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
Noah Anderson, the son of former Hawthorn and St Kilda footballer Dean, looms as a pick No. 1 contender. Unfortunately for the Hawks and Saints, Dean did not play 100 games for either club to qualify as a father-son.
Playing a dynamic brand of football not dissimilar to Collingwood's Jordan De Goey, Anderson dominated first through the midfield before shifting forward for Oakleigh in a hard-fought win against Eastern. Through the midfield, Anderson won first possession at stoppages, spread from the contest at speed and wasted no time moving the ball on. He used it superbly going forward demonstrating vision, composure and precision execution by foot.
As a forward, Anderson was clean at ground level, first to ground balls, worked himself in space inside 50m for uncontested marks and looked like he was going to break the game open every time the ball was in his area.
In 2018, one of the queries surrounding Anderson was his impact over four quarters, having moments where he broke games open in a matter of minutes and periods where his impact was not as pronounced. But his four-quarter effort at the weekend was a great step forward, with Anderson amassing 26 disposals, nine contested possessions, five clearances, six inside 50s, four goals and three score assists.
NAB League
For 2019, the formerly-named TAC Cup has become the NAB League. This competition largely resembles the TAC Cup though the coverage is much greater with live stats and better access. This year, the Tasmanian Devils have joined the NAB League while Northern Territory and the Academy sides of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney and Sydney will join the competition from rounds two to six.
Winning the ball through the midfield, working hard around the ground, standing up through tackles and finishing on the move, another No. 1 pick contender Matthew Rowell played a strong brand of football through Oakleigh's midfield. The competitive midfielder secured 21 disposals, five tackles, four clearances and one goal.
Starting the match forward before playing more through the midfield, likely first round choice Dylan Williams was a threat overhead and at ground level as a forward. Through the midfield he won the contested ball and looked equally adept. He managed 19 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five clearances, six inside 50s and one goal.
Playing a pivotal role through Eastern's midfield, Cody Hirst was prolific at stoppages, winning the ball cleanly around the ground and providing explosive bursts of a run. The promising midfielder gathered 20 disposals, 16 contested possessions and five clearances.
Showing character by laying a forceful tackle after a heavy head knock, Lachlan Stapleton won the contested ball, tackled intently, intercepted and finished for a goal on the move. Rightly named Eastern's best in a courageous showing, Stapleton secured 16 disposals, seven contested possessions, eight tackles and one goal.
Winning first possession at stoppages, slicing through traffic and bursting away, Ryan Byrnes was the standout midfielder for Sandringham in their 109-point thrashing of Calder. His clean skills and vision were also exceptional hitting inside 50m targets. The likely draft choice amassed 22 disposals.
Making the move following a premiership with Dandenong to premiership contender Sandringham, overage ruckman Riley Bowman was a standout close to goal. His forward pressure was exceptional, with his mobility, work at ground level, overhead marking and finishing around goal all positives. The big man managed 11 disposals and three goals.
Kicking five goals for Sandringham as the club's focal point in attack, Charlie Dean made the most of his opportunities in front of goal while also taking six marks. Spending much of 2018 in defence, Dean is one of the TAC Cup's most promising key position players with capabilities at both ends of the field.
Younger brother of Carlton's Paddy Dow, Thomson Dow was prolific for Bendigo in their convincing win against Geelong with 28 disposals, 14 contested possessions, eight marks (three contested), two goals and two score assists. Dow is a speedy midfielder with much improved ball winning capabilities. Further performances of that quality could see Thomson join his brother on an AFL list.
Eligible for Sydney as a father-son choice, Kyle Dunkley, the younger brother of Western Bulldogs midfielder Josh and son of Andrew, showed promise amassing 21 disposals, six marks, seven tackles, six inside 50s and three goals. Dunkley was named Gippsland's best in their entertaining three-point win against Murray.
One of the draft's most promising potential first-round choices, Sam Flanders, collected 19 disposals, seven contested possessions, five tackles, six clearances, six inside 50s and four score assists for Gippsland.
Cameron Wilson was Murray's best with 21 disposals, seven contested possessions, seven marks, five inside 50s, three goals and five score assists.
In a six-point win for Dandenong against Greater Western Victoria, Lachlan Williams led the way with 23 disposals, seven marks (two contested) and 11 rebound 50s.
Contributing meaningfully through the midfield for Greater Western Victoria, Cooper Craig-Peters was his side's strongest performer with 30 disposals, 16 contested possessions, 10 tackles, 10 clearances and one goal.
Overager and younger brother of Sydney's Jake Lloyd, Matty Lloyd managed 26 disposals, nine contested possessions, nine marks (two contested), four inside 50s and three goals for Greater Western Victoria. Like his older brother, Matty is a prolific kick in his own right.
SANFL
SANFL matches will commence Friday 29 March.
WAFL
WAFL matches will commence Saturday 6 April.
NEAFL
NEAFL matches will commence Saturday 6 April.