Each month, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Christopher Doerre - aka Knightmare - unveils his power rankings to give readers an early insight into the top 30 prospects ahead of the draft on November 25.
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 analysis.
However, these rankings are his personal opinions, and are not reflective of the thoughts of AFL clubs.
Aside from his monthly power rankings, Doerre also produces a weekly draft wrap and he will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft in November.
Knightmare's power rankings: July
Knightmare's power rankings: June
Knightmare's power rankings: May
-- Potential top five on list quality --
1. Hugh McCluggage (VIC)
Position: Outside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 75kg
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels
Plays like: Jason Akermanis
Projected draft range: top 10
Rated last month: 1
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has continued to elevate his standard of performance since the AFL Under-18 Championships. With 17 goals from eight TAC Cup games and an average of 30 disposals per match, McCluggage is arguably this year's best-performed player through any of the junior competitions nationally.
Strengths:
- Production
- Incredible cleanness at ground level
- Freakish finishing ability from all angles both from set shots and general play
- Lowers eyes and finds inside 50m targets by foot
- Excellent crumbing ability, getting to right positions and quickly gaining possession
- Instant decision maker with ball in hand
- Quick and accurate disposal by hand and foot
- Confidence to play on or move ball on quickly
- Keeps his feet and has natural balance
- Football smarts
- Reads ruck taps
- Strong, clean hands overhead
- Marking threat in the air and on the lead
- Tackling energy/pressure
- Works hard on outside to find space, creates options outside stoppages and provides overlap run
- Acceleration to break away from stoppages
- Outside run and carry
- Rapid rate of improvement
- Standard of performance this season given his limited pre-season suggests substantial upside
Weaknesses:
- Light bodied and can get pushed around in the contest
- Attack on the ball
- More a ground ball winner than a contested ball winner, with the hard contested ball something he would benefit from winning more of
2. William Brodie (VIC)
Position: Inside midfielder
Height, weight: 189cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
Projected draft range: top five
Rated last month: 2
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: No change in ranking applicable having only played one TAC Cup game in July. Strength of under-18 championships and his performances against VFL opponents earlier this year enough to validate this high ranking.
Strengths:
- Production
- Strong performer against more mature VFL bodies
- Performs in big games
- Reads ruck taps well
- Grunt work at stoppages with ability to win first possession and distribute by hand
- Contested-ball winning ability at stoppages and around the ground
- Hits stoppage at speed, winning contested ball on the move and bursting out other side with ball in hand
- Wins ground balls at speed on the move
- Workrate
- Two-way run
- Run and carry
- Overlap run
- Sidestep
Weaknesses:
- Rushed under pressure
- Footskills only average
- Contested marking ability
- Scoreboard impact
3. Harry Perryman (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg
Recruited from: Collingullie-GP
Plays like: Rory Sloane
Projected draft range: first round
Rated last month: 3
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Only one NEAFL game played in July. No movement necessary.
Strengths:
- Production
- Football smarts
- Grunt work at stoppages and ability to win first possession
- Contested-ball winning ability at stoppages and around the ground
- Strong mark overhead with ability to take contested marks
- One-on-one ability
- Footskills reliable over variety of distances
- Quick and clean hands
- Versatility to play midfield, back and forward well
- High workrate and covers the ground well
Weaknesses:
- Pace and athleticism only average
4. Sam Petrevski-Seton (WA)
Position: Utility
Height, weight: 180cm, 73kg
Recruited from: Claremont
Plays like: Shaun Burgoyne
Projected draft range: top 10
Rated last month: 8
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Averaging an impressive 28 disposals and six marks through the midfield from his three July games in the WAFL Colts competition. Those numbers from Petrevski-Seton - being a high impact per possession player - just means he is having a consistent impact, which is key and suggests a big future.
Strengths:
- Acceleration
- Evasiveness
- Sidestep
- Freakish clean ground-level pickups
- Plays on at every chance
- Impact per possession
- Keeps his feet and has natural balance
- Ambidextrous kick
- Quick, instinctive handballs
- Freakish football instincts for where teammates and opponents are
- Finishing around goal
- Versatility to play midfield, back or forward to a high standard
Weaknesses:
- Can win some contested ball but not dominant contested-ball winner or first possession winner
- Strength
- Unclear best position
- Inconsistency
- Endurance
5. Todd Marshall (NSW/ACT)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 198cm, 87kg
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Plays like: Darcy Moore
Projected draft range: top 10
Rated last month: 5
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Quiet against North Ballarat early last month but better during the last two weeks of July. Continues to show attributes and potential to become a high-level key forward.
