Josh Ward

Left-foot small midfielder who showed all the traits this season of an emerging future star. Uses his elite endurance and footy smarts to win the ball, then shows poise and sharp vision to use it in an elite fashion by hand and foot. His natural leadership, running capacity and prolific ball-winning ability compare to Carlton's young superstar Sam Walsh. He imposed himself on five matches with the Northern Knights, averaging 30.2 disposals (11.6 contested), and had 29 disposals in the NAB AFL Challenge match for Victoria Metro against Victoria Country in July to be one of the best afield. Capped off his year being named captain of the NAB League's Team of the Year.

Jason Horne-Francis

Medium midfielder whose stocks continued to rise after a standout year at League level in the SANFL, topped off by a best-on-ground performance in a losing preliminary final with 24 disposals and three goals in a damaging display for this young gun. An All-Australian and his state's MVP at Under-16s level just two years ago, he has now had two years of senior football under his belt and looks ready for the next step. Has rare ball-winning ability, whether it's at stoppages or overhead and is a dangerous player near goals. Averaged 16.5 disposals (8.8 contested), 4.2 tackles and 3.2 clearances in 20 games at senior level this year as well as representing both Australia at Under-18s level and South Australia at Under-19s level, showcasing his precocious talent. His 82cm running vertical jump at the South Australia Draft Combine gave a glimpse of his natural spring.

Josh Sinn

Dashing defender who breaks the lines with his acceleration and penetrating left foot. Had an injury-interrupted year, missing the Australian AFL Academy game with a hamstring injury before impressing for Victoria Metro in its match against Victoria Country but suffered an ankle injury late in the match. An All-Australian at under-16s level in 2019, he played five matches with the Dragons this year, averaging 17.6 disposals, and also making the NAB League’s Team of the Year. Recorded a sharp 2.98 seconds for 20 metres at Victorian NAB League testing earlier in the year, then a solid 6:41 in the 2km time trial.

Sam Darcy

Tall forward who can also play down back or in the ruck, using his athletic attributes and skill set to great effect. A one-touch mark overhead, he also reads the ball very well in flight and launches himself to take contested marks, drawing comparisons to the King twins, Max and Ben, a couple of years back. Has a technically sound goalkicking routine, and booted six goals in a Victorian Metro trial match. He then kicked a special goal on his non-preferred left foot from the boundary line in the AFL Challenge match against Victoria Country. Only played three matches with the Chargers, averaging 16 disposals, 6.3 marks and six hitouts, as well as sparkling for Scotch College. He was selected in the Team of the Year on his overall performances. Is the son of former Western Bulldogs star Luke Darcy and eligible for the Bulldogs under the father-son rule.

Ben Hobbs

Medium midfielder who is a hard-edged beauty who excels one-on-one and consistently extracts the ball out of congestion. Has elite game sense, reading the cues in winning the loose ball and has been ultra-consistent from the Under-16s championships in 2019 when he won All-Australian selection and Victoria Country's MVP. Has similar traits to Port Adelaide star Travis Boak with his competitive edge and ability to hit the scoreboard, averaging 25 disposals (11 contested), 5.2 clearances and five tackles in six matches for the Rebels and winning Team of the Year honours. Co-captain of Victoria Country at Under-19s level, he showed his trademark ball-winning ability and zest having 29 disposals to be among his team's best players. Showcased his athleticism with an 80cm running vertical jump and 6 minutes 32 seconds for 2km at the NAB AFL Draft Combine in Bendigo for Victoria Country.

Campbell Chesser

Medium midfielder who can also use his line-breaking pace and long kicking to provide drive from defence. An All-Australian at Under-16s level in 2019, we only saw thin slices of his undoubted flare and athleticism in three NAB League games due to injury, averaging 18.3 disposals (14 uncontested) at 76 per cent efficiency. A state-ranked underage sprinter, he was appointed joint captain of Victoria Country Under-19s this year, underlying his leadership potential. Confirmed his overall athleticism with a 6 minute 20 second time for the 2km in Draft Combine Strava testing.

