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
Performing a leading role for Norwood in their SANFL Reserves Grand Final win against Woodville-West Torrens, Dylan Stephens did his top-10 draft chances no harm securing 26 disposals, five tackles and five clearances.
Playing 12 SANFL League matches this season and transitioning to the level seamlessly, Stephens is viewed by recruiters as a ready-made midfielder with an excellent inside/outside balance to his game.
He's an able contested ball winner who can win the ball at centre bounces, burst away from stoppages and win loose balls around the ground to a high level. His outside game though is arguably his greatest strength; Stephens is always on the move in general play and regularly leading up at the football and providing an option outside contests to dish out to when not winning it himself. With space in front of him, Stephens uses his speed to break the lines and get the ball moving.
What was most impressive from Stephens in Norwood's win was the defensive component to his game. The work he did without the ball to chase, pressure, tackle and smother was noteworthy.
With a game comparable to Lachie Hunter, Stephens is a midfielder with a similarly versatile, high production game and a neat left foot. If Stephens develops his strength without losing any of his run and becomes more comfortable using his non-preferred right foot, he looks like a low-risk prospect who can be plugged in on a wing from his first season.
NAB League
Oakleigh
Creating separation in the pick one discussion, Matthew Rowell put things beyond doubt amassing 44 disposals (26 contested), eight marks, nine tackles, 12 clearances, six inside 50s, two goals and four score assists. Rowell who played an instrumental part in Oakleigh's Grand Final win against Eastern is the first ever player in TAC Cup/NAB League history to win two best on ground medals. His endeavour winning the ball and tackling was important to Oakleigh's midfield ascendancy, while his explosive burst of speed with ball in hand, work rate and constant leading up at the football completed his performance.
Trent Bianco broke the game open with his kicking, vision and composure, hitting targets in the corridor and inside 50m. He took intercept marks in defence and demonstrated a high work rate. On one play after disposing of the ball in defence, Bianco pushed up into the front half to receive inside 50m and take a shot on goal. The classy utility posted 29 disposals, 10 marks, six inside 50s and three score assists.
Earning a state combine invite, Kaden Schreiber has worked his way into the draft discussion with his strong vein of form over the past month. Named Oakleigh's second best, Schreiber used the ball consistent and he regularly found spaces in the corridor where his ball use going forward was important. The rebounding defender delivered 27 disposals and 11 marks.
Showing class, underager and 23rd man Bailey Laurie showed impressive speed, agility and evasion. He avoided tackles, hit inside 50m targets, was dangerous front and centre crumbing and whenever he was within range from goal. Backing up his strong performance from the preliminary finals, Laurie tallied 17 disposals, five marks, six inside 50s and two goals.
Western Bulldogs Next-Generation Academy member, underager Jamarra Ugle-Hagan played a similar aggressive brand of football to that of Lance Franklin. He asserted himself physically, was one-touch at ground level and applied himself defensively, chasing after opponents inside 50m. On the lead Ugle-Hagan created separation, one-on-one he protected the drop of the ball and in the air he leapt and took marks at the highest point. Ugle-Hagan -- who copped heavy attention and found himself double and triple teamed -- still managed 10 disposals, eight marks (two contested), five tackles, six inside 50s but was wasteful in front of goal with three behinds.
Eastern
Underager Wil Parker impressed in defence taking intercept marks and held his own one-on-one. The promising defender managed 27 disposals, 11 contested possessions and 11 rebound 50s.
SANFL
League
Playing with his usual aggressive style, Will Gould performed well in his role for Glenelg in their Grand Final win against Port Adelaide, securing 18 disposals and eight rebound 50s and generating drive from defence.
Reserves
Norwood
Not needing a lot of touches to impact the game, Cameron Taheny was dangerous inside 50m. He leaped for marks, protected the drop zone and was clean gathering the ball off the bounce. What stood out from Taheny was his pressuring and chasing efforts that led to turnovers. Making the most of his opportunities, Taheny kicked four goals from eight disposals.
Woodville-West Torrens
Playing with a will to win, Harry Schoenberg sacrificed his body with a courageous flying intercept mark which exemplified the way he played. Schoenberg won first possession at stoppages, displayed a strong work rate and impressing most without the ball. He smothered opposition kicks and unselfishly bumped opponents to allow teammates to win the ball and provide them time and space to operate. The South Australian Under-18 MVP collected 20 disposals, six tackles and six clearances.
Kysaiah Pickett didn't need much of the ball to have an impact. With just six disposals, five tackles and two goals to his name, the perceived pressure Pickett creates is extremely high. Defenders were constantly aware in general play when he was nearby, with several of his chases and tackles leading to front half turnovers. A speedy and strong tackling small forward with a reputation for dispossessing opponents, Pickett was one-touch on his ground ball pickups, used his speed and agility to speed past opponents and finished instinctively around goal.
WAFL
League
Winning the Simpson Medal for best afield in the WAFL Grand Final, the strong marking, hard running Ben Sokol continued his push for draft selection in Subiaco's convincing 96-point demolition of South Fremantle. The 23-year-old medium forward secured 15 disposals, eight marks and six goals. Kicking a competition high 60 goals this season, Sokol has received a state combine invite.