Strengths:
- Clean, one-take, ground ball pickups below knees
- Agility
- Pace
- Football smarts
- Strong mark overhead
- Attacks ball in flight
- Height for a key forward
- Scope to improve having only this season given up cricket to focus on AFL
Weaknesses:
- Size and strength
- Strength in one-on-one contests
- Marking against body contact
- Set shot goalkicking technique needs ironing out. with too much arc on run-up
- Limited to playing in front 50m at this stage
-- Potential top 10 on list quality --
6. Will Setterfield (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 190cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Plays like: David Mundy
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 6
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: No TAC Cup games for Sandringham in July for any movement to be relevant. Remaining high on draft board on basis of stoppage work and classy ball use for a 190cm midfielder.
Strengths:
- Production
- Composure and sound decision-making ability under pressure
- Lowers eyes and demonstrates vision and quality use by foot from stoppages
- Sidestepping ability and movement in traffic with ability to create more time and space
- Tackling
- Contested-ball winning ability at stoppages and around the ground
- Wins first possession at stoppages
- Strong mark overhead with aerial marking ability
- Versatility to play midfield, forward or back
- Scoreboard impact
Weaknesses:
- Pace only average
7. Jack Bowes (QLD - Gold Coast Academy)
Position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 187cm, 76kg
Recruited from: Gold Coast
Plays like: Nick Dal Santo
Projected draft range: top 10
Rated last month: 4
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Was impressive in the NEAFL against Sydney but has otherwise been more good than great in his other two games in July. Bowes is not finding as much of the footy as several of his peers and is arguably not having as strong of an impact on games either which sees him drop a few positions.
Strengths:
- Production
- Able to dispose of ball quickly and efficiently in traffic by both hand and foot
- Lowers eyes and demonstrates vision and quality use by foot in general play
- Scoreboard impact
- Football smarts
- Capable first possession winner at stoppages
- Clean at ground level and can rove at bottom of packs
- Can absorb tackles and dispose of ball efficiently when tackled
- Capable mark overhead with one on one and intercept marking ability
- Versatility to play midfield, back and forward
- Good sidestep and ability to evade tackles in traffic
Weaknesses:
- Pace only average
- Impact sometimes lacking
8. Andrew McGrath (VIC)
Best position: Utility
Height, weight: 179cm, 75kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Plays like: Stephen Hill
Projected draft range: top 10
Rated last month: 10
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: No TAC Cup games in July. Rises slightly as expectations of some other top prospects are tempered slightly.
Strengths:
- Production
- Acceleration and willingness to accelerate in game with ball in hand frequently
- Line breaking
- Change of direction
- Contested-ball winning
- Tackling
- Stoppage work
- Leap
- Aerial marking
- Strong in one-on-one contests
- Reads flight of ball well
- Intercept marking
- Lifts during most important stages of game
- Class and composure with ball in hand
- Football smarts
- Versatility to play well back and through the midfield
Weaknesses:
- Sometimes lacking consistency by foot
9. Ben Ainsworth (VIC)
Best position: General forward
Height, weight: 179cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Plays like: Jamie Elliott
Projected draft range: top 10
Rated last month: 11
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has continued to have an impact, but like McGrath, moves up slightly as expectations of some other top-end prospects are slightly reduced.
Strengths:
- Vertical leap
- Aerial marking
- Vice-like hands overhead
- Reads flight of the ball
- One-on-one marking
- Football smarts
- Impact per possession
- Able to push into midfield
- Ground-ball winning
- Athleticism
- Footskills
- Vision
- Decision-making
- Tackling and pressuring
- While best as a forward is able to have an impact through the midfield
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent conversion in front of goal
- Endurance
10. Jack Scrimshaw (VIC)
Best position: Half-back flank
Height, weight: 193cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Plays like: Grant Birchall
Projected draft range: first round
Rated last month: 18
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Only one TAC Cup game in July. While not listed in the bests in that game, showed the attributes of a top-quality half-back flanker after a strong under-18 championships.
