Colby Mckercher

SNAPSHOT: “A prolific accumulator with equal measures of speed and skill, Colby McKercher is a nailed on top five prospect.”

Few players are capable of racking up the numbers like Colby McKercher, who dominated his top-age campaign across every level. The star Tasmanian talent has long been touted as a player to watch out of the Apple Isle, progressing through the ranks alongside partner-in-crime Ryley Sanders – whom he finished second to in this year’s Larke Medal voting, and joined in this year’s National Academy.

Arie Schoenmaker

SNAPSHOT: “Arie Schoenmaker possesses a lethal left boot and is among the best playmaking defenders in this year’s draft crop.”

With claims on being the game’s next ‘superboot’, Arie Schoenmaker is a prospect whose 1-wood gets a whole lot of use. The left-footed defender impressed as a bottom-ager last year, cutting his teeth down back under the guidance of eventual Tasmanian draftees Lachlan Cowan and Tom McCallum.

Harley Reid

SNAPSHOT: “This year’s top prospect, Harley Reid is a powerful athlete who dominates at the contest, can play in each third of the ground, and has an extensive highlight reel.”

There have been few more heavily hyped draft prospects than Harley Reid, who was touted as 2023’s hottest prospect a over year out. He put together a sparkling bottom-aged campaign and backed it up this year to become a two-time All Australian and Coates Talent League Team of the Year member.

Jake Rogers

SNAPSHOT: “A diminutive midfielder who punches above his weight, Jake Rogers offers an elite combination of speed, skill, and decision making.”

Pound for pound, there are few more talented AFL Draft prospects this year than Jake Rogers. The Gold Coast Suns Academy member boasts a well rounded skill set which others would envy, and more than holds his own as a midfielder at 170cm.

Zane Duursma 

SNAPSHOT: “Zane Duursma is a smooth moving, natural forward who takes one-grab overhead marks and has no trouble consistently hitting the scoreboard.”

The third Duursma sibling paving a way to the AFL, Zane may well be the best yet. The Gippsland Power product has compiled a decorated junior career since making his Coates Talent League debut in 2021, playing five games in a struggling side back then. He went on to earn consecutive Team of the Year honours and was the competition’s leading goal kicker this season, booting 29 majors in 10 home-and-away appearances. Including finals games, Duursma has kicked over thirty goals in the last two Coates Talent League seasons.

Charlie Edwards

Arguably the biggest AFL Draft bolter in 2023, Charlie Edwards has come a long way in a short space of time. He only received a State Draft Combine invite, but is in line to be the first taken from that group of prospects. A potential second round selection, Edwards boasts a pair of clean hands, nice burst speed and a skillset to match.

Ryley Sanders

SNAPSHOT: “A picture of consistency over the last two years, Ryley Sanders is a high-accumulating, no fuss midfielder with clean hands and high footy IQ.”

On the radar as a high-end prospect for over two years now, Ryley Sanders is one of the most accomplished players in the 2023 draft pool. Boasting two Coates Talent League premierships with the Sandringham Dragons, an undefeated national carnival with the Allies and the Larke Medal, Sanders’ accolades are reward for the consistency he brings to every level.

Will McCabe

SNAPSHOT: “An athletic key position prospect with eye-catching aerial prowess and serious speed, Will McCabe’s upside is enormous.”

Among the top club-tied talents in this year’s AFL Draft crop is Will McCabe, a Hawthorn father-son candidate. He’s the son of Luke, a 138-game Hawk who currently sits as the club’s football director, and grew up supporting the brown and gold. McCabe has risen steeply through the South Australian pathway, taking out the Croweaters’ Under 16 MVP award as an over-ager in the category last year, while also playing a key role in Sacred Heart’s dominant school football side. He graduated to the state Under 18 setup this year and turned out for Central District, even cracking a Reserves debut in Round 13.

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.

Ethan Read

SNAPSHOT: “A 202cm ruck who covers the ground supremely well, Ethan Read shapes as the unicorn of this year’s draft.”

