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. Jack Lukosius (SA)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 194cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens
Projected draft range: 1-2
Plays like: Nick Riewoldt
September Ranking: 1
Rationale: The best draft prospect for the past 10 years. The next prototype key forward who covers the ground like Nick Riewoldt and hits impossible targets like no key forward we have seen. Hurts the opposition with each touch and is one of the rare few who can break open games with his kicking from behind the centre square, finding and hitting targets no one else would recognise as being open.
Strengths:
Endurance
Work rate
Creates separation on the lead
Leading patterns
Precise long kick
Field kicks placed out in front of targets to lead onto
Vision
Lowers eyes
Sees plays unfold before they happen
Early reading of the ball in flight
Scoreboard impact
Dominant key forward and key defender
Production at SANFL League level
Success in the biggest games including four goals on SANFL League debut in a final
Football smarts
Impact per possession
Weaknesses:
Overhead marking not consistently one grab
One-on-one marking
Contested ball-winning
2. Izak Rankine (SA)
Best position: General forward/inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 77kg
Recruited from: West Adelaide
Projected draft range: 3-6
Plays like: Andrew McLeod (forward version)
Rationale: Rankine's impact per possession is the highest in the draft. He has the performances on the board at SANFL League level and can perform from season one. Pushes ahead of others due to the way he takes over games with his influence.
September Ranking: 4
Strengths:
One-touch ground ball pickups at full pace
Evasiveness
Agility
Acceleration
Change of direction
Anticipation
Skills under pressure
Impact per possession
Scoreboard impact
Instincts for where the goals are
Performances on the board at SANFL League level
Contested ball-winning
Damaging as a forward and midfielder
Weaknesses:
Height
Can get caught with the ball when he tries to do too much
Sometimes inconsistent production
Endurance
3. Bailey Smith (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Sandringham
Projected draft range: 5-10
Plays like: Jaeger O'Meara
Rationale: Arguably the best and most complete midfielder in the draft. Smith places ahead of the more highly touted Sam Walsh with his contested ball-winning, kicking and acceleration of a higher standard. Sat out the latter portion of the year with Achilles bursitis which he was playing through since the start of the season.
September Ranking: 2
Strengths:
Production
Work ethic
Contested ball-winning
Stoppage work
Outside accumulation
Kicking precision and placement
Vision
Endurance
Work rate
Acceleration away from the contest
Versatility to play midfield or defence
Reading of the ball in flight
Intercept marking
Weaknesses:
Impact forward of centre
Contested marking
4. Sam Walsh (VIC)
Best position: Inside/outside midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Projected draft range: 1-2
Plays like: Adam Treloar
Rationale: The most highly touted midfielder in the draft class. His play is as advanced as any in an inside or outside role.
September Ranking: 3
Strengths:
Production
Endurance
Work rate
Run and carry
Agility
Leap
Contested ball-winning
Ground ball-winner
Outside accumulation
Short kicking
Tackling
Pressure on the ball carrier
Works hard both ways
Weaknesses:
Consistency of kick placement
Size
Lack of acceleration to create separation on the move
5. Max King (VIC)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 202cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 3-10
Plays like: Joe Daniher
Rationale: Out for the season with a torn ACL after an eight goal, nine mark (six contested) Round 1 effort. As difficult to defend inside 50m as any junior key forward in recent years.
September Ranking: 5
Strengths:
Height
Long arms
Takes front position in marking contests
Draws free kicks inside 50m
Jumps towards the ball when taking marks and takes it at the highest point
Contested marking
One-on-one marking
Reads the drop of the ball
Protects the drop zone on marks
Leap
Agility
Coordination below knees
Leading patterns
Weaknesses:
Endurance
Work rate Rarely pushes up outside the forward 50m arc
Conversion in front of goal
No established second position
6. Nick Blakey (NSW - Sydney Academy)
Best position: Utility
Height, weight: 195cm, 80kg
Recruited from: University of New South Wales
Projected draft range: 3-12
Plays like: Jarryd Roughead
Rationale: Has missed much of the season with a stress reaction in his ankle after missing much of 2017 with a stress fracture in his back. Physically developing tall with mix of attributes to suggest he'll emerge. Able to impact games in any position.
September Ranking: 6
Strengths:
Versatility to play all positions
Mobility
Leap Marking at the highest point
Leading patterns
Wins first possession at stoppages on the move
Toughness
Clean at ground level
Production
Reliable kick
Quick hands
Weaknesses:
Size
Strength in the contest
Consistency
Unclear best position
Durability
7. Ben King (VIC)
Best position: Key defence/key forward
Height, weight: 202cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 3-12
Plays like: Harris Andrews
Rationale: More versatile and effective up the ground than his twin Max, but the less dominant close to goal. Capable at both ends but has played a more convincing brand of football as a key defender.
