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
It's a rare day when the standout player is on the losing side of a 98-point blowout, but that was the case for 168cm midfielder and Adelaide Next-Generation Academy prospect Isaiah Dudley. Gathering 27 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and a goal for Central Districts, in the one-sided loss to Woodville-West Torrens, Dudley played a high impact per possession style of game and every time he went near the ball his presence was noticeable. While Dudley is shorter, there are Dayne Zorko vibes with the way he influences games both through the midfield and up forward.
Appearing to be involved in everything, Dudley was most prolific through the midfield, reading the ruck taps to perfection and routinely winning first possession at stoppages, setting the tone from the opening bounce. He attacked the ball relentlessly, applied himself defensively and put on heavy forward pressure. Dudley was damaging by hand and foot, spread well from contests, provided run with ball in hand, spun and danced around opponents with his agility a highlight. Dudley was lively every time the ball was in his area. He also spent considerable periods of the game forward where he felt dangerous and as if he could have kicked more goals.
If drafted, Dudley would be joining Caleb Daniel in the sub 170cm club. With Adelaide showing through the draft height is no barrier, the Crows, given Dudley's talent, are considered a good chance to nominate him at season's end, and will be hoping he attracts no rival bids.
To maximise his draft stocks, Dudley will be looking to have a strong Under-19 Championships. Clubs, in particular Adelaide, will likely be looking at how influential he can be forward of centre, with a crumbing forward role for AFL purposes his most likely spot.
First round draft watch
NAB LEAGUE
Potential top-10 choice, Josh Rachele was quiet for much of the game for Murray, until he was injected into the midfield late in the third quarter to immediate effect. While it was too little too late for Murray, losing by 31 points to Bendigo, Rachele's move into the midfield paid dividends, winning first possession routinely at stoppages, sometimes at two or three successive stoppages, such was his dominance. What Rachele did do consistently throughout the game was impress by foot. Possessing arguably the best kick in the draft class, Rachele's kicking was placed out in front of targets to lead onto with perfect placement. The talented forward and midfielder secured 21 disposals, 10 contested possessions, seven tackles, and two score assists.
SANFL
Playing his role and splitting his time between the midfield and up forward, Jason Horne collected 14 disposals, five marks and one goal for South Adelaide in their three-point win against West Adelaide.
WAFL
In his best game for the year, tall midfielder Matthew Johnson amassed 30 disposals, six tackles and seven inside-50s for Subiaco in their 37-point win against Perth.
Key performances
SANFL (Under18s)
Continuing his rich vein of form, Hugh Jackson was everywhere for North Adelaide in their 38-point win against Sturt with 41 disposals, 12 clearances and 11 inside-50s.
Impressing with how he read the game and intercepted, Jase Burgoyne did his best work in defence. The son of Peter only enhanced his draft chances with 37 disposals, 10 marks, one goal and two behinds for Woodville-West Torrens. While Jase isn't an explosive athlete, and his kicking let him down a few times, he displays genuine football smarts and has the versatility to play in defence, through the midfield or up forward.
Impressing in the first half with his strong marking, where he took marks one-grab at the highest point, Mattaes Phillipou showed a different dimension to his game in the second half, proving his capabilities at ground level by winning the ball and in general play. Phillipou, who is draft eligible in 2022, is looking like one of South Australia's best. He amassed 32 disposals, six marks (three contested), eight clearances, five inside 50s and five goals for Woodville-West Torrens.
Looking exciting and lively up forward, Brayden Calvett played with run and dare for Woodville-West Torrens, fearlessly taking on the game with ball in hand at speed and winning or receiving the ball cleanly at speed every time. The livewire forward produced 23 disposals and four goals for Woodville-West Torrens.
Playing with a presence and providing a commanding marking target, Will Pearce was one of the most influential for Woodville-West Torrents. Pearce not only provided a strong marking target, but he also impressed with his run and dare, agility and evasion, as well as his damaging left foot. Pearce's most impressive moment came in the second quarter where he marked, played on and ran 10m at speed, drilling a 55m goal on the move. The talented forward managed 21 disposals, seven marks (two contested), eight inside 50s and five goals.
Looking lively everytime he was either around, near or in possession of the ball, Mishai Wollogorang was brilliant. Wollogorang tackled with enthusiasm and took on the game, with his speed and agility with ball in hand quite eye-catching. Hailing from the Northern Territory, Wollogorang impressed for Woodville-West Torrents with 17 disposals.
Other than Dudley, Austin McDonald was a second impressive player for Central Districts. McDonald showed his football smarts, won first possession at stoppages and showed off his left foot with several low, hard but precise kicks out in front of targets to lead onto. The talented midfielder and forward gathered 25 disposals, five tackles and one goal for Central Districts. Eligible for the 2022 draft, McDonald is one of South Australia's most promising for next season.
WAFL
A rare positive out of a 98-point thrashing, overager Jack Avery was named one of Perth's best in a one-sided affair against Subiaco. On WAFL League debut after a dominant start to the season in the Colts, Avery collected 15 disposals.