There has been a boom in talent across the Allied states recently, and Queenslander Ethan Read is near the top of what looks like being a groundbreaking crop. The Gold Coast Academy member is one of three Suns considered top 15 talents, and as a 202cm ruck with rare running capacity, he’ll yield a pretty penny.

Nate Caddy

SNAPSHOT: “Nate Caddy is a marking machine with good speed off the mark, unique aerial range, and game-breaking ability.”

There are few players with as much upside as Nate Caddy in this year’s AFL Draft, and even fewer who can claim to match his aerial ability. The 193cm Northern Knights forward comes from good pedigree too, as the son of local legend Saul and nephew of two-time premiership Tiger, Josh.

Caleb Windsor

SNAPSHOT: “Caleb Windsor is a speedy outside runner capable of carving up the opposition in attacking phases, and laying rundown tackles on the defensive end.”

Blazing through the talent pathway after elder brother Kai, Caleb Windsor has climbed draft boards this year as one of the crop’s first round bolters. The speedy wingman showed early promise in his preferred role and followed through with strong Talent League and representative form.

Harry Demattia 

SNAPSHOT: “An explosive athlete with speed to burn, Harry De Mattia is just as dangerous bursting out of congestion as he is hunting down opponents.”

Having juggled football and cricket commitments as a junior, Harry De Mattia has leant towards the former in 2023 in an attempt to be drafted. His decision looks to be paying off, with the Dandenong Stingrays utility considered a top 20 contender.

Caiden Cleary

SNAPSHOT: “An inside bull who also works hard on the outside, Caiden Cleary impacts going both ways with serious power.”

The historically prosperous Sydney Swans Academy has produced a rather even crop in 2023, headlined by midfielder Caiden Cleary. Whether it’s burrowing in at a stoppage or waxing with teammates in transition, the hard running on-baller consistently finds a way to impact games.

Clay Hall

SNAPSHOT: “Clay Hall is a big-bodied midfielder who gets stuck in at the coalface, but also leans on his running capacity to rack up possessions.”

West Australian Clay Hall made history in his WAFL League debut this year, as he and his father Derek became the first father-son pair to play in the top flight for Peel Thunder. Now, he looks to follow his dad’s footsteps into the AFL, where Derek managed 74 games for Geelong and two for West Coast.

Koltyn Tholstrup

SNAPSHOT: “An energetic and bullish forward, Koltyn Tholstrup’s unique combination of skill and flair makes him hard to miss on the footy field.”

A high half-forward with plenty of character, Koltyn Tholstrup takes the game head on and has buckets of experience at senior level. Coming into 2023 off the back of 30 goals in 15 WAFL Colts games across two years, Subiaco had Tholstrup training with the senior squad all off-season. This was the platform for a Round 1 League debut, finishing the season with 10 games at the top level and seven goals.

Will Graham

SNAPSHOT: “Will Graham is an explosive ball winner most accustomed to playing in midfield, but more recently converting into a defender.”

Gold Coast’s Academy has rightly garnered plenty of spotlight this year, with three graduates likely to be taken within the first 15 picks. Perhaps one Sun who has flown under the radar as a result is Will Graham, an explosive athlete and genuine draft prospect in his own right.

Daniel Curtin

SNAPSHOT: “The top West Australian in the draft pool, Daniel Curtin is a key-position player who moves like a midfielder, with his versatility and class making him a likely top five selection.”

A versatile and mobile utility, Daniel Curtin will be one of the names headlining the pointy end of the draft, having shone at senior and State level throughout the year. Highly regarded in the Western Australian pathways for some time, Curtin stamped his authority as a top prospect in the Under 17 Futures game in 2022, winning best afield honours as an intercepting key defender in that match.

Will Green

SNAPSHOT: “A dual-sport athlete with strong fundamental skills and ruck craft, Will Green has developed nicely since committing to football.”

Northern Knights tall Will Green has delivered on his bottom-age potential, and still has plenty more to offer after a decorated top-age campaign. The 204cm ruckman previously juggled cricket commitments with football, but prioritised the latter heading into 2023 and has not looked back since.