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: 1-3
Plays like: Nick Riewoldt
October Ranking: 1
Rationale: A Swiss Army knife of winning and the best draft prospect for the past 10 years. The next prototype key forward, Lukosius covers the ground like Nick Riewoldt and is one of the rare few who can break open games with his kicking. He finds and hits targets no one else would recognise are open.
Strengths:
Endurance
Work rate
Speed
Agility
Creates separation on the lead
Leading patterns
Football smarts
Impact per possession
Precise long kick
Kicking penetration
Field kicks placed out in front of targets to lead onto
Lowers eyes
Vision to find targets others overlook
Sees plays unfold before they happen
Early reading of the ball in flight
Reliable overhead mark
Clean at ground level
Scoreboard impact
Instincts around goal
Dominant key forward and key defender with the versatility to play wing or half-forward
Production at SANFL League level
Success in the biggest games including four goals on SANFL League debut in a final
Weaknesses:
Crashing packs
One-on-one marking
2. Izak Rankine (SA)
Best position: General forward/inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 77kg
Recruited from: West Adelaide
Projected draft range: 1-5
Plays like: Andrew McLeod (forward version)
Rationale: No one influences outcomes of games quite like Rankine with his impact per possession the greatest in the draft. A rare talent who runs around opponents like they are traffic cones, hurts opponents by foot, hits the scoreboard but critically is an elite ground ball user with the production on the board and an established contested side to his game.
October Ranking: 2
Strengths:
Loose ball winning
First to react to ground balls
One-touch ground ball pickups at full pace
Evasiveness
Agility
Change of direction
Acceleration
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
Leap
Aerial marking
Contested mark
Damaging as a forward and midfielder
Weaknesses:
Can get caught with the ball when he tries to do too much
Sometimes inconsistent production
Endurance
Inconsistent kick on his left foot
3. Bailey Smith (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 82kg
Recruited from: Sandringham
Projected draft range: 4-12
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.
October Ranking: 3
Strengths:
Production
Work ethic
Contested ball-winning
Stoppage work
Kicking precision and placement
Vision
Endurance
Work rate
Tackling technique
Acceleration away from the contest
Versatility to play midfield or defence
Reading of the ball in flight
Intercept marking
Professionalism
Work ethic
Weaknesses:
Defensive focus outside of contested situations
Unclear scope to play forward
4. Sam Walsh (VIC)
Best position: Inside/outside midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 74kg
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Projected draft range: 1-2
Plays like: Josh Kelly
Rationale: The most highly touted midfielder in the draft class. His play is as advanced as any in an inside or outside role.
October Ranking: 4
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
Lacks acceleration to create separation on the move
Unclear scope to play forward
5. Max King (VIC)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 202cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 1-5
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.
October 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.
October Ranking: 6
Strengths:
Versatility to play all 18 positions
Mobility
Leap
Marking at the highest point
Leading patterns
Wins first possession at stoppages while 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. Jye Caldwell (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 5-15
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. Moves up power rankings on the back of review of match tape as a prospect who has been out of sight/out of mind for much of the season.
October Ranking: 14
Strengths:
Stoppage work
Contested ball-winning
First possession winner
Distribution by hand
Acceleration from the contest
Competitiveness
Tackling
Dual sided kick
Weaknesses:
Consistency by foot
Little exposed form due to injury
8. Ben King (VIC)
Best position: Key defence/key forward
Height, weight: 202cm, 85kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 5-13
Plays like: Harris Andrews
Rationale: More versatile and effective up the ground than his twin Max, but less dominant close to goal. Capable at both ends but has played a more consistent brand of football as a key defender.
October 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 of 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
Lacks consistency as a key forward
9. Riley Collier-Dawkins (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 193cm, 88kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 9-19
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
Rationale: First possession winner at stoppages with a burst of speed and clean skills. Rises on the back of re-evaluation of upside and the sense that once he grows into his body, having grown 7cm over the past 12 months.
October Ranking: 16
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
Upside
Weaknesses:
Production
Consistency
Quiet when not around the ball at stoppages
10. 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: 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, kicking six goals from five matches. Rises one position on review of Under-18 Championships performances.
