaging 18 disposals and eight score involvements this season. Kako is part of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy and is of Iraqi descent.

22. Jonty Faull ​

GWV Rebels/Vic Country
A stress fracture in his lower back sidelined this 195cm key forward for the first half of the season, but he returned in style for the Rebels in round 10 of the Coates Talent League. Faull bagged 5.2 from 14 disposals and four marks in attack, reminding scouts what he is capable of. A Carlton supporter who looks up to Charlie Curnow, Faull is agile and strong overhead. As a bottom-age player with the Rebels, he averaged 13.1 disposals and booted 20 goals across 12 games. Faull could well climb these rankings with a big national championships campaign.

23. Logan Smith​

GWS Academy/Allies
Smith shapes as the best pure ruckman in the pool. The Giants Academy prospect has dominated at Coates League level, averaging 27 hit-outs, 18 disposals and six clearances and has been solid in the Allies’ two national championships outings to date. Smith has a great leap and follows up well at ground level.

24. Xavier Lindsay ​

Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Lindsay has led the way for the Gippsland Power this season and has had significant impact forward of centre, averaging 26 disposals, seven score involvements and seven clearances per game. The Power midfielder enjoys getting his hands dirty and has a burst of speed from congestion that hurts opposition sides.


25. Tobie Travaglia ​

Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Travaglia has had a superb start to the year for the Pioneers, earning him a call-up to the AFL Academy side. The speedster impressed with 15 disposals and four marks across halfback, and he has averaged 25 disposals, five marks and five tackles as a midfielder in the Talent League. He has gamebreaking qualities and his stocks will only rise if he can put together a strong national carnival.
 
giantroo said:


AFL Draft 2024: Chris Cavanagh and Dan Batten’s Top 25 prospects – June edition​

The national under-18 carnival is underway and draft boards around the country are taking shape. Who could be picked in the first round? Here are our first top 25 power rankings for 2024.
Chris Cavanagh and Dan Batten

10 min read
June 7, 2024 - 10:27AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom





Two games down, eight to go.
The AFL under-18 national championships are in full swing, with Vic Metro and Vic Country set to begin their campaigns at Ikon Park on Sunday.
Ahead of those matches, here’s this year’s top 25 draft prospects in our June rankings.

2024 UNDER-18 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE​

May 26: SA v Allies (Thebarton Oval)
June 2: Allies v WA (Blacktown ISP)
June 9: Vic Metro v Allies (IKON Park)
June 9: Vic Country v SA (IKON Park)
June 16: SA v WA (Alberton Oval)
June 23: WA v Vic Metro (Optus Stadium)
June 29: WA v Vic Country (Revo Fitness Stadium)
June 30: SA v Vic Metro (Alberton Oval)
July 7: Allies v Vic Country (Brighton Homes Arena)
July 14: Vic Metro v Vic Country (IKON Park)

JUNE DRAFT RANKINGS​

1. Josh Smillie​

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
The early favourite to be the No. 1 pick, Smillie is putting together an impressive campaign. A 194cm big-bodied midfielder who models his game on Carlton captain Patrick Cripps, Smillie has serious size, power and ball-winning ability. While primarily an onballer, he has also shown he can impact across halfback and half-forward if required. Smillie has averaged 24 disposals, 5.6 clearances and 1.6 goals across seven Coates Talent League matches for the Eastern Ranges this season, while also shining as captain in two AFL Academy exhibition matches in April.

2. Levi Ashcroft ​

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
A classy 179cm midfielder-forward, Ashcroft knows how to find the footy like few others in this year’s draft class. A Brisbane Lions father-son prospect, he could well match older brother Will and be a No. 2 pick to the Lions in November. The son of three-time premiership player Marcus, Ashcroft possesses elite workrate, makes good decisions and brings leadership. He has been a consistent performer at all levels of football this season, which has included games for the Sandringham Dragons, Brighton Grammar and the AFL Academy.

