The top prospect remains the same — but the gap between first and second has closed in recent weeks.
Plus two father-sons feature in the top 16, while a wildcard Eagles prospect sneaks into the top 30.
om.au presents its top 30 2023 AFL Draft Power Rankings after the national championships.
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30. LANCE COLLARD
Position: Small forward
Size: 179cm
Clubs: Subiaco/North Beach
Some clubs would have him outside the top 40, particularly after his carnival for WA. But there’s something serious special about Collard, who might be the most talented WA player in this draft crop – and there’s six players ahead of him in these power rankings. An exciting small forward with an enormous leap and great goal nous, Collard loomed as WA’s possible match-winner all night against Vic Country. He had just seven disposals, but six of them led directly to scores, booting 2.2 and finishing with two score assists. It was, however, his sole standout performance for the carnival, although clubs were sympathetic to the fact Collard had asked to spend more time with his family across recent weeks. Collard is tied to the Eagles via their Next Generation Academy, although West Coast can only match a bid on Collard if it lands outside the top 40 picks.
29. JOEL FREIJAH
Position: Wing
Size: 191cm
Clubs: GWV Rebels/Horsham Saints
An exciting prospect who’s clean and composed with ball in hand and has been tracked closely by recruiters for the past few years. Freijah has been a star for the Rebels this year, averaging 22 disposals and one goal per game. His six-goal, 26-disposal display against the Stingrays in Round 4 was mesmerising. He’s a unique size that can see him play as a tall midfielder, wing or even third forward/defender, which excites scouts. He’d probably be a little higher on this draft board with a stronger carnival for Vic Country – he kicked 3.1 and averaged 12 disposals from four games – but some clubs still would have him in the teens.
28. COOPER SIMPSON
Position: Midfielder
Size: 182cm
Clubs: Dandenong Stingrays/Mt Martha
An injury in his first champs game meant he missed the remaining three matches for Vic Country, but recruiters certainly haven’t gotten the AFL potential of this well-balanced on-baller. He averaged 24 disposals across his first three Talent League games for the Stingrays, while also finishing with 11 touches, seven contested possessions and three centre clearances for the AFL Academy against Port’s SANFL side. Speedy, cool under pressure and clean with ball in-hand, Simpson is also a big moments player that steps up when his team needs him most.
27. ARCHIE ROBERTS
Position: Medium defender
Size: 182cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/Hampton Rovers
An uber talented prospect that could be higher on this board by year’s end, but one that AFL recruiters are wrestling with at the moment. After starring for the AFL Academy against Carlton in May, Roberts found plenty of the ball during the recent national carnival for Vic Metro, averaging 21 disposals and six rebound 50s while going at 75 per cent by foot. His rebounding ability was unquestionable, but some scouts wanted to see him show more defensive accountability. Roberts wanted to spend some time in the midfield for Metro but ultimately didn’t get the chance due to the team’s on-ball depth. But AFL clubs could see Roberts play on the ball for his school, Haileybury, in the coming weeks.
26. LOGAN MORRIS
Position: Medium forward/defender
Size: 192cm
Clubs: Western Jets/Werribee Districts
Now in the top 20 mix for some clubs after showing off his versatility for Vic Metro. The 192cm prospect played the first two games down back before being swung forward for the final two games, which is his natural habitat. Morris against WA kicked 4.1 from 16 disposals, while he also plucked 11 marks (five contested) as he showed off his elite hands and improved his aerobic capacity. He was well held against Vic Country, but it was a rare slip-up after a strong body of work over the past 18 months, personified by his 52 goals for the Jets in the Talent League.
25. WILL GREEN
Position: Ruck
Size: 204cm
Clubs: Northern Knights/Northcote
Elevated his standing after an excellent carnival for Vic Metro where he showed off his running power, mobility and competitiveness. Green’s best game came against Ethan Read and the Allies, working himself into the game and finishing with 11 disposals, four clearances and a game-high 30 hit-outs. A co-captain of the Knights, Green also has good ruck craft.
24. GEORGE STEVENS
Position: Midfielder/medium defender
Size: 189cm
Clubs: GWV Rebels/South Warrnambool
A powerfully-built 189cm prospect, Stevens was a standout for Vic Country across the carnival, averaging 19 disposals, nine contested possessions and six tackles as recruiters got their wish and saw him unleashed in the midfield for several games. While he still spent some time in defence, clubs prefer seeing him as an on-baller where he shows off his cleanliness, decision-making skills and natural ball-winning ability. Steven is having a monster season for the Rebels in the Coates Talent League, averaging 28.4 disposals from his seven games, which included a massive 44-disposal haul against Dandenong in Round 11. He plays with great presence when he goes on the ball and is hard to push over in the contest.