October Ranking: 11
Strengths:
Equally effective forward as he is through the midfield
Contested ball-winning
First possession winner at stoppages
Distribution by hand
Stoppage work
Loose ball-winning
Marking threat forward of centre
Aerial marking
Overhead marking
Contested marking
Reading of the ball in flight
Protects the drop of the ball
One-on-one strength
Scoreboard impact
Clean at ground level
Football smarts
Mobility
Skills
Vision
Weaknesses:
Outside accumulation
Set shot goalkicking
Consistency
11. Rhylee West (VIC - Western Bulldogs father-son)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 180cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Projected draft range: 15-35
Plays like: Nathan Jones
Rationale: Ball-winning midfielder with production on the board. A star for Vic Metro during the Under-18 Championships and one of this year's premier stoppage players. Rises one position review of Under-18 Championships play.
October Ranking: 12
Strengths: Strong body
Contested ball-winning
Aggression
Hardness
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:
Endurance
Outside accumulation
12. 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: A rare midfielder with speed who plays inside and outside to a high standard. Drops as others rise.
October Ranking: 8
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
Unclear scope to play forward
13. Connor Rozee (SA)
Best position: General forward/outside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 72kg
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Projected draft range: 3-10
Plays like: Dale Thomas
Rationale: Athletic utility likely to find a role initially as a pressure forward before pushing up through the midfield. Combines clean skills with aerial ability and ground level prowess. Drops as others rise.
October Ranking: 9
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
Light bodied
14. Jackson Hately (SA)
Best position: Inside/outside midfield
Height, weight: 190cm, 81kg
Recruited from: Central Districts
Projected draft range: 7-19
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.
October Ranking: 10
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
15. Sam Sturt (VIC)
Best position: General forward
Height, weight: 188cm, 79kg
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Projected draft range: 10-30
Similar to: Daniel Menzel
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.
October Ranking: 15
Strengths:
Overhead marking
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. Luke Valente (SA)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg
Recruited from: Norwood
Projected draft range: 15-35
Plays like: Jordan Lewis
Rationale: Ready-to-go prolific ball winner with reliable skills. Rises on review of Under-18 Championships play.
October 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
17. Liam Stocker (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 183cm, 83kg
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Projected draft range: 10-30
Similar to: David Armitage
Rationale: Taking out the Morrish Medal for the TAC Cup's best player, Stocker has played a consistent brand of football for Sandringham and has been one of the stoppage stars of the TAC Cup. Drops as others rise.
October Ranking: 13
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
Contested marking
18. Zak Butters (VIC)
Best position: Outside/inside midfield
Height, weight: 181cm, 70kg
Recruited from: Western Jets
Projected draft range: 7-15
Plays like: Zac Merrett
Rationale: Forced out during the Under-18 Championships with a shoulder injury which ended his 2018 campaign. On review of early season form, Butters was damaging with his run and ball use and despite a slight build won the contested ball and his share of clearances.
October Ranking: not ranked
Strengths:
Agility
Speed
Outside linebreaking
Classy ball user
Hurt-factor
Vision
Decision making
Capable contested ball-winner
Capable at stoppages
Weaknesses:
Light build
No exposed form over second half of season
One-on-one strength
Contested marking
19. Jordan Clark (WA)
Best position: General defence
Height, weight: 182cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Claremont
Projected draft range: 5-15
Plays like: Michael Hibberd
Rationale: A proven defender in the WAFL who rises on review of WAFL League game tapes. An all-around defender with a penetrating kick, who intercepts, defends one-on-one and provides drive from defence.
October Ranking: not ranked
Strengths:
Skills
Kicking penetration
Intercept marking
One-on-one defence
Shutdown capabilities
Endurance
Run and carry
Production at WAFL League level
Weaknesses:
Unclear midfield capabilities
No clear second position
Contested ball-winning
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.
October Ranking: 20
Strengths:
Endurance
Work rate
Ground ball-winning
Contested ball-winning
Competitiveness
Clean hands
Dual-sided kick
Scoreboard impact
Production
Standout performances against more experiences opposition in TSL
Capacity to play inside and outside midfield roles effectively
Weaknesses:
Kicking consistency
Decision making and ball use under pressure
Hurt-factor