AFL
Chris Doerre 5y

AFL Draft Power Rankings: Key defenders make move behind 'Big 3'

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. Noah Anderson
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 190cm, 87kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers Projected draft range: 1-3
Plays like: Jordan De Goey
May Rankings: 1
Rationale: A match-winner who breaks games open in the matter of minutes. The most influential in the pool whether he's used as a midfielder or forward. Anderson's influence in two parts of the ground set him apart from Green and Rowell.
Strengths: Impact per possession, moments where he individually takes games over, versatility to impact games midfield, forward of back, ground level threat inside 50m, overhead marking threat inside 50m, finds space inside 50m, first possession winner at stoppages, contested ball-winning, distribution by hand, scoreboard impact, spread from the contest, explosive line breaker, hurt factor by foot, vision, moves the ball on quickly, endurance, work rate
Weaknesses: Inconsistency across four quarters

2. Thomas Green (GWS Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 190cm, 88kg
Recruited from: GWS Giants
Projected draft range: 3-20
Plays like: Patrick Cripps
May Rankings: 2
Rationale: The most prolific stoppage player and contested ball winner I've seen at this age and stage. Holds position on the back of a strong Under-18 practice match against Vic Country.
Strengths: Stoppage work, winning clearances, contested ball-winning, distribution by hand, capabilities forward of centre, marking threat on the lead and inside 50m, scoreboard impact, production on the board in the NEAFL, evasion, composure, vision, reliable skills, leadership, improving mobility and endurance
Weaknesses: Athleticism, endurance

3. Matthew Rowell
Best position:
Inside midfield/outside midfield
Height, weight: 178cm, 75kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 1-3
Plays like: Joel Selwood
May Rankings: 3
Rationale: Continues to build his reputation as a big game player. Added best on ground honours in the Under-18 vs. Casey match to best on ground medals in a losing TAC Cup Grand Final and during the Under-17 All-Stars Grand Final curtain raiser.
Strengths: Performances on the biggest of stages, attack on the ball, contested ball-winning, distribution by hand, explosive acceleration, run and carry, endurance, works hard both ways, leadership and voice on the field, versatility to play inside or outside midfield
Weaknesses: Unclear capacity to play forward or back, often slow to move the ball on after marks and free kicks, hurt factor and penetration by foot

4. Lachlan Ash
Best position: General defence
Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Projected draft range: 3-10
Plays like: Kade Simpson
May Rankings: 6
Rationale: A well rounded defender who intercepts at a high level, provides run and uses the ball reliably from defence. Rises on the back of the standard of his performance and drive from defence.
Strengths: Line-breaking run and carry, agility, evasion, intercept marking, reading of the ball in flight, ground ball-winning, tackling, forward pressure, damaging kick, vision, versatility to push up through the midfield
Weaknesses: Can try to do too much with ball in hand

5. Hayden Young
Best position: General defence/midfield
Height, weight: 188cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Projected draft range: 3-10
Plays like: Zak Jones
May Rankings: 10
Rationale: Provides consistent drive from defence with his work by foot a highlight. Rises on the back of his offensive impact and consistency including a best on ground performance in Round 1 of the Under-18 Championships against Vic Metro.
Strengths: Versatility to play defence or midfield, aggressive attack on the ball, precise and damaging kick, vision, decision making, run and carry, one-on-one defence, defensive accountability, reading of the drop of the ball, intercept marking, contested ball-winning, stoppage work
Weaknesses: Sometimes too accountable, needs to provide a marking target more often up the ground

6. Brodie Kemp
Best position: Inside midfield/utility
Height, weight: 192cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 3-20
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
May Rankings: 4
Rationale: Among the midfielders with the greatest upside in the pool. Clean ball-winner with unbelievable acceleration with ball in hand. Drops as Ash and Young rise.
Strengths: Versatility to impact games in any position other than ruck, acceleration, line breaker, movement and evasion through traffic, ground ball winner, intercept marking, reading of the ball in flight, aerial marking, one-on-one marking, leadup marking, contested marking, hurt factor by foot, vision
Weaknesses: Needs to find more of the ball to become a top tier midfielder, consistency over four quarters

7. Will Gould
Best position: Key defence
Height, weight: 190cm, 93kg
Recruited from: Glenelg
Projected draft range: 5-25
Plays like: Steven May
May Rankings: 5
Rationale: An Under-18 All-Australian, Gould is the most physically advanced and dominant prospect in the pool. A season one-ready key defender who performs reliably at SANFL League level each week. Drops as others rise.
Strengths: One-on-one strength, reading of the ball in flight, intercept marking, penetrating kick with 60m penetration, consistent performances on the board against SANFL league competition
Weaknesses: Endurance, athleticism

8. Ryan Byrnes
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 181cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 3-25
Plays like: Jack Steven
May Rankings: 7
Rationale: On performance, is making the case he is one of this draft's most damaging midfielders by winning the ball and hurting the opposition with his acceleration and hurt factor by foot. Drops as others rise.
Strengths: Wins first possession at stoppages, use of speed with ball in hand around stoppages, line breaking pace, agility, evasion in traffic, hurt factor by foot, high impact per possession, vision to find targets inside 50m, production
Weaknesses: Scoreboard impact, unclear versatility

9. Sam Flanders
Best position: General forward/inside midfield
Height, weight: 182cm, 81kg
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Projected draft range: 3-20
Plays like: Christian Petracca
May Rankings: 9
Rationale: One of the draft's most damaging forward of centre and is showing signs of development through the midfield as a ball-winner.
Strengths: Scoreboard impact, one-on-one marking, overhead marking, explosive acceleration, hurt-factor by foot, contested ball-winning, first possession winner at stoppages, leadership and voice out on the field
Weaknesses: Consistency, endurance, impact when used through the midfield