23. CLAY HALL
Position: Midfielder
Size: 188cm
Clubs: Peel Thunder/Harvey Brunswick Leschenault
A shining light in a tough campaign for WA who’s shown great consistency across his draft campaign so far. Hall has more AFL clubs interested in him after his consistent carnival where he averaged 27 disposals, 11 contested possessions, six clearances and five inside 50s. He returned to WAFL league level on the weekend and impressed with 23 disposals and six marks for Peel Thunder playing alongside Fremantle-listed players. Hall – the son of former Eagles and Cats forward Derek Hall – is an appealing midfielder for AFL clubs considering his professionalism, size and outstanding aerobic capacity, although scouts would like to see an improvement in his kicking efficiency.
22. LUAMON LUAL
Position: Medium defender
Size: 181cm
Clubs: GWV Rebels/South Warrnambool
There’s growing excitement around this exciting defender, who got better with every champs game he played and finished on a high with a spectacular performance against Vic Metro, including a breathtaking third-quarter goal. A speedy and balanced prospect who provides explosive run off half-back yet is just as adept when defending one-on-one, Lual looms as an ideal mid-sized backman for AFL clubs. The Western Bulldogs, who are linked to Lual via their Next Generation Academy, are hoping that club will be them. But they can only match a bid on him if it comes within the top 40 picks — and considering the post-champs hype around Lual from clubs, it seems highly unlikely he’ll still be on the board by then.
21. JACK CALLINAN
Position: Medium forward
Size: 179cm
Clubs: Tasmania Devils/Clarence
A dynamic small forward who knows where the goals are and is dangerous both in the air and at ground level, while he can also pinch-hit in the midfield. After a disappointing first game for the Allies, Callinan — the son of former Crow Ian Callinan – was exciting across half-forward across the carnival, booting 5.3 and averaging 11 disposals to solidify his first-round chances. Callinan showed off impressive speed, footy nous and class, hence he finished with a competition-high eight score assists. It comes after his dominant start to his draft year in the Coates Talent League, booting 14.1 for Tassie from his first four games.
20. RILEY HARDEMAN
Position: Medium defender
Size: 185cm
Clubs: Swan Districts/Caversham
A speedy, hard-running defender, Hardeman had some strong carnival outings, most notably against SA where he racked up 23 disposals, nine marks and eight rebound 50s. But his 14-disposal outing against Vic Metro, which also saw him go at 55 per cent by foot, at RSEA Park also had recruiters questioning whether he’s still in the first-round mix. Still, scouts have been pleased to see his growth in confidence to come forward and intercept mark, which was the attribute needed to round off his game.
19. KOEN SANCHEZ
Position: Small forward/midfielder
Size: 176cm
Clubs: East Fremantle/Applecross Mt Pleasant
A pocket rocket who pushed up a few draft boards during the carnival, booting 6.8 and averaging 18 disposals and nine contested possessions for WA. Sanchez played in the midfield for two games and inside 50 for the other two – and clubs were particularly thrilled by Sanchez’s output when he played closer to goal as he showed off his powerful kick, goal sense, speed and agility. After being hampered by hip and groin issues for several years, Sanchez is thriving — and has a growing list of fans at AFL club level.
18. KOLTYN THOLSTRUP
Position: Medium forward
Size: 184cm
Clubs: Subiaco/Newtown Condingup
An exciting ‘impact’ player — in that a high percentage of his disposals lead to scores for his team — Tholstrup reminded the footy world why he’s in the first-round mix during the carnival. After missing WA’s first game with a back issue, Tholstrup had several key moments during his impressive outing against SA, including a standout smother, a good contested mark and a classy late-game goal as he finished with 1.1 from 20 disposals, eight marks and four inside 50s. A player who’s drawn comparisons to North star Cam Zurhaar – but has more polish and composure — recruiters however remain unsure as to where Tholstrup’s best position is. He played as a high half-forward WA in last year’s and this year’s national carnival, but has been used as a run-with tagger at WAFL league level and played as a wing for the AFL Academy. But he’s been a regular at WAFL league level for Subiaco this year playing six games, with his most recent outing — a two-goal, 14-disposal display against Swan Districts — his best yet.
