The 2024 AFL National Draft is fast approaching with the 18 clubs looking to add the best talent to their lists.
While Harley Reid was a clear no.1 pick in the 2023 draft, the top selection this year is not so clear.
The Sporting News details who we believe will be in the top 10 of the upcoming draft.
MORE: When is the AFL National Draft 2024? Dates, schedule, selection order, players
AFL Phantom Draft 2024 - Top 10 prospects
No.1: Levi Ashcroft - Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Position: Midfielder
Height: 179cm
The brother of Will and son of Marcus, Ashcroft is another player whose future is likely already decided.
He will almost certainly nominate as a father-son selection and join his brother at the Brisbane Lions.
Ashcroft is a similar midfielder to Will but isn't as quick on the burst.
However, he has a knack for kicking goals and is a quality ball user.
No.2: Jagga Smith - Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Position: Midfielder
Height: 181cm
A contested midfield beast, Smith showed his ability to win the ball in congestion during the Under 18 championships.
Smith had the most disposals for Vic Metro, averaging 29.3 and also went at an impressive 82 per cent disposal efficiency.
He also helped clinch the title for Vic Metro by winning the final clearance of the game to help set up Luke Trainor's winning goal.
There is a concern that he doesn't gain enough metres per possession but this shouldn't affect his draft position.
No.3: Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh Charges/Vic Country
Position: Midfielder
Height: 182cm
Sullivan has slipped out of the top three projections after a quiet Under 18 championships.
The midfielder averaged 11.5 disposals across his two matches and struggled to have an impact.
However, Sullivan has shown enough for recruiters to be confident he will develop into an elite player.
It will take a fair end to the season to elevate back into the top three though.
No.4: Sid Draper - South Adelaide/South Australia
Position: Midfielder
Height: 182cm
An impressive Under 18 championships for South Australia has Draper primed to be a top three selection - and he could even go higher.
Draper showed an spectacular ability to excel both inside and outside the stoppage, complete with dare in his run-and-carry.
He has also played the last two weeks at SANFL level for South Adelaide, averaging 25 possessions and 10.5 tackles.
This kind of exposed form at SANFL level is reminiscent of what Harley Reid did at VFL level last season.
No.5: Josh Smillie - Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Position: Midfielder
Height: 194cm
In a wide open draft, Smillie's physical attributes set him apart from the other midfield prospects.
The 194cm talent has a similar frame to big-bodied midfielders such as Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps.
Intriguingly, Smillie wasn't as prolific through the engine room during Vic Metro's Under 18 championships win against Vic Country - gathering 16 disposals and eight clearances.
Smillie is averaging 31 disposals a match for Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League.
No.6: Alix Tauru - Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Position: Defender
Height: 193cm
After being a fair way adrift of the top 10 a few months ago, Tauru has rocketed up the Phantom Draft standings with an outstanding finish to the season with Gippsland Power.
While he is mainly a defender, Tauru has showed promise as a bigger midfielder, while he also kicked 2.2 as a forward in his final game for the Power.
Could Tauru be a potential swingman star in the AFL?
No.7: Sam Lalor - GWV Rebels/Vic Country
Position: Midfielder
Height: 187cm
Despite being a midfielder in general, Lalor has also shown significant promise as a mid-sized forward, underlining his versatility.
Lalor was deployed mainly as a forward in the Under 18 championships and looked dangerous on the lead, in the mould of a Bailey Fritsch-type attacker.
Coupled with the fact that he is an inside midfield bull, Lalor is sure to be a sought-after prospect in the draft.
No. 8: Isaac Kako - Calder Cannons/Vic Country
Position: Forward
Height: 175cm
With the success of Nick Watson at Hawthorn and the importance of small forwards in the game currently, Kako is set to be a top 10 pick.
Aligned with Essendon's Next Generation Academy, Kako has averaged two goals a game across three seasons for Calder Cannons in the Coates Talent League.
It will be interesting to see if he is bid on before Essendon's pick 9, or if the Bombers trade out pick 9 for a future first in order to preserve that selection and match Kako's bid with other picks.
No.9: Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Position: Defender
Height: 187cm
Ironically Traviglia was the player to concede a free kick and 50m penalty to Trainor, who then kicked the match-winner in the Under 18 championships.
However, the rangy half-back flanker is the premier rebound player of the draft, in an era where that role is elevating in importance.
Traviglia also led the Under 18 championships for intercept marks, underlining his versatility as a defender.
No.10: Leonardo Lombard - SUNS Academy/Allies
Position: Midfielder/forward
Height: 178cm
A joint Larke Medallist alongside Harvey Langford, Lombard is almost a certainty to join the Suns when they match any bid for the exciting prospect.
Lombard produced an eye-catching Under 18 championships for the Allies, averaging 26 disposals, five clearances and a goal a game.
His ability to be a highly dangerous forward and also impact through the midfield is reminiscent of the likes of Izak Rankine, Kosi Pickett and Dylan Moore.
Lombard also impressed while playing VFL for Gold Coast last season, winning the premiership.
