Despite little live action to assess, ESPN.com.au draft expert Chris Doerre has revealed his latest Power Rankings ahead of the 2020 AFL Draft.
1. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 194cm, 84kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 1-3
Preseason ranking: 1
Rationale: He is like Lance Franklin with hops. Unstoppable when launching at the football aerially, timing his jumps to perfection, leaping high and protecting the ball drop in the air so he can't be spoiled. Scouting report will read - from day one that you can't give him a run and jump at the football or he's taking the mark. Ugle-Hagan is the most unstoppable inside-50 threat that I've seen for his age.
Strengths: Leap, timing of leaps at the ball aerially, body control in the air, protects the drop zone so he can't be spoiled, aerial marking, takes advantage of opposition defenders when isolated one-on-one, scoreboard impact, agility, speed to create separation on the lead, freakish one-touch and instinctive when the ball hits the deck.
Weaknesses: Kicking penetration, set shot reliability, prone to dropping marks, endurance and unclear versatility.
2. Logan McDonald
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 196cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Perth
Projected draft range: 1-5
Preseason ranking: N/A
Rationale: Kicking seven goals through his first two WAFL League matches and leading the competition on the goal kicking table, McDonald is a model of consistency. McDonald's combination of performance against state league opposition and his rapid rate of improvement -- progressing into someone who is more dominant against state league competition this year than he was against Under-18s last year -- makes him a contender for the No. 1 position on this draft board.
Strengths: Production against WAFL League competition, consistency, rate of improvement, scoreboard impact, set shot goal kicking, overhead marking at the highest point, one-on-one bodywork, contested marking, aerial marking, reading of the ball in flight, endurance, work rate, leap, mobility, agility, capable both close to goal and pushing up the ground, versatility to play key defence.
Weaknesses: Able but not freakish at ground level.
3. Will Phillips
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 3-10
Preseason ranking: 2
Rationale: Impact for Oakleigh during the 2019 finals series was comparable to Matthew Rowell, and arguably stronger than Noah Anderson. Phillips is not only a prolific ball winner, but he combines contested ball-winning and acceleration to impact games. He's the best midfielder in the draft but drops one spot due to the meteoric rise of Logan McDonald.
Strengths: First possession winner at stoppages, contested ball-winning, tackling, acceleration with ball in hand, endurance and production.
Weaknesses: Kicking consistency, unclear versatility, scoreboard impact.
4. Elijah Hollands
Best position: Outside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 188cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Projected draft range: 1-10
Preseason ranking: 4
Rationale: Hollands is the most damaging player in the draft with ball in hand. His kick, run and how influential he can be when used forward of centre make him one of this draft's most desirable players. If Hollands was to becomes a more prolific ball winner and accumulator, he has the upside to be one of the best midfielders in the competition.
Strengths: Damaging both forward and through the midfield, high impact per possession, makes quick and sound decisions with ball in hand, moves the ball on quickly, composure under pressure, takes ground balls on the move at speed, agility, evasion, avoids tackles in traffic, takes on the game, aggressively with his run, long range goalkicker, kicking penetration and hurt factor.
Weaknesses: Improvement not as rapid as many of his peers in 2019, unclear best position, unclear scope to be a full-time midfielder, production not as high as some of the other top end midfielder.
5. Tanner Bruhn
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 182cm, 73kg
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Projected draft range: 3-15
Preseason ranking: 5
Rationale: One of the standout talents in this draft and would be higher if not for some knee troubles.
Strengths: Precise kick, composure with ball in hand, evasion, agility, speed, versatility to play forward or through the midfield, wins first possession at stoppages, contested ball winning, scoreboard impact.
Weaknesses: Injury history, limited recent exposed form.
6. Riley Thilthorpe
Best position: Key forward/ruck
Height, weight: 200cm, 99kg
Recruited from: West Adelaide
Projected draft range: 1-10
Preseason ranking: 7
Rationale: Freakishly quick tall who can play either as a key forward or through the ruck. Thilthorpe has held his own at SANFL League level, securing him firmly inside the top 10 and moving up one position.
Strengths: Scoreboard impact, contested marking, clean at ground level, endurance, speed, agility, leap, x-factor, size and strength, versatility to play key forward, ruck or as a high leading forward, performances at SANFL League level.
Weaknesses: Accumulation, unclear best position.
7. Braeden Campbell (Sydney Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 180cm, 73kg
Recruited from: Sydney Academy
Projected draft range: 5-15
Preseason ranking: 19
Rationale: Awarded player of the match in the Under-17 All Star game and is one of the most advanced prospects in the pool. Coming into the season I had concerns about his lack of height and size but with Campbell growing since the end of 2019, greater scope for development can be assumed. Playing mostly as a forward in 2019, Campbell looks set to develop into more of a midfielder who can rest forward.
