AFL
Chris Doerre 6y

June AFL Draft Power Rankings: Jack Lukosius reigns supreme as new faces emerge

AFL

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.

1. Jack Lukosius (SA)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 194cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens
Projected draft range: 1-3
Similar to: Nick Riewoldt
May Ranking: 1
Rationale: The best draft prospect we have seen in the past 10 years. The next prototype key forward who covers the ground like Nick Riewoldt and finds impossible targets like no key forward we have seen.
Strengths:
Endurance
Work rate
Creates separation on the lead
Field kicking out in front of targets to lead onto
Vision
Lowers eyes
Decision making
Scoreboard impact
Dominant key forward and key defender
Production at SANFL league level
Success in the biggest games including four goals on SANFL league debut in a final
Football smarts
Weaknesses:
Overhead marking not consistently one grab
Effective but not dominant contested mark

2. Bailey Smith (VIC)
Best position: Midfield/defence
Height, weight: 183cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Sandringham
Projected draft range: 2-10
Similar to: Trent Cotchin
Rationale: High production, high volume contested ball winner who also is one of the most reliable kicks in the draft. Averaging 32.5 disposals, 19.5 contested possessions and 11.5 clearances in his first two TAC Cup games for 2018. Sandringham's best in both matches. Rises as Izak Rankine falls.
May Ranking: 3
Strengths:
Production
Performances on the board
Contested ball winning
Stoppage work
Outside accumulation
Kicking precision and placement
Vision
Versatility to play midfield or defence
Reading of the ball in flight
Intercept marking
Endurance
Work rate
Weaknesses:
Hurt factor
Moves well but is not a freak athlete

3. Sam Walsh (VIC)
Best position: Inside/outside midfield
Height, weight: 182cm, 68kg
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Projected draft range: 1-5
Similar to: Adam Treloar
Rationale: High production midfielder with acceleration. Rated by many as this year's best midfielder, Walsh is averaging 33.4 disposals and 13 contested possessions in his five TAC Cup matches. He had 20 disposals in the first half against the Allies in practice match before leaving the field. The match momentum shifted the other way once Walsh exited, speaking to how dominant he is and leading him to a rise in the rankings.
May Ranking: 4
Strengths:
Production
Performances on the board
Endurance
Work rate
Acceleration
Breaks the lines
Agility
Leap
Contested ball winning
Ground ball winner
Outside accumulation
Weaknesses:
Consistency of kick placement
Size

4. Jackson Hately (SA)
Best position: Utility
Height, weight: 189cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Central Districts
Projected draft range: 3-15
Similar to: Michael Barlow
Rationale: Ball winning midfielder who is averaging 18.3 disposals for Central Districts in his first six league matches of 2018. Ready-to-go and in the conversation with Bailey Smith and Sam Walsh for this year's best midfielder. Rises on the back of consistent performances in the SANFL and strong showing in South Australia's practice match against Western Australia.
May Ranking: 7
Strengths:
Production
Clean hands in close
Distribution by hand
Contested ball winning
Stoppage work
Overhead marking
Versatility to play forward, midfield or back
Weaknesses:
Decision making under pressure
Lacking hurt-factor

5. Max King (VIC)
Best position: Key forward/ruckman
Height, weight: 201cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 2-10
Similar to: Jonathon Patton
Rationale: Out for the season with a torn ACL, but is as difficult to defend inside 50m as any junior key forward in recent years.
May Ranking: 5
Strengths:
Height
Long arms
Takes front position in marking contests
Body positioning in the contest
Draws free kicks inside 50m
Jumps towards the ball when taking marks
Contested marking
One-on-one marking
Marks at the highest point
Clean at ground level
Leap
Mobility
Leading patterns
Weaknesses:
Endurance
Work rate
Rarely pushes up outside the forward 50m arc
Conversion in front of goal

6. Ben King (VIC)
Best position: Key defence
Height, weight: 201cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 2-10
Similar to: Harris Andrews
Rationale: This year's premier key defender. Terrific both as a stopper and rebounder. More versatile and better up the ground than Max King, but slightly less dominant close to goal.
May Ranking: 6
Strengths:
Height
Contested marking
One-on-one work in the contest
Intercept marking
Reading the ball in flight
Capability to play either end
Protects the drop zone on marks
Lockdown defence
Skills
Mobility
Versatility to play key defence or key forward
Weaknesses:
Endurance
Work rate