17. ARCHER REID
Position: Ruck/key forward
Size: 203cm
Clubs: Gippsland Power/Inverloch-Kongwak
Entered this season as a possible top-10 pick, probably dipped across the first few months before finding form and confidence in his recent outings. Reid — the brother of Essendon’s Zach Reid – is a tantalising 203cm forward-ruck who’s exceptional overhead yet great below his knees with mobility and good goal sense. He had two quiet carnival games against SA and WA, before booting 1.1 from 11 disposals and six marks against the Allies then giving Ollie Murphy and Vic Metro a few headaches on Sunday with two goals from eight disposals and seven marks. His most recent Talent League game — 4.0 from 17 disposals, eight marks and 17 hit-outs against the Dragons — was a big confidence-booster
16. WILL McCABE
Position: Key defender
Size: 197cm
Clubs: Central District/Tanunda
Recruiters widely believe McCabe remains SA’s best first-round chance, despite the state’s poor carnival campaign. A speedy defender who has great endurance and can also be swung forward, McCabe is father-son eligible to Hawthorn as his father, Luke, played 138 games for the club from 1995 to 2004. However he had a couple of tough games as Allies and Vic Metro forwards got the better of him.
15. JORDAN CROFT
Position: Key forward
Size: 200cm
Clubs: Calder Cannons/Maribyrnong Park
One for Dogs fans to get excited about. An athletic 200cm prospect, Croft was a standout in Vic Metro’s win over South Australia, booting 3.2 from 10 disposals and three marks. It continued an impressive run of form for Croft, whose dad Matthew played 186 games for the club, therefore making Jordan father-son eligible. He’s kicked 11.2 from his past three Coates Talent League games, while he also produced an eye-catching four-goal haul for Vic Metro against the Young Guns in early May.
14. DARCY WILSON
Position: Medium forward/midfielder
Size: 185cm
Clubs: Murray Bushrangers/Wangaratta Rovers
Classy yet exciting, quick yet can run all day, efficient with his disposals yet a good mark — no wonder Wilson is in the first-round mix. He’s starred at every level he’s played at so far, particular in the Talent League where he’s booted 11.6 and averaged 23.7 disposals across seven games for the Bushrangers. Wilson kicked 4.3 and averaged 16 disposals and four inside 50s for Vic Country in the recent carnival after two solid games for the AFL Academy against Port Adelaide’s SANFL side (19 disposals) and Carlton’s VFL team (1.0, 12 disposals, 6 marks). If he can continue to improve his contested game — and there were glimpses of that during the champs — across the back half of the season, Wilson should be picked on the first night of the draft.
13. MITCH EDWARDS
Position: Ruck
Size: 205cm
Clubs: Peel Thunder/South Mandurah
The best pure ruck in the draft — outside of the unique Ethan Read — who’s been likened to Tim English in terms of looks and playing style. His most impressive game to date was for the AFL Academy against Carlton’s VFL side in May, booting one goal from 11 disposals, five marks and 13 hit-outs. Most importantly, two of his five marks were contested — the only contested grabs taken by an AFL Academy player during the game — late against a hardened VFL side. But Edwards didn’t have much luck for WA during the carnival, copping a corky against South Australia then suffering a concussion against Vic Country, which meant he missed the last game against Vic Metro. Still, clubs would like to see an improvement in his aerobic capacity across the back-end of the season. Edwards is linked to Fremantle via its Next Generation Academy, but the Dockers can only match a bid on him if it comes outside the top 40 — and even though there’s been a cooling regarding top-10 calculations, there’s little chance Edwards is getting picked that late.
12. OLLIE MURPHY
Position: Key defender
Size: 200cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/East Brighton Vampires
If he wasn’t already, Murphy is now in the mid first-round mix after claiming Vic Metro’s MVP award across the champs. One of his more impressive games was against the Allies where he did a great job on Jed Walter after being moved onto him after quarter-time while also finishing with 10 touches and five marks. Murphy is lightly built and framed for now, but when he’s ready to go at AFL level, watch out – for he’s got great size and athletic ability, as well as a pinpoint left-foot kick.