Strengths: Contested ball-winning, aggressive tackler, damaging kick, acceleration, run and carry with ball in hand, scoreboard impact, best-on-ground in the 2019 AFL Grand Final curtain raiser, versatility to impact games through the midfield or as a forward.
Weaknesses: Contested marking, size.
8. Reef McInnes (Collingwood Next Generation Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 192cm, 84kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 5-25
Preseason ranking: 6
Rationale: A potential tall, ball-winning midfielder with the scope to play forward. At his height and versatility, his upside is among the highest in the pool. Drops due to others rising.
Strengths: Contested ball-winning, marking threat inside-50, scoreboard impact, versatility to play midfield, forward or defence, mobility, clean skills.
Weaknesses: Unclear best position, unproven as a full-time midfielder against good opposition.
9. Finlay Macrae
Best position: Balanced midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 5-25
Preseason ranking: 3
Rationale: Younger brother of Western Bulldogs star Jack, Finlay is a mirror image of his older brother in the way he moves and plays. He also finds the ball just as easily. The main difference is Finlay is shorter. He drops on revision of upside after measuring in at the same height as 2019.
Strengths: Class and composure in traffic, evasion, agility, speed, distribution by hand, clean ball user, production, improving contested ball-winner, improving inside midfield craft.
Weaknesses: Unclear versatility, scoreboard impact.
10. Lachlan Jones (Port Adelaide - Next Generation Academy)
Best position: General defence
Height, weight: 185cm, 88kg
Recruited from: Woodville-West Torrens
Projected draft range: 5-25
Preseason ranking: N/A
Rationale: Holding his own at SANFL League level where he has played his opening 10 games of the season. A ready-made defender who has proven he can step into an AFL side in year one as a stopper. The intrigue with Jones given he wins more than 50 percent of his ball in contested situations, has size and acceleration creates intrigue as to whether he could transition into a ball-winning midfielder in the future. Rises up draft board due to SANFL League performances.
Strengths: Consistency of SANFL League performances, wins a high percentage of ball in contested situations, strength, strong one-on-one defender, negates influence of opposition forwards, capable of matching up against tall and small forwards, acceleration, run and carry, leap, equally adept at ground level and aerially, penetrating and damaging kick, intercept marking, possible scope to develop into a ball winning midfielder given his contested ball winning capabilities in combination with his size, strength and acceleration, Round 1 ready.
Weaknesses: Endurance, accumulation, finds little easy ball, unclear versatility.
11. Archie Perkins
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 186cm, 77kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 5-25
Preseason ranking: 13
Rationale: High-impact-per-possession midfielder and forward. With the way he breaks open games, taking on the game with his run and hitting meaningful targets, his game arguably could be maximised if shifted into defence in a rebounding role. Improves position on draft board upon review of upside.
Strengths: Shows decisiveness after marks in what he will do and gets the ball moving quickly, takes on opponents and the game with his run, generates meaningful drive with ball in hand, composure under pressure, impact per possession, line breaker, speed, agility, leap, scoreboard impact, damaging by foot, vision, lowers his eyes, strength, aggression, one-on-one marking, aerial marking, clean at ground level, contested ball winning, capacity to impact games as a forward or midfielder.
Weaknesses: Accumulation, consistency, endurance.
12. Heath Chapman
Best position: Key defence/general defence
Height, weight: 193cm, 81kg
Recruited from: West Perth
Projected draft range: 5-25
Preseason ranking: N/A
Rationale: Rises on the back of strong WAFL Colts form. Averaging 25 disposals and eight marks per game over his past five matches, Chapman is suited to the modern game as the premier tall intercepting defender in the junior ranks who combines that well with his precise kick.
Strengths: Intercept marking, reading of the ball in flight, production, precise kick to target, mobility, leap, endurance.
Weaknesses: Unclear whether he will be tall enough to play key defence at AFL level, unclear capacity to limit output of direct opponent as he is mostly used allowed to play loose, yet to experience opportunity to play against strong opposition having been stuck play WAFL Colts to date.
13. Caleb Poulter
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 191cm, 77kg
Recruited from: Woodville-West Torrens
Projected draft range: 10-30
Preseason ranking: N/A
Rationale: Poulter is tall midfielder who wins a high proportion of the ball in contested situations, plays a high-impact-per-possession game and is highly productive and improving rapidly. His rise comes on the back of his performances the impact he is having for someone his height.
Strengths: Aggression, contested ball-winning, stoppage work, wins a high percentage of ball in contested situations, production, tackling, impact per possession, kicking penetration, vision, hands in traffic, clean at ground level, marking on the lead, aerial marking, scoreboard impact, takes on the game aggressively, work rate, versatility to impact games through the midfield and up forward.