Strengths:
- Production
- Damaging and efficient kicking
- Vision
- Decision-making with ball in hand
- Reads flight of ball early
- Intercept marking
- Evasiveness
- Movement through traffic with ball in hand
Weaknesses:
- One-on-one strength
- Can play too loose and lose track of direct opponent
- Not suited to playing as a key defender
11. Brad Scheer (QLD - Gold Coast Academy)
Best position: Inside midfielder
Height, weight: 184cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Gold Coast
Plays like: Josh Caddy
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 13
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has been winning more of the footy than teammate and fellow Gold Coast Academy prospect Bowes. Continuing his strong form since the under-18 championships.
Strengths:
- Production
- Stoppage work
- Contested-ball winning
- Wins first possession at stoppages
- Draws free kicks for high tackles
- Quick distribution by hand at stoppages
- Strong tackler
- Strong mark overhead
- Able play forward and provide a target inside 50m
- Good finisher inside forward 50m
- Reliable kick
Weaknesses:
- Run and carry
- Endurance
- Workrate
12. Kobe Mutch (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Plays like: Brad Ebert
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 12
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Still finding the footy in bunches. No movement necessary with form remaining strong.
Strengths:
- Production
- Endurance
- Unrewarded outside run
- Workrate
- Stoppage work
- Wins first possession at stoppages
- Contested-ball winning
- Distribution by hand
- Tackling
- Clean hands
- Links up well
- Football smarts
- Comfortable kicking with either foot
- Two-way runner
Weaknesses:
- Lacks an X-factor
- Clean but not damaging ball user by hand and foot
- Pace
- Contested marking
-- Potential best 15 on list quality --
13. Joshua Battle (VIC)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 192cm, 90kg
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Plays like: Joshua Bruce
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 14
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has only played the one TAC Cup game in July, for a season-low two goals in the TAC Cup. Only moves up marginally as others move down a few places.
Strengths:
- Good goal, mark and contested mark per game numbers in TAC Cup
- Lead-up marking
- Strong body
- Strong contested mark
- One-on-one strength and marking
- Footskills and vision
- Conversion from set shots
- Endurance
- Clean at ground level
Weaknesses:
- Unproven versatility (can he also play through the midfield?)
- Agility
14. Daniel Venables (VIC)
Best position: General forward
Height, weight: 186cm, 81kg
Recruited from: Western Jets
Plays like: Jack Crisp
Projected draft range: first round
Rated last month: 7
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Only one TAC Cup game in July, and it was a quiet one. Lack of consistency and recent production during the under-18 championships and TAC Cup see him drop.
Strengths:
- Hard tackler
- Explosive pace and breakaway speed from stoppages
- Scoreboard impact
- Finishing ability on the move
- Damaging ball user by hand and foot
- Strong mark overhead
- Contested-ball winning
Weaknesses:
- Can spend some time through the midfield and have an impact without having the numbers at this point to appear like a full-time midfielder
- Workrate
- Inconsistent from game to game
- Lacks four-quarter impact
- Lack of exposed form due to injuries
15. Tim Taranto (VIC)
Best position: General forward
Height, weight: 186cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Plays like: Alex Fasolo
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 19
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Just one TAC Cup game played in July. Continues to rise up draft board on performance, impact and attributes demonstrated.
Strengths:
- Impact per possession
- Hurt factor by foot
- Hits inside 50m targets
- Vision - Decision-making ability
- Evasiveness
- Aerial marking
- Strong hands overhead
- Versatility to play forward and midfield to a strong standard
- Finishing around goal
- Contested-ball winning
Weaknesses:
- Two-way effort
- Workrate
- Attack on the ball
- Unclear whether he can step up to a full-time midfield role
16. Jordan Gallucci (VIC)
Best position: Utility
Height, weight: 183cm, 75kg
Recruited from: Eastern Ranges
Plays like: Tim Broomhead
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 9
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has lacked some consistency by foot of late with disposal numbers through the midfield lower than what should be expected of a possible first round prospect. Have had to temper expectations upon seeing recent games.
Strengths:
- Production
- Most damaging right-foot kick in draft with precision off one or two steps
- Able to kick on non-preferred left foot.
- Lowers eyes and demonstrates excellent vision and ability to hit inside 50m targets
- Quick, good decision-maker with ball in hand under pressure
- Agility
- Change of direction
- Accelerates away from packs
- Line breaking
- Football smarts
- Reads flight of ball well
- Intercept marking
- Versatility to play midfield, back or forward well
- Ground-ball winning
- Reading of ruck taps
Weaknesses:
- Lacks a clear best position
- Inconsistent production and too much difference between best and worst games
- More a groundball-winner than a hard, contested-ball winner
- Sometimes inconsistent by foot
17. Willem Drew (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 188cm, 78kg
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels
Plays like: Jack Ziebell
Projected draft range: second round to third round
Rated last month: 15
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: With others rising in this draft range due to more exposure, Drew falls slightly.
