It's moving month, and there are many big changes to the top 100 AFL Draft rankings.
The biggest risers over the past month have been Northern Knights trio Harvie Cooke, Toby Krasna and Sam Gayfer, as well as Sandringham duo George Dimer and Lochie Burrows, who have all had amazing months for Vic. Metro at the national championships.
The biggest fallers from last month's rankings were Dandenong's Ben Carroll, Calder's Sam Harris, and South Australian defenders Harry Franz and Kale Matthews Hampton.
The national championships have concluded for 3 out of the 5 teams. It's time to attempt another top 100 prospect ranking. This is always a pretty mentally challenging and stressful endeavour, but it's also pretty fun, and this year's draft crop is growing increasingly deep and interesting to follow.
Whilst the 21-50 bracket has some notable risers and fallers, the top 20 has remained largely the same this month. Almost all the players in this bracket have solidified their standings at the pointy end of the draft. I have the top 10 sitting a level above the next 10 as it stands, but the upper echelon of this year's draft is growing by the week and the number of players outside the top 20 pressing their case to join that group is super impressive considering the amount of football still to play this year.
The depth of this year's draft is evident in the quality of names currently sitting outside the top 50. The 51-100 bracket was extremely hard to rank which is great for the strength of talent this year and means that there will be something for everyone all the way to the latter stages of this year's draft. There are still plenty of high-quality players sitting outside the top 100 who are very stiff to miss out on this list.
70-61
70. Anthony Long – FWD/MID – West Adelaide Bloods *Adelaide NGA (-13)
High x-factor prospect with a burst of speed and agility. Centre ball-up point of difference combined with forward craft to also play out of the square.
69. Jack Gordon – MID/HALF BACK – Central District (-11)
Started the season as a big-bodied clearance-winning midfielder before moving to half back and showing his intercepting ability and solid foot skills.
68. Garrison Kenh – HALF BACK – East Perth Royals *West Coast NGA (-2)
Took his opportunities at state level with back-to-back high quality games showcasing his beautiful skills and hard running behind the ball. Natural half back with great athleticism and a smooth kick.
67. Mitch Toner – GEN. FWD – Dandenong Stingrays (-12)
Serious talent who can play any offensive position and be a match-up nightmare or have an impact on-ball. High-level speed, skills and marking ability.
66. Max Downes – FWD/MID – Northern Knights (+12)
Strong overhead forward option who has grown as an accumulator this year.
65. Sam Harris – MID/FWD – Calder Cannons *North Melbourne F/S (-23)
A competitive midfielder for the Cannons who plays tough and works hard. A change in role for Vic Metro has allowed Harris to showcase his smart positioning and kicking skills to impact as a half forward.
64. Charlie Hanegraaf – MID – Geelong Falcons (+15)
Hanegraaf has had great moments over the past month without quite dominating an entire game. Midfield bull with solid skills and ability as a forward.
63. Ben Carroll – MID – Dandenong Stringrays (-28)
Explosive speed out of stoppage with skills at ground level and overhead. Carroll has gone somewhat under the radar this year, but is starting to become a serious riser in the rankings as his form has become undeniable. Wins the ball on the inside and backs his leg speed to break away from congestion.
62. Angus Tippett – MID – Western Jets (+5)
Definitely impressed with his clearance-winning and goal-kicking ability for Vic Metro. Hard-working, big-bodied prospect who racks up possessions on the inside and on the spread.
61. Lochie Burrows – UTILITY – Sandringham Dragons (+26)
Burrows has solidified his draft stock playing as a half back; don't forget his top-notch games as a forward/mid, either. Plays with intensity that translates all over the ground.