Josh Rachele

Small forward/midfielder who was scintillating in the NAB AFL Under 16 Championships in 2019 for Victoria Country, averaging 26 disposals and winning its MVP as well as the overall division one best-and-fairest award. 12 months earlier he was in the Australian U17 soccer squad and had been offered a scholarship to join Melbourne City. As an Australian Football forward, he has some of Giants star Toby Greene's dazzle - explosiveness, competitiveness and strength overhead. He's also a crafty forward, kicking six goals against the Northern Knights, and averaging 2.8 goals in his four matches for the Murray Bushrangers this year. A member of the NAB AFL Academy over the past two years, he represented Australia at under-18s level against Geelong's VFL team, and then showed a glimpse of the future, representing Victoria Country against Victoria Metro to be one of his team's best, winning 20 disposals and kicking a goal. Chosen in the NAB League's Team of the Year for his performances across all levels.

Nick Daicos

Medium midfielder who had the ball on a string in his NAB League matches, where he averaged 35.8 disposals and two goals in five appearances, and representative games for both the Australian Under-18s team (29 disposals) and Victoria Metro (41 disposals), in a clear indication of his undoubted talent. A creative player who has clean hands and wonderful vision, he reacts quickly to bring his teammates into the game. Very nimble on his feet, he steps through traffic with his natural speed and pushes forward to regularly hit the scoreboard. His running patterns are elite along with his overall footy smarts and he absorbs the pressure in congestion. Predominately a ground-level player who keeps his feet and remains in the contest. He's also a student of the game, no doubt absorbing so much from his legendary father Peter and his brother Josh, who he is set to join at Collingwood with the Magpies committed to matching any rival club bid under the father/son rule.

Finn Callaghan

Left-footed medium midfielder who burst onto the scene with dominant performances early with the Sandringham Dragons, winning selection in the Australian Under-18s team for its Challenge match against Geelong (VFL) and showcasing his natural talent and athleticism. Can play inside and excel at stoppages or on the outside on the wing using his penetrating kicking to give good service to his forwards. Has unique aerial ability as well as goal sense, making him a difficult match-up at his size when he goes forward. Due to injury, played just six matches in the NAB League averaging 24.3 disposals (eight contested), three clearances and 3.2 tackles, winning him the Dragons' best and fairest award as well a selection in the NAB League Team of the Year in 2021. He finished the year with an impressive 6 minutes and 10 seconds for 2km (Strava tested) at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. Comes from a sporting family, with his father representing Australia in the Commonwealth Games in the 400 metres and his mother competing in the national youth championships in the long jump.

Arlo Draper

Medium forward with a few tricks which make him difficult to contain including his aerial ability, dazzling speed and agility which can turn an opponent inside out. Has a touch of Connor Rozee's class about him and has already played a couple of senior matches with South Adelaide coming up through the grades after dominating Under-18s where he averaged 24.4 disposals in nine matches. Represented South Australia at Under-19s level against Western Australia on two occasions gathering 14 disposals in game one before injuring his shoulder in the second match being the Toyota AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser, putting a stop to his season.

Neil Erasmus

Medium forward with exciting natural sporting talent only this season focusing purely on an AFL career after being an elite underaged cricketer. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa he was selected earlier this year in the Australian Under-18s AFL team and grasped the opportunity to be one of his side's best in a representative match against Geelong's VFL side in April. Dominated Under-18s in the WAFL earlier in the year, averaging 28 disposals, 7.8 marks and 6.3 clearances along with a state trial before injury resulting in him missing all NAB AFL Challenge matches against South Australia. A mercurial type of player, his overhead marking and footy smarts help make him an exciting prospect.

Jye Amiss

Tall forward who has been a sensation at under-18s level in the WAFL, kicking 51 goals and just 15 behinds in 15 matches this year. Has excellent acceleration on the lead, strong one-touch hands as well being a strong pack mark. As his numbers indicate, he is a deadly accurate kick on his preferred left foot, as well as being an unselfish and team-oriented player which is prominent with his goal assists. Showed a thin slice of these appealing traits in kicking two goals and setting up other opportunities for Western Australia against South Australia in NAB AFL U19 Championships game in August. He suffered an injury to his knee in the Toyota AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser curtailing his season.