3. Finn O’Sullivan ​

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
What sets O’Sullivan apart from the other midfielders in this draft is his well-rounded skillset. The Koroit talent is a great mark overhead, cuts opposition sides apart with his kicking and doesn’t need a lot of the footy to have a major impact. After being sidelined with a broken thumb earlier in the year, O’Sullivan will miss most of the national championships after undergoing surgery on a broken finger as his rotten luck continued. But he already has plenty of runs on the board, earning a spot in the U18 All-Australian team as a bottom-ager at last year’s carnival and claiming the MVP award at the U16 championships.

4. Jagga Smith​

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
A lively and creative ball-winner, Smith is on the smaller side as a lightly-built 181cm midfielder. However, he more than makes up for it in resilience, footy smarts and pure skills. Smith has drawn comparisons to Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters this year, who is a player he watches closely. He was one of the best players for the AFL Academy against Footscray’s VFL side in April in his first game against men. Smith also made headlines after racking up 50 disposals for the Oakleigh Chargers in a recent Coates Talent League match, becoming just the third player in the competition’s history to reach that mark in a match.

5. Luke Trainor​

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
A 194cm defender, Trainor has emerged as the best key position prospect this year. A former forward, he is now loving life down back and looks up to the likes of Tom Stewart and Jeremy Howe. Trainor’s overhead marking is a clear strength, while his one-on-one contest work has been impressive. With ball in hand he is highly composed and he possesses a nice kick to provide some rebound for his team. Trainor was best afield in the AFL Academy’s first exhibition match in April, while also playing some impressive games for the Dragons and school team Brighton Grammar.

6. Christian Moraes​

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
A dynamic 183cm midfielder, Moraes is a running machine who covers the ground extremely well. He works hard both sides of the ball and can be dangerous around goals when he pushes forward, evidenced by his nine goals from his first three games for the Ranges this year. In the thick of the action, Moraes is tough, has clean hands and brings real composure. He had an up-and-down few weeks after copping a heavy knock during an AFL Academy game in April, but has still averaged 25.7 disposals, 5.3 marks, four clearances and 7.5 score involvements across six Coates Talent League games this year.

7. Leo Lombard ​

Gold Coast Suns Academy/Allies
While he is another player on the smaller side for a midfielder at 178cm, Lombard is hard-at-it and is a prolific ball winner. He featured in the Suns’ VFL premiership side as a 16-year-old last year and has continued to impress playing for multiple teams at different levels in the early part of this season – including another VFL appearance where he finished with 28 disposals. Lombard has a great workrate, is cool and composed with ball in hand and can be very dangerous around goal. He has been likened to AFL Rising Star nominee Jake Rogers, who has been working with Lombard and refers to him as being “like a little brother”.

8. Sid Draper ​

South Adelaide/South Australia
A powerful and quick midfielder, Draper starred as a bottom-age player for South Australia during last year’s under-18 national championships, winning the side’s MVP award. He has dazzling speed and elite workrate, allowing him to get from contest to contest and impact play. Draper – who looks up to Port Adelaide pair Connor Rozee and Zak Butters – missed the start of this season with stress fractures in his shin, but returned to fitness in time to captain his state in its first match of this year’s national championships.

9. Taj Hotton ​

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
A big improver this year, Hotton had some monster games in the early part of the season playing a variety of roles. He took his endurance to another level over the off-season, opening the door for more midfield minutes after spending most of last year across half-forward. The son of former Carlton and Collingwood player Trent, Hotton is dangerous and creative when in the forward half and averaged 28.7 disposals and 1.7 goals from his first three Coates Talent League games this year. Those performances saw him included as an injury replacement player for the AFL Academy’s first exhibition match against Coburg in April, where he again impressed with 18 disposals and two goals. Hotton will miss the rest of the year after rupturing his ACL at training in May, but he is still expected to be a high draft pick in November.

