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
Making the case that he should be in the first-round conversation, Connor MacDonald was the most prolific midfielder both at stoppages and around the ground for Dandenong in their exciting two-point loss to the Eastern Ranges.
Amassing 37 disposals, 21 contested possessions, seven marks, nine clearances and 10 inside 50s, MacDonald -- who has been playing APS football for Haileybury College -- was a valuable addition in his first game back for the Stingrays since Round 4.
What was special about MacDonald's performance was how clean he was at ground level, everything he did in close was one-touch in cold slippery conditions on Saturday night. His ball winning both at stoppages and around the ground was exceptional, and his distribution by hand was a highlight.
While it's his inside work that stands out, MacDonald was also Dandenong's go-to-guy around the ground. He regularly provided a target from kick outs and in general play was either working into spaces to provide an easy uncontested mark, or often a moving option on the outside who could be looked towards by hand.
The bonus with MacDonald is that he's a genuine goal-kicking midfielder, managing 10 shots on goal from his first four NAB League games.
The area MacDonald will need to work on is lowering his eyes and looking for the short target more. MacDonald is a capable kick over medium and long distance and can make quick and sound decisions and place his kicks nicely.
The problem at this stage with the 18-year-old and the theme came up routinely on Saturday night, both in general play and after a mark, he is prone to bombing long to a contest when there are opportunities to hit short targets. If MacDonald starts looking for and hitting these short kicks more when he doesn't have a medium or long target on, there's no doubt he can be selected inside the first round in this year's draft.
There are similarities with MacDonald's game to Adelaide breakout midfielder Ben Keays, with MacDonald, like Keays, not only an elite contested ball winner but a very smart footballer who covers a lot of the ground, finds a lot of the ball and tackles well.
Rising stocks
NAB League
Thriving in the rain in Ballarat, Collingwood Next-Generation Academy prospect Youseph Dib was lively for Oakleigh in their two-point loss to Greater Western Victoria through the midfield.
Dib was disruptive in traffic intercepting handballs, attacking ground balls with an enthusiasm like no one else on the field and taking on the game with his run at every available opportunity.
The 174cm livewire collected 16 disposals, 13 contested possessions, seven tackles and six clearances.
In a breakout performance through the midfield, over-ager Max Hall provided a commanding presence. He regularly won first possession at stoppages, took on the game which included one notable fend-off along with several small bursts out of stoppages.
The strong bodied midfielder secured 33 disposals, 18 contested possessions, 13 clearances, six inside 50s and one goal for Eastern.
Key stats
NAB League
Classy midfielder Zac Taylor led the way through the midfield for the Calder Cannons in their three-point win against the Geelong Falcons with 34 disposals, 12 contested possessions, seven marks, nine tackles, six clearances, one goal and two score assists. Tall utility and first round contender Josh Goater also performed strongly for Calder with 33 disposals and nine marks.
Impressing both through the midfield and up forward, Mitchell Knevitt was influential for Geelong with 27 disposals, 15 contested possessions, six marks (two contested), 11 tackles, seven clearances and one goal.
After coming under consideration during the mid-season draft, Noah Gribble has gone from strength to strength in the NAB League. The Geelong over-ager accumulated 39 disposals, 10 contested possessions, seven marks, five clearances, seven inside 50s and two score assists.
SANFL Under 18s
Speedy midfielder Cooper Murley was prolific for Norwood in their 26-point win against Sturt with 31 disposals, 11 marks and two goals.
2022 draft watch
SANFL Under 18s
Providing a difficult-to-stop target up forward, the 201cm Tom Scully starred for West Adelaide in their 91-point win against North Adelaide with 13 disposals and team highs of four contested marks and five goals.