AFL Draft Wrap: Pies' prospect could be a steal

Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre casts his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.

As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis.

Aside from the weekly wraps, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month and as we get closer to November's national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.

Player Focus

Collingwood Academy prospect Atu Bosenavualagi starred in Oakleigh's exciting six-point win in the top-of-the-table clash against Dandenong.

The 179cm, 79kg forward heaped on the forward pressure and was a tackling machine in Oakleigh's front half. Bosenavualagi's display of forward pressure was arguably the best so far this season in junior ranks. He not only possesses speed and agility, but also fierce desire. Bosenavualagi chased players down, provided second and third efforts and did not give up. He gave Dandenong's players little time to dispose of the ball and generated turnovers that led to scoring opportunities.

The other element of Bosenavualagi's game that impressed was his loose-ball winning. He took the ball off the bounce cleanly several times throughout the match, making something happen each time.

Securing season highs of 20 disposals, 16 contested possessions, nine tackles and two goals, this is a performance he will be looking to replicate over the coming months.

Bosenavualagi's game bares similarities to Richmond's Dan Butler as a speedy, exciting, forward pressure specialist. It is unlikely he features in the early portion of the draft but in the second half of he should be firmly on the radar of Collingwood and other clubs in need of a small forward who can help with locking the ball in the front half and creating scoring opportunities through forward pressure.

TAC Cup

For Calder in their loss to Geelong, powerful midfielder Jack Bytel gave a strong account for himself. Bytel gathered 32 disposals (26 handballs), 18 contested possessions, 10 tackles and five clearances, standing out with his work in close at stoppages.

For Geelong, Baxter Mensch, the son of David, backed up his previous performance with another industrious effort through the midfield. Mensch, who is eligible for Geelong as a father-son selection secured 35 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven marks, six inside 50s, one goal and four score assists.

Sam Walsh was also a key to victory for Geelong. Arguably the TAC Cup's best midfielder, Walsh amassed 34 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five marks, four clearances, eight inside 50s and one goal.

A further possible Geelong father-son choice playing for the Falcons, Oscar Brownless put forward his strongest performance for the season. The 186cm, 76kg midfielder accumulated 30 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five marks (one contested), nine tackles, eight clearances and two goals.

Continuing his strong start to 2018, overager Brayden Ham -- who has been named among Geelong's best players in each of the opening six rounds -- was named his team's best on Sunday. The damaging forward managed 17 disposals, eight marks, four inside 50s, three goals and two score assists.

Northern captain Braydyn Gillard was instrumental in his team's win against Bendigo. The ball-winning midfielder secured 30 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven tackles and six clearances.

Prolific for Eastern in their loss against Gippsland, Joel Burleigh was rightly named their best player. Burleigh, 182cm, 75kg amassed 40 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 12 tackles, six clearances, three goals and four score assists.

Another Collingwood Academy prospect who looks draftable is Isaac Quaynor. The strongly built defender has had a consistent start to the season. For Oakleigh in their win, Quaynor gathered 17 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s. He intercepted effectively and provided drive from defence with his run and dare a highlight.

Dandenong key forward Corey Ellison made his presence felt with his powerful overhead marking, strength and technique in one-on-one marking contests. The 191cm, 88kg forward secured 16 disposals, eight marks (four contested), five inside 50s, two goals which could have been more with three behinds. His ground-ball winning was also clean.

It was also encouraging seeing Ellison play on after a mark, stop on a dime, hold the ball out one way, faking out and avoiding a would-be tackler and then hitting a target by foot. Ellison in each of his four TAC Cup games so far this season has kicked two goals.

Showing glimpses up forward that wowed observers, Bailey Williams led to the right spots and had several exciting moments but was unable to hold onto his marks, dropping several chest marks. After kicking eight goals last week, Williams collected 12 disposals, three marks (one contested) and four behinds.

Performing strongly for a depleted Sandringham in their loss to Western, Bailey Smith was influential and efficient through the midfield. The potential top-10 selection amassed 28 disposals, 17 contested possessions, six tackles, 11 clearances, four inside 50s and two goals.

Averaging a TAC Cup-high 7.5 marks per game in 2017, overage key defender Jordan Butts played a central role for Murray in their win against Greater Western Victoria. The 197cm key defender managed a team-high 29 disposals and eight rebound 50s while also taking six marks (one contested possession).

Cousin of ex-Saint, Justin Koschitzke, Jacob Koschitzke also played a key role in Murray's win. Captaining his side, the 196cm, 94kg key position prospect secured 16 disposals, 10 marks (two contested) and one goal.

Powerful key forward Hudson Garoni was again a presence up forward for Murray. He managing 15 disposals, five marks (two contested) and five goals. Garoni leads the TAC Cup for goals kicked and has kicked 13 goals from his past two matches.