10. Matt Whitlock ​

Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
A 197cm key position player, Whitlock has shown incredible ability at both ends of the ground this year. He started the season in defence for the Bushrangers, averaging 16.7 disposals, seven marks and 2.7 spoils across the first three games. Whitlock was then shifted forward and kicked five goals in his first game, before bagging another five majors just a few weeks later. He received a late call-up as an injury replacement player for the AFL Academy’s second match against Footscray VFL in April, where he was again able to show some exciting signs of things to come. Whitlock has a great ability to read the play, is impressive one-on-one, plucks plenty of nice overhead marks and generally uses the ball well.

11. Sam Lalor ​

GWV Rebels/Vic Country
The strong, bullocking midfielder has struggled for continuity in his draft year, sidelined in the pre-season with a hip injury and then encountering niggles in his foot and quad since. He showed off his forward craft in his first game of 2024 in APS football with Geelong Grammar, booting seven goals – six of those coming in the second half. Lalor played two games for Vic Country last season, tallying 17 disposals and eight clearances on debut, and averaged 20 disposals and eight tackles per game last year for the GWV Rebels.

12. Sam Marshall ​

Brisbane Lions Academy/Allies
A 185cm midfielder from the Sunshine Coast, Marshall relocated to Victoria for school and has linked up the Sandringham Dragons. However, he is playing for the Allies in the national championships and has made an eye-catching start to the tournament. Across the first two matches for the Allies, Marshall averaged 28.5 disposals, 5.5 marks, 4.5 clearances and 5.5 score involvements. An elite runner, he knows how to find the footy, makes good decisions with ball in hand and can hit the scoreboard. Along with playing onball, he has also spent time on a wing and across halfback this year. The Brisbane Lions will have first access to him in the draft as a member of their Academy.

13. Tom Gross ​

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
An explosive and powerful 181cm midfielder-forward, Gross can impact games in a number of ways. He is dangerous around stoppages with his burst speed and isn’t afraid to take the game on, while he is also a strong overhead mark and can push forward and hit the scoreboard. Gross was lively with 21 disposals in the AFL Academy’s first game against Coburg in April. He missed the side’s second match through injury, but has averaged 24.7 disposals, four clearances, four marks, 6.7 score involvements and one goal from three matches for the Chargers so far this season, along with juggling school football duties for Trinity Grammar.

14. Jack Whitlock​

Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
Whitlock started his season with a bang, booting 4.4 from 20 disposals, which saw him parachuted into the AFL Academy game. The rangy 200cm key forward kicked two goals in a solid showing against Coburg and has 10 majors across five matches for the Murray Bushrangers. Has been overshadowed by his twin brother of late, but there isn’t much separating the promising pair.

15. Joe Berry ​

Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
An early-season bolter, 180cm forward Berry has certainly had an impact for the Bushrangers in the first half of the Coates Talent League season. The left-footer possesses blistering high-end speed, brings great creativity around goal, has one-touch hands at ground level and works hard up the ground to find the footy. Berry has kicked four goals on four separate occasions for the Bushrangers this year and sits as the leading goalkicker in the Coates Talent League, outside of mid-season draftee Will McLachlan.

16. Noah Mraz ​

Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
A Pies fan who got the chance to train with his heroes over the summer, Mraz has moulded his game on Darcy Moore — and there are certainly some similarities with his reading of the play and efficient kicking at 198cm. The Stingrays defender will miss another couple of months with a navicular foot issue, which he played through in four games in the Talent League and for the AFL Academy. He remains one of the best key backs in the pool.

17. Ben Camporeale ​

Glenelg/SA
The Carlton father-son prospect staked his claim as an early pick with a best-on-ground display in the U17 Futures game on grand final day last year. And he started the national championships in impressive fashion, winning 27 disposals, 19 uncontested possessions and six clearances in the Croweaters’ win over the Allies. The 186cm playmaker has a booming kick and can find the ball on the inside and outside.

