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: 1-2
Similar to: Nick Riewoldt
June 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 hits impossible targets like no key forward we have seen. Hurts the opposition with each touch, and is one of the rare few who can break open games with his kicking from behind the centre square.
Strengths:
Endurance
Work rate
Creates separation on the lead
Leading patterns
Precise long kicks
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
Impact per possession
Weaknesses:
Overhead marking not consistently one grab
Effective but not dominant contested mark
2. Bailey Smith (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Sandringham
Projected draft range: 3-10
Similar to: Jaeger O'Meara
Rationale: The best and most complete midfielder in the draft. Sits ahead of the more highly rated Sam Walsh with his contested ball winning, kicking and acceleration of a higher standard.
June Ranking: 2
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
Acceleration away from the contest
Weaknesses:
Impact forward of centre
Contested marking
3. Sam Walsh (VIC)
Best position: Inside/outside midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Projected draft range: 1-5
Similar to: Adam Treloar
Rationale: The most highly touted midfielder in the draft class. His play is as advanced as any in an inside or outside role.
June Ranking: 3
Strengths:
Production
Performances on the board
Endurance
Work rate
Breaks the lines
Agility
Leap
Contested ball winning
Ground ball winner
Outside accumulation
Weaknesses:
Consistency of kick placement
Size
Struggles to create separation
4. Izak Rankine (SA)
Best position: General forward/inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 77kg
Recruited from: West Adelaide
Projected draft range: 3-15
Similar to: Andrew McLeod
Rationale: Regains a high ranking on the back of his impact through the National Under-18 Championships. Rankine's impact per possession is as high as any.
June Ranking: 7
Strengths:
One-touch ground ball pickups at full pace
Evasiveness
Agility
Acceleration
Change of direction
Anticipation
Skills under pressure
Impact per possession
Scoreboard impact
Instincts for where the goals are
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
Good but not great production
Endurance
5. Max King (VIC)
Best position: Key forward/ruckman
Height, weight: 202cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 2-10
Similar to: Jonathon Patton
Rationale: Out for the season with a torn ACL. As difficult to defend inside 50m as any junior key forward in recent years.
June 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: 202cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 3-10
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, but slightly less dominant close to goal.
June 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. Nick Blakey (NSW - Sydney Academy)
Best position: Utility
Height, weight: 195cm, 80kg
Recruited from: University of New South Wales
Projected draft range: 3-10
Similar to: Jarryd Roughead
Rationale: Physically developing key position player with athleticism and mix of attributes that suggest he'll emerge.
June Ranking: 8
Strengths:
Mobility
Leap
Marking at the highest point
Leading patterns
First possession winner at stoppages on the move
Toughness
Versatility to play all 18 positions
Clean at ground level
Production
Reliable kick
Weaknesses:
Size
Strength in the contest
Consistency
Unclear on best position
8. Jackson Hately (SA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 190cm, 81kg
Recruited from: Central Districts
Projected draft range: 5-15
Similar to: Michael Barlow
Rationale: Drops due to good but not outstanding Under-18 Championships form.
June Ranking: 4
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
Prone to rushing disposal and not lowering his eyes
Lacking hurt-factor
9. Rhylee West (VIC - Western Bulldogs F/S)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Projected draft range: 10-25
Similar to: Nathan Jones
Rationale: Hard, ball winning midfielder with production on the board. Strength of performances through the Under-18 Championships sees his stocks rise.
June Ranking: 16
Strengths:
Strong body
Contested ball winning
Tackling
Composure with ball in hand
Vision
Reliable ball user
Midfielder who can push forward
Strength through the hips to stand up in tackles
Acceleration
Agility
Weaknesses:
Height
X-factor
10. Riley Collier-Dawkins (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 193cm, 88kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 10-25
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. Drops as West rises.
June 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
11. Curtis Taylor (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 186cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Projected draft range: 10-25
Similar to: Robbie Gray
Rationale: Goalkicking midfielder who provides a marking target up forward and wins the ball through the midfield. Drops as West rises.
June Ranking: 10
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
12. Connor McFadyen (QLD - Brisbane Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 190cm, 88kg
Recruited from: Brisbane Lions
Projected draft range: 15-35
Similar to: Nat Fyfe
Rationale: Strong Under-18 Championships from the powerful ball midfielder. Led the way for the Allies at stoppages and is arguably as strong of a marking threat as any forward of centre.