Weaknesses: Endurance, run both ways, short kicking.
14. Nathan O'Driscoll
Best position: Balanced midfield/general defence
Height, weight: 187cm, 76kg
Recruited from: Perth
Projected draft range: 5-20
Preseason ranking: 15
Rationale: Midfielder with one of the best inside/outside balances in the draft. His 20 disposals and six tackles against Subiaco at WAFL League level on the weekend elevated his draft stocks and demonstrate he is good enough to play against more mature opposition. A great sign to suggest he is ready to play at AFL level sooner rather than later.
Strengths: Aggressive attack on the ball, tackling, tackles to hurt, stands up through tackles, ball-winning capabilities, work rate, endurance, run and carry, composure in traffic, penetrating kick, inside/outside balance, versatility to play midfield or in defence, one-on-one strength, performances at WAFL League level.
Weaknesses: Kicking reliability under pressure, decision making under pressure, impact forward of centre.
15. Denver Grainger-Barras
Best position: Key defence/general defence
Height, weight: 195cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Swan Districts
Projected draft range: 3-15
Preseason ranking: 17
Rationale: This year's premier key defender, Grainger-Barras is an effective shutdown key defender and has the scope to become one of the better interceptors in this pool over time given how well he reads the ball in flight. Grainger-Barras has risen up these rankings due to solid WAFL League performances and because he has grown 3cm since last year. While he is still lightly built, he is now looking more likely to be able to develop into a genuine key defender.
Strengths: Intercept marking, reading of the ball in flight, one-on-one defence, shuts down opposition forwards, clean ball user, athleticism.
Weaknesses: Endurance, production, size and strength.
16. Tom Powell
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 73kg
Recruited from: Sturt
Projected draft range: 10-30
Preseason ranking: N/A
Rationale: Powell has taken the next step in his development in 2020 to become one of the most prolific midfielders in the pool. If he makes his League debut and his play translates across, he has scope to push further up this draft board.
Strengths: Contested ball-winning, production, stoppage work, tackling, inside/outside balance, distribution by hand, speed of decision making under pressure, reliable ball user, endurance, scoreboard impact.
Weaknesses: Hurt factor, generates limited drive, unclear versatility.
17. Jackson Callow
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 194cm, 96kg
Recruited from: Tasmania Devils
Projected draft range: 20-60
Preseason ranking: 8
Rationale: A key forward with a deceptively hard to defend game with strength and one-on-one marking blending in nicely with his agility, work at ground level and capability to turn opponents inside out. Callow's stocks drops as others rise.
Strengths: Overhead marking, one-on-one marking, contested marking, body size and strength, reading of the ball in flight, keeps his feet in the contest, clean at ground level, agility, turns opponents inside out, intercept marking, production, capacity to play key defence as required.
Weaknesses: Athleticism, questionable upside given how physically advanced he is already.
18. Jack Ginnivan
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 182cm, 77kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 15-45
Preseason ranking: 10
Rationale: A smart midfielder/forward who is among the best ball users in the draft and has a knack for drawing free kicks. Drops as others rise up calculations.
Strengths: Precision ball user, kicks placed out in front of targets to lead onto, makes things happen with ball in hand, draws high free kicks, clean and dangerous at ground level, football smarts, endurance, work rate, agility, dangerous around goal, scoreboard impact, versatility to impact games either as a forward, midfielder or defence, production.
Weaknesses: Size, capable but not threatening mark inside 50m.
19. Sam Berry
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Projected draft range: 10-40
Preseason ranking: 11
Rationale: Exciting midfielder with an enviable combination of ball winning, clean skills and speed. Winning over 50 percent of the ball in contested situations, his probability of an AFL career is high. Drops due to the improvement of some and revision of others.
Strengths: Contested ball-winning, first possession winner at stoppages, tackling, aggression, kick placement out in front of targets to lead onto, composure with ball in hand, distribution by hand, acceleration with ball in hand out of stoppages, speed, endurance, works hard both ways, versatility to play midfield, defence or forward.
Weaknesses: Outside accumulation, running patterns outside the contest.
20. Alex Davies (Gold Coast Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 191cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Gold Coast Academy
Projected draft range: 10-30 (if not for concessions allowing Gold Coast to pre-list Davies)
Preseason ranking: 18
Rationale: One of this year's premier tall inside ball winners. Davies' stocks drop as others rise, though with Davies continuing to grow and add size and strength since the end of 2019, his appeal is only growing.
Strengths: Contested ball-winning, evasive movement through traffic, distribution by hand, tackling, wins a high proportion of his ball in contested situations.
Weaknesses: Endurance, prone to rushing kicks rather than assessing and spotting options, inconsistent by foot, decision making under pressure, unclear versatility.