18. Jobe Shanahan ​

Bendigo Pioneers/Allies
An exciting and athletic 194cm key forward, Shanahan is strong in the air, works hard up the ground and can kick a nice goal. He primarily played in defence with the Pioneers last year, but has been settled as a forward this season and booted four goals in his second Coates Talent League game of the year against the Murray Bushrangers. Shanahan also showed some good signs for the AFL Academy side in two exhibition matches in April, across which he kicked a total of three goals. Hailing from the NSW border town of Moama, Shanahan is representing the Allies in the national championships and impressed with 11 disposals, five marks (three contested), seven score involvements and two goals in the side’s second match against Western Australia.

19. Bo Allan​

Peel Thunder/WA
Allan looks to be the top West Australian in a pool light on for top-end WA talent. The 191cm played the first two games of the WAFL senior season for Peel Thunder and played all four games for WA as a bottom-ager at last year’s championships. A defender or midfielder, Allan is athletic, competitive and reads the play well. Missed the first champs game with injury, but will be pivotal to WA’s when he is back out on the park.

20. Harry O’Farrell ​

Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
A 196cm key defender who reads the ball well and is an exceptional athlete, O’Farrell’s aerial ability is his biggest strength. He has clean hands overhead and can work off his opponent to take intercepts or win contested marks in a pack. O’Farrell’s size and mobility allow him to match up on a range of opponents, which included Jed Walter when he was playing as a bottom-age player in the national championships last year. O’Farrell looks up to GWS star Harry Himmelberg and is working on being able to play at both ends of the ground. He showed glimpses in the first AFL Academy match in April, but missed the second game with a calf injury.

21. Isaac Kako ​

Calder/Cannons
Kako is one of the most enjoyable prospects to watch in the draft pool. He is dangerous around goal, has speed to burn and can fly high for a mark. His goalkicking has let him down this year, kicking 14.21 for the season, but he has had plenty of forward-half impact, averaging 18 disposals and eight score involvements this season. Kako is part of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy and is of Iraqi descent.

22. Jonty Faull ​

GWV Rebels/Vic Country
A stress fracture in his lower back sidelined this 195cm key forward for the first half of the season, but he returned in style for the Rebels in round 10 of the Coates Talent League. Faull bagged 5.2 from 14 disposals and four marks in attack, reminding scouts what he is capable of. A Carlton supporter who looks up to Charlie Curnow, Faull is agile and strong overhead. As a bottom-age player with the Rebels, he averaged 13.1 disposals and booted 20 goals across 12 games. Faull could well climb these rankings with a big national championships campaign.

23. Logan Smith​

GWS Academy/Allies
Smith shapes as the best pure ruckman in the pool. The Giants Academy prospect has dominated at Coates League level, averaging 27 hit-outs, 18 disposals and six clearances and has been solid in the Allies’ two national championships outings to date. Smith has a great leap and follows up well at ground level.

24. Xavier Lindsay ​

Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Lindsay has led the way for the Gippsland Power this season and has had significant impact forward of centre, averaging 26 disposals, seven score involvements and seven clearances per game. The Power midfielder enjoys getting his hands dirty and has a burst of speed from congestion that hurts opposition sides.


25. Tobie Travaglia ​

Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Travaglia has had a superb start to the year for the Pioneers, earning him a call-up to the AFL Academy side. The speedster impressed with 15 disposals and four marks across halfback, and he has averaged 25 disposals, five marks and five tackles as a midfielder in the Talent League. He has gamebreaking qualities and his stocks will only rise if he can put together a strong national carnival.
Click to expand...

Faull and Kako around our 2nd rounder would be absolutely perfect for us.
 
FootySmartSimpson said:
Is it though?

From reports on here, his strengths are accumulation, agility for his size, neat skills and superior smarts.

Is it precisely what we need to fill the holes in:

1)CHF
2)Crumbing forward
3)Contested bull mid
4)Developing CHF
5)Developing ruck
Click to expand...