Strengths:
- Stoppage specialist
- Ability to win first possession at stoppages
- Contested-ball winning
- Strong tackler
- Clean below knees
- Capable mark overhead
- Clean skills and can hit targets by foot
- Scoreboard impact
- Acceleration
- Versatility to play forward or back as required
Weaknesses:
- Limited opportunities through midfield during the under-18 championships leaves him slightly unproven against the premier competition in the country
- Would benefit over time from finding more outside ball to compliment his contested style of game and stoppage work
--Projected best 15-25 on list standard--
18. Tim English (VIC)
Best position: Ruck
Height, weight: 203cm, 86kg
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Plays like: Josh Fraser
Projected draft range: top 10
Rated last month: 22
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has continued his improvement through July with his work around the ground getting better.
Strengths:
- Late growth, growing from midfield height to ruck height in the past three years, suggesting physical growth and further football improvement likely
- Rate of improvement
- Midfield-quality footskills with low, precise kicking to targets
- Disposal numbers
- Mobility
- Clean below the knees
Weaknesses:
- Lack of size and strength
- Tap work and hitout numbers behind his peers
- Contested marking
- Scoreboard impact
- Versatility to play a second position
19. Zac Fisher (WA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 175cm, 61kg
Recruited from: Perth
Plays like: Lachie Neale
Projected draft range: second round to third round
Rated last month: 29
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Was excellent during the under-18 championships and continues to look at home at WAFL League level, where he has played since the beginning of the season. Fisher has the quality of performances behind him and is probably now receiving the acknowledgement he has deserved all season.
Strengths:
- Production
- Stoppage work
- Wins first possession at stoppages
- Contested-ball winning
- Tackling
- Clean hands
- Precise footskills
- Vision
- Decision-making
- Acceleration and burst away from stoppages
- Agility
- Evasiveness
- Performances vs. WAFL League competition
Weaknesses:
- Size by position
- Unclear versatility
20. Dylan Clarke (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 187cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Eastern Rangers
Plays like: Daniel Cross
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 20
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Clarke continued his strong form with only the one TAC Cup game in July, winning 36 disposals and seven tackles.
Strengths:
- Production
- Stoppage work
- Wins first possession at stoppages
- Contested-ball winning
- Can get rid of ball when tackled by keeping arms high
- Distribution by hand
- Tackling
- Clean hands
- Endurance
- Workrate
- Two-way running
- Able to play forward as required
- Scoreboard impact
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent footskills
- Acceleration
- Agility
21. Shai Bolton (WA)
Best position: General forward
Height, weight: 177cm, 67kg
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Plays like: Steven Motlop
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 28
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Lively play forward of centre. Production and impact per possession see Bolton continue his rise up draft boards.
Strengths:
- Acceleration
- Line breaking
- Clean groundball winner
- Evasiveness
- Agility
- Composure with ball in hand
- Wins groundballs at speed
- With ball in hand, makes things happen
Weaknesses:
- Defensive run
- Strength
- One-on-one ability
- Raw
- Winning the hard, contested ball
22. Sam Powell-Pepper (WA)
Position: Utility
Height, weight: 188cm, 83kg
Recruited from: East Perth
Plays like: Stewart Crameri
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 16
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has performed well in the WAFL Reserves since the under-18 championships. Has dropped slightly with others achieving better numbers by position and being more consistent by foot.
Strengths:
- Impact per possession
- Wins groundballs at speed on the move
- Often hits stoppage at speed, winning contested ball on the move and bursting out other side with ball in hand
- Wins first possession at stoppages
- Contested-ball winning
- Versatility (good forward, midfield and back)
- Strength of groundball winning
- Scoreboard impact
- Explosive pace
- Breaks the lines
Weaknesses:
- Turnover prone by foot
- Contested marking and clean hands overhead
- Low numbers per game by position
23. Jonty Scharenberg (SA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Glenelg
Plays like: Dominic Sheed
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 17
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Scharenberg has largely continued doing what he has been doing this season. His fall is due to the rise of some others.