Matt Johnson

Tall midfielder who has risen to every challenge this season with ultra-consistent and impressive performances across the board at club and representative levels. Averaged 21 disposals in 11 matches at Under-18s/Reserves level for Subiaco before playing three League games for the WAFL powerhouse. He then starred for Western Australia in two Under-19s matches against South Australia including the AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser, winning his state's best player medal with his eye-catching 21-disposal performance. Has that ideal combination of speed and endurance with cleans hands, composure with the ball as well as neat disposal, drawing comparisons to Geelong star Mitch Duncan. Impressive athlete confirmed with his elite testing for speed (2.98 seconds for 20 metres) and agility (8.06 seconds for AFL agility run) at Draft Combine in Western Australia. From a sporting family with his father having represented Western Australia at state level.

Josh Fahey

Medium defender/wingman who really takes the game on using his speed, step through traffic and prodigious elite left foot to break the game open. Starred for the Australian NAB AFL Academy team against Geelong’s VFL side in April, winning the AFL Commission Chairman’s Medal as Australia’s best player with 23 disposals at 75 per ent efficiency. Played three games for the GWS Giants in the VFL this year, averaging 13.3 disposals with his best being 24 disposals against Richmond. Recorded an outstanding 5:59 (Strava tested) for the 2km time trial in NAB AFL Draft Combine testing.

Mitch Owens

Medium forward who grabbed his chance when he received a last-minute call-up to the Victoria Metro Under-19s team for its NAB AFL Challenge match against Victoria Country, gathering 29 possessions, seven marks and kicking a goal to be one of his side's best. Can also play inside midfield and use his height at stoppages to great effect after growing over 10cm in the past 12 months. A strong overhead mark as well, he has continued his impressive season with the Dragons averaging 18.6 disposals in five matches.

Darcy Wilmot

Medium defender with natural power and agility whose intercept marking is a real feature of his game. Very strong contested ball winner who uses the ball well in rebounding for his team. Played seven games for the Northern Knights, averaging 15.1 disposals and often was involved in 60-metre plays. Another player to shine in Victoria Metro's impressive win over Victoria Country at under-19s level in July, and rewarded for his overall form with selection in the NAB League Team of the Year.

Josh Goater

Versatile midfielder who uses his height, natural spring, speed and agility to win and use the ball efficiently in a range of roles both inside and outside and can also play in defence. His vision, decision-making and execution by hand and foot is a real weapon and stood out in his seven matches in the NAB League, averaging 24 disposals at 85 per cent efficiency with four clearances for the Calder Cannons. Backed that form up to be one of Victoria Metro's best in its win over Victoria Country at Under-19s level with 23 disposals, with his pace and ball use drawing comparisons with Port Adelaide young gun Xavier Duursma.

Toby Conway

Ruckman who continues to develop, growing taller after first coming onto the radar and winning All-Australian honours at the 2019 NAB AFL U16 Championships when he was 197cm. Had a compelling season as a NAB AFL Draft prospect, playing six matches with the Geelong Falcons and averaging 13.8 disposals, 2.8 marks and 27 hitouts to claim NAB League Team of the Year honours. Was also prominent for both Victoria Country at under-19s level and Australia at under-18s levels in representative matches this year. His marking, ruck craft and preparedness to support his team and work hard defensively, has drawn comparisons to Brisbane ruckman Oscar McInerney.

Zac Taylor

Small midfielder who is very composed and looks self-assured in winning and using the ball to his team's benefit both through the centre of the ground and up forward. Capable of hitting the scoreboard when playing midfield by using his footy IQ to get into dangerous spots and convert. Had an excellent year - that included representing Victoria Metro at under-19s level - averaging 26 disposals (10 contested) at 71 per cent efficiency. He won the Cannons' best-and-fairest award and selection in the NAB League's Team of the Year.

Tyler Sonsie

Small midfielder with rare footy smarts and clean hands, making him a stoppage star. His dazzling speed and polished step through traffic out of the centre has drawn comparison to Richmond captain Trent Cotchin. His disposal on both sides is another point of difference. Was Victoria Metro's MVP and earned All-Australian selection in the under-16s in 2019. He started the season well with the Eastern Ranges, playing five matches, averaging 23 disposals (12 contested), and a goal a game, as well as being eye-catching in his only game for Box Hill in the VFL with 22 disposals and two goals. Another member of the NAB AFL Academy, bone bruising to his knee curtailed his year before the shutdown. He was rewarded, however, with a NAB League Team of the Year selection.