AFL clubs will soon look to the draft to replenish their lists and bring in superstar talent.
Many young footballers have impressed recruiters through the U18 National Championships and state leagues, while the National Combine has shaken the order once again.
The Sporting News ranks the top 30 players in the 2023 AFL draft class.
MORE: When is the AFL National Draft 2023? Dates, schedule, selection order, players
AFL Phantom Draft 2023 - Top 30 prospects
No.1 Harley Reid - Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Position: Midfielder/Utility
Height: 185cm
Long touted as the No.1 pick in 2023, it’s no surprise Harley Reid tops The Sporting News’ AFL phantom draft.
The 18-year-old earned U18 Boys All-Australian honours in both his bottom age and draft year, and was named Vic Country’s best in its most recent campaign.
Reid is a powerful midfielder with great aerial ability and the explosive burst that AFL recruiters so often look for.
His marking and athleticism have allowed him to play as a medium forward or backman, and have translated well into impressive VFL performances for Essendon and Carlton.
No.2 Jed Walter - Suns Academy/Allies
Position: Key Forward
Height: 195cm
Jed Walter is an athletic forward prospect, who some AFL talent scouts rate as the best-available talent in the 2023 AFL Draft.
Walter leapt up draft calculations with his 11 goals in the U18 National Championships, as he spearheaded an undefeated Allies team.
It was a similar story in the Coates Talent League, with the 195cm key forward posting averages of 4.5 goals and 5.5 marks a game.
Walter catches the eye with his high work rate and defensive pressure acts, which set him apart from other top-end talls in previous drafts.
As a Suns Academy player, Gold Coast will be able to match a bid for Walter even if it comes in the top ten selections.
No.3 Zane Duursma - Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Position: Midfielder/Small Forward
Height: 189cm
Zane Duursma, younger brother of Port Adelaide’s Xavier, looks set in the top five of this year’s AFL Draft.
Duursma is an explosive onballer with elite goal sense and could slot into a small forward role at the AFL level with ease.
The Gippsland Power product kicked 33 goals in the Coates Talent League, averaging 2.8 per game, and his crafty play transfers well around the stoppages.
Duursma can be seen breaking packs and creating plays with his burst running and has shown to be strong in the air as well. He finished second in the running vertical jump in the National combine.
His best game in the National Championships came against Vic Metro, where the young star kicked four goals from 22 disposals.
No.4 Daniel Curtin - Claremont/Western Australia
Position: Key Defender/Midfielder
Height 195cm
Western Australia’s Daniel Curtin was named as the U18 Boys All-Australian centre half back, which is why the 18-year-old’s ability to play in the midfield is so impressive.
When slotted into the stoppages in the U18 Championships, Curtin was a class above the rest even at his 195cm height.
His strengths suit a defensive role at AFL level, but he has shown an ability to win ground ball and cover ground effectively, even in the Claremont seniors.
After a long season, Curtin looked sore in the WAFL Colts Grand Final and missed the National Combine with a minor hamstring concern.
No.5 Colby McKercher - Tasmania Devils/Allies
Position: Midfielder
Height: 181cm
Potentially the best pure midfielder of the draft class, Tasmanian Colby McKercher is able to stuff the stat sheet using his elite running and game sense.
McKercher gathered 40 disposals against Western Australia in one of the year's most impactful performances, covering the ground with ease.
Capping off a consistent year across all levels, the 18-year-old finished equal first in the Morrish Medal count as the best and fairest in the Talent League.
The left-footer is regularly peppering the goals, kicking 11 majors in his last six Talent League appearances, and has only dropped below 30 disposals twice in the division.
No.6 Ryley Sanders - Sandringham Dragons/Allies
Position: Midfielder
Height: 186
Ryley Sanders took out the Larke Medal as the best-performing player in the U18 National Championships.
Leading the Allies alongside fellow Tasmanian McKercher, he dominated in all four games at the level, including a 35-disposal, seven-clearance, two-goal game against South Australia.
For Sandringham, Sanders leads the Talent League in disposals per game and has proven himself as one of the best contested-ball players in this draft pool.
The 18-year-old's consistency was on display in Sandringham's grand final win, where he grabbed 25 disposals and made five tackles.
No.7 Nick Watson - Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Position: Small Forward
Height: 170cm
Nick Watson is the best small forward in the draft class, and arguably the most skilful player available to AFL clubs.
Though the creative forward's Eastern Ranges couldn't get it done in the Talent League decider, it's hard to find fault in his season.
Watson kicked 14 goals from four games to lead all players in the U18 championships, impressing with his goal-sense and excellent finishing technique.
Despite his size, which could see him drop down the draft boards, Watson is able to connect with teammates through the ground and play overhead.
Stints at half back in the AFL Academy and Coates Talent League have also shown his versatility.
No.8 Ethan Read - Suns Academy/Allies
Position: Ruck
Height: 200cm
The best ruckman in this year’s pool, Ethan Read is expected to land within the top ten picks of the draft.
Earning U18 Boys All-Australian honours for this campaign, Read has caught the eye with his mobility and can act as an extra midfielder around the ground.