7. Izak Rankine (SA)
Best position: Forward/midfield
Height, weight: 178cm, 74kg
Recruited from: West Adelaide
Projected draft range: 3-15
Similar to: Shane Edwards
Rationale: So dominant that in a practice game he was asked to change teams at half time, and he single-handedly turned the momentum the other way. Moves around opponents with the ball so effortlessly that his opponents look like statues. Drops due to questions surrounding his scope to develop into a midfielder and being a less prolific ball winner by comparison to those ahead of him.
May Ranking: 2
Strengths:
One touch ground ball pickups
Wins ground balls at full pace
Evasiveness
Agility
Acceleration
Change of direction
Anticipation
Skills under pressure
Impact per possession
Scoreboard impact
Performances on the board at SANFL league level
Contested ball winning
Damaging as a forward and midfielder
Weaknesses:
Height
Gets caught with the ball when he tries to do too much
Not comfortable kicking on his non-preferred side
Effective but not dominant stoppage player
Good but not great production

8. Nick Blakey (NSW - Sydney Academy, Brisbane F/S, North Melbourne F/S)
Best position: Utility
Height, weight: 194cm, 75kg
Recruited from: University of New South Wales
Projected draft range: 3-15
Similar to: Darcy Moore
Rationale: Physically developing key position player with athleticism and mix of attributes that suggest he'll emerge.
May Ranking: 8
Strengths:
Mobility
Leap
Marking on the lead
Versatility to play forward or back as a key position player, third tall or on a wing
Clean at ground level
Production
Reliable kick
Weaknesses:
Size
Strength in the contest

9. Riley Collier-Dawkins (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 193cm, 88kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 3-25
Similar to: Marcus Bontempelli
Rationale: First possession winner at stoppages with a burst of speed and clean skills. An appealing tall midfielder who may still be growing.
May Ranking: 9
Strengths:
Still growing
Rate of improvement
Wins first possession at stoppages on the move
Contested ball winning
Clean at ground level
Distribution by hand
Kicking
Vision
Decision making in traffic
Pace
Agility
Evasiveness in traffic
Overhead marking
Contested marking
Capable through midfield or up forward
Weaknesses:
Production
Consistency

10. Curtis Taylor (VIC)
Best position: Midfield/forward
Height, weight: 186cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Projected draft range: 10-40
Similar to: Robbie Gray
Rationale: Wins the contested ball and hurts the opposition with every kick. Re-evaluation of Taylor's upside sees him rise.
May Ranking: 12
Strengths:
Impact per possession
Contested ball winning
Skills
Lowers eyes
Brings teammates into the game
Hurt factor with ball in hand
Agility
Movement through traffic
Overhead marking
Tackling
Weaknesses:
Endurance
Accumulation

11. Connor Rozee (SA)
Best position: Forward/midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Projected draft range: 3-20
Similar to: Dale Thomas
Rationale: Damaging forward who also applies impressive forward pressure. Drops slightly as others rise.
May Ranking: 10
Strengths:
Skills
Vision
Kicking inside 50m
Finishing around goal
Sticky hands overhead
Freakish at ground level
Acceleration
Breaks the lines
Leap
Change of direction
Pressures the ball carrier
Forward pressure
Tackling
Overhead marking
Impacts games as a forward and midfielder
Clean at ground level
Weaknesses:
Stoppage work
Strength
Contested ball winning
Good but not great production

12. Tarryn Thomas (TAS - North Melbourne Next Generation Academy)
Best position: Midfield/defence
Height, weight: 189cm, 71kg
Recruited from: North Launceston
Projected draft range: 1-5
Similar to: Stephen Hill
Rationale: Strong showings through the Under-18 Academy Series sees Thomas' stocks rise.
May Ranking: 13
Strengths:
Line breaking pace
Pressure on the ball carrier
Tackling
Composure with ball in hand
Lowers his eyes
Time and space in traffic
Contested ball winning
Distribution by hand
Weaknesses:
Light bodied
Kicking consistency
Normally stationary rather than on the move when he wins the ball