Strengths:
- Production
- Precise footskills
- Vision
- Decision-making
- Quick, clean hands
- Contested-ball winning
- Wins first possession at stoppages
- Can get rid of ball when tackled by keeping arms high
- Stoppage work
- Tackling ability
- Finishing around goal
Weaknesses:
- Pace
- Athleticism
- Versatility
- Lack of an X-factor
24. Luke Ryan (VIC)
Best position: General defence
Height, weight: 185cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Coburg
Plays like: Michael Hibberd
Projected draft range: first round to third round
Rated last month: Unrated
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Ryan in his four games through June and July averaged 23.75 disposals and 7.5 marks (1.5 contested). His performances over this period have resulted in the 20-year-old rising rapidly up draft boards. He has successfully proven his strong start to the season was no fluke and is now firmly on the radar of AFL clubs and receiving strong interest.
Strengths:
- Reads the flight of the ball in the air early
- Intercept marking
- Efficient kick
- Decision-making
- Production
- Rate of improvement
- Strong one-on-one
- Able stopper
Weaknesses:
- Unproven versatility
- Athleticism
25. Jy Simpkin (VIC)
Position: General forward
Height, weight: 182cm, 72kg
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Plays like: Jimmy Toumpas
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 24
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Not applicable. Likely to miss remainder of season with broken leg.
Strengths:
- Lowers eyes and demonstrates excellent vision and ability to hit inside 50m targets
- Composed with ball in hand
- Precision kick to target
- Finishes well from general play
- Provides heavy scoreboard impact
- Acceleration
Weaknesses:
- Contested-ball winning
- Scope to play through midfield unclear
26. Jack Graham (SA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 85kg
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Plays like: Levi Greenwood
Projected draft range: first round to third round
Rated last month: 21
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Seemed to hit peak form during the under-18 championships. This year's Larke medallist would be rated more highly if he was a more reliable kick.
Strengths:
- Production
- Stoppage work
- Wins first possession at stoppages
- Contested-ball winning
- Wins 50/50 ground balls
- One-on-one strength
- Distribution by hand
- Tackling
- Clean hands
- Hits stoppage at speed, winning contested ball on the move and bursting out other side with ball in hand
- Versatility to play a role down back
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent ability to hit targets by foot
- Not a marking threat overhead
27. Jacob Allison (QLD - Brisbane Academy)
Best position: Utility
Height, weight: 194cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Brisbane Lions
Plays like: Trent McKenzie
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 27
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has shown some better signs of late in the NEAFL, in what has been based on the promise he showed last year a below expectation season.
Strengths:
- Penetrating (60m kick)
- Athleticism
- High leap
- Acceleration and line breaking
- Strong hands overhead
- Athletic mark
- Contested marking
- Intercept marking
- Strong tackler
- Versatility
Weaknesses:
- Unclear best position
- Has arguably regressed since the same time last year, becoming more outside this season
- Strength/size
- Contested-ball winning
- One-on-one strength
28. Alex Witherden (VIC)
Best position: General defence
Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Plays like: Brad McKenzie
Projected draft range: second round to third round
Rated last month: 25
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Not applicable. Out for season with broken leg.
Strengths:
- Production by position
- Clean kick with excellent penetration and hurt factor
- Vision to find meaningful targets up the field
- Composure and sound decision making with ball in hand
- Reads the flight well and intercepts
Weaknesses:
- Only average pace
29. Josh Rotham (WA)
Best position: General defence
Height, weight: 192cm, 79kg
Recruited from: West Perth
Plays like: Matthew Broadbent
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 26
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: A lack of a clear best position is what sees Rotham placed here.
Strengths:
- Athleticism
- Linebreaker
- Acceleration
- Aerial marking
- Intercept marking
Weaknesses:
- One-on-one strength
- Ability to negate opponents influence
- Unclear best position
- Unclear ability to play midfield or forward
- Sometimes inconsistent kick
30. Harrison Macreadie (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy)
Position: Key defence
Height, weight: 196cm, 89kg
Recruited from: UWS Giants
Plays like: Will Schofield
Projected draft range: first round to second round
Rated last month: 23
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has lacked the expected impact down back this season which sees him fall down the rankings
Strengths:
- Pace
- Linebreaking pace
- Athleticism
- Footskills
- Vision
- Composure with ball in hand
- Decision-making
- Intercept marking ability
- Reads flight of ball well down back
Weaknesses:
- Unproven versatility (can he play forward?)
- Lacks dominant strength in one-on-one contests
- Lacks dominant one-on-one marking strength
- Lack of influence on games
- Lack of improvement