September Ranking: 7
Strengths:
Height
Contested marking
One-on-one work in the contest
Takes marks out in front
Marking on the lead
Intercept marking
Reading the ball in flight
Capability to play either end
Protects the drop zone on marks
Lockdown defence
Skills
Agility
Coordination below knees
Versatility to play key defence or key forward
Weaknesses:
Endurance
Work rate
Lack of consistency as a key forward
8. Xavier Duursma (VIC)
Best position: Outside/inside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 71kg
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Projected draft range: 10-25
Similar to: Brendon Goddard
Rationale: Re-establishes himself inside the top 20 due to the strength of his finals series and the consistent quality of his play. A rare midfielder who plays inside and outside to a high standard.
September Ranking: not ranked
Strengths:
Versatility to play through midfield (inside or outside roles) or as a line breaking defender
Acceleration
Line-breaker
Endurance
High work rate
Agility
Competitiveness
Reliable kick
Clean ground ball-winner
Contested ball-winning
Distribution by hand
Tackling Stoppage work
Leadership
Overhead marking
Intercept marking
Weaknesses:
Light bodied
Stoppage work
Consistency
9. Connor Rozee (SA)
Best position: General forward/outside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 72kg
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Projected draft range: 5-15
Plays like: Dale Thomas
Rationale: Athletic utility who is likely to find a role early days as a pressure forward before pushing up through the midfield. Combines clean skills with aerial ability and ground level prowess. A strong finals series including showing versatility to play in defence sees Rozee's stocks rise.
September Ranking: 11
Strengths:
Versatility to play a variety of roles forward, midfield or back
Skills
Vision
Kicking inside 50m
Finishing around goal
Sticky hands overhead
Leap
Freakish at ground level
Acceleration
Breaks the lines
Agility
Change of direction
Forward pressure
Tackling
Weaknesses:
Stoppage work
Strength
10. Jackson Hately (SA)
Best position: Inside/outside midfield
Height, weight: 190cm, 81kg
Recruited from: Central Districts
Projected draft range: 5-20
Plays like: Brad Ebert
Rationale: Ready-to-go midfielder who is a consistent performer in the SANFL at League level. Balances contested ball-winning with outside accumulation and run. Drops as others rise.
September Ranking: 8
Strengths:
Production
Clean at ground level
Distribution by hand
Contested ball-winning
Stoppage work
Endurance
Work rate
Run and carry
Outside accumulation
Overhead marking
Versatility to play forward, midfield or back
Scoreboard impact
Weaknesses:
Decision making under pressure
Prone to rushing disposals and not lowering his eyes
Lacks hurt-factor
Acceleration
11. Connor McFadyen (QLD - Brisbane Academy)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 190cm, 88kg
Recruited from: Brisbane Lions
Projected draft range: 15-35
Plays like: Nat Fyfe
Rationale: Was arguably the Allies' most powerful ball winner and most threatening marking threat forward of centre during the Under-18 Championships. Has backed up that play with promising NEAFL performances. Drops as others rise.
September Ranking: 9
Strengths:
Contested ball-winning
Distribution by hand
Stoppage work
Marking threat forward of centre
Contested marking
Reading of the ball in flight
Protects the drop of the ball
One-on-one strength
Scoreboard impact
Clean at ground level
Equally effective forward as he is through the midfield
Weaknesses:
Pace
Agility
12. Rhylee West (VIC - Western Bulldogs father-son)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Projected draft range: 10-30
Plays like: Nathan Jones
Rationale: Ball-winning midfielder with production on the board. A star for Vic Metro during the Under-18 Championships. Drops as others rise.
September Ranking: 10
Strengths:
Strong body
Contested ball-winning
Tackling
Composure with ball in hand
Vision
Reliable ball user
Midfielder who can push forward
Strength through hips to stand up through tackles
Acceleration
Agility
Overhead marking
One-on-one marking
Weaknesses:
Height
X-factor
13. Liam Stocker (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 83kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 5-20
Similar to: David Armitage
Rationale: Despite missing the Under-18 Championships due to a broken jaw, Stocker has quietly been playing a consistent brand of football for Sandringham and has been one of the stoppage stars of the TAC Cup. Drops as others rise.