10. Dylan Williams
Best position:
General forward/inside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 81kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 3-20
Plays like: Steve Johnson
May Rankings: 8
Rationale: Has the performances on the board for Oakleigh and is appealing with the quality of his play forward of centre and through the midfield. Drops due to lack of clear progress since 2018 with others pushing past him.
Strengths: One-touch at ground level, strong one-on-one mark, overhead marking, clever finisher around goal, skills, contested ball-winning, midfield capabilities
Weaknesses: Endurance, forward pressure, tackling, consistency

11. Connor Budarick (Gold Coast Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 176cm, 76kg
Recruited from: Gold Coast
Projected draft range: 5-25
Plays like: Devon Smith
May Rankings: 11
Rationale: Not only finds the ball but provides heavy forward pressure and displays excellent football smarts.
Strengths: Tackling, forward pressure, production, makes winning plays that don't show up on stat sheet, evasion, agility, clean skills, acceleration
Weaknesses: Scoreboard impact

12. Dylan Stephens
Best position: General forward/midfield
Height, weight: 181cm, 69kg
Recruited from: Norwood
Projected draft range: 5-30
Plays like: Hugh McCluggage
May Rankings: 12
Rationale: Solid start to the season, showing he belongs at SANFL League level.
Strengths: Scoreboard impact, endurance to run all day, reliable ball user, production, versatility to play forward or midfield in an inside or outside role
Weaknesses: Size, forward pressure

13. Cameron Taheny
Best position:
General forward/midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 76kg
Recruited from: Norwood
Projected draft range: 5-30
Plays like: Shane Edwards
May Rankings: 13
Rationale: Strong start to the season including three goals in each of his first two games at SANFL League level.
Strengths: Scoreboard impact, classy and damaging left foot kick, kicking penetration, moves the ball on quickly, smarts around goal, overhead marking threat inside 50m, knack for finding the ball forward of centre
Weaknesses: Unclear midfield capabilities, contested ball-winning

14. Caleb Serong
Best position:
Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 178cm, 83kg
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Projected draft range: 5-25
Plays like: Jamie Elliott
May Rankings: 14
Rationale: Strong start to the season through Gippsland's midfield.
Strengths: One-on-one capabilities, powerful overhead mark, aerial marking threat, high leaper, explosive first step, agility, damaging skills, impact per possession, scoreboard impact, contested ball-winning capabilities
Weaknesses: Numbers lower than many of the other top tier midfielders, consistency

15. Jeremy Sharp
Best position:
General defence
Height, weight: 187cm, 73kg
Recruited from: East Fremantle
Projected draft range: 5-25
Plays like: Jack Crisp
May Rankings: 16
Rationale: One of the premier rebounding defenders and outside runners in the draft. His speed, endurance and ball use are his greatest assets. Rises as O'Neill drops.
Strengths: Speed, endurance, line breaking capabilities, composure with ball in hand, evasion, long and reliable kick, versatility to play in defence or on a wing
Weaknesses: Contested ball-winning, unclear midfield capabilities

16. Trent Bianco
Best position:
Outside midfield/general defence
Height, weight: 176cm, 70kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 5-30
Plays like: Caleb Daniel
May Rankings: 18
Rationale: A quality ball user who is suited on a wing or in defence. Rises on the back of a strong month.
Strengths: Precise and consistent skill execution by hand and foot on both sides over a range of distances, vision, decision making, composure with ball in hand, evasion, speed, run and carry, moves the ball on quickly, versatility to play outside midfield or in defence, production
Weaknesses: Size and strength

17. Brodie Newman
Best position:
Key defence
Height, weight: 193cm, 90kg
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Projected draft range: 15-45
Plays like: Jeremy McGovern
May Rankings: 17
Rationale: Has started the season strongly and is not only intercepting but generating drive from defence.
Strengths: Intercept marking, reading of the drop of the ball, contested marking, penetrating and reliable kick, strength one-on-one
Weaknesses: Unclear versatility

18. Deven Robertson
Best position:
Inside midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 76kg
Recruited from: Perth
Projected draft range: 10-50
Plays like: Nathan Jones
May Rankings: 20
Rationale: Nephew of Darren Glass, Robertson is one of the most productive ball-winning midfielders in the pool. A 37-disposal effort against Claremont early last month sees him move up.
Strengths: Production, attack on the ball, contested ball-winning, stoppage work, work rate, endurance, speed, agility, tackling, pressure around the ground
Weaknesses: X-factor, scoreboard impact

19. Mitch O'Neill
Best position:
Outside midfield
Height, weight: 178cm, 69kg
Recruited from: North Hobart
Projected draft range: 5-25
Plays like: Zach Merrett
May Rankings: 15
Rationale: An Under-18 All-Australian and the son of a state 400m champion and a state netballer. Since his return from injury has lacked the impact on games he has previously had.
Strengths: Precision kicking, decision making, vision, evasion and slipperiness in traffic, agility, leap, aerial marking threat, one touch at ground level, able to play outside or inside midfield
Weaknesses: Size, stoppage work, contested ball-winning

20. Jay Rantall
Best position:
Inside midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Greater Western Victoria Rebels
Projected draft range: 10-40
Plays like: Jack Macrae
May Rankings: 19
Rationale: A basketball convert who has performed consistently, demonstrating AFL traits. Drops one spot as Robertson rises.
Strengths: Evasion in traffic, linkup by hand, clean hands, run and carry, clean ground ball winner, endurance, contested ball-winning, stoppage work, distribution by hand, finishing around goal, scoreboard impact, untapped potential having shifting focus from basketball to football
Weaknesses: Kicking consistency

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