13. Luke English (WA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 181cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Perth
Projected draft range: 15-45
Similar to: Luke Parker
Rationale: Prolific ball winning midfielder who has kicked nine goals through his first five matches. Rises as others fall.
May Ranking: 15
Strengths:
Production
Scoreboard impact
Contested ball winning
Tackling
Endurance
Work rate
Weaknesses:
Kicking reliability
Hurt factor

14. Jye Caldwell (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 181cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 10-40
Similar to: Luke Shuey
Rationale: Exciting midfielder who has shown signs of brilliance. Contested ball winner who hurts the opposition. Rises as others fall.
May Ranking: 16
Strengths:
Stoppage work
Effective as a midfielder or forward
Scoreboard impact
Contested ball winning
Tackling
Acceleration from the contest
Dual sided
Weaknesses:
Consistency of skills

15. Jack Bytel (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 188cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Projected draft range: 10-40
Similar to: Josh Kennedy (Sydney)
Rationale: One of the best pure stoppage players in the draft. Rises as others fall.
May Ranking: 17
Strengths:
Stoppage specialist
Contested ball winning
Distribution by hand
Tackling
Uses body effectively in contested situations
Body positioning at stoppages
Attack on the ball
Scoreboard impact
Capability to play forward
Weaknesses:
Kicking consistency
X-factor

16. Rhylee West (VIC - Western Bulldogs F/S)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Projected draft range: 10-40
Similar to: Nathan Jones
Rationale: Hard, ball winning midfielder with production on the board. Rises as others fall.
May Ranking: 18
Strengths:
Strong body
Contested ball winning
Tackling
Composure with ball in hand
Vision
Reliable ball user
Midfielder who can push forward
Acceleration
Weaknesses:
Height
X-factor

17. Thomas Berry (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Greater Western Victoria Rebels
Projected draft range: 10-40
Similar to: Sam Menegola
Rationale: Contested ball winning midfielder with explosive pace who is hitting the scoreboard. Rises as others fall.
May Ranking: 19
Strengths:
Contested ball winning
Stoppage work
Attack on the ball
Acceleration
Agility
Movement through traffic
Versatility to play midfield, forward or back
Scoreboard impact
Weaknesses:
Skills
Decision making under pressure

18. Sam Fletcher (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield/utility
Height, weight: 187cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Greater Western Victoria Rebels
Projected draft range: 10-40
Similar to: Connor Blakely
Rationale: Winning a high proportion of the ball in the contest, possesses a well-rounded game and has the capability to play several positions. If Fletcher stays healthy, he has the scope to rise on draft boards.
May Ranking: Not ranked
Strengths:
Contested ball winning
Stoppage work
Attack on the ball
Distribution by hand
Versatility
Decision making under pressure
Field kicking
Intercept marking
Weaknesses:
Injury prone

19. Thomas Sparrow (SA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 182cm, 81kg
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Projected draft range: 20-60
Similar to: Ben Ronke
Rationale: Showed hints of Patrick Dangerfield-like ball winning ability and acceleration away from the contest. A player who has the talent to rise in the rankings with a strong Under-18 Championships.
May Ranking: Not ranked
Strengths:
Contested ball winning
Stoppage work
Attack on the ball
Impact per possession
Tackling
Breakaway speed from the contest
Agility
Evasiveness
Weaknesses:
Production
Outside accumulation

20. Bailey Williams (VIC)
Best position: Ruck/key forward
Height, weight: 198cm, 91kg
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Projected draft range: 10-40
Similar to: Paddy Ryder
Rationale: High impact ruckman and key forward. Drops due to inconsistent play.
May Ranking: 14
Strengths:
Impact per possession
Leap
Agility
Acceleration
Leaps over opposing ruckmen at ruck contests
Gets first hands on it in the ruck almost every time
Attacks the ball in flight for marks
Production
Capability to play both as a ruckman and key forward
Clean at ground level
Leading patterns
Timing of leads
Weaknesses:
Unreliable chest mark and overhead
Accumulation
Consistency

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