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.
60-51
60. Archie Hill – HALF BACK/UTILITY – Gold Coast Academy (-4)
On-field leader, great versatility, running power and solid skills. Stepped up to VFL level with aplomb, highlighting his high floor.
59. Sam Tassone – HALF BACK – North Adelaide Roosters (-)
Finally got his chance to impress in the final game for S.A. Used the ball well without quite being able to take the game on as much as he would have liked. Plays best as an accumulating half back using his pace and kicking skills to break lines with the ability to move up to a wing. Dangerous with the ball in space.
58. Finlay Yeo – SMALL FWD/MID – East Fremantle Sharks *Fremantle NGA (+4)
Ultra impressive for W.A. Yeo played primarily on-ball or as a high half-forward and still hit the scoreboard at an impressive rate. Explosive x-factor player who can play small or impact higher up the ground.
57. Archie Elliott – GEN.FWD – GWV Rebels (-11)
Gets maximum value from his touches and hits the scoreboard consistently. Natural goal-kicker who is capable of doing whatever is required of him offensively. Can play small, medium, or tall using his surprising burst and strong hands to be a difficult match-up.
56. Aiden McCartney – GEN. FWD – Sydney Academy *North Melbourne F/S (-3)
Missing the whole year but can't be forgotten. Impressive skills and mobility, versatility to play taller or smaller.
55. Lewis Houndsome – KEY FWD/RUCK – Northern Knights (-4)
Always an imposing figure and uses his frame well. Size to compete straight away, strong hands and a great kick. Uses his size well at talent league level both in the ruck and as an option forward.
54. Harrison Leeder – KEY FWD – Northern Knights (-2)
Modern athletic key forward who can take marks on the lead and on top of a pack. Solid work rate to get up and down the ground.
53. Tate Hodgson – KEY DEF – Northern Knights (-15)
An interesting key position prospect who loves to come off his opponent to get involved in offensive play. Hodgson has the size and athleticism to lock down and is a beautiful kick, he has often been the primary distributor out of the backline as well as the #1 defender.
52. Benji van Rooyen – RUCK – Claremont Tigers (-2)
Really solid and consistent champs, van Rooyen played his role perfectly, working hard in the ruck, following up well and taking strong marks around the ground. Traditional ruck prospect who may not be as athletic as others but has great ruck craft and can take a strong mark down the line. Follows up well at ground level and has solid skills.
51. Harvey Spawton-Guy – KEY UTILITY – West Perth Eagles (-11)
Had a really strong champs playing as the primary focal point of WA's forward line. Speed to beat his opponent on the lead, size to bring the ball to ground and running power to hit the logos well. Strong hands and good running power for his size. Gets up the ground when playing as a key forward, works hard when chopping out in the ruck and uses his strong marking ability down the line or intercepting behind the ball.