11. NATE CADDY
Position: Medium forward/midfielder
Size: 192cm
Clubs: Northern Knights/Yarrambat
Probably slipped a few rankings spots over the past month, but one recruiter told foxfooty.com.au Caddy was “going to explode” across the back-half of the season. A powerful and dynamic player, Caddy is an exciting prospect who has so much growth left in him — both in his game and in his body — after a fractured fibula delayed the start of his season. He has a Charlie Curnow-like presence inside 50, but can also pinch-hit with power in the midfield, which has seen scouts draw comparisons to Jordan De Goey. Caddy – the nephew of dual premiership Tiger Josh Caddy – has had some jaw-dropping games for the Northern Knights this year, booting 6.4 from 25 disposals and nine marks against Bendigo a few weeks after he kicked 4.2 from 21 disposals and six marks against Oakleigh. Caddy competes hard without much scoreboard reward for effort for Vic Metro, kicking six goals from three games.
10. CONNOR O’SULLIVAN
Position: Key defender
Size: 198cm
Clubs: Murray Bushrangers/Albury
The fan club is growing among AFL scouts for this versatile prospect who has a great tank for his size. O’Sullivan started the year playing as a forward — with the odd midfield stint — booting 3.3 and averaging 18 disposals and nine marks from his first two games. He was recently named the Allies’ MVP after averaging 18 disposals and a competition-high eight marks during the champs playing primarily as a defender, where he showcased a strong defensive-offensive balance. He knows when to stay on his man and when to peel off and intercept – and he’s equally adept at both arts.
9. JAKE ROGERS
Position: Midfielder
Size: 172cm
Clubs: Gold Coast Suns Academy/Broadbeach
Another possible top-10 pick from the Suns academy, although Rogers is a much different player to big teammates Jed Walter and Ethan Read. A speedy, selfless and clean on-baller who’s drawn comparisons to Dion Prestia and Touk Miller, Rogers in May won the medal for the AFL Academy’s best player across its two matches against state league opposition. He backed it up for the Allies with an excellent carnival, averaging 23 disposals and six clearances per game. Rogers wasn’t his side’s biggest ball-winner, but at times he was their most influential.
8. RYLEY SANDERS
Position: Midfielder
Size: 186cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/North Launceston
Few players in this year’s pool have shown metronomic consistency across all levels like Sanders, who took out the prestigious Larke Medal for the best player of the championships. The Tasmanian product, who’s boarding at Melbourne Grammar and playing for the Sandringham Dragons, barely plays a bad game, highlighted by the fact he averaged a whopping 36 disposals, 15 disposals, six inside 50s, six marks and five tackles for the Allies. His brilliant goal against WA — where he sharked a hit-out off WA’s Mitch Edwards, sprinted forward, took a bounce and nailed a kick from just inside the centre square — showcased his burst, power, class and composure in the one passage of play. North Melbourne is hoping to have Sanders, who received his certificate of Aboriginality just under two months ago, added to its Next Generation Academy, which could help it lobby the AFL to pre-list him instead of applying for a priority pick. Seventeen other clubs will be hoping Sanders ends up in the open draft.
7. NICK WATSON
Position: Small forward
Size: 170cm
Clubs: Eastern Ranges/East Ringwood
AKA ‘The Wizard’ — and for good reason. A genuine goalsneak, Watson finished as the leading goalkicker of the carnival, booting 14.6 for Vic Metro as he showed off his unbelievable goal sense, speed, finishing ability and cleanliness at ground level. Earlier this year he showed off his class with the footy across half-back with some big games for the Eastern Ranges. Recruiters told fox footy.com.au earlier this year some clubs in the past would’ve hesitated using a top-five pick on a 170cm player. But the reality is a star small forward has never been more valuable in the AFL — and Watson is as fun and dynamic a prospect as we’ve seen for a while. A player who’ll bring fans through the turnstiles for many years.
6. ETHAN READ
Position: Ruck/midfielder
Size: 200cm
Clubs: Gold Coast Suns Academy/Palm Beach Currumbin
A bolter for some clubs that had him in late first-round contention earlier in the year. Read starred for the Allies during the champs, averaging 22 disposals, three clearances, three tackles and 13 hit-outs. He blew scouts away with his aerobic capacity that helps him play essentially as a fourth midfielder, as well as his quick reflexes in tight, knack of finding space and pinpoint kicking for a player of his size. One recruiter told foxfooty.com.au Read was “a bit of a freak” on the footy field, while his Allies coach Mark McVeigh last week said he could play a Mark Blicavs-style role at AFL level and fill chasms wherever needed. Another possible top-10 pick from the Suns academy — and one Gold Coast will ensure they’re well placed to match a bid.
