While the top-end talent of this year's national draft is expected to be strong, depth remains an issue.
Heading into the opening weekend of the under-18 national championships, there is a feeling that anything beyond pick 30 – that being middle to late of the second round of the draft – will be a lottery.
![Recruiters will be keeping a close eye on Jarrod Brander at the national U18 championships.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170821022325im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/i/e/i/r/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwmwen.png/1497005183998.jpg)
Exciting Eastern Ranges forward-onballer Jaidyn Stephenson will be one of the prized picks, and shapes as a top five. Interest in him only grew after his performance in the recent AFL Academy's 20th anniversary match at the MCG. Representing Team Daniher, he reinforced why he is seen as a talent, booting three goals from half-forward, also seen a third-marking option, and on a wing.
Stephenson's teammate, Western Jets bull Cameron Rayner, was the stand-out on the day, the powerful half-forward and strong overhead mark also booting three goals.
Veteran AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan described Rayner's performance as "spectacular", declaring he had all the attributes needed to succeed at the top level.
South Australian key position utility Darcy Fogarty, who made his senior debut for Glenelg this season, is also seen as a potential No.1 pick. He is regarded as an ideal model on and off the field, having been voted by his AFL academy peers as the Ben Mitchell medallist.
Recruiters have praised his competitiveness, which was exemplified during a one-on-one ball drill at the AFL academy trip in Florida this year when he either won his own ball or relentlessly stripped his opponent.
In what shapes as an intriguing month, Sheehan told Fairfax Media there was no stand-out No.1 selection – at this stage.
"It's fairly open at the moment, to be honest. Some years you could say Bryce Gibbs is there, or a Marc Murphy or Matthew Kreuzer – all these kids were pretty obvious in their year. Right back to about Josh Fraser, they (recruiters) normally install someone from about July – (Jacob) Weitering was easy. But I reckon it's pretty open, as we are about to start, as to how it will unfold," he said.
Sheehan said recruiters risked "jumping the gun" by suggesting the draft lacked depth, for that could change once the tournament begins.
As recruiters stressed to Fairfax Media, players who haven't necessarily shown a great deal through the TAC Cup competition can morph into match winners once the national championships begin because they get to line up alongside richer talent.
"A forward who likes to lead can do better in the championships when he is being fed better up the field," one recruiter said.
It's fairly open at the moment, to be honest. Some years you could say Bryce Gibbs is there, or a Marc Murphy or Matthew Kreuzer - all these kids were pretty obvious in their year.
- AFL talent chief Kevin Sheehan on debate over the No.1 pick
Bendigo midfielder Lochie O'Brien, who boards at Geelong Grammar and reportedly wants to be a pilot, will represent Vic Country. He is the type who will deliver "silver service" to the forwards.
GWS academy member and key-position utility Jarrod Brander and Luke Davies-Uniacke, a tall, strong-bodied midfielder from the Dandenong Stingrays who had injury issues last year, are also two to watch.
Recruiters have also started to take greater notice of West Australian tall Oscar Allen, who was the centre half-forward in the WAFL Colts team of the year in 2016, while top-age midfielder Brayden Ainsworth has impressed at Subiaco.
They have also raved about Ranges ruckman Sam Hayes, who had 21 disposals and 45 hitouts last weekend. The 203cm, 93kg has been likened to a young Kreuzer, for his follow-up work is also impressive. He can also play forward, increasingly seen as a crucial dynamic for any ruckman in this era where on-field flexibility is vital.
Dubbed by one long-time AFL draft observer as the "blond bombshell", he has also been touted as a potential No.1 pick but clubs have become loathe to take a ruckman with the No.1 pick, for – like Hayes – they still need to physically develop. The last pure ruckman to go with the top pick was Kreuzer in 2007.
Hayes was the only junior All-Australian last year from this year's draft crop, and could join Kreuzer in becoming a two-time selection.
South Australian Callum Coleman-Jones is seen as the second-best young ruckman in the land.
Richmond father-son prospect Patrick Naish, the son of former Tiger Chris, is an agile midfielder and is ready to impress for Vic Metro. Clubs will have to weigh up whether to force the Tigers to possibly cede a first-round selection for him.
Jack Petruccelle, a high half-forward from the Northern Knights and a former elite junior basketballer, is still raw but recruiters say his kicking has improved. He shapes as a top-20 prospect.
This will be his first national championships, as he had been with the AIS basketball academy.
"He has plenty of speed ... some of his TAC efforts have been great, even taking the mark of the day," one observer noted.
