2024 AFL draft

[one-eyed]

April 2024 Draft Power Rankings: Mids, father-sons dominate the list

Jasper Chellappah
ESPN
Apr 17, 2024

A midfield powerhouse opens 2024 as ESPN's leading pick one contender, while a familiar father-son name has begun his top-age campaign in scintillating form.

The top of this draft pool reflects the evolving requirements of the modern day midfielder. Gone are days of the accumulating on-baller whose first instinct is backwards and sideways. Instead, junior coaches are imploring their engine room brigade to take the game on with speed and dare.

The midfield game-breaker has always been in vogue, but it is a mould more sought-after than ever before. The top prospects in 2024 share a common trait in taking space afforded with their legs, and taking the game right up to their opposition. It results in high impact performances and exciting, free-flowing football.

The AFL Academy succumbed to the bigger bodies of Coburg in their first hitout, but it was a high-quality, competitive contest at Ikon Park on Saturday. This draft doesn't possess the singular name in bright lights like a Harley Reid or Nick Daicos, and it will make for a fascinating race to the No. 1 pick as a myriad of midfielders stake their claim.

This is ESPN's opening edition of its monthly AFL Draft Power Rankings for 2024.

1. Josh Smillie
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
MID, 194cm
Talent League: 3 games, 24.7 disposals, 37 marks, 1 goal

Smillie is the prototype midfielder at 194cm with long arms and strong hips. Add to that his elite athletic background and rapid rise through the junior ranks in the past 18 months, and he appears the prospect with the highest upside at the next level. Smillie isn't just an athlete, though. He's a penetrating kick and possesses the poise and strength to pinpoint teammates under duress. He collected 20 disposals through the midfield against Coburg with his ball use a highlight. Smillie has shone as an interceptor off halfback and bulldozed defenders in the forward 50, but a big season as an inside midfielder could see his name called out with the number one selection.

2. Finn O'Sullivan
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
MID, 182cm
Talent League: 1 game, 15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles

Heralding from Koroit, O'Sullivan hasn't featured since Round 1 due to a fractured thumb, but he has years of dominant footy to hold him in good stead. The tough midfielder is brilliant in the air and can create mismatches pushing forward with his aerial dominance. He's a booming kick, runs out games strongly and blends his inside and outside craft superbly.

3. Levi Ashcroft
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID, 179cm
Talent League: 3 games, 27.3 disposals, 4.7 marks, 1.7 goals

The younger brother of Will, Levi Ashcroft is already putting together a top-age campaign to challenge for the No. 1 pick. The equally-prolific midfielder has starred for the undefeated Dragons, and again enjoyed 33 disposals for the Academy. Ashcroft links the chains with creativity and is rapidly evolving his contested craft to balance a penchant to kick goals from half forward as well.

4. Luke Trainor
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
DEF, 194cm
Talent League: 2 games, 20.5 disposals, 5.5 marks, 3 tackles

Named best on ground for the AFL Academy, Trainor put all of his elite traits together to showcase why he is the top-rated key defender in the pool. The bouncy interceptor flies bravely for his marks and offers beautiful timing in his kicking action, often being entrusted to take his side's kick-ins and setting up transition offence with aplomb. It's this attacking weapon which will have clubs considering Trainor in the top five at this early juncture.

5. Jagga Smith
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm
Talent League: 3 games, 29 disposals, 4.7 marks, 3 tackles

Ever-elusive and a maestro with ball in hand, Jagga Smith will be a favourite wherever he ends up. The livewire midfielder currently has a light frame and plays an outside game, but his ability to accumulate and create chances forward of centre is best in class. Smith was clean and classy with his 22 disposals on the weekend.

6. Sid Draper
South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 182cm
2023 SANFL U18s: 14 games, 21.6 disposals, 4.2 clearances, 0.6 goals

An all-round dynamic on-baller with an edge to the way he plays, Draper has had a delayed start to his top-age campaign with a stress fracture discovered in his shin. SA's MVP at the state championships could do no wrong last year and will be aiming to solidify his draft credentials when he returns to action in a month's time.

7. Christian Moraes
Eastern Ranges
MID/FWD, 183cm
Talent League: 3 games, 23.7 disposals, 6.7 marks, 3 goals

Moraes is a wonderfully balanced on-baller with elite skills off both sides of his body and the ability to hit the scoreboard. He's also tougher than his light frame suggests and does the gritty stuff inside to force the ball forward. Boasting an elite basketball background and producing eye-catching highlights with ball in hand, the Ranges star has solidified his top-10 credentials to start the year.

8. Leonardo Lombard
SUNS Academy/Allies
MID/FWD, 178cm
VFL: 1 game, 28 disposals, 8 marks

The Suns Academy midfielder won a VFL premiership as a 16-year-old last year, and in the off-season he's gotten to work, building his body to become a physical presence in his top-age season. Lombard has all the tricks and power to become a game-breaking midfielder; he thrived in transition against Coburg where he can take the game on and hit the scoreboard.