5. ZANE DUURSMA
Position: Medium forward
Size: 189cm
Clubs: Gippsland Power/Foster
Probably wasn’t this high prior to Sunday’s Country-Metro match — he’d had an indifferent previous three games — but Duursma’s dynamic, game-changing performance was a timely reminder as to why he deserves to be taken at the pointy end of the draft. He booted four goals from 22 disposals, 10 marks and five inside 50s, with three of those majors coming in the third quarter to swing the game in his team’s favour. While Duursma this season hasn’t put too many four-quarter games together and there’s still a chasm between his best and worst games, those best games have been scintillating, most notably a three-goal, 25-disposal outing against the Western Jets. A competitive and smooth-moving prospect, clubs are hoping to see Duursma develop his midfield craft over the coming months.
4. DANIEL CURTIN
Position: Key defender/midfielder
Size: 195cm
Clubs: Claremont/West Coast
Widely considered WA’s top prospect now — and by some margin. The professional Curtin showed great versatility across his four carnival games to win his state’s MVP award, averaging 24 disposals, nine contested possessions and five tackles while going at 82 per cent by foot. Most clubs see him developing into a composed intercept defender at AFL level — and they were thrilled they got to see him take on Jed Walter when WA faced the Allies. But Curtin showed in two carnival games against SA and Vic Metro that he can be a damaging tall midfielder as he covered the ground with a Marcus Bontempelli-like presence. There’s every chance Curtin, who was best on ground in the Under 17s futures game on AFL Grand Final day last year, gets some opportunities at WAFL league level during the coming months.
3. COLBY McKERCHER
Position: Midfielder
Size: 182cm
Clubs: Tasmania Devils/Launceston
The Tassie star had been in the top-10 mix for most of the season, but he’s now right at the pointy end after an exceptional national carnival campaign for the Allies. McKercher averaged 33 disposals, six marks, six clearances and five inside 50s across four games, which featured two standout performances: A 40-disposal haul against Western Australia – ranked fifth on the all-time list for most disposals in an Under 18 national championships game – and a breathtaking 33-disposal, nine-clearance display against Vic Country that included two stunning third-quarter goals to help seal his team its maiden champs title. A ball magnet with great inside-outside balance, composure, burst from stoppage, terrific workrate, agility and an excellent left-foot kick, McKercher has been likened to Essendon captain Zach Merrett. His chances of becoming the first Tasmanian to be drafted in the top five since Kade Kolodjashnij (Pick 5, 2013) are increasing.
2. JED WALTER
Position: Key forward
Size: 195cm
Clubs: Gold Coast Suns Academy/Palm Beach Currumbin
Some clubs now have Walter ahead of Harley Reid on their draft boards after a breathtaking patch of form across the past few months. After beating up on a few lower-ranked Coates Talent League teams earlier in the year, Walter showed his wares on the national stage for the Allies, booting 11.10 while showcasing his competitiveness in the air. One recruiter told foxfooty.com.au seeing Walter chase an opponent was like “watching a lion chase a zebra” and that there’d never been a key forward prospect so willing to apply relentless defensive pressure. Walter is tied to Gold Coast via its northern academy, so the prospect of him and Ben King teaming up in the same forward 50 is tantalising — and one the Suns will move heaven to ensure comes to fruition, even if it means they have to match a very early bid.
1. HARLEY REID
Position: Midfielder/forward
Size: 185cm
Clubs: Bendigo Pioneers/Tongala
It’s no longer Reid first and daylight second — Jed Walter and Colby McKercher no doubt have closed the gap — but the Pioneers star remains the top of the class for most AFL clubs. A powerful mid-sized prospect who’s drawn comparisons to Dustin Martin and plays with an infectious attitude, Reid can play across any line — and win games from any line — with his power at stoppages, overhead marking ability, penetrating kick and knack for hitting the scoreboard consistently. Reid recently showed off his versatility and power across four national carnival matches, booting 5.6 and averaging 20 disposals, 13 contested possessions and a competition-high seven clearances. The hype is large — one recruiter told foxfooty.com.au this year Reid was the best prospect they‘d ever seen come through the draft system, while he was ‘papped’ at Perth airport then seen signing Eagles gear after a carnival game against WA — but he’s handled himself superbly throughout the year. Several clubs will no doubt be throwing trade suggestions at West Coast in order to get their hands on Pick 1/Reid.