June Ranking: Not ranked
Strengths:
Contested ball winning
Distribution by hand
Stoppage work
Marking threat forward of centre
Contested marking
Reading of the ball in flight
Protects the drop of the ball
One-on-one strength
Scoreboard impact
Clean at ground level
Just as effective forward as he is through the midfield
Weaknesses:
Pace
Agility
13. Xavier O'Halloran (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 187cm, 83kg
Recruited from: Western Jets
Projected draft range: 15-35
Similar to: Trent Cotchin
Rationale: High impact per possession player who wins the contested ball and possesses the skills and acceleration to develop into one of this year's best midfielders.
June Ranking: Not ranked
Strengths:
Contested ball winning
Stoppage work
Attack on the ball
Tackling
Kicking
Decision making
Vision
Acceleration away from the contest
Impact per possession
Weaknesses:
Production
14. Connor Rozee (SA)
Best position: General forward/outside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 72kg
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Projected draft range: 5-20
Similar to: Dale Thomas
Rationale: Damaging forward who also applies impressive forward pressure. Drops as others rise.
June Ranking: 11
Strengths:
Skills
Vision
Kicking inside 50m
Finishing around goal
Sticky hands overhead
Freakish at ground level
Acceleration
Breaks the lines
Agility
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
15. Sydney Stack (WA)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 177cm, 72kg
Recruited from: Sandringham
Projected draft range: 15-50
Similar to: Stephen Hill
Rationale: One of the most exciting and impactful players through the Under-18 Championships as a ball winner who hits the ball at speed and accelerates away. Production strong and tackling energy around the ball as good as any through the carnival.
June Ranking: Not ranked
Strengths:
Wins the ball at stoppages
Tackling
Pressure around the ball
Acceleration
Speed
Agility
Composure and evasion in traffic
One touch ground ball winner
Clean ball use
Size
16. Tarryn Thomas (TAS - North Melbourne Next Generation Academy)
Best position: Midfield/defence
Height, weight: 189cm, 73kg
Recruited from: North Launceston
Projected draft range: 3-10
Similar to: Jack Martin
Rationale: Underwhelming Under-18 Championships sees Thomas' stocks drop. His tackling and smothering were exceptional but little impact offensively was felt with Thomas offering little run or drive by foot throughout the carnival.
June Ranking: 12
Strengths:
Work defensively without the ball
Tackling
Smothers opposition kicks routinely
Line breaking pace
Composure with ball in hand
Lowers his eyes
Time and space in traffic
Weaknesses:
Light bodied
Normally stationary rather than on the move when he wins the ball
Provides little drives offensively
17. Luke Valente (SA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Norwood
Projected draft range: 15-35
Similar to: Jordan Lewis
Rationale: Prolific ball winner with reliable skills earns his way inside the top 20 on the back of a strong Under-18 Championships.
June Ranking: Not ranked
Strengths:
Contested ball winning
Stoppage work
Attack on the ball
Tackling
Kicking
Vision
Decision making
Versatility to play midfield or forward
Evasion
Production
Weaknesses:
Pace
X-factor
18. Jarrod Cameron (WA - West Coast Next Generation Academy)
Best position: General forward
Height, weight: 180cm, 69kg
Recruited from: Swan Districts
Projected draft range: 30-60
Similar to: Charlie Cameron
Rationale: Sharing the same gifts as his brother Charlie, Jarrod announced himself against Vic Country kicking a game-high five goals.
June Ranking: Not ranked
Strengths:
Speed
Agility
One touch at ground level
Tackling
Forward pressure
Finishing around goal
Aerial marking
Protects the drop zone
Weaknesses:
Endurance
Unclear scope to play on the ground
Tackles often get broken
19. Ned McHenry (VIC)
Best position: General forward/outside midfield
Height, weight: 176cm, 71kg
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Projected draft range: 15-30
Similar to: Devon Smith
Rationale: Led the Under-18 Championships in tackles and pressure acts as a small forward. A role player capable of playing in season one.
June Ranking: Not ranked
Strengths:
Tackling
Forward pressure
Endurance
Work rate
Speed
Weaknesses:
Contested ball winning
Size
Decision making
20. Jye Caldwell (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 181cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 15-40
Similar to: Luke Shuey
Rationale: Drops as others rise.
June Ranking: 14
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
Little exposed form due to injuries