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
Greater Western Sydney Academy prospect and potential top-five choice Thomas Green was the dominant force in Sunday's AFL Under-18 practice matches. While Green's Allies fell just short against Vic Country in a four-point loss, Green improved his standing on draft boards. The ball-winning midfielder amassed 20 disposals, 16 contested possessions, eight tackles, five inside 50s and kicked one goal.
As a midfielder, Green may be the most dominant contested ball-winner and force at stoppages to have come through the junior ranks; no recent midfielder has been as talented at gaining first possession at stoppages and dishing out by hand. Particularly when the game was on the line to be won, Green seemed to gain first possession at every stoppage.
When used through the front half, Green shows power leading up inside 50m and through the middle of the ground.
What may have been most impressive from Green, however, was his leadership. During the quarter and three-quarter time breaks he provided feedback to coaches and at the start of quarters and before centre bounces he instructed teammates. While around the ground, he encouraged them with a pat on the back or quiet word of encouragement.
Green possesses an imposing physical profile at 190cm, 88kg and provides a similar impact around the ball to Patrick Cripps. After a strong 2018 campaign, it's his running which has notably improved. While Green had a strong body and the strength to keep his feet and absorb tackles, he is now quicker, more agile and fitter than last year due to trimming down by eight kilograms. He now hits the ball at speed more often, gets to more contests, and looks more comfortable taking on the game.
The main weaknesses for the powerful midfielder have been his running and athleticism, but with those areas of his game progressing nicely, Green can further strengthen his claim to becoming a complete footballer.
Under-18 Trial Matches
Game 1: Allies vs. Victoria Country
Ashton Crossley, the younger brother of Gold Coast's Brayden, was prolific through the midfield for the Allies. Eligible for Gold Coast's Academy, Crossley played a hard brand of football. He won first possession at stoppages, distributed effectively by hand and put his body on the line. The ball-winning midfielder secured 17 disposals, nine contested possessions, five tackles and one goal.
Competing strongly through the ruck and presenting a target forward of centre, Gold Coast overager Matthew Conroy was the Allies' only multiple goalkicker in the first match, with nine disposals, five marks, 19 hitouts and three goals.
Providing drive from defence for Vic Country, Hayden Young was regularly running past teammates and receiving on the move. Young's most striking play was running from defence through the middle, receiving on the move and lowering his eyes to hit an inside 50m target. The talented defender was damaging by foot throughout and managed 15 disposals and two score assists.
Making strong progress and growing into his role in defence, athletic key defender Bigoa Nyuon was strong in one-on-one contests, held his position and kept his feet. He took several intercept marks and his work at ground level impressed. The play of the athletic defender showed shades of Aliir Aliir. Nyuon posted 12 disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s.
Game 2: Victoria Metro vs. Allies
Playing an important role in defence for Vic Metro in their nine-point win against the Allies, Brodie Newman was a reliable user from defence. He provided run from defence and was a strong intercept marking presence. The promising key defender amassed 21 disposals, four marks (three intercepts) and nine rebound 50s, while 13 of his 15 kicks were effective.
Making the most of limited opportunities up forward for Metro, Harrison Jones was the dominant force in front of goal on the day kicking four of his side's seven goals. The talented forward managed 12 disposals, eight contested possessions, two contested marks and four goals.
Lively in the first term for Metro, Eddie Ford had the play of the day with a specie on the shoulders of an opponent and converted the set shot. The athletic underager collected 11 disposals, two contested marks, seven contested possessions and one goal.
Gold Coast Academy midfielder Connor Budarick was lively throughout the contest with 21 disposals. His run and ball movement was encouraging while his work at ground level was excellent.
Sydney Academy prospect Sam Gaden was impressive up forward and through the ruck. He covered a lot of ground, took an impressive leaping overhead mark and snapped instinctively inside 50m for a goal. The key position player collected 19 disposals, 11 contested possessions, three marks (one contested), 10 hitouts, four inside 50s and one goal.
Providing a powerful leading target up forward for the Allies, Sydney academy prospect Hamish Ellem was difficult to stop on the lead inside and showed he could mark at the highest point. The powerful key forward secured 16 disposals, nine contested possessions, five marks (two contested) and one goal.
SANFL
League
Continuing his strong vein of form, strong bodied key defender Will Gould provided 19 disposals and seven marks for Glenelg in their win against Port Adelaide.
WAFL
Colts
Classy overage midfielder Tristian Hobley was prolific with 42 disposals and seven inside 50s for Subiaco in loss to Claremont.
Claremont's best though was Ben Golding with 23 disposals and 12 tackles. This follows another best on ground performance which included 39 disposals and one goal. He is firming as one of Western Australia's best midfield prospects.