Now that's a good way to get the notice of the posse of recruiters from each club who are ready to earn their keep over the next month.
Who to watch out for at the AFL Under-18 National Championships, June 10-July 5
Forwards
Cameron Rayner: Club – Western Jets/Vic Metro. 187cm, 88kg. Recruiters like his ability to be a match-winner either as a forward or midfielder.
Darcy Fogarty: Club – Glenelg/South Australia. 191cm, 86kg. Made his senior debut this year. Is a strong marking forward but enjoys a run through the midfield.
Will Sutherland: Club – Scotch College/Vic Metro. 195cm, 85kg: The Australian under-19 cricket captain can play as a key forward and has spent time in the midfield.
Jaidyn Stephenson: Club – Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro. 189cm, 76kg: Can play as a key forward but boasts speed and endurance.
Jarrod Brander: Club – Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country. 194cm, 87kg. Can play all over the ground but shapes as a star key forward. Is set to be a high pick. Open to all clubs after changes to the GWS Academy zone.
Connor Ballenden: Club – Brisbane Lions Academy/Allies. 200cm, 94kg. Played rugby union as a junior but has excelled as a key forward since converting. Lions will have first access to him.
Midfielders
Lochie O'Brien: Club – Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country. 184cm, 78kg. The clever left-footer has pace and endurance – he was a former national runner.
Joel Garner: Club – Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro. 183cm, 81kg. Unsure about his cricketing qualities but on the football field he has speed and is always prepared to win his own ball through the midfield or in defence.
Charlie Spargo: Club – Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country. 175cm, 73kg. Changes to the GWS Academy system mean he is open to all clubs. A tough midfielder who can run all day.
Jack Higgins: Club – Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro. 178cm, 76kg: Speedy midfielder/small forward who can kick a goal.
Defenders
Luke Davies-Uniacke: Club – Dandenong Rangers/Vic Country: 188cm, 86kg. A defender/midfielder who is cool under pressure and executes well.
Changkuoth Jiath: Club – Gippsland Power/ Vic Country. 185cm, 74kg. Is in Hawthorn's Next Generation Program. Athletic and can play in a variety of positions. Attends Xavier College.
Hunter Clark: Club – Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country: 186cm, 79kg. Played for Vic Country last year. Hard runner who enjoys counter-attacking from half-back.
Oscar Clavarino: Club – Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country: 195cm, 86kg. A diligent tall who spoils first and attacks second.
Ruckmen
Sam Hayes: Club – Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro: 203cm, 93kg. A stand-out ruckman who is strong at ground level and can go forward.
Callum Coleman-Jones: Club – Sturt/Scotch: 201cm, 98kg. An athletic big man who enjoys taking strong contested marks.
The matches
June 10: WA v SA, Domain Stadium, 12.30pm
June 11: Allies v Vic Country, Blacktown, 12.30pm
June 17: SA v Allies, Adelaide Oval, 12.30pm
June 18: WA v Vic Metro, Domain Stadium, 11am
June 24: Vic Metro v Vic Country, Punt Road Oval, 2.30pm
June 25: WA v Allies, Leederville Oval, 12.30pm
June 30: Vic Country v WA, ES, 12.35pm; Vic Metro v SA, ES, 2.35pm
July 5: Vic Metro v Allies, Simonds Stadium, 3.35pm; Vic Country v SA, SS, 5.35pm
Coaches: SA Brenton Phillips, WA Peter Sumich, Vic Country Mat Battistello, Vic Metro Martin Allison, Allies Adrian Fletcher
And don't forget ...
The 2017 AFL national draft is on Friday, November 24. While your club's first-round selection has yet to be confirmed, it is worth remembering:
* The Brisbane Lions have Port Adelaide's first-round selection.
* St Kilda has Hawthorn's first-round selection.
* Richmond has Geelong's first-round selection, via Carlton and GWS's on-trades.
The 2018 AFL national draft
As Fairfax Media has reported, 2018 will see a bumper crop of talent, with signs it could even be a "super draft". This year's national championships will also feature about 15 elite bottom-age teenagers who cannot be drafted until 2018. These include SA's Izak Rankine, Connor Rozee and Jack Lukosius, Vic Country's Samuel Walsh, Jye Caldwell and Zane Barzen, Vic Metro's Max and Ben King, Jack Bytel and Rhylee West, WA's excitement machine Ian Hill and Jason Carter and the Allies' Bailey Scott, Tarryn Thomas and Nicholas Blakey.