Will Ashcroft

There’s not much left to say about Ashcroft that hasn’t been outlined already, the kid’s a star. He looks as readymade as any top-end prospect to come through the pathway of late, and is the type of player to continue to seek improvement throughout his career. Having been touted the top 2022 prospect from over a year out, he has delivered on the hype and it would surely be daft not to recognise that with a bid at pick one – or two, at the latest. Expect him to adjust quickly to the rigours of the AFL, and quickly slot into Brisbane’s finals-embedded side.

Harry Sheezel

It took little time for Sheezel to establish himself as a top 10 talent this year, and he could well be selected within the top five come draft time. His natural ability tends to overshadow whatever explosive athleticism he lacks, with Sheezel showcasing a strong hold of his own game throughout the season. As a true game-winner whose specialist role is what many clubs are after, he will likely come at a premium.

Elijah Tsatas

Despite missing three months of football in an important period, Tsatas remains a big chance to be one of the first selected in this years draft. Standing at 186cm and possessing elite speed and a good leap, coupled with his natural football ability and production, it is hard to ignore Tsatas in the top 5 picks in this years draft. There is also some upside with Tsatas as he is the least readymade out of the top mids and with an interrupted year who knows how much better he could have gone.

Bailey Humphrey

There is simply so much to like about Humphrey, who looms as a genuine top 10 candidate. On top of his attractive set of skills, he is a top notch character whose leadership among the Gippsland group really lifted this year. Clubs will value his ability to impact both as a midfielder and forward, and he is the type of player who will be in high demand given his game-winning attributes. With grand strides made in such a short time, he still has plenty of improvement left too.

Reuben Ginbey

Despite not being the most hyped player coming into his draft year, Ginbey has done everything he can to impress recruiters and looks to fall somewhere within the first round mix. With the modern game trending into a direction that suits players who possess power and size around the ball, Ginbey is an impressive package and certainly looks a player who can make an impact at the top level, potentially as early as next season.

Ed Allan

Clubs may come calling for Allan as early as the first round after his late-season and combine feats, especially given the expansive upside he has shown. While there are certainly improvements to be made in his contested game and disposal under pressure, the athletic profile and versatility Allan offers at 194cm is difficult to look past when crystal-balling prospects around a similar range. Expect him to be highly sought-after.

George Wardlaw

Naturally with soft tissue injuries ruling him out for the second half of the season, there will be question marks over Wardlaw’s conditioning, with clubs certain to be consulting with experts to do their due diligence. Despite his relative lack of exposure as a top-ager, Wardlaw has proven his potential in big games and looks every bit the player recruiters look for – one with the right athletic profile, competitiveness, and the footballing nous to match. North Melbourne looks likely with pick two or three, with Wardlaw a potentially quickfire Jason Horne-Francis replacement over the long-term.

Lachlan Cowan

Cowan’s upside is obvious from the outset. His athletic traits, size, and ability to hurt the opposition are all desirable traits which club recruiters will love. While there is still some polish to add, he has a base set of skills which put him within the top 30 range as a defender whose offensive offering suits the way the game is headed.

Jhye Clark

Jhye Clark is a budding superstar in the making. One of the safest picks in the AFL Draft, Clark is effectively a teenage Joel Selwood and one who will immediately win over fans with his attack on the contest and appetite to win. He is a contested ball-winner, but also has that touch of class that makes him rarely turn the ball over. He could still have more of an influence on the outside, but aside from lacking explosive speed from the contest, there is little to worry about when it comes to the young star midfielder.

Henry Hustwaite

Hustwaite seems to be a prospect who divides recruiters. On one hand, his footballing ability puts him well within first round contention, but on the other hand, he doesn’t quite suit the athletic prototype of modern day footballers. Although, that didn’t bother newly crowned Brownlow Medallist Patrick Cripps. 

Mattaes Phillipou

Mattaes Phillipou is an exciting prospect who will be high on the radar of clubs seeking a big-bodied midfielder or third-tall marking option in attack. Although many expect him to follow the lead of Nat Fyfe or Patrick Dangerfield in starting as a forward and transitioning into the middle, do not discount Phillipou’s damage forward-of-centre. Phillipou has put together a strong body of work with the Eagles and was a standout for SA before soreness struck. Viewed as a high upside selection, the combination of vice-like hands, a well-rounded athletic profile and high upside make Phillipou a first round certainty.

Aaron Cadman

Cadman is a unique prospect in this year’s AFL Draft. While there are plenty of talls on show in 2022, unlike other years, it is hard to argue that the GWV Rebels tall is not the best of the lot right now. His development in just a few months came such a long way, and is a player who could very well play from early on his AFL career, similar to Logan McDonald at Sydney. With Will Ashcroft destined to fill one of the first couple of picks, expect one of the early clubs to pull the trigger on Cadman, with the bigman unlikely to get past Hawthorn at Pick 6.

Brisbane looks like striking gold with its trade and draft haul this year, especially with two fine father-son inclusions. Having already gotten busy to ensure the appropriate draft points will be available, even going into deficit to secure both players is worth it. Fletcher could well yield a bid late in the first round, but the usual bidding effect may result in his name being called in the 20-30 range. He will likely find his spot in the side on a wing.

Jaspa Fletcher

Brisbane looks like striking gold with its trade and draft haul this year, especially with two fine father-son inclusions. Having already gotten busy to ensure the appropriate draft points will be available, even going into deficit to secure both players is worth it. Fletcher could well yield a bid late in the first round, but the usual bidding effect may result in his name being called in the 20-30 range. He will likely find his spot in the side on a wing.

Josh Weddle

With an outstanding athletic profile, a blend of offensive and defensive traits, and high levels of versatility, it is easy to see why recruiters quickly jotted down Weddle’s name this year. He has plenty of required traits which will help his transition to the top level, likely in the second round of the draft. Though, given his upside and the lack of high-end tall options, he could feature even earlier.

Cam MacKenzie 

Mackenzie has plenty of traits which, as a pure midfielder, make him a relatively easy sell to recruiters. At a good size but with ample athleticism, his inside craft is sound and he can hurt the opposition with slick foot skills going inside 50. His ties to St Kilda’s NGA mean little given he will come into consideration within the top 10 picks, though the Saints could snap him up with their pick nine to keep him in red, white and black.

Oli Hotton

SANDRINGHAM Dragons midfielder Olli Hotton was among those dealing the damage as his side shot to NAB League premiership glory on Friday evening. The 18-year-old has risen into first round draft contention on the back of a promising season at NAB League, APS Football, and representative levels.