Smilie fills in no. 3.

If our midfield isn't on-par with the top 8 sides, forget the rest.
 
I think I’ll watch …
O’Sullivan ( my current home town….there’s a lot of excitement in local footy circles here about him)
Kako
Trainor
Faull
Smillie …

Regardless next 2 months is crunch time…time for someone to really grab it and stamp their name…
Recruiting team good luck….
 
Roostorm said:
I think I’ll watch …
O’Sullivan ( my current home town….there’s a lot of excitement in local footy circles here about him)
Kako
Trainor
Faull
Smillie …

Regardless next 2 months is crunch time…time for someone to really grab it and stamp their name…
Recruiting team good luck….
Click to expand...

Shame that O’Sullivan isn’t playing, super keen to see how he goes as country’s number 1 midfielder.

No surprises, but Faull didn’t get picked for Vic Country, bit underdone after only playing one NAB league game.
 

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roos_fanatic08 said:
Faull and Kako around our 2nd rounder would be absolutely perfect for us.
Click to expand...
Especially if we trade in a future 2nd rounder, but the champs are just getting going so I wouldn't take to much notice of that list, some boys are going to be all the rage and some players will do a Brayden George and slip into the second round.
 
Twinkletoes said:
Re the tv coverage of this Sunday’s games….

Fox have updated their tv guide now and sure enough, Vic Metro v Allies is live from 10.30am followed by the Vic Country v SA game which will also be televised live on the Fox Footy channel.
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DuckYeah
 
Big bodied mids

Just wondering peoples thoughts on the holding the ball tweak. Given players have less time to dispose, will the big body type be as valuable? They wouldnt have as much time to break tackles which imo makes them super valuable.

On the other hand close in contests may well see more tap ons into space where height may play a factor. But one this is clear the running machines will always be high value.
 
R00StaR said:
Big bodied mids

Just wondering peoples thoughts on the holding the ball tweak. Given players have less time to dispose, will the big body type be as valuable? They wouldnt have as much time to break tackles which imo makes them super valuable.

On the other hand close in contests may well see more tap ons into space where height may play a factor. But one this is clear the running machines will always be high value.
Click to expand...

You always need one in the middle so that the other players can play around him.
 
roos_fanatic08 said:
Shame that O’Sullivan isn’t playing, super keen to see how he goes as country’s number 1 midfielder.

No surprises, but Faull didn’t get picked for Vic Country, bit underdone after only playing one NAB league game.
Click to expand...
Yes this but also keen to see how Jagga Smith, Levi Ashcroft, and Josh Smillie go fighting over possessions in the same midfield and up against a quality opposition midfield. Let's see who's still looking shiny after tomorrow.
 
R00StaR said:
Big bodied mids

Just wondering peoples thoughts on the holding the ball tweak. Given players have less time to dispose, will the big body type be as valuable? They wouldnt have as much time to break tackles which imo makes them super valuable.

On the other hand close in contests may well see more tap ons into space where height may play a factor. But one this is clear the running machines will always be high value.
Click to expand...

Yes interesting call but I'm also eager to see who emerges as the next midfield tackling beast under this new interpretation. An Andrew Swallow type would be immense.
 
The metro v allies game is being played in the wet. Not a good spectacle so far but Jagga Smith looks like he is playing with a different footy compared to the rest of the kids. So clean and one touch. Murphy Reid been very clean too. Harry O’Farrell has taken a couple of nice marks too.
 
Last edited:
roos_fanatic08 said:
The metro v allows game is being played in the wet. Not a good spectacle so far but Jagga Smith looks like he is playing with a different footy compared to the rest of the kids. So clean and one touch. Murphy Reid been very clean too. Harry O’Farrell has taken a couple of nice marks too.
Click to expand...
Seems to be drying up as the game goes on. Hopefully we'll get a cleaner second half and it'll be better again for the Country game.
 
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