9. Sam Lalor
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
MID, 180cm
2023 Talent League: 8 games, 20.3 disposals, 7.5 tackles, 0.8 goals

The inside beast of the top of this draft is Lalor, a hard-nosed force that rips the ball out of stoppage. He's also the best defensive midfielder in the draft, tackling hard and mirroring Josh Dunkley's style of play. Also an elite cricketer, Lalor has been held out of action so far this season with a groin complaint.

10. Malakai Champion
Subiaco/Western Australia
FWD, 172cm
WAFL Colts: 1 game, 10 disposals, 3 marks, 1 goal

Champion will give himself every chance to take mark and goal of the year at the next level. The remarkable small forward is the full package of exciting forward play, often making something out of nothing with incredible dexterity and evasiveness. He's also played a linking half-forward position and could push up the ground at the next level like a Liam Henry. Concussion sidelined Champion for the Academy hitout.

11. Taj Hotton
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
FWD/MID, 182cm
Talent League: 3 games, 28.7 disposals, 7.3 marks, 1.7 goals

The biggest early-season bolter has been Hotton, an athletic forward that has pushed up on-ball for the Dragons and reaped the rewards of his improved endurance. His ability to find pockets of space and move the ball into the corridor has been invaluable for his sides, and he ended the day with 2.2 from his shots against Coburg after a late AFL Academy call-up. Hotton plays a difficult half-forward role with ease.

12. Tyler Welsh
Adelaide SANFL/South Australia
FWD, 191cm
SANFL League: 7 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

A traditional lead-up forward with ties to the Crows, Welsh is the best key forward in the draft at this point. He's a reliable set shot for the goal, making the most of a plethora of opportunities for club and state.

13. Tom Gross
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 181cm
Talent League: 2 games, 25.5 disposals, 6 tackles, 1 goal

Gross has explosive traits and throws himself recklessly into the contest without fear of physical contact. He can also leap above packs and hit the ground running, which lends himself to a half forward role despite his midfield exploits to start the season at the Chargers.

14. Ben Camporeale
Glenelg/South Australia
MID/DEF, 186cm
SANFL U18s: 3 games, 28.3 disposals, 4.3 marks, 3.7 tackles

The first of the Camporeale twins to feature, Ben is the inside presence who uses the ball with precision and can run all day. He got ample opportunity to impress both on-ball and off halfback for the Academy, and in both positions his ball use and spread stood out, finishing with 24 disposals.

15. Harry O'Farrell
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
DEF, 196cm
Talent League: 2 games, 11.5 disposals, 2.5 marks, 0.5 tackles

A resolute key defender, O'Farrell isn't often beaten one-on-one and has good directional tact with his spoils. He will need time to build his body, but his length and closing speed gives him a chance to beat his forward regularly in his top-age season. Has also shown the ability to play forward for St Kevins in the APS.

16. Bo Allan
Peel Thunder/Western Australia
DEF/FWD, 191cm
WAFL League: 2 games, 12 disposals, 4 marks, 2.5 tackles

Allan missed the Academy match through a minor foot injury but is expected to return within the fortnight. The utility has graduated to League level and spent the majority of his time as a rebounding defender where he loves to take the game on and is ultra-aggressive in his ball movement. He's spent stints forward but may end up a midfielder with his kicking penetration and physicality.

17 Jack Whitlock
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
FWD, 200cm
Talent League: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 2.3 goals

Whitlock earned a call-up to the AFL Academy through strong form and spent his time between deep forward and stints in the ruck. He's a physical presence in the air but will need time to round out his game when the ball isn't delivered for him to run and jump at. Jack's twin Matt is also right in draft contention.

18. Cody Anderson
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm
Talent League: 3 games, 21 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles

Anderson is a maniacal inside midfield presence, hunting the ball and opposition players alike. His physicality is second to none and it's that intense on-ball pressure that makes him a brilliant teammate to play alongside. He needs to become a better ball user and reduce his free kicks against, but there's scope for him to become an ideal defensive midfielder for clubs to target.

19. Lucas Camporeale
Glenelg, South Australia
MID, 185cm
SANFL U18s: 3 games, 23.7 disposals, 4.3 marks, 3.3 tackles

A natural wingman with elite work rate and running patterns, Lucas links play and keeps possession comfortably under pressure. He's worked many opponents into the ground over the past 12 months and continues to mount his case as a first-round talent for Carlton under the father-season rule.

20. Jobe Shanahan
Bendigo Pioneers/Allies
FWD, 194cm
Talent League: 3 games, 8.7 disposals, 3.3 marks, 2 goals

Hailing from Moama across the NSW border, Shanahan is an interesting in-between height, but his goal nous can be unquestioned. He regularly bobs up in the right spots and typically makes the most of his chances, and can also sit on defender's heads if given a run at the ball. There's some Kyle Langford in Shanahan's style of play.

https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/39916961/afl-draft-2024-april-power-rankings-josh-smillie-sid-draper-camporeale-twins-levi-ashcroft