That was especially evident at the National Combine, where the 200cm ruckman finished third in the 2km time trial with a time of five minutes and 56 seconds.
Read's foot skills and marking ability have also been on show at U18 and VFL levels for the Suns, highlighting his ability to play across different positions.
Gold Coast will be able to match a bid for the player, as one of several Sun Academy prospects projected to land in the first round.
No.9 Nate Caddy - Northern Knights/Vic Metro
Position: Key Forward
Height: 192cm
Nate Caddy, the nephew of premiership Tiger Josh Caddy, is a strong marking, athletic key forward.
While a leg fracture has affected his season, Caddy has been a standout performer for the Northern Knights, ranking third for goals per game in the Coates Talent League.
The 18-year-old’s best performance came against Bendigo, where he collected 25 disposals and six goals.
Caddy has been trialled in the midfield but does his best work as a marking key forward, though a six-minute, 35-second 2km time trial was impressive for his size.
No.10 Connor O’Sullivan - Murray BushrangersAllies
Position: Key Defender/Key Forward
Height: 198c
Named as U18 Boys All-Australian full back and Allies MVP midyear, Connor O’Sullivan has rocketed into the top ten calculations.
Alongside WA’s Curtin, the 198cm prospect is seen as a top defensive option for clubs looking to bolster their backline in this year’s draft.
O’Sullivan has an excellent key position size, can read and intercept the ball, and is comfortable building play from the back half.
No.11 James Leake - Tasmania Devils/Allies
Position: Utility
Height: 188cm
Tasmanian James Leake earned his place on the U18 Boys All-Australian bench with strong display across half back for the Allies.
An athletic runner, Leake is able to shift through positions and adds defensive presence at his 188cm size.
He finished the season in the forward line for the Devils, with an eye-catching 15 majors to his name in his last five Talent League appearances, and also impressed in the midfield.
No.12 Darcy Wilson - Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
Position: Midfielder/Winger
Height: 185cm
Known for his huge running capacity, Darcy Wilson is a genuine winger who loves to take the game on with his leg speed and endurance.
The Murray Bushrangers product was a standout at the National Combine, finishing second in the 2km time trial (5:52) and first in the running vertical jump (98cm)
At club level, Wilson spent the season as an onballer, but his running skills and penetrating kick lend themselves to a wing role at AFL level.
In the Vic Country squad, the 18-year-old spent time as a half-forward and looks comfortable around the goals.
No.13 Jordan Croft - Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
Position: Key Forward
Height: 201cm
Jordan Croft is a key forward who has shown excellent improvement in his draft year.
Standing 201cm tall, Croft will need some time to fill out but looks capable of plucking marks in an AFL forward line in the future.
At his size, the Calder Cannons product can pinch-hit in the ruck, offering another layer to his game.
As the son of former Western Bulldogs defender Matthew Croft, Jordan has nominated for the Victorian club through the father-son rule.
No.14 Jake Rogers - Suns Academy/Allies
Position: Midfielder
Height: 172cm
Jake Rogers is a hard-running midfielder with a clean set of hands and an exciting burst of speed.
The Gold Coast Suns Academy prospect enjoyed a standout championships campaign, being named in the All-Australian midfield. Rogers has also impressed in the AFL Academy against senior footballers.
Even as a smaller midfielder, he is comfortable involving himself in the contest and attacking ground ball, and catches eyes with his clean disposal.
Rogers earned three callups to the Suns' premiership VFL side, proving how highly he's rated within the Gold Coast camp.
No.15 Caleb Windsor - Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Position: Winger/Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Caleb Windsor is a classy outside runner who showed his ability to switch on-ball for Vic Metro during the championships.
The smooth-mover has plenty of pace and was a standout for Eastern Ranges after returning to the Talent League from state duties.
Windsor finished third in the 20-metre sprint (2.916 seconds) at the National Combine and also impressed in both the running and standing vertical jumps.
No.16 Ollie Murphy - Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Position: Key Defender
Height: 200cm
Shaping as a talented long-term prospect, Sandringham Defender Ollie Murphy has risen up the draft boards after taking out the Vic Metro MVP in the National Championships.
At 200cm, Murphy is comfortable taking intercepts and has taken the role of a primary defender for much of the year.
No.17 Will McCabe - Central District/South Australia
Position: Key Defender
Height: 197cm
A Hawthorn father-son prospect, Will McCabe is considered by many as the top South Australian in the 2023 draft.
Showing a solid intercept marking ability and a tendency to make rebounding plays from defence, the backman is likely to find his spot at the Hawks next season.
No.18 Koltyn Tholstrup - Subiaco/Western Australia
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Height: 188cm
A powerful, hard-working forward whose mullet and diving efforts show obvious cult-favourite potential.
Koltyn Tholstrup played nine senior games in the WAFL, and didn’t look out of place either as a tagger or a defensive medium forward.
The Subiaco prospect finished second in the National Combine's agility test and showed his endurance with a six-minute, 17-second run in the 2km time trial.
