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Gary Buckenara names his top 50 prospects
Key position players are set to dominate this year’s draft with several quality tall forwards and defenders expected to be taken in the top 10.
There are also a number of quality big-bodied midfielders around the 185cm-190cm mark likely to be taken reasonably early as AFL clubs look for the next Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin type.
This year’s draft will be very difficult for clubs to navigate but despite cancelled seasons there’s enough exposed form for clubs to be excited about the talent available.
AFL recruiters watch and closely follow players from as early as under-15s, so clubs have had up to three years of watching these players to base their judgments on those who didn’t get the opportunity to play in 2020.
A lot can change in 12 months, however, especially in the under-18s so recruiting staff will be tested like never before on how good they are at identifying talent.
Those who have relied on videos and stats over watching players live could be exposed, while clubs that have invested in sending staff to watch games live over a long period will be far better placed to make assessments on players and will be able to produce better talent flow lists.
With no under-18s footy played in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania and limited footy played in the Northern Territory, we could see more talent drafted out of South Australia and Western Australia compared to previous years, purely because players were able to showcase their skills.
An intriguing aspect of this draft surrounds mature-aged players. There are a number of recent AFL success stories in players drafted from state leagues – look no further than Tim Kelly and Rowan Marshall as examples – but with list sizes cut and little state league footy played this season, I believe mature-aged players will be the ones who suffer.
For that reason I haven’t included many state league players in my top 50 this year as opposed to previous years, with clubs likely to target delisted players for any required depth.
While it’s been difficult to make judgments, I’ve been able to put together my top 50 prospects again this year based on where I rank every player – this is not a phantom draft and doesn’t take into account which clubs have which picks.
My rankings are based purely on talent and who I rate as the best players in this draft.
In the last three drafts, approximately 45 players from my top 50 have either been drafted or rookie-listed each year, which is a pretty good strike rate, but this year is much tougher.
Good luck to all the players who have nominated, I’m excited to see who gets to live their dream.
Key position players are set to dominate this year’s draft with several quality tall forwards and defenders expected to be taken in the top 10.
There are also a number of quality big-bodied midfielders around the 185cm-190cm mark likely to be taken reasonably early as AFL clubs look for the next Patrick Dangerfield and Dustin Martin type.
This year’s draft will be very difficult for clubs to navigate but despite cancelled seasons there’s enough exposed form for clubs to be excited about the talent available.
AFL recruiters watch and closely follow players from as early as under-15s, so clubs have had up to three years of watching these players to base their judgments on those who didn’t get the opportunity to play in 2020.
A lot can change in 12 months, however, especially in the under-18s so recruiting staff will be tested like never before on how good they are at identifying talent.
Those who have relied on videos and stats over watching players live could be exposed, while clubs that have invested in sending staff to watch games live over a long period will be far better placed to make assessments on players and will be able to produce better talent flow lists.
With no under-18s footy played in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania and limited footy played in the Northern Territory, we could see more talent drafted out of South Australia and Western Australia compared to previous years, purely because players were able to showcase their skills.
An intriguing aspect of this draft surrounds mature-aged players. There are a number of recent AFL success stories in players drafted from state leagues – look no further than Tim Kelly and Rowan Marshall as examples – but with list sizes cut and little state league footy played this season, I believe mature-aged players will be the ones who suffer.
For that reason I haven’t included many state league players in my top 50 this year as opposed to previous years, with clubs likely to target delisted players for any required depth.
While it’s been difficult to make judgments, I’ve been able to put together my top 50 prospects again this year based on where I rank every player – this is not a phantom draft and doesn’t take into account which clubs have which picks.
My rankings are based purely on talent and who I rate as the best players in this draft.
In the last three drafts, approximately 45 players from my top 50 have either been drafted or rookie-listed each year, which is a pretty good strike rate, but this year is much tougher.
Good luck to all the players who have nominated, I’m excited to see who gets to live their dream.
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