September Ranking: 12
Strengths:
Stoppage work
Contested ball-winning
Reacts quickest to 50/50 balls
Tackling
Distribution by hand in heavy traffic
Strength to shrug tackles
Endurance
Work rate
Agility
Acceleration over the first 10m
Clean skills
Kicking to targets inside 50m
Weaknesses:
No clear second position
Outside accumulation
14. Jye Caldwell (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 5-20
Similar to: Luke Shuey
Rationale: Caldwell has had limited exposure with just three TAC Cup matches this year due to hamstring troubles. A powerful ball winner with breakaway speed. Drops as others rise.
September Ranking: 13
Strengths:
Stoppage work
Contested ball-winning
Distribution by hand
Acceleration from the contest
Competitiveness
Tackling
Scoreboard impact
Dual sided
Weaknesses:
Consistency of skills
Little exposed form due to injury
15. Sam Sturt (VIC)
Best position: General forward
Height, weight: 188cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Projected draft range: 10-35
Similar to: Will Hayward
Rationale: Dangerous medium marking forward who from his first TAC Cup game looked a class above. Possesses arguably the sweetest left foot kick to a target and on goal in this draft. TAC Cup form following completion of AGSV season sees Sturt's stocks rise dramatically.
September Ranking: not ranked
Strengths:
Overhead markings
Attacks the ball aerially
Reading of the drop of the ball
Speed to create separation on the lead
Agility
Work rate
Leap
Field kicking
Lowers eyes and finds open targets inside 50m
Set shot conversion
Crumbing
Adjusts quickly to new standard of competition
Football smarts
Scope to improve having never had a football preseason having focused on cricket previously
Rate of improvement
Weaknesses:
Unclear midfield capabilities
Capable but not freakish at ground level
16. Riley Collier-Dawkins (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 193cm, 88kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 10-25
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
Rationale: First possession winner at stoppages with a burst of speed and clean skills. Drops due to inconsistent play.
September Ranking: 14
Strengths:
Impact per possession
Wins first possession at stoppages on the move
Contested ball-winning
Clean at ground level
Distribution by hand
Kicking
Vision
Decision-making in traffic
Acceleration
Agility
Evasiveness in traffic
Overhead marking
Contested marking
Capable through midfield or up forward
Weaknesses:
Production
Consistency
17. Noah Gown (VIC)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 193cm, 91kg
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Projected draft range: 20-60
Similar to: Tom McDonald
Rationale: Among Gippsland's bests in each of their past 10 matches, managing TAC Cup highs of 21 goals and 19 contested marks in his last seven matches. Rises on the back of a super finish to 2018.
September Ranking: not ranked
Strengths:
Scoreboard impact
Reading of the ball in flight
Protects the drop of the ball
Bodywork in one-on-one contests
Keeps his feet in the contest
Contested marking
Attacks the ball aerially
Marking on the lead
Leading patterns
Intercept marking
Football smarts
Courage
Competitiveness
Reliable skills
High leaper
Rate of improvement over second half of the season
Scope to play forward or back
Weaknesses:
Capable but not freakish at ground level
Only average speed and agility
18. Sydney Stack (WA)
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
Height, weight: 177cm, 72kg
Recruited from: Perth
Projected draft range: 25-50
Plays like: Sam Petrevski-Seton
Rationale: One of the most exciting and impactful players through the Under-18 Championships. A prolific ball winner who hits the ball at speed and accelerates away. Production strong and tackling energy around the ball as impressive as any through the carnival. Not looking out of his depth at WAFL League level.
September Ranking: 15
Strengths:
Wins first possession at stoppages on the move
Tackling Pressure around the ball
Acceleration
Speed
Agility
Composure and evasion in traffic
One-touch ground ball winner
Clean ball user
Weaknesses:
Height
Size
Discipline
19. Luke Valente (SA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Norwood
Projected draft range: 20-45
Plays like: Jordan Lewis
Rationale: Ready-to-go prolific ball winner with reliable skills.
September Ranking: 19
Strengths:
Contested ball-winning
Stoppage work
Attack on the ball
Distribution by hand
Competitiveness
Tackling
Kicking
Decision-making
Vision
Scoreboard impact
Evasion
Production
Weaknesses:
Pace
X-factor
20. Chayce Jones (TAS)
Best position: Inside/outside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Launceston
Projected draft range: 10-25
Plays like: Alex Neal-Bullen
Rationale: Consistent performer who has featured among Launceston's bests in six of his seven senior TSL matches and was the Allies' most consistent ball winner throughout the Under-18 Championships.
September Ranking: not ranked
Strengths:
Endurance
Work rate
Ground ball-winning
Competitiveness
Clean hands
Dual sided kick
Scoreboard impact
Production
Performances against more experiences opposition
Capacity to play inside or outside midfield roles effectively
Weaknesses:
Kicking consistency
Decision-making and ball use under pressure