No.19 Riley Hardeman - Swan Districts/Western Australia
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Height: 188cm
Riley Hardeman captained WA during the championships, showing his ability to intercept and run-and-carry as a half back.
At WAFL Colts level, the 18-year-old has had no problems collecting big disposal numbers while impressing with his ball use by foot.
Hardeman shows strong leadership qualities and football IQ and looks like he'll be able to slot into an AFL backline as a reliable medium defender.
No.20 Lance Collard - Subiaco/Western Australia
Position: Forward
Height: 185cm
Lance Collard joins a Western Australian contingent set to land in the late first round, having produced his best football at the end of the season.
The medium forward kicked 12 goals across his last two WAFL Colts games, including two finals, and finished the year with a National Combine-best agility test time (8.157 seconds).
A crafty goal kicker with high-value per possession, Collard could fit straight into an AFL side.
No.21 Harry De Mattia - Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Position: Midfielder/Utility
Height: 184cm
Harry De Mattia captained Dandenong at club level, and was brought in to co-captain the Vic Country in the championships.
The long-haired Victorian has obvious leadership qualities and presents well, which will catch the eyes of club recruiters.
On-field, De Mattia shows the burst of speed AFL clubs so often look for, while also possessing the ability to get in and under the contest.
No.22 Archie Roberts - Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Position: Half back
Height: 182cm
A hard-running left-footer with a bit of flair, Archie Roberts earned All-Australian honours for his strong national championships showing.
Roberts has a booming left boot and is comfortable carrying the ball up the ground while staying true to his defensive assignments thanks to a strong overhead ability.
No.23 Charlie Edwards - Sandringham Dragons
Position: Midfielder
Height: 191cm
Charlie Edwards is likely to jump into the top half of the draft after a blistering run of form to finish the season.
While he began the year at half back, Edwards was at his best in the midfield. At 191cm he can rack up disposals, find targets, and has good speed out of the middle.
No.24 Will Green - Northern Knights/Vic Metro
Position: Ruck
Height: 204cm
A former cricketer who made the move to football in 2021, Will Green presents as the second-best ruckman in this draft class.
With sound tap work and a strong endurance base, Green is seen as a high-potential prospect who can play a full-ground ruck role in his AFL future.
No.25 Tew Jiath - Gippsland Power
Position: Defender
Height: 188cm
Tew Jiath has been one of the draft bolters this year, with the 188cm defender proving invaluable to the Gippsland Power backline late in the season.
Jiath, the younger brother of Hawthorn’s Changkuoth, is an agile mover and has made strides with his one-on-one and intercept game.
Though the draft bolter is a Hawks NGA prospect, it’s unlikely he'll fall after the first 40 picks.
No.26 Arie Schoenmaker - Tasmania Devils/Allies
Position: Defender
Height: 194cm
Arie Schoenmaker presents as one of the most interesting prospects in the draft, with a booming left boot and excellent key position size.
Comparisons can be made to Port Adelaide’s Trent “The Cannon” McKenzie, who brought a similar skill set into the AFL.
There’s huge upside in Schoenmaker, who possesses all the traits of a backline playmaker with intercept capability. The 18-year-old also rounds out four highly touted Tasmanian prospects in the projected top 30 of the draft.
No.27 Archer Reid - Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Position: Key Forward
Height: 203cm
An enticing prospect for clubs looking at key forwards, Archer Reid shows strong hands and an accurate kick for his size.
Though Reid was projected to land in the first round at the start of the year, his form has been up and down this season.
His play at the end of the National Championships and mid-part of the Talent League season was impressive, with the tall producing consecutive multiple-goal games. But, the tall struggled to fire at the end of the season, going goalless in his last four.
No.28 George Stevens - GWV Rebels/Vic Country
Position: Midfield
Height: 189cm
AFL Academy captain George Stevens is a polarising figure in the 2023 draft class. The Victorian averaged 28.8 disposals in the Talent League and was effective in the VFL with Geelong, too.
Stevens is an inside ball winner with a powerful frame. The question is whether he has the speed to match it with AFL athletes.
While the big-bodied midfielder could slide down the draft, clubs on the lookout for toughness on the inside will have a close look at Stevens.
No.29 Ashton Moir - Glenelg/South Australia
Position: Forward
Height: 188cm
Ashton Moir entered the year as a potential top 10 pick, but couldn’t perform consistently in an injury-struck season.
The agile medium forward can strike the football with equal confidence on either leg and started the year with four-goal hauls in the SANFL U18s and Reserves.
Moir could be a steal in the late second round if he's able to overcome injury and consistency issues.
No.30 Mitch Edwards - Peel Thunder/Western Australia
Position: Ruck
Height: 205cm
After dominating the WAFL Colts, Mitch Edwards made the move into the Reserves in Round 14. Even against mature bodies, the 18-year-old was able to make an impact with his tapwork.
The Fremantle NGA prospect takes care to put his hitouts to advantage and could be the best pure tap ruck in the draft class.
While he has ties to the Dockers, it’s unlikely that he’ll slide beyond pick 